Parents in F, kids in back?
Feb 27, 2018, 7:47 pm
#16
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
The policy is airline specific, but most require 1 parent to sit in the same cabin with kids below a certain age, generally 12. In some countries this is governed by law (but not yet in USA). The flig side is requirement to provide adjacent seating for kids traveling with adults, again varies by airline and route. It should be simpler, but yoiu can't please everyone.
Feb 27, 2018, 8:21 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: AA Gold; SPG Gold; Marriott Gold; Hilton Gold
Posts: 40
What you may want to consider is booking all of you on a mixed cabin itinerary with points in which all of you fly out in J and then back in Y. Even if you don't have enough miles right now for that, you can purchase on AA right now which is running a promo.
Feb 27, