Hey! I had a question about what fellow CP and other frequent flyers on US thought about teenagers (those under 18 years of age) who fly in first or envoy class?

Hey! I had a question about what fellow CP and other frequent flyers on US thought about teenagers (those under 18 years of age) who fly in first or envoy class?

Sometimes Dad can only get DM award tix in FC. That's one reason kids show up there ...and a pretty common one too. So long as they are quiet, who cares?

I am still kinda young at heart, just turning 30, and have been in F/C for the past 1 1/2 years. I fly a lot, and bring my 7 yr old son with me at times. He is up front with me too. He is very well behaved, as FA's and other pax have commented on how grown up he acts, and he totally understands if he ruins it, he sits in the back of the plane. To which he has flown often too, and HATES! At least he is unlike my wife, and brings little or no carryon baggage to take up the now smaller overhead in f/c. Just my $.02.

I don't mind the ones in carseats or the ones toting coloring books at all...it's the ones with the briefcases and suits throwing tantrums that wear a little thin on me at times. :D

I don't mind the ones in carseats or the ones toting coloring books at all...it's the ones with the briefcases and suits throwing tantrums that wear a little thin on me at times. :D
You can say that again!!!!!!! And it doesn't matter if they are West Coast HP's or East Coast US's.

Nothing wrong w/ kids in F/C...as long as they're well behaved. I've flown w/ my kids in F/C on several occasions, but I always talk to them about it beforehand - making sure they know that they are expected to be on their best behavior or it will be their last flight in F/C.

Hey! I had a question about what fellow CP and other frequent flyers on US thought about teenagers (those under 18 years of age) who fly in first or envoy class?


I first earned Silver Preferred status when I was 16. I was fully capable of behaving myself in the F cabin then, even when flying alone. If young children are well behaved, they have every right to be in F as anyone else. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. A couple weeks ago there were 4 young children in F on the 321 making quite a lot of noise and seemed to bother some of the other pax. The parents should be held responsible for this, obviously, and not the children.

Sure kids can do great in F, I think there IS such as thing as too young meaning kids really really young that cry and vomit. I also have something against parent's doing diaper changes in an empty seat in F. (Witnessed this once!) I also belive kids in F class should be dressed approprietly, this is mainly targeted to teenagers. Again, I witnessed this once... the F class is not the gym or exercise room! Lastly, sometimes under 18 yr olds, when upgraded, get really excited when flying F, and for the first 10-20 minutes theyll go around yelling/screaming how cool this is! Wow! Sweet and just way overdoing the excitement! F class is a nice perk, but how should express our gratitude? There are yay's and nay's. Let me mention one last thing.
Travelling in F class whether you use DM's, Status, Pay for F or any other way for upgrades, I think kids cannot feel like they can treat FA's or ANYONE like theyre better, more important than everyone. One time I've seen (maybe a 11 or 12 yr old approx) DEMAND services from the FA in a not very friendly manner. The kid would scream at the FA, and humiliate her for messing up the beverage order.

I traveled in F class many times, and it does make me sick when the wealty Buissnessmen stare at you like youre a plague, but then again, every generation of youngsters in general is worse than the previous.

I always appreciate the services in Y or F from the FA's, and do my best in acting in the right manner onboard. Lastly, If I happen to like the service FA I always talk and thank the crew afterwards, and get their names to email CCY or now Tempe with compliments. Im hoping the new DM will give out those cards, where you give to crew for outstading performance. I will be needing many of those, since Im a generous giver!

Behavior, manners, consideration for others, respect, and even a dose of humility should be the criteria by which we judge who should and who should not be in First Class. Not age.

Thanks for these excellent reponses.

I can't stop mine from setting in First, they upgrade themselves. :D

I'm fine with anyone who can be civil and not disturb other passengers. I've seen more middle-aged folks in "track suits", shorts, ripped clothing, and similar attire than I've seen kids/teenagers (not that it bothers me - this isn't the opera and it's not the 60's anymore). And I've seen many more drunk, annoying, loud, obnoxious business men than I have kids running around.

My kids were each flying in F before they were 2 months old, and have done so regularly. I set the expectations ahead of time and keep an eye on them

Frankly, I do the same when we are seated in coach too. Whenever this question arises, I always wonder why the poster assumes that Y is the screaming/obnoxious/annoying cabin and F is somehow "better". Strikes me as quite elitist.

This post brings up a great question.

In most cases I have no problem with kids (of all ages :p ) sitting in First. However, I did have a flight from hell from CLT-LGA in F that was caused by a two-year old who felt the need to shriek like Satan for the "entire" flight (I can't even begin to explain how horrendous it was). At first, the parents made feeble attempts to quiet the child and then just gave up. I just did my best to bear with the situation but I was not a happy camper when I got to LGA.

