We are planning to travel for vacation this year JFK-SAN with a 23 month old. No we will not entertain having a lap child on a 6 hour flight even though it would be allowed.

We have the oportunity to get FC saver award seats on United. But we are on the fence about getting them.

I've seen may negative comments and stories about children in FC. Anyone have any thoughts?

Well, which do you think is the lesser evil--less space on the flight, or people who you don't know giving you dirty looks because you have brought a kid into first class?

(Really. It's pretty much that simple. Pick your poison. )

Don't base your decision on what other people think. Base your decision on whether you think you'll get your miles' worth. Sometimes it's hard to enjoy the services up front when you've got a little kid with you, but if you think it will be worth it to you, do it.

(And good call on forgoing the lap child!)

I will be taking my little one on her first flight in 2 weeks. I'm sure hoping that my upgrade clears. IMHO, your little one has just as much right to be in FC as anyone else.

Agree.

I love the extra room and I think everyones comfort takes some of the travel-with-little-one stress of trip.

We still fly with the boy on our laps - he's pushing 19 months now.

I purchase, and fly, first with him.

The flight attendants are great about this. Fellow passengers have been incredible on every flight, e.g., playing with him when he peeks over the seats, telling me that their kids cried all night on a red eye to Europe, etc. The extra room works for him because he's not able to kick the seat back in front of him, and he has a bit of room to roam on the floor. And there's no issue with moving between cabins when he needs to get up and move around.

I'm not sure that I would choose three first class seats over three coach seats when travelling with a toddler though. In coach you have the entire row and I think it might be a bit more convenient. In domestic first you'll generally have two seats together, and either one of the adults gets really lucky the entire flight or you'll switch off during the flight.

I would think through the flight dynamic on that basis.

I IMHO opinion using miles for a first class for a 2 yr old is a waste. A 2yr does not require the space in first or the amenities. So how can the adults enjoy the amenities of first while getting the best value for a child that does not need those amenities?

Maybe a couple of options

1)Get one seat in first and the other two seats in Y. One adult enjoys flying in first class while the other adult and child sit in Y. Then on the return trip the adults switch. As one poster mentioned it is hard to get your 'first class' when have a child to focus on. This allows each adult to enjoy first class and saves some miles

2) get E+ for all the pax. Not first class but at least you get the extra space.

3) I see this all the time in the middle east, parents fly first class and the maid flies econ with the kids. Well we don't have a maid but we have thought about paying for a family member to fly with us. The family member can also act as a baby sitter while parents enjoy some alone time during the vacation. Of choose this comes at extra costs since you probably will pay an extra ticket and hotel room on vacation. But alone time for Mum and dad on vacation is priceless.

we have done the first option on 14 hour Trans Atlantic flights from middle east with my wife and I switching our seats in mid flight. This allows each of us to get some undisturbed sleep on lay flat seats in business class.

Just a reminder that switching seats is technically not allowed.

Flight Attendant confession: we turned a blind eye IF the couple were subtle about it. No hovering over the seat or going back and forth and back and back and forth, etc.

Also, please come back to visit the child and nanny. The babysitter shouldn't get you unless it's an emergency and send a Flight Attendant if it is.

I sort of agree that the perks of First are kind of lost if you're flying with a baby but it's your call. As far as the evil eyes go, they won't complain if you're doing something about your crying baby. Don't fight a toddler to stay in his seat or leave him crying, claiming it's "his ears".

Also, the route counts. If you are on a "business run" on a weekday, it might be stickier than say, going to a vacation destination. Long haul during school vacations will have more families in general.

Spending miles on 3x domestic F is a waste IMO unless miles are in near unlimited supply. I would do 3 seats in Y not because someone would object in F (IMO if anything there are more people to disturb in coach) but because it's not very practical and cost effective.

I would choose the ecnonomy seats myself. You'll get less attitude from other pax.
But, if the miles would otherwise be going to waste, book FC and they can deal with it.

If the choice is between spending the same amount of miles for Saver F or Anytime Y (or whatever it's called on United), I would choose F.

And, I have a 23 month old. The extra leg room is great because he can't reach the seat in front to kick. If possible, position one parent in front of the child and one next to the child. Much better than having one adult across the aisle.

(If the choice was between Saver F and Saver Y, I'd choose Y.)