Flying business class with a baby--ok or not?

Hi, I need to book air tickets for my husband and I to go to the U.S. with what will be, come Christmastime, our 3-month-old baby. (Feels strange to book before the kid's even here, but the flights are already filling up!) My question is: should I use my miles (I fly a lot for work) to upgrade us to business class--or do you think that's unfair to the other passengers, who presumably bought an expensive ticket hoping for peace and quiet?


Would love to hear what travelling parents and business travellers--since I can closely identify with both and am feeling torn--have to say about this. Thanks!

I totally agree with cara. And urge you to fly business if you are able. It makes for a far less stressful trip.

I flew biz class with baby and hubby this past Christmas...and was soooooo glad we did!


Don't worry about the other passengers...have'nt we all dealt with a crying baby on a plane?


Besides, at 3 mths the LO will most likely do fine :)

Agree w/the previous posters. You definitely want to be more comfy on a long-haul flight. We just got back from May holiday on biz. class. We even had the bulkhead seats w/bassinet for bubs. There was one jerk who did roll his eyes when baby got a little fussy, but everyone else couldn't care less (they had on eye covers and headphones, one man snoring!) and the flight attendants on Cathay were so helpful and really sweet.


Once you get over what other people think, you'll be fine. I've been on flights where babies have been crying in bus. class and I could hear them back in economy, so it doesn't really matter.

Before baby arrives, my first advice to you is:


As you raise your child..... you ignore bystanders, strangers, and sometimes even your family's "opinions " and "criticisms".


You are the mother, and you are always going to be the one who know what's best for your baby. When travelling, you ignore EVERYONE 's looks and darts from the their eyes when baby fusses and cries. If you can master that, you can survive any flights, and other travel embarassments.


We travel lots of our kids, ever since they are newborns.... just ignore what others think and their looks.


Fly business if you can afford to.

Baby will probably just sleep through most of the flight at 3 months of age anyways.


All the best to you !

I went through the same dilemma as you when I booked our first business class flight with our eldest. I eventually decided to give it a go and lived in fear of filthy looks, being downgraded due to crying noises etc.


Well, I was not disappointed by the dirty looks from other passengers when we boarded. In the end, we received nothing but compliments when the plane landed. She slept most of the way through and therefore made a lot less noise than the drunken couple sitting behind us, even than the sober, quietly chatting pair opposite us.


We have been doing it ever since on long haul flights (I don't think it's worth it short haul) and have never had a problem with either child. Nowadays with flat beds, I think they are much less likely to bother people in club than in economy, as they're asleep for at least 10 hours.


With a 3 month old, you do not need a seat; he/she will easily fit in the bassinet. Make sure that they guarantee you one! Also, you have a better chance of being allowed to take a stroller onboard in business (the umbrella ones fir in the wardrobe). At Christmas, you are unlikely to be the only ones flyng with children in business class either (you should see the Club Class lounge at Heathrow in early January - it's full of children).


As everyone else says, you will get criticism from people no matter what you decide - just do what you are comfortable with. Even if your child has a bad flight, you'll be much worse affected by that than any other passenger (parents hear every sound and stress over everything, to others, lots gets lost in the hum of the engine etc). Enjoy your trip.

Many, many thanks for all of your very helpful thoughts--I really appreciate your taking the time to weigh in. I think we'll give it a try, presuming we can get the upgrade. Once again, thanks very much.

Definitely go Business if you can. Makes life much easier. My kids always fly Business long haul (there was one exeption when EVERYTHING was fully booked---made life much more difficult) and they're now 3.5 and 7. Both are usually very well-behaved on the plane.


I find that most people only get upset with a crying baby/child IF the parent does nothing to try to soothe him. Most people are quite understanding when kids have the occasional cry. What drive me crazy are the people who turn up with babies/kids and aren't prepared. They don't bring anything for them to do and basically ignore them for most of the trip.


At 3 months, you should have a pretty easy time of it as your baby will mostly be eating and sleeping.


Good luck!

Thanks, Kar...and happy Mother's Day to all of you!