Emirates Skywards - Kids and Op-Ups

I didn't know this. But apparently if your kids are on the same PNR, and you hold status (and the small humans are less than 16 years of age) then the EK policy is to not op-up at all.

So a Gold who is travelling with family is going to get overlooked - probably by a Silver. Or worse, a lowly Blue!

Yet another good reason not to have kids. Or to at least travel on separate PNRs. My advice. Book yourself on one record. Wife and kids on the other. And then pretend not to know who they are when you get to the airport ;)

oh, that's frustrating :mad: but good to know anyway... all three of us on the same pnr next month to lhr on J - no opup happening there.... Shall plan better on my next trips with family....

BTW eightblack, How did you find out?

I didn't know this. But apparently if your kids are on the same PNR, and you hold status (and the small humans are less than 16 years of age) then the EK policy is to not op-up at all.

Kind of an unwritten rule - i think the proper thing to do is to ask the gold card holder if he minds to split from the family if an upgrade becomes available...always interesting to see the discussions that come from that one!

I didn't know this. But apparently if your kids are on the same PNR, and you hold status (and the small humans are less than 16 years of age) then the EK policy is to not op-up at all.

So a Gold who is travelling with family is going to get overlooked - probably by a Silver. Or worse, a lowly Blue!

Yet another good reason not to have kids. Or to at least travel on separate PNRs. My advice. Book yourself on one record. Wife and kids on the other. And then pretend not to know who they are when you get to the airport ;)

Yup, I found this out the hard way, although I didn't know then about the official rule. Back in Feb had a trip to ICN and DXB with my family. A month prior to flight I split myself to a separate PNR, which DIDN'T help!!! When I checked in at each station along the way they still had me connected to my family, and I never got upgraded (except once) even though all flights were more or less packed.

On the one flight I was upgraded on, upon check-in the TA informed me the flight was oversold and that I wasn't going to be upgraded because I am traveling with my family (even though I was on a separate PNR!!), but asked me if I was willing to be split from them to have a J seat. I, of course, said YES, and my wife stole the seat for about 3/4 of the flight.... :)

Just to add, I am not opposed to EK not upgrading kids under a certain age. The reality, for me at least, is it would be a challenge to deal with my young kids in J since the seats are designed for privacy.

They are perfectly happy in Y and they can interact with my wife or myself much easier there. Downside, of course, is that one of us must be in Y to help them.

I think it might be more appropriate to find a better age bracket, such as younger than 8 or 10, rather than 16.

I know there has been quite a bit of heated debate in other airline forums about children in premium cabins. In the Air Canada forum opinion seemed to run 75/25 in favour of no children in AC's so-called J cabin.

There were a lot of them in J on my last DXB-YYZ, and it did cause a fair bit of upset among the pax, with the kids running around a lot and making a fair bit of noise in the process.

There were a lot of them in J on my last DXB-YYZ, and it did cause a fair bit of upset among the pax, with the kids running around a lot and making a fair bit of noise in the process.

DXB-YYZ vv is a veritable nursery in Business Class. I especially hate it when the kids take over the bar area and start playing board games on the floor, or when the bar area is considered the appropriate location for nannies traveling downstairs to come upstairs and supervise the kids while mommy sleeps.

I had a CDG-DXB flight couple of years ago where a third of the half full J cabin on the 380 was under 12. Thankfully the flight was quite empty and most of the kids well behaved.

if your kids are on the same PNR, and you hold status (and the small humans are less than 16 years of age) then the EK policy is to not op-up at all.

This explains why ung1 has never been op-upped in all his time flying Emirates. :D:D:D

This explains why ung1 has never been op-upped in all his time flying Emirates. :D:D:D

:D:D:D

That does not tally with my experience.

I was upgraded with my two children (under 16) from Y to J. Me Gold and they Silvers.

Perhaps a case of policy not uniformly applied everywhere.

Me Gold and they Silvers.


Perhaps it's only families with statusless children that are passed over?

DXB-YYZ vv is a veritable nursery in Business Class. I especially hate it when the kids take over the bar area and start playing board games on the floor, or when the bar area is considered the appropriate location for nannies traveling downstairs to come upstairs and supervise the kids while mommy sleeps.

Please tell me that you are joking. This is not funny.

That does not tally with my experience.

I was upgraded with my two children (under 16) from Y to J. Me Gold and they Silvers.

Perhaps a case of policy not uniformly applied everywhere.

Yes perhaps they were upgraded on account of being silver. The airline won't skip minors (with status) just because they are under age.

if your kids are on the same PNR, and you hold status (and the small humans are less than 16 years of age) then the EK policy is to not op-up at all.

This explains why ung1 has never been op-upped in all his time flying Emirates. :D:D:D

But I've never been on a PNR with anyone else. :p

Please tell me that you are joking. This is not funny.

I wish I was. I've seen the bar used as everything from kiddie play area, nanny babysitting area, diaper changing table (yes, on the bar counter next to the TV and right next to the snacks) and even a sleeping area for the kids who didn't want to lie down in their seats.

I wish I was. I've seen the bar used as everything from kiddie play area, nanny babysitting area, diaper changing table (yes, on the bar counter next to the TV and right next to the snacks) and even a sleeping area for the kids who didn't want to lie down in their seats.

Mental note: don't fly EK to YYZ...

Please tell me that you are joking. This is not funny.

I did not report it but I can verify it is true. It is also gives way to children in coach to come and sit with parents, and or nannies constantly coming back and forth through the cabin when other passengers are sleeping. On a recent trip the parents were in first and children and nannies were in coach. The kids and nannies were coming in and "visiting" parents all night long. Yes, on some flights (LHR-DXB) the bar in the back of the A380 has become the play room for children and nannies.