Obviously, it is the responsibility of the parents to have a well-behaved child in F. WHen, if ever, is it acceptable to say something to the parents? I realize that there are limited things that can be done but just an ackowledgement of this uncomfortable situation would have been enough for me. Is this too much to ask?

and he totally understands if he ruins it, he sits in the back of the plane. To which he has flown often too, and HATES!

Man...there has GOT to be some other parents out there like you!

If you got the money or ability to upgrade...I can't make a case for kids not being upfront. And as for the real little ones...I don't get po'ed...their ears and so many people around...you can't control the crying.

But like a lot of people...I've had some real hell-raisers that were because of idiot parents. The most recent was a 4 year old that thought the tray table was a work-bench for anything she could find to bang on it. She then decided to perform laps up and down the aisle of a 321. All the while the morons that decided to share their genes and parent this child...sat back and did nothing.

It all depends on the parents, how the children behave. I have three so this is experience talking. Ones that behave and like mine either sleep, watch TV or play video games do not bother me. The ones that scream, run around, try to get attention from other paxs or get their diapers changed in ANY cabin do bother me. Remember always your little darling is darling to you and not to everyone else. Just like in a restaurant the parents may think he/she is cute but others do not want to be bothered with your child and may not think he/she is cute.

Let's see, it's wrong for kids to cry, scream or vomit in FC? So, does that mean it's okay for kids to cry, scream or vomit, but only so long as they are in coach? Sorry, they are entitled to be in whatever seat their parents get for them, and ought to be well-behaved wherever they are.

When a child is riding in the F cabin it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure their child behaves better than they would in the Y cabin. (That’s not to say some parents wouldn’t expect the same level of obedience regardless of cabin) The people in F expect a quieter and more peaceful atmosphere than coach. If you took a child to a 5-star restaurant the patrons of that restaurant expect a certain atmosphere that they are paying for and would likely be upset if an ill-behaved child was ruining that atmosphere. If you took your child to McDonalds people are less likely to be annoyed by a child’s bad behavior. I have no problem with kids in First as long as they behave themselves.

Let's see, it's wrong for kids to cry, scream or vomit in FC? So, does that mean it's okay for kids to cry, scream or vomit, but only so long as they are in coach? Sorry, they are entitled to be in whatever seat their parents get for them, and ought to be well-behaved wherever they are.

Well I've never been seated nest to an adult who actually cried. BUT the excessing whinining over slights real or imagined made me long for an 8 year old.

Chronological age is no guarantee of appropriate behavior. Given some of my seatmates a 10 year old like my niece would be a welcome sight.

No one had vomited next to me yet although some have made me want to vomit, preferrably on their lap :D

For the most part I find kids often more behaved than their parents.

My kids were each flying in F before they were 2 months old, and have done so regularly. I set the expectations ahead of time and keep an eye on them

Frankly, I do the same when we are seated in coach too. Whenever this question arises, I always wonder why the poster assumes that Y is the screaming/obnoxious/annoying cabin and F is somehow "better". Strikes me as quite elitist.

My two have also been traveling since they were young, they know what is acceptable behavior, regardless of the cabin.

It was great, when in a restaurant, they were seated and they would ask us why some other child would be up and around unattended and not seated and eating with their family. Of course this was even better when the other adults could hear them say it. The looks. :o :p

When a child is riding in the F cabin it is the parent’s responsibility to make sure their child behaves better than they would in the Y cabin. (That’s not to say some parents wouldn’t expect the same level of obedience regardless of cabin) The people in F expect a quieter and more peaceful atmosphere than coach. If you took a child to a 5-star restaurant the patrons of that restaurant expect a certain atmosphere that they are paying for and would likely be upset if an ill-behaved child was ruining that atmosphere. If you took your child to McDonalds people are less likely to be annoyed by a child’s bad behavior. I have no problem with kids in First as long as they behave themselves.

I'm happy to avoid a five star dining establishment with my twin two year olds, they would not appreciate it and I would not enjoy it. However, when I have to travel across country with them to see family, I don't have a choice whether or not to fly, and when I fly it is always first class (and yes, I do pay for my seat in many instances). That being said, I do everything in my control to keep my twins in line. Sometimes however that means restraining them from running down the isle resulting in them screaming. What to do? Hold them back from running down the isle resulting in a scream (which I usually do) or let them run down the isle and avoid the scream (which I don't do). My point is that you can only exert so much control over a two year old.

