Few travel issues evoke more controversy than the matter of children in premium cabins, especially in international first class.
I’m not here to debate that, directly. Instead, I want to help guide parents who are considering whether to bring their children into first class. In short, I’ll just borrow the line of Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump:
I’m not going to argue you can “guarantee” an easy flight. Every parent understands why. Sometimes even the most well-behaved children will have bad flights.
And so you can look at it in two ways: avoid any risk of drama and fly uncomfortably in economy or take the chance and hope for a blissful flight up front. I will always will go with the latter choice. With the right tools, the chances for disaster are limited.
Why first class? The ability to spread out can make all the difference in the world when traveling with an infant. I’m not telling you to let your baby or toddler roam free in the first class cabin, but the larger seat or suite allows for a lot more space for the child to utilize.
Take SWISS First Class, for example, which I outlined a bit here. The beauty of our suite, with a closing door, was its allowance for the baby to keep himself entertained in a confined space with room to wiggle…that’s worth a lot of money on a 12-hour flight.
But isn’t it rude to take a baby into an expensive premium cabin? There is always some trepidation when flying that the baby will not be well-behaved. I still get that. But that should not be your concern. I’m not arguing that we should only think about ourselves and not those around us. But I am saying that reasonable people can appreciate why you would bring a baby up front–so that s/he creates less of a disturbance. Your goals are actually aligned.
My Tips for Traveling with a Child in First Class
My tips are actually the same as flying economy class or business class…it’s the room in first class that makes all the difference. Even if the baby is still sleeping in a bassinet, s/he won’t be sleeping the entire flight. Here are five things that have helped me traveling with my son–
1. Leave as Close to the Infant’s Bedtime as Possible
This is most important, especially if your baby is on a schedule. My son goes to sleep each day between 7-7:30p. Thus, that becomes my ideal time to depart on a longhaul flight. It has worked like a charm with all three flights from Los Angeles to Europe.
Flying back to the States is difficult since all nonstop flights to Los Angeles depart in the morning or afternoon. But choosing a 1pm departure over a 9am departure can make a huge difference.
2. Don’t Keep the Infant Hungry
If your baby is hungry, s/he will be irritable. Always keep a supply of snacks on hand. Unlike the sleep schedule, don’t be afraid to break the meal schedule on a plane.
3. Darken the Cabin
In economy class, you are often at the mercy of those around you, but I cannot recall a first class flight where the shades have not been closed during the bulk of the flight. Tricking the baby into thinking it is nap time or nighttime is much easier in a darkened cabin.
4. Keep the Infant Occupied
My son likes his picture book, toy boat, and toy turtle. Bring along your child’s favorite toys. What he really likes is pressing all buttons and playing with my mobile phone, but I don’t allow that…even on a plane. If your baby is too young for that, your best bet is to get up and take a walk around the cabin. Often that is a great thing for even older toddlers.
5. If the Infant Cries, Don’t Panic
If the baby senses your panic, s/he will likely cry harder or longer. Stay calm and soothe the child gently if s/he cries. Even if you are getting the evil eye from the grouchy old man behind you, just focus on calming. Bring a pacifier along.
How to Book First Class
Two words: miles and points. The beauty of credit card points and frequent flyer miles is how they allow you to experience aspirational premium cabins for a huge discount off retail. I’m not going to go into the nuances here, but if you are new to the points and miles game, the potential is huge.
CONCLUSION
My tips are fairly self-evident for parents and perhaps even for parents-to-be. But I hope I have conveyed that you should not be daunted by first class travel with your child. It’s a rewarding way to fly that has tremendous benefits. Put aside the worry and instead focus on how a child who is comfortable and has room to spread out it is lovelier not just for you, but everyone on the aircraft.
I cringe every time I see a baby in First Class.
The last flight where this happened AUH-JFK on Etihad the baby cried the entire flight. It was awful.
Sorry but I don’t think babies should be allowed in First Class.
I agree 100% in first class nor business class. If I wanted to hear a baby crying throughout my flight after I paid more than 3 to 5000+ dollars then I would have fit into the economy section and paid way less than half. And I have children’s and I’m not against them it’s just if I choose the flight in business class or above, I did it for my comfort to be away from that type of situation!!!
