Debate? Should 22 month olds be "lap babies in First Class?

[frozone]

I'd say deal. The money you pay for 1st class entitles you to a big seat and some champagne. It doesn't guarentee you an ideal experience.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...So my answer is that yes, I think people of any age should be able to sit wherever they want. Whether my kid annoys the first class passengers or the coach passengers, what difference does it make?

You're kidding, right? I didn't see the though.

 

[safetymom]

I have had several flights ruined by unruly children in first class. I don't blame the children as much as the parents. The parents usually act like they don't know whose kids are making all the noise, climbing over seats, crying, etc.

One dad just kept saying golf course voice, golf course voice which of course his kids weren't paying any attention.

The kids should have their own seats. The parents should pay attention to what their kids are doing.

 

[summerrluvv]

We flew with our 4 month daughter on our lap in First Class from NYC to Detroit Metro without incident. Everyone sitting around us was very friendly and said how impressed they were with her behavior. I've flown at least once a month for work for years now, always sitting Business or First Class, and have sat with parents with their kids on their laps many times. IMO, it's not a big deal.

That flight is about 1.5 hours max. Big difference in going to Hawaii with a kid on your lap.

Lap babies in general is not a good idea IMO. There is nothing but a set of arms to restrain them during take off/landing and while in flight. If that plane hits some turbulence the child could go flying. Most people wouldn't take a child in a car unrestrained would they? Why do it on an airplane?

 

[Planogirl]

I get annoyed with crying kids too. I got annoyed with my son when he decided not to wear his seat belt on a flight to Orlando and I had to hold his seat belt shut the whole time while he cried. But I couldn't do anything about his behavior and I assume that the other kids' parents can't either.

Kids that kick the back of my seat annoy me too. I blame parents though because they could at least try to put a stop to it.

Good or bad, 1st class or tourist class, babies don't belong on laps though. We have to secure everything during flights except babies for some reason. I just don't get that!

 

[monsterkitty]

I would rather sit next to two toddlers on a 13 hour flight than my sister-in-law on a two hour flight.

 

[shortbun]

Sounds like a nightmare for Everyone-children, parents, other occupants of the first class section. We never travelled with our son unrestrained. He always had a seat for safety reasons.

 

[DawnCt1]

Thanks for the correction, Dawn. I was kinda hoping to read one, just one thread that you started that didn't end with you laughing at, correcting or belittling someone else's comments. I guess the search will have to continue...

It was really very "tongue in cheek". Nothing that you should take offense at. I can tell you as a parent of four boys, who were once all babies, we held our breaths, crossed our fingers and hoped that all would go well, no matter if we entered a plane or a restaurant. A restaurant can be "left" with a crying baby. 30K ft above the earth....you are stuck!

 

[mssocks]

When I flew to Hawaii I was in coach - in the center of the plane. Across the aisle was a whiney bride-to-be. She carried her bridal gown onto the plane ( I would have done the same ) but threw a fit when the attendent told her it had to go safely into the garment bag stow area. Honestly it was much safer there than in the OVERHEAD where she wanted to put it - thus taking up about 40 compartments. She pouted and fussed for the entire flight. Oops, I'm wrong. About 15 minutes out from the islands she decided to sleep and CLOSED THE WINDOW SHADE. I could have slapped her silly. My only time to see Hawaii from the air and she pulls the shade down.

Babies come in all sizes, ages and attitudes ( meaning I acknowledge that I was being one about the window ).

However, I do get even with people who annoy me when we are trapped together. I ...uummm.... release some air loudly as we say on VMK.

 

[DawnCt1]

I'd say deal. The money you pay for 1st class entitles you to a big seat and some champagne. It doesn't guarentee you an ideal experience.

That leads me to believe that you think that children are allowed to disturb as many passengers as they happen too, just because they pay for the seat.

 

[DawnCt1]

I have had several flights ruined by unruly children in first class. I don't blame the children as much as the parents. The parents usually act like they don't know whose kids are making all the noise, climbing over seats, crying, etc.

One dad just kept saying golf course voice, golf course voice which of course his kids weren't paying any attention.

The kids should have their own seats. The parents should pay attention to what their kids are doing.

Golf course voice? That's a new one! ITA with your comments.

 

[poohandwendy]

I think children that are of walking age should have a seat (a 22 mo old child is a toddler, not an infant). It should be required for flights lasting longer than 2 hours, IMHO.

I would guess that parents who would book a 13 hour flight without separate seats for their 22 mo old twins are not the type to be all that concerned with the comfort of the passengers around them. It would be a nightmare, IMHO.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

That leads me to believe that you think that children are allowed to disturb as many passengers as they happen too, just because they pay for the seat.