I'm happy to avoid a five star dining establishment with my twin two year olds, they would not appreciate it and I would not enjoy it. However, when I have to travel across country with them to see family, I don't have a choice whether or not to fly, and when I fly it is always first class (and yes, I do pay for my seat in many instances). That being said, I do everything in my control to keep my twins in line. Sometimes however that means restraining them from running down the isle resulting in them screaming. What to do? Hold them back from running down the isle resulting in a scream (which I usually do) or let them run down the isle and avoid the scream (which I don't do). My point is that you can only exert so much control over a two year old.
I'm sorry but who is in control here? When mine were old enough to reach, they were old enough to get there hand spanked. When they were old enough to cry without a reason, they were given a reason. Soon they learned that crying was only for when they were in pain. Being consistant takes a lot of work on the part of the parents and both parents must be equally consistant or you will soon find them working the two of you against each other. When you allow a child to scream or cry and then they get what they wanted, you have now taught the child that screaming and crying will get you what you want. Maybe that is why some adults complain to excess, scream, holler and use profanities, it is what they learned gets them what they want. Think about it. The way a child acts in public is how a child acts at home. If you do not make them behave at home, don't expect them to in public. Your children are a reflection of your standards. When they are 4 times is running out, when they are 6 you are late, when they are 9 you are in an up hill battle, when they are 12 it is almost hopeless, when they are 14 I hope you enjoy what you taught them. It is always important to start discipline at birth or you may not enjoy the hard work or dissappointment that will come later. I am happy to say that mine neither embarrass me at home or anywhere else. I have a 9, 11 & 12 and I hope it continues.

Im glad your kids are perfect. Im happy to punish my kids when they misbehave whether at home or away from home but you have limited options at 30,000 feet. Not to mention six hours being seated on a plane being outside the capability of a 2 year old. Again, it comes down to available options. Is a baby continuously crying on a six hour flight mis-behaving? How would you discipline such a baby?

Im glad your kids are perfect. Im happy to punish my kids when they misbehave whether at home or away from home but you have limited options at 30,000 feet. Not to mention six hours being seated on a plane being outside the capability of a 2 year old. Again, it comes down to available options. Is a baby continuously crying on a six hour flight mis-behaving? How would you discipline such a baby?
Did I say Perfect? NO!
Being at 30,000 feet is not an issue if they have been properly trained at home.
Six hours is not outside the capability of a 2 year old, all three of mine did, mostly they slept. An occasional outburst would be acceptable but not tantrums or changing of diapers in the cabin or allowing the child to climb over the seat, or run up and down the aisles, or kicking the seat or any other UNREASONABLE behavior.
There are restrooms in the plane, take the child to one if needed.
YES A BABY CONTINUOUSLY CRYING IS MISBEHAVING! How could the child possibly need a diaper change for 6 hours or be hungry for 6 hours or be hurting for 6 hours? These are the only reason a child should cry to let you know they are hungry, need a change or are in pain. Solve the problem. If that is not the problem then the child is one that has been taught by experience that crying gets attention and their way.
Discipline starts at home and should have been taken care of before the trip. If this is your childs actions, don't sit in first class, sit in the rear of the plane near a restroom and take whatever is needed to minimize the childs crying. I would hate to know that I lived in a home where a child would cry for 6 hours. I would never allow it, I would do whatever is necessary to find out what is wrong with the child and get it corrected. A child may cry 10 or 15 minutes but beyond that is a problem. All times are relative and not exact so don't go picking that apart. There is however a big difference between a 2 year old and a baby. A baby is an infant, held horizontal in the arms while being fed with a bottle or breast. A 2 year old usually walks, talks and is potty trained and rides in a car seat. (car seat, yes I believe all children under 5 years of age should be in a car seat while on a aircraft, not in your arms) :confused:

Ahh, the annual "kids in F" thread ;-)

I'll just add a few notes and me-toos.

Background: I have 2 young boys under 4, who have flown everywhere (4 yr old almost hit SP 2 yrs ago). I grew up non-revving with my parents (father worked for US for 43 yrs). My genes are trained to be quiet on a plane. In the old days, you couldnt sit in F as a non-rev unless you were in a suit. Just the act of wearing a suit makes a kid behave better..

Generally I am against ANYONE who cant behave in F. Kids, adults, etc. I agree with CPRich in saying I have had more issues with obnoxious adult men than I have with "kids". Anthropologists in the year 3200 will look back and wonder why Adult men flying on airplanes had a need to talk very loudly to people sitting right next to them on a 3-hour flight when they've had 2 drinks.