Matthew, I am the grumpy old man with the stink eye sitting behind the offender. I was also the one who for years selected coach seats in the “back of the bus” when I traveled with toddler children – a self imposed mandate courtesy to the other paying passengers. Not my responsibility to put up with your screaming kid because you think you’re entitled. All airlines should set the hard rule that infants/toddlers be banned from prem seats. This would take away your ability to engage in a selfish act, at the expense of everyone else around you.
Totally agree with you. I would be the first to complain. If a baby starts crying the mother should be required to close herself in the bathroom compartment until he stops crying. Also, the parents should have to pay for a seat for the baby.
I feel it’s child abuse to take a baby on airplane. The air pressure hurts the baby’s ears. I think babies should not be allowed on planes.
Wow, I’m amazed at how ignorant people can be sometimes. You think babies should not be allowed on planes?? WOW.
@LH … +1 .
You shouldn’t be allowed on planes because, 1. Youre obnoxious 2. Probably overweight, 3. Thinking bad things about babies, which is highly concerning. Even jail able in my opinion. People like you are a danger to society
To all whining miserable souls who don’t like babies in first class, get yourself a charter jet.
If I pay for thousands of dollars for a flight my child will g***** come with.
If you don’t like children, especially babies, there’s something severely f**** up with you.
We love babies. We just don’t want to be around a crying or trouble-making stink bomb.
I am, too. I’ve only ever had one baby that was abysmal, and that was a JFK-SAN transcon where the child behind screamed bloody murder the entire time. Literal screaming. And this was maybe a 3-year-old. And it was economy. The parents did next to nothing to abate this hell spawn. Additionally, you could absolutely tell from the screaming itself that this wasn’t an “his ears haven’t popped and it hurts” situation. This kid was accustomed to screaming incessantly until he got his way. And whatever he wanted was unavailable at 40,000 feet.
Conversely, I had a baby behind me in QF F LAX-SYD that was an absolute angel. Slept most of the time, and when he was awake cooed gently to his mum. So YMMV. However…as a parent, we didn’t travel for 4 years with the child specifically because we couldn’t trust them to not be total assholes. I rarely blame the child; rather, I blame incompetent of uncaring adult parents. They’re the true jerks. If you’re kid is a bad travel, simply DO NOT travel. It’s not hard. And there are VERY few situations where you MUST travel with a child. Full stop. And no, seeing grammy and grampy for the first time is NOT one of those situations.
TL;DR Blame asshole parents for bringing their unruly kids aboard, but keep in mind that not all kids are terrible…but some are fucking awful.
So you all feel like parents traveling internationally shouldn’t enjoy the same comforts of a more spacious seat and nice amenities and should be reduced to tight uncomfortable seats?. You pay for the space and amenities not peace and quiet which is never guaranteed when traveling with other people. Since you idiots feel entitled to the entire plan maybe you should invest in a private jet. People who loves to apartments know they agree to live amongst others and you can’t control others…they don’t want to deal with it they purchase a home.
Please don’t give others any ideas. I find it curious that you are the first to complain about adult passengers in F that disturb you, yet you are doing the same, making the entirely voluntary choice not just to fly in F, but flying at all with your infant, knowing doing so will disturb others that paid alot for the privelege. Not a shock since many of your other posts come across as very entitled and self aggrandizing.
How’s that lawsuit coming along btw?
Kudos at least for not deleting any and all contradicting opinions.
Premium pax pay for the serenity of the front of the plane because what they want is SLEEP so they arrived fresh and ready for business after a long trip.
All it takes is one 30 second outburst of crying and you’re waking passengers up who paid a big premium for peace and quiet.
Don’t be selfish. Fly in the back.
@MG: That’s not why I paid for first class.
Hah. Obviously. But the ability to get a restful period of sleep on a long flight is why most J and C pax pay the premium.
Don’t be selfish. Fly in the back.
@MG: talk about being selfish. why don’t you go get charter a private jet.
