ASD Child and Business Class

[Disneylvr]

We are leaving in 3 1/2 weeks and for some reason I am more nervous about flying this time. DD, age 10, has flown 6 times and does reasonably well but we do have a problem with her kicking/pushing the seat in front of us in economy class. On AirTran you have the option of upgrading to business class, if seats are available, at the time of check in for $69. I was wondering if a child (with ASD) would be welcomed in business class? I think she might do better with more room.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Regardless of whether you sit in economy or business class, I would recommend that you put a member of your travel party in front of her if you know she tends to kick and push on the seat in front of her.

My personal opinion on business class is that it's just a name for a set of seats for which you can pay extra to select. It's not a social gathering where her fellow business class travelers have to welcome her. Each person pays for his/her seat and that's all they're paying for (well, maybe drinks, snacks, etc).

 

[Disneylvr]

Regardless of whether you sit in economy or business class, I would recommend that you put a member of your travel party in front of her if you know she tends to kick and push on the seat in front of her.

We are a small family, just 3 of us. It is better if we are all seated together in the row and no strangers in touchable distance of her. We can pretty much control the kicking/pushing but we have to diligent. I guess the reality is, I was looking for a way for ME to enjoy the flight more. Having more room in business class would be nice. And as for "welcoming her" I mean the airline staff, not passengers. Business class kind of implies adults, not children. Thanks for your reply!

 

[clanmcculloch]

Oh, the flight attendants. I don't think they care one bit about who sits in which seats as long as you're not being difficult. They probably put up with a lot more frustrations from some of their business travelers than they would from a child whose parents are actively working hard to keep her happy and from disturbing others. The flight attendants won't mind her being there in any way.

 

[akcire]

Normally business class rows are 2-2. As opposed to economy 3-3 seat configuration. In a 2-2 configuration you could sit next to your daughter and have your spouse sit in front of your daughter.

 

[tobikaye]

Another option, is that you could try for the first row in the business class. There would be no seats to kick. I had these once as they were the last seats in business class available. They are not always the best as you have to put everything in the overhead and they do not always have tray table, but there are no seats to kick and more leg room.

 

[Disneylvr]

Another option, is that you could try for the first row in the business class. There would be no seats to kick. I had these once as they were the last seats in business class available. They are not always the best as you have to put everything in the overhead and they do not always have tray table, but there are no seats to kick and more leg room.

Thanks! Great suggestion. I think this plane only has 3 rows (2 seats on each side of the plan) of business class. So we will be lucky if any are available to purchase at our 24 hour check in time. But I think we may try to! Right now all rows are available.

 

[Schmeck]

We've only flown business class once, but there was an age limit - children had to be 8 or older, I believe. We had been blessed to get bumped up from economy, on an overseas flight. Our youngest was not quite 8, but they let us anyways. It was quite luxurious!

Can you check the airline to make sure they don't have an age limit? 10 should be OK, but you never know.

 

[Traveliz]

AirTran doesn't have a minimum age for business class.

Liz

 

[Gracie09]

If you are willing to pay for business or first class you are as welcome as anyone else. We have upgraded to first class with my daughter a bunch of times and she is 3. She is a spoiled traveller

 

[Gracie09]

If you are willing to pay for business or first class you are as welcome as anyone else. We have upgraded to first class with my daughter a bunch of times and she is 3. She is a spoiled traveller

 

[ibcrazie4dizney]

I always sit in big front seats on Spirit. My dgd7 have gone with us about 7 or 8 times since 11 mos old, always sitting with up there with us. If anyone was annoyed by a child being there, I was never aware of it at all.{although I remember one trip where we had the four seats across the front row. when we boarded, there was a business man in one of our seats. don't think he was too thrilled to have to move out of a childs seat, but it was her seat} She has special needs, so we just always make sure we have stuff to keep her busy. a portable dvd player usually does the trick, of course we use earphones. I think it would be hard to have her confined to such a small space and not have room to work with her, along with expecting her to keep noise to a lower level the whole time.

We sit up there because I am pooh size. so I purchase them when I book since I need them rather than want them. I do like it because there is a lot more legroom. we always try for the first row for extra floor space. also don't have someone reclining into my lap.

I say, if you can afford the few extra bucks, it is worth it. luckily for us, it is only $40 per person each way.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

No US airline prohibits children in business or first class seats.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

OP, the minute you can reserve the business class seat, do it. They go quick, especially when you need 2 side by side.

 

[Disneylvr]

OP, the minute you can reserve the business class seat, do it. They go quick, especially when you need 2 side by side.

Thanks, I will! We are prepared to sit in economy, as usual, so business class would be a special treat if we get it.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I haven't flown AirTran, but if you do end up in economy, can you request the bulkhead seats? The issue with those is on some airlines that means you can't have anything under your seat, but some airlines do have pockets on the bulkhead wall so that you can put things there for take-off/landing. But it would eliminate the issue of her kicking the person in front of her.

I have to say I really appreciate that you're trying to figure out how to make this work without causing problems for other passengers. I have chronic pain issues and it's very problematic for me when I end up with someone kicking the back of my seat. You'd be amazed how many parents don't try to do anything about it at all. Personally, I'd probably rather end up in a row with a kid and one parents who needs assistance distracting the kid so that the other parent could sit in front of her, than to be the person sitting in front and being kicked. I know I don't speak for everyone on that, but I really am far happier to be in a position where I can see it coming than I am when it's happening behind me so I don't know until it happens.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

We've only flown business class once, but there was an age limit - children had to be 8 or older, I believe. We had been blessed to get bumped up from economy, on an overseas flight. Our youngest was not quite 8, but they let us anyways. It was quite luxurious!

Can you check the airline to make sure they don't have an age limit? 10 should be OK, but you never know.

What airline was this? I believe you are mistaken about the age limit. I have flown business/first many times on various airlines (free upgrades) and have seen children of all ages in the cabin. No airline prohibits kids from these classes except for Malaysia Airlines in their luxury first class cabins.

 

[ttintagel]

You know your kid better than I do, but it SOUNDS to me like if she has the extra space that business class affords, she may end up being LESS disruptive to other passengers, so it sounds like it'd be a win for everybody.

 

[Disneylvr]

Someone has already mentioned that AirTran does not have an age limit for their business class. Really, DD is not usually a problem on the plane but I have to monitor her feet legs pretty diligently just to make sure. She has what some would term lower functioning autism as she is non-verbal...and we don't fully know her comprehension level but she is good about following directions about 75% of the time. I am just always looking for ways to make it more comfortable for her, us and also for those around us especially in a confined place like an airplane. So far, she has really been fine in economy class but if our budget allow us to we may upgrade to business if seats are still available at check-in.

 

[Disneylvr]

And thank you everyone! You have provided me with good information. I cannot guarantee that DD will never disturb others but we do try our best, I promise. But it is very important to us to make sure she has the opportunities to socialize and have experiences like any other child or adult.