I am always reassured when kids act great and always try to reinforce it to them when I am leaving the plane (this works great when people say it to our kids too).

Funny notes/anecdotes from over the years:

* On a flight from CLT-SAN, a drunk guy tried to upgrade himself since there were 2 empty seats in F. He just sat next to his friend as he boarded. FA told him to take his usual seat. He did. Plane door closed. He moved back up and said with a wise-... look "what are you going to do?" FA called captain, who opened the door and started walking back and the passenger got the hint and left without further incident. Note that same passenger, upon us entering the apron in SAN ran up the aisle and stood there with his bag ready to deplane (1 minute before the plane stopped). He proudly said to all of us "see, I still got off before all of you". (I didnt know it was a race). He was right - Officers were waiting to "get him off" before all of us.

* Had a screaming baby miracle - As someone else noted, the kind where the parents do their best for a while then have to give up. Slightly older Woman in row behind them suddenly said "do you mind if I try?". Parents gave each other awkward looks but then I guess realized she couldnt go anywhere with the baby. Within 2 minutes, the baby had stopped. The parents were shocked, and I guess, a bit embarassed. Baby slept with part-time grandma the rest of the flight - both of them looked quite happy. The entire cabin went to sleep. That's actually one of my favorite in-flight memories.

Ahh, the annual "kids in F" thread ;-)

I'll just add a few notes and me-toos.

Background: I have 2 young boys under 4, who have flown everywhere (4 yr old almost hit SP 2 yrs ago). I grew up non-revving with my parents (father worked for US for 43 yrs). My genes are trained to be quiet on a plane. In the old days, you couldnt sit in F as a non-rev unless you were in a suit. Just the act of wearing a suit makes a kid behave better..

Generally I am against ANYONE who cant behave in F. Kids, adults, etc. I agree with CPRich in saying I have had more issues with obnoxious adult men than I have with "kids". Anthropologists in the year 3200 will look back and wonder why Adult men flying on airplanes had a need to talk very loudly to people sitting right next to them on a 3-hour flight when they've had 2 drinks.

I am always reassured when kids act great and always try to reinforce it to them when I am leaving the plane (this works great when people say it to our kids too).

Funny notes/anecdotes from over the years:

* On a flight from CLT-SAN, a drunk guy tried to upgrade himself since there were 2 empty seats in F. He just sat next to his friend as he boarded. FA told him to take his usual seat. He did. Plane door closed. He moved back up and said with a wise-... look "what are you going to do?" FA called captain, who opened the door and started walking back and the passenger got the hint and left without further incident. Note that same passenger, upon us entering the apron in SAN ran up the aisle and stood there with his bag ready to deplane (1 minute before the plane stopped). He proudly said to all of us "see, I still got off before all of you". (I didnt know it was a race). He was right - Officers were waiting to "get him off" before all of us.

* Had a screaming baby miracle - As someone else noted, the kind where the parents do their best for a while then have to give up. Slightly older Woman in row behind them suddenly said "do you mind if I try?". Parents gave each other awkward looks but then I guess realized she couldnt go anywhere with the baby. Within 2 minutes, the baby had stopped. The parents were shocked, and I guess, a bit embarassed. Baby slept with part-time grandma the rest of the flight - both of them looked quite happy. The entire cabin went to sleep. That's actually one of my favorite in-flight memories.
I agree totally with you. Yes, wearing a suit makes any child of any age act better. The first time I heard that was from an English teacher about why boys act like gentlemen at the prom. Now she is my neighbor, and guess what? She was right. Put your child in a suit, regardless of age! :)

I absolutely agree with the previous posters. Parents flying with their children in F should use the opportunity to show them how to behave politely in adult company. If kids run riot, it's not their fault, but the parents', for not keeping them in check.

When I was a kid, we flew almost always in coach, but were made aware that flying was a special treat. We were dressed well and told to behave as if we were in a restaurant, and if we didn't behave we wouldn't be flying/eating out again. Some parents today seem to think that kids should be able to do what they want. While I wouldn't for one second want to go back to the days of kids being told 'speak when you're spoken to', it has to be good to instil in them the manners they will need to get ahead when they become adults.

Last time i flew on the A330, we had a great flight, and the most adorable baby (obviously bored with the bassinet/mum's lap) found it hilarious to crawl through the curtain into Envoy - we were in row 7 - and gurgle and wave at everyone. The kid's mum apologised profusely, but almost everyone in our row found it delightful and could see the baby was well supervised. It's the arrogant teenagers who big themselves up thinking that - because they have a first class ticket - they can treat professional fight attendants like dirt, and irritate other pax, who are the main problem. Perhaps Daddy should stop giving them F airline tickets and sending them on the Greyhound to shut them up and learn some manners and humility. Just a thought!