Have you ever chartered a private jet? Even more, internationally? This could easily end up costing over $100K (that’s probably on the low end). People that can afford to fly private, do. My suggestion is to get a pair of Bose noise-cancelling headphones and wear them. It’s a little difficult to sleep in them but well worth the effort. You are never going to shame anyone into acting unselfishly so if you travel frequently it’s only a matter of time until you encounter a noisy infant on a flight (or adult for that matter).
Taking an infant at all is rude to all the other passengers. Dont take your shit factory on a flight period.
Since, by biological design, you are just a bigger “poop” factory, are you voluntary abstaining from flying?
Idiot and on purpose obviously dishonest answer. Please do not argue if you are going to be dishonest in the first place. Money doesn’t buy education and manners apparently
Yes, apparently that is true Julien. Go bark up another tree.
I hope my little one and I get a chance to sit next to you on your next long haul flight.
I hope not. Why is that by the way? Why looking forward to it? It seems you already know your child will misbehave and ruin the flight. Just can’t wait to UNLEASH the dragon huh?
Mature.
First class in not a place for infants.
Even quiet ones?
Your infant will not have a single outburst during a TPAC TATL flight? Very, very unlikely. Because that single outburst of 30 seconds it all it takes to wake the cabin.
Don’t be selfish. Fly in the back.
Mine didn’t. Flew OZ in F cabin when he was 9 months old. He played around with the seat buckle and even waived to people as they got settled in. By the time meal service was starting my baby was asleep and me and my wife enjoyed dinner face to face in the F suite. My son has only flown in F or J both internationally and domestic. Only time he cried was at the tail end of a 20 hour journey with two transfers and even then it was for the last 30 minutes.
A few drops of tequila on the tongue works wonders.
So I’ve read…..
You don’t make the rules s*** for brains.
I hope you get a screaming child on every flight for saying that.
If a family is PURCHASING first class seats for all of them – they should consider seats on a corporate jet !
And – Asian & European parents are more likely to have well-behaved children in ANY class than American parents!
One might consider that if control one’s surroundings is such a major consideration, it’s the passenger seeking to avoid children who might consider traveling on a private jet. On a public conveyance it seems counter-intuitive to be upset by encountering the public.
European children are the worst! Corporate punishment is against the law in many countries and the children are brats as a result.
Ric, what shithole country are you from?
Hitting kids obviously makes them better behaved.
You obviously have no idea what you are talking about.
I’m from Switzerland and live in the USA.
I’m sorry, but overall I have noticed that American parents (not all mind you) don’t care if their kids are screaming and running around causing a ruckus. Good parenting will have parents PREPARED for a long flight, will reassure children and have activities for them. For the most part, European and Asian families bring up their kids differently. It all goes back to how the kids are raised.
I agree. I am amazed how ill prepared SOME parents seem to be with activities (small books, a few small toys, coloring books, washable crayons) to help their child. Electronics weren’t invented when raising our child. We always had a small fun bag that went everywhere at the ready (packed ahead of time). People always commented how well our child behaved, but it took planning to care that we didn’t bother others. Many times in Dr. waiting rooms mother and fathers brought nothing for their child and we shared. I wondered sometimes why some parents made it so very hard on themselves if they would just doing a little planning. Also, my child responded well to whispers. If my child got loud, I would whisper back to my child and he would whisper back. I told him to use his inside voice not outside voice. Toddlers ares smarter than we give them credit. Airlines survival depends on filling even first class space full. So to restrict the age of passengers, even with children, isn’t going to happen. They are in business to make money after all. Maybe an airline with an age restriction would attract enough business people or people who don’t want to be around children that could make that a viable business idea? They have 55+ only neighborhoods. Just a thought.
Hey Andy K – What SHITHOLE country are you from?
It’s corporal punishment not corporate punishment (unless you’re Donald Trump!)
Where did you go to school?
That was auto-correct.
Corporal punishment I think…..
I agree with the commenters who believe that buying a seat in first class entitles them to decide who sits in the other seats. With the fairly obvious stipulation that they must also pay for all the other seats. Failing that, your first class seat does not grant you the expectation that other passengers, or the airline, will act on your preferences regarding age, race, wardrobe choice, decision to wear socks, choice of perfume or cologne, etc.