Sometimes there's nothing that you can do about a crying baby/toddler on a plane. Nothing is guaranteed in first class, including a quiet ride.

We went to The Netherlands with our DD when she was 2 1/2. We flew business class and of course she had her own seat. The way there was good--I was already there visiting my sister and my DH came with our DD. The return flight wasn't as good (not bad, but not great), but we did the best we could. Couldn't leave with her, afterall. We had every right to be in those seats and I don't remember her disturbing people too much.

Personally, there is no way that I'd fly to Hawaii with a lap baby, much less 2 of them. I can't even imagine it.

 

[DawnCt1]

Sometimes there's nothing that you can do about a crying baby/toddler on a plane. Nothing is guaranteed in first class, including a quiet ride.

We went to The Netherlands with our DD when she was 2 1/2. We flew business class and of course she had her own seat. The way there was good--I was already there visiting my sister and my DH came with our DD. The return flight wasn't as good (not bad, but not great), but we did the best we could. Couldn't leave with her, afterall. We had every right to be in those seats and I don't remember her disturbing people too much.

Personally, there is no way that I'd fly to Hawaii with a lap baby, much less 2 of them. I can't even imagine it.

I think we have all had those flights with our children to one degree or other.
When children can be strapped into their own car seats, they are in familiar territory and can more easily relax and adapt. I wouldn't have considered Hawaii with a child younger than 7.

 

[sweet angel]

There was a woman with a dog in a satchel in first class last time I flew. We could hear the dog yapping thru the whole flight back in coach.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I think we have all had those flights with our children to one degree or other.
When children can be strapped into their own car seats, they are in familiar territory and can more easily relax and adapt. I wouldn't have considered Hawaii with a child younger than 7.

Except when the toddler is in their carseat they are more likely in a position to kick the seat in front of them. I spent one flight holding my son's feet, trying to get him to not kick the seat in front of him. And the man made a nasty comment to me, too. I did my best. On that return flight we did not use the carseat, but buckled him in. I am glad that my kids are older and not in this stage any more. Please remind me not to ever volunteer to bring any future children flying without their parents and then remind me to sit across the airplane from them.

 

[DawnCt1]

. Please remind me not to ever volunteer to bring any future children flying without their parents and then remind me to sit across the airplane from them.

I will remind you if you remind me. I enjoyed our last trip to and from Hawaii. We said goodbye to the DSs in the terminal and met them in HNL.

 

[justhat]

You're kidding, right? I didn't see the though.

Kidding? No. I don't think it matters whether you paid $100, $1200, or used flyer miles for your flight. No one should be have to be annoyed by someone else's kids on a flight regardless of what they paid. Just because I paid more to sit in 1st class I don't feel that I'm entitled to better passengers than those who sit in coach. I'm entitled to more legroom, more recline, more width, and better food options since that's what I paid for. I didn't pay for a 'no kids' section, that simply doesn't exist. To me the amount you pay gets you certain flight related benefits, not benefits regarding who you sit next to.

 

[padams]

We went to Hawaii with DSs when they were 2.5yo and 8 mos. We flew coach and they had their own seats. However, they spent much of the flights on our laps because they were happier and calmer that way.

 

[Briarmom]

Except when the toddler is in their carseat they are more likely in a position to kick the seat in front of them. I spent one flight holding my son's feet, trying to get him to not kick the seat in front of him. And the man made a nasty comment to me, too. I did my best. On that return flight we did not use the carseat, but buckled him in. I am glad that my kids are older and not in this stage any more. Please remind me not to ever volunteer to bring any future children flying without their parents and then remind me to sit across the airplane from them.

Thank you for bringing that up! I fly with my children often, and using the carseat GUARANTEES that dd will be able to kick you in the back. I hold her feet throught most of the flight! But I tell people once they lean back that they are leaning ON her feet, so all bets are off. This happens with dh's legs, too, so hold your flames about controlling my kids.
As for kids flying first class, I don't know what their reason is for doing it this way. Perhaps they didn't have enough miles to buy 4 coach seats and their miles were expiring? And Dawn, you stated that YOU wouldn't go to HI with a child younger than 7. That is YOU not THEM.
I had to fly from Alaska several times with a toddler, sometimes on my lap. I couldn't afford to go see my family if I didn't.
We are moving to Egypt this year. I am going to have to fly with my kids alone (no, no lap babies). If anyone looks at me wrong I will slap them.