Of course kids should be made to behave better in F than if they were in coach. They should be told this is a special treat, and they must be well-behaved and quiet. It's equivalent to taking the kids for a burger at McDonald's versus a meal in a nice restaurant.

Anthropologists in the year 3200 will look back and wonder why Adult men flying on airplanes had a need to talk very loudly to people sitting right next to them on a 3-hour flight when they've had 2 drinks.


Boy, isn't THAT the truth! I have long known that one's worst enemy on any aircraft is the egotistical male business traveler who believes that volume conveys strength/power to those around him. You know the type. This type of person simply mytifies me and annoys the hell out of me in F on long haul flights when they simply talk ad nauseum about nothing important.

If any of you are out there reading this, please take a moment on your next flight to look around your cabin and see if you can actually hear anyone else's conversation. I assure you the answer will be no. I can also assure you that those other fine folk have no interest in hearing yours.

.....stepping down off soap box .......

Bottom line it comes down to parenting and expectations. I took my Mom, Sister, Brother in law and 10 year old neice to SFO on a 321 in F and little Francesca was a perfect angel.

That's because here Mom took her out to restaurants and such when she was as young as 3 and she was taught how to conduct herself.

The absolute best part of the trip was Frankie looking around the dirty cabin and wrinkling her nose and says, "THIS is First Class!" My sister and I laughed our assets off. When a 10 year old can figure it out why can't we! :D

I dont really mean too much offense, but this needs to be said. Some of you people seem to be horrible parents. I mean, yes kids need to behave in any place, but what can you honestly expect from someone whos is 2 or 3. Im sorry, but this has the be said, but I explicitly did not enjoy drbond's comments. The whole dont cry thing is totally messed up. Do you want your kids to be machines? I mean, this thread is becoming more of parent guidance than what the OP inteneded. You need to understand, that this is not a flight attendant, that you ask for water and you get it. With a child it will NEVER be like that! Because of some of your [in general] tactics, we may have a generation of more, stoic, cold and stuck up teenagers, and then adults, that will act like some of the stuck up F pax you are criticizing. Drbond, how can you possibly know that youre child is crying for no reason. You yourself, will probably complain about not enough space even in F. How do you want a toddler, or young child to act like some buisnessman. Theyre ears probably hurt, theyre hungry, bored, with no space for themselves. F class is not some luxury your or I enjoy. Theyre definition of luxury is a playpen, a crib, in a park, something friendly. And for crying you will hit them? Not only do they go through hell flying, you hit them for it. My God, if I were on a plane with you, I would definately comment on your action. Belive, I want F class to be nice quite place, but you need to know when youre starting to cross the line, and obviously you are. Your children are not a car. By pressing the pedal you can stop your car. Your kids are not like that, thus they are human beings, and there is no schema. And lastly, your commiting a fallacy of appeal to force, by hitting them(restate of earlier what was said) I have no intention of apologizing, or taking this comment back, but I do urge you to think about what you are doing, or no one will ever like flying with kids, because they will grow up to be cold, stoic, and emotionless(if thats a word) a down right rude copy cats of their parent(s)!

Alright...I think you both twisted things around enough. :rolleyes:

I think we're all in consensus...it's a parent's responsibility for a child's behavior in first class. AND, that behavior should be somewhat of a step up than if they were in coach.

I haven't seen anyone pipe up and say, "I'll fly wherever I want and let my kid do whatever they want...and you can just deal with it."

If they have a ticket for first class they have as much right as anyone else to the seat. Proper behavior has nothing to do with age. I have had to put up with some pretty rude and poorly behaved adults in first class.

Hey! I had a question about what fellow CP and other frequent flyers on US thought about teenagers (those under 18 years of age) who fly in first or envoy class?


As a Pre-18 I flew around the world times over in premium cabin's - whats the issue? I paid for my seat one way or another... Would you prefer that they restrict premium cabins to adult?

-Vincent

I'm somewhat ambivilant...
On my PHL-DCA monday night there was a mother and a 3 year old in row 1 and the dad was in coach... I guess if I had missed my upgrade I'd be thinking 'humm put the mom in first and the kid and dad in back' or something. But all in all, she was quiet and slept the entire time and it wasn't an issue for me.
I've seen several children in first and they are almost always well behaved. The only time I would take exception is, like I said, if I missed my upgrade. Then again, if they are on a paid F ticket...more power to them...I hope to be there some day with my family.
(HA! ME WITH KIDS! )