Everyone, of course, is entitled to an opinion. But the notion that your opinion trumps the rights of other paying passengers is, obviously, absurd.
Airlines can decide the terms of carriage in their various classes and (at least foreign airlines — this might run afoul of US laws) could offer a child-free cabin if they so desired. Malaysia does or did this. There does not seem to be a great degree of market demand for it.
Bravo! Everything here is spot on.
Matthew, having done this with 2 kids myself, your post is great advice. My kids have been to over 35 states and 4 countries. The only times we ever had outbursts or long crying we’re on Southwest. You can fly in premium cabins with minimal disturbances.
You choose to live in a society. Children are part of that society. Grow up. If parents are acting considerate and respectful of others in the cabin, they have every right to be there.
I agree with you 100%
Key words: respectful and considerate.
Bravo!
We switched from flying coach to first/business (paid) when our son was 4yo so the infant and toddler concerns had past. It was family economics that prompted the switch, not some magic age benchmark.
We did 20-30 flights between 3.5 months and 16 months old and never had a problem with crying or disruptive behavior in coach so yes, I can believe baby could fly in first without an issue. Its as much advance planning and common sense as it is a child’s temperament. We traveled so much because our baby was a very good companion. Had he been a fussy or difficult baby, we likely would not have flown as often as we did. Some kids simply are more easy going than others.
Bravo, Matthew.
I disagree with those who don’t think babies belong in First Class. Plenty of adults don’t belong in First Class. I think how the child behaves has every bit to do with the parents.
We brought our now-10-month-old infant on Swiss Business to Europe last summer and also in Korean First Class and back on Business last month— it gets easier every time, and we are less nervous. I walked around quite a bit with her in the back of the plane–many laps from first through biz to economy, and she was quite happy and less restless.
But yes, it takes work. We don’t get to enjoy First or Biz as much. We tried our hardest to be considerate of other passengers. Anytime the baby started crying I would pick her up and proceeded out of the cabin. No one gave us dirty looks. Flight attendants were super attentive and sweet, especially on Korean. It was FINE.
That being said, I remember flying solo on Emirates in economy from Dubai to JFK years go and it was just sea of infants, one would stop and another would start. It was miserable because the parents weren’t doing anything to soothe the babies. It’s all about the parents.
It is about the lazy parents who don’t prepare — or can’t be bothered — for the trips (food, toys etc). Common sense just ain’t common anymore. And yes, mostAsian parents do better.
If an adult next to you in First Class started screaming uncontrollably for hours non-stop and you were unable to sleep or relax what would you do? You would ask the adult to keep the noise down and if they failed to you would ask the crew to intervene.
I would have no trouble telling the parents that they should remove the child (and themselves) from the First class cabin if a child did the same.
I’m lucky enough in about 50 overnight J or F flights to either not have children in the cabin, or if they are in the cabin they are well behaved and quiet.
They’re called earplugs. Every seasoned traveler should learn to sleep with them and ignore what happens around them works great everywhere.
If an adult next to you in First Class started screaming uncontrollably for hours non-stop and you were unable to sleep or relax what would you do?
Try to help him out?
Taser works too…
****bingo****
“I’m lucky enough in about 50 overnight J or F flights to either not have children in the cabin, or if they are in the cabin they are well behaved and quiet.”
*cough* lonely loser overcompensating* cough
No one is impressed with you being a cunt. Please EAD.
Good grief, do you have to be so profane ?…..Your comment, by the way, is meaningless.
Ben— If an adult did that, he is getting tackled to the ground and tied up with our belts. Not the same scenario.
I still get a bit anxious when I see an infant seated near me, but in all my experience flying I’ve never actually been disrupted by one. Maybe I’ve been lucky.
On the other hand, I can’t count the number of times an adult has bothered me (in all cabin classes)
Just recently I flew to Hawaii in economy with a parent and baby beside me. Baby slept almost the entire flight, while the passenger behind me talked loudly about all of her problems (she had a lot) and kicked my seat about 300 times an hour. Oh, and all of the flight crew loved the baby, which resulted in some pretty great service in our row.