However this is off the subject.

More to the point:

Traveling with young children can be difficult over long distances, I always used to take care that my young ones did not intrude into the space of others. I did up grade my family using miles when they traveled with us, or I just purchased a business class seat for them. They were not always perfect children, but they were closely supervised and never wandered the cabin and they were always seated next to us in the same cabin.

In premium cabins passengers are paying a high price for a seat. To what extent should an airline give away seats in business class to children next to passengers paying for business class?

I know how hard it is to endure a 12-hour flight in coach and I understand the almost desperate desire for an upgrade to escape from coach to business class. We fly on one airline to attain status for upgrades and more miles to upgrade. However is not expecting an op up for a family of four pushing the privilege? Is that a realistic expectation?

Malaysia Airlines is introducing new policy, which does not allow kids of age 12 and/or under to sit in upper deck Economy Class on its A380 aircraft

Malaysia Airlines is introducing new policy, which does not allow kids of age 12 and/or under to sit in upper deck Economy Class on its A380 aircraft

I think they also dont allow kids in F...

Malaysia Airlines is introducing new policy, which does not allow kids of age 12 and/or under to sit in upper deck Economy Class on its A380 aircraft

I think they also dont allow kids in F...

Just infants requiring a bassinet are not allowed in F.

Just infants requiring a bassinet are not allowed in F.

According to the latest press, Malaysian bans the following:


No babies at all in F
No kids on the upper deck economy section of the A380, only allowed downstairs

Yes, on some flights (LHR-DXB) the bar in the back of the A380 has become the play room for children and nannies.

My main concern is not about the noise those kids will make, but the parents capacity to be role models for putting their kids in a bar for "fun" time!!

I've flown with my daughter since she was 6 weeks old. I've always seen it as my place to entertain her and ensure that she doesn't disturb anyone else. I've always bought lots of cheap little presents & wrapped them up - giving her one every half hour or so - this always kept her entertained and cost just pennies.
Once, when she was about 2years old, after a 12 hour flight the man in front of us was shocked to discover that there'd even been a child behind him - he said he normally asks to be moved as he can't stand being disturbed on a long flight!
But all parents should be doing the same - I can't abide badly behaved children (& their parents) and I for one thinks it's a damn shame that those of us who are responsible parents are penalised for ignorant parents and their ill-bread brats!

rant over;)

I've flown with my daughter since she was 6 weeks old. I've always seen it as my place to entertain her and ensure that she doesn't disturb anyone else.

I always make a point of thanking considerate parents like yourself... a dying breed, unfortunately.

I always make a point of thanking considerate parents like yourself... a dying breed, unfortunately.

+1

I've flown with my daughter since she was 6 weeks old. I've always seen it as my place to entertain her and ensure that she doesn't disturb anyone else. I've always bought lots of cheap little presents & wrapped them up - giving her one every half hour or so - this always kept her entertained and cost just pennies.
Once, when she was about 2years old, after a 12 hour flight the man in front of us was shocked to discover that there'd even been a child behind him - he said he normally asks to be moved as he can't stand being disturbed on a long flight!
But all parents should be doing the same - I can't abide badly behaved children (& their parents) and I for one thinks it's a damn shame that those of us who are responsible parents are penalised for ignorant parents and their ill-bread brats!

rant over;)

I am with you 1000% it is hard traveling with young children! Thanks for being a good parent! Parents who cannot control their own children will make it impossible for good mothers like you to fly in business or first class. I sometimes sound like an ogre on line because I mention loose children pulling on my tray table, or running loose around the cabin. The parents of these children are the first to sue the airline for injuries or youth discrimination. I too traveled with children, perhaps a few too many years ago, and I did as you do, care for them responsibly. I do feel strongly about the subject as you do: CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN! Or else more airlines will relegate all children back to the rear of the plane.

Also having 2 kids and they are from 6 weeks old on always traveling in first ore business class and now even holding a gold status.They never did beheave bad and 1 time 2 passengers asked to move more back in the firs tclass section.only they sid next to a person loud snorring.rest off cabin came up to us, that they not even hear 1 sound from the kids after the flight.
They now stil very young and get window seats and sleep whole time ore look the entertaiment system.

Just got off the flight from hell. TWO infants in my row (25D on the 345) for an 8.5 hr redeye flight. One cried the whole night. To add insult to injury, my ICE was broken as well so I couldn't even drown it out with music.

On the bright side, the wifi in the lounge today is faster than usual and I've been op-upped (according to MMB) for my connecting flight.

Alternatively, here's a great new kids service from WestJet. ;)
http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/deals/promo-code/april-fools.shtml?sm_cid=sm-yt-af-ge-20120401&mrd=0

Just got off the flight from hell. TWO infants in my row (25D on the 345) for an 8.5 hr redeye flight. One cried the whole night. To add insult to injury, my ICE was broken as well so I couldn't even drown it out with music.

On the bright side, the wifi in the lounge today is faster than usual and I've been op-upped (according to MMB) for my connecting flight.

But you dont like being op-upped!

But you dont like being op-upped!

No, I don't like being op-upped to a middle seat. I am perfectly happy to be op-upped to a decent aisle/window seat.

Alternatively, here's a great new kids service from WestJet. ;)
http://www.westjet.com/guest/en/deals/promo-code/april-fools.shtml?sm_cid=sm-yt-af-ge-20120401&mrd=0
That was great. Just watched it Laughing so hard with a mouth full of coffee it came out my nose!!!!!
LOL.
I may be place in cargo hold now...

No, I don't like being op-upped to a middle seat. I am perfectly happy to be op-upped to a decent aisle/window seat.
Cheating! ;) Cheating! ;)