I’ve had loud babies…even on my recent Qsuite flight (for about 20 minutes)…but you’re right: usually the adults are worse. There is no way around that for those who want to “ban” children from flying in premium cabins.
You’ve partly swayed me to agree but unfortunately have traditionally found parents in premium cabins could not care less how their infant behaved and do let them scream/run riot the entire flight. Sadly having paid for the privilege of a quiet premium cabin cannot guarantee that you will receive what you expect.
That’s exactly what we did when we flew LX J, CX, J and KE F this past summer. We just lucked out on KE F ICN-LAX that the cabin was empty, so we were able to have them dim the lights when we wanted.
To all those with the holier than thou attitude regarding infants in first class, go take a hike. The opinion smacks of jealousy and the need to feel superior because “I’m in first class!”
I have not had the privilege of first class in my international travels (would gladly pay some day given the opportunity financially or points) but take the family in business on long-haul flights and the large seat with a bed and space for my daughter makes our travel much easier on everyone than cramping her in a tightly confined space. Not to mention, frankly, I’m not going to discomfort my daughter for anyone if I can help it. Any airline worth their salt with a premium cabin provides noise cancelling headphones on a long haul. If worried about noise, put on the headphones like most people already do regardless.
Noise cancelling headphones doesnt work for sounds like a baby crying. It is for sounds that are constant like the sound of the airplane.
“To all those with the holier than thou attitude regarding infants in first class, go take a hike. The opinion smacks of jealousy and the need to feel superior because ‘I’m in first class!’” First, I assume you mean envy not jealousy. Second, the “you’re just jealous [sic]” retort is what a teenager says if I don’t like a musical performer.
As someone who is allergic to children in general I think children should never be allowed anywhere near the front of an airplane.
If you’re allergic, perhaps you should stay home.
Again a totally silly and selfish answer. In your mind the world shall be ruled by the disturbers and not by the respectful people ? The one who is disturbed is wrong and should go, but the one who disturbs the other fellow humans shall stay and is entitled to suggest them to stay home ? What a nice mentality !
I think Halls is not allergic to babies, he is allergic to noise and disturbance and likes to rest. But as long as 99% of babies are noisy, allergy to babies is the result.
I’m disturbed by your complaining.
Young children should be banned from all flights. Seriously who travels with an infant. What possible enjoyment can the infant derive from going on a trip when they are too young to understand what is happening.
I guess it’s just par for the course for this snowflake generation though.
Sad times we live in.
Oops, that was for the other jerk. So you think people with kids should just stay in the same town until their kids are old enough to understand what is happening?
Seems like the only snowflake is the person who can’t handle the fact that other human beings are sharing a space with them. Just because you can’t reproduce doesn’t mean the rest of us have to tip-toe around your pathetic ass
LOL, young children does not equal infants. Not sure where you snowflake comment is relevant either but frankly you just seem normally miserable in your life. Buck up! Try to find something to enjoy rather than be a drag.
Reply to Mr. G.’s comment: “Young children should be banned from all flights. Seriously who travels with an infant. What possible enjoyment can the infant derive from going on a trip when they are too young to understand what is happening.”
The first time my son travelled in a plane, he was seven months and I had no idea how he’d react. The flight was from DC to Las Vegas. My husband and I were seated in a bulkhead section surrounded by adult business travelers who contorted their faces in expressions of dread, anger, and disgust. My son smiled at them. The plane took off and my son slept the entire duration of the flight. When the plane landed, these very same business persons walked by us and stated, “What a great a baby!” My reply was, “He really is; but you wouldn’t know that because he slept the whole way.”
The return flight, also in Coach, but not a bulkhead section, presented my son with no problems or difficulties. When he wasn’t napping, I shifted him a bit, letting him stand on my thighs as I held him up and he faced the seats behind me. He started giggling because a nine year-old boy, several rows back, was playing a bobbing game of peek-a-boo over the top of the seats. My son’s laughter was infectious, prompting many of the adults on the plane to laugh along with him. The general comments I received when the plane landed: “….great to hear a baby laughing for a change, instead of crying.” “Cute kid.” “He’s a fine traveler.” It isn’t the children, Mr. G.; most of the time, it isn’t even the parents. But instead, it’s a situation. One that can certainly be contributed to by the attitude of one’s fellow passengers. My baby WAS a good traveler, putting the adults around him at ease and making their moods fair after their initial reactions were mean and angry, possibly causing tension in the immediate cabin area. Tension which any baby is SKILLED at discerning. They have to be discerning; they’re defenseless and have to rely on their instincts. Oh, and that nine-year-old boy, several rows back? He was the smartest, kindest passenger on that plane. Reassess, Mr. G.; reevaluate; reconsider.
Young children should be banned from life. If you want kids don’t expect us to act matured just because we are older. If your kids won’t behave we won’t behave.
Thank you sir / madam. Best comment so far!
Honestly, infants and younger children shouldn’t be in first class. Yes, they may bother other passengers, but more importantly, kids shouldn’t get so used to flying on premium cabins just because of his or her parent’s financial status. We don’t want kids who grow up to become pompous and entitled.*
I don’t necessarily plan to fly my son in a forward cabin when he is old enough to entertain himself. But now he’s too young to appreciate it…that’s part of the point.
To those who don’t like kids in “their” first class cabins:
So sad too bad for you. Your not special. You paid for a seat and just because you can afford a better one does not guarantee you the right to choose your companions. If you demand that right it’s time to start chartering private jets.
It perfectly fine to criticize badly behaved adults. They are after all fully grown and should be expected to know right from wrong and understand basic courtesy. Small children on the other hand clearly cannot be held to the same standard. It would be one thing to complain about parents letting kids run wild (in any cabin). But especially when it come to a crying baby/toddler I assure you there is not a soul on that airplane that wants the kid to stop crying more than the parents.
To those who say it’s being selfish to fly up front have you considered how selfish your being to insist that kids belong in coach? With two small kids of my own I can assure you that Matthew is right. Having the ability to allow them to move around a suite as opposed to being trapped in a seat is HUGE when it comes to have a pleasant flight with small kids. Why does your “right” to a pleasant and comfortable flight trump mine?
MG your clearly not a fan of Matthew so please go away. Start chartering private jets so you can have the total control over every aspect of your environment your entitled to. Can’t afford it? Hmmmm What about the small business owner flying long haul for work that can only afford coach but still needs to arrive rested? Are you better than him more valuable than him because you can afford First?
Airlines are a form of public transportation. Which means you don’t get to pick who your traveling with.
Asians definitely take care of their children more so than other parents on average. I have seen that often and am very appreciative. Having said that, I’m trying to remember the last overseas flight in J I had in which a child cried for most of the flight.
Why is your child not secured? In the event of turbulence he would become a ping pong ball. Suite or no suite.
Two words: ground services. That’s why you choose F over J when traveling with infants. Think about how much you ‘enjoy’ first class perks and multiply that by 10x and you’ll get a sense of how much more parents appreciate them.
I’ll start off by saying I don’t fly with my son (18 months), because I know his personality well enough to know that he wouldn’t do well in a confined space like an airplane for an extended period of time. The extra space in J or F might help, but unfortunately that’s not a realistic option for us, whether on cash or miles. I see no problem, though, with kids in premium cabins is the parents come prepared and believe their kids can handle a long flight. Honestly, I’ve flown many times with young children in the J cabin, and can remember maybe one instance where they created a disturbance for a long period (though I can sleep through just about anything, so probably not the best person to judge such things).
That being said, I find this argument posted by several commenters that anyone has a “right” to a particular experience in an expensive cabin is ridiculous. 121Pilot is right. You pay for a seat and the services that come with it, not the right to choose your seamates (well, unless you buy up the whole cabin I guess). Also, is this Animal Farm, where F/J passengers are created more equal than Y passengers, and therefore those flying in coach can fly a kite when it comes to cabin noise? Sad!
My nieces and nephews all had the gift (to their parents) of immediately falling asleep in motion – car, arms, train, plane. That said, nobody pushed it to 20 hours’ travel at a pop. Some kids, and some parents, can fly together without triggering murderous thoughts in the minds of their fellow travelers. Some parents put a lot of effort into making it work. If you and yours can’t, then does it matter what class travel you choose?
But, really – if you routinely trash the flight experience for fellow travelers who are either paying $10K+ for a seat or suffering in an uncomfortable middle seat for 14+ hours, how do you live with yourself?
No question about it, no kids in premium class.
In case there is a real need to fly, sit in the back, In fact I have been thinking that planes should have a hard separation for let say the last 6 rows where parents with kids can sit together, soundproof separated from other passengers.
I can see some broth ideas… also, I think there should be separate compartments for adults with stinky feet, another one for the ones who keep farting all the time, also one for the drunk ones. Oh and one very separate compartment and if possible with cages for those old businessmen who constantly try to hit on and flirt with stewardesses and other passengers.
How about that?
Babies, toddlers and children are also… guess what… HUMANS. They have all the rights to fly on a plane, take a bus, go to a restaurant and to enjoy the world!
If you don’t like them or can’t stand them then you should be the one not leaving your home. Because the world cannot adapt to you. You have to adapt to the world.
My take: Flying with YOUNG children is unnecessary and most of the time a selfish entitlement of the parents. A toddler couldn’t care less if he’s at the Conrad Bali, or playing at a neighborhood lake or in-country destination. Yes, there are reasons, that make it unavoidable – moving countries, visiting grandparents – but for pure joy? No, just no.
Regards,
A dad
This is the height of self-indulgence. Infants and young children have no place in premium cabins, and especially not in international first class.
By that standard, why does anyone have a place in international first class? Isn’t “the height of self-indulgence” exactly what first class is?
BELTBOX on amazon.
I hope next time couple of low bred French child will sit beside you.
Matthew,
LOVED the pictures of Augustine! He’s a little cutie. Ignore all those who say that young children don’t belong in FC.; those who might be disturbed by a child being a child can wear earplugs. Hang in there!
Alison
Hello,
Did they offer you a bassinet for your son in F?
For this trip, my son was too big, but in past trips yes.
Hey Matt. Did you have to pay infant fees? I was planning to fly Cathay first to Asia and got shocked when they want 25% of cash price fee for our baby under 2! I noticed most airlines charge some sort of fees as well for biz and first. What/how did you do for all your 3 trips? Anyway around paying these fees? Many thanks!
I am 100% certain that the people that rant about kids in first/business/economy class in this thread ARE NOT PARENTS. If they were, they would understand that it is not fun for parents when their progeniture start crying during a flight. If anything it is even more annoying for them then for other passengers, because they need to calm down their kids AND are uneasy of bothering those passengers.
But if you want to be alone in a plane, just charter a private one! Don’t be a d*** about passengers with children, as if they were not allowed there.
Some ridiculous comments on this page @ron @isaac @credit @mr G and others
Well, you seem like the exact type that cannot control your beat. And no, the solution is not to charter a jet. The solution is for people who pay for first class to have a first class experience. Which is not listening to your ill-mannered offspring.
And the solution for you is to shut the f*** up and not be an a**hole. Honestly, if you had a brain, you would know better to have common sense.
Yours is just one more opinion — a rude and profane one.
Who cares if a child cries on a plane? The second you get off you will forget all about it. Toughen up. I fly first often and if an infant starts crying I put on the headphones and have a drink. Deal with it life is too short to worry about such small matters.
If your ass is in first class on an international flight and you were too foolish to bring on board your $500 pair of state of the art earplugs to mute out any screaming babies that you’d find disturbing, then I’m sorry, that is on you. If you can’t afford those $500 ear plugs, I’m afraid your ass is in the wrong class seat to begin with. If you pay 3K-8K to just to sit in a fancy seat for a few hours so you get some shut eye but are too irresponsible to protect your investment in that seat by bringing with your a $500 pair of earplug then frankly you deserve to sit on that 10 hour flight in first class next to a screaming baby. That’s your fault, so quit blaming your poor ass planning at the expense of others, that seems equally as selfish as bringing a baby in 1st class.
People in first class have no place to whine about anything because they ….are…in…FIRST….CLASS. If you know a crying baby on a plane bothers you, and you just spent more than the average kids college fund just to sit in a seat a few hours so you can get some quite time in, but yet have chosen to step on board with no fancy earbuds that cost 1/10 the airfare to prevent this problem from occurring, which you easily had the power to eliminate, then I have zero pity for you.
You’re either A) too foolish for your own good, B) make really poor investments and decisions with your time and money, C) are too poor to buy earbuds but yet feel like you’re first class material and therefore deserve to sit in the back with everyone else or D) all of the above.
Just my 2 cents. Rant over.
For real though.
Wow so much hate from upper class white priveleged males. This has motivated me to book a business class ticket on United Newark to Singapore trip with my 16 month old just to spite the likes of you all. Let’s hope we sit next to a few of you. Petty? Yes. Otherwise a helpful article, thanks!
Ling— Narrow minded to assume everyone is white here because a few people have pictures posted.
Also very mature to use your child as a weapon for revenge against those of us who don’t want kids in the premium cabin.
I bet your young child is already light years ahead of you in the maturity department.
Why is it narrow-minded of Ling to think Adam A is a white male when his is of a white male?
Booked a first class with miles from JFK to ICN with our 13 months old daughter. She will be 15months when we fly. I can’t wait to see all those haters’ faces when we board.
I’m amazed that how many baby haters there are in the comments. Clearly they all forget that they were babies once. More importantly, they don’t understand NO parents would voluntarily want to hear their babies cry (unless those super irresponsible parents). Judge all you can haters, babies can fly first class too.
Hmm — Ling’s twin??
Hi Matthew! Did you book a separate seat for your baby or it was booked as lap infant?
For this flight, it was a lap infant. Now my youngest is two years old, so we will be buying four tickets.
I’ve never had an issue with a child up front. My wife and I volunteered to help mind one on the way to Australia once (the little girl was a dream and we are childless).
They’re usually better behaved than a lot of adults I’ve come across.
Nice tips Matthew.
Above those I would say go the car seat as much as you can. Even if you’re in a row of three in economy (plus). I’d rather a comfortable infant in a car seat sleeping next to me in economy than trying to deal with a squirmer in biz class in a separate seat.
The other mistake I see parents make is not helping with ear pain. So many kids up to 4/5 years old scream on takeoff or landing. Give them a bottle to suck on or a lollipop!! Helps immeasurably. Am amazed a lot of parents don’t know this. Air nz used to hand out Lollies before descent. We always had a bag of lollipops and would have them ready for takeoff and landing.
Great advice. But I will add what should be a no brainer. Stay sober. You have a job throughout the flight. Bring along the Au pair if you wish to relieve yourself of the responsibility.
I don’t have kids, so I’ll assume these are great tips… I do have one question. Ben posted about traveling with his son a day or two ago, then you reposted this, and Gary also threw up a “traveling with kids” post. Is there a particular reason? I don’t know anything about SEO or stuff like that. It seems like it can’t be a coincidence.
I flew from Helsinki to Edinburgh last year in Economy. I was right at the back. Had a screaming child two seats in front which wouldn’t stop screaming the entire flight. I would have gladly have seen that child sat in Business Class!
Why would anybody assume First Class/Business Class “kids-free” zones? It’s still public transport after all. I get it – a toddler might cry. That`s no worse than the usual snoring orchestra that comes free with lie-flat seat cabins.
After suffering for 10 hours by a crying/screeching 2-3 year old in the row ahead of me in Upper Class while flying Virgin Atlantic to London, I am a firm believer that kids of that age need to be checked as luggage. The “full diaper” didn’t help either! No question that there was a “right” to be there since they bought a ticket. As a pilot, I know that kid’s ears can hurt, too. On the other hand, whether in “steerage” all the way to first class, there’s a point where the “rights” are overshadowed by the good of others. Do I have a solution other than what I stated above? No, I don’t. Maybe a pediatrician might offer something to calm the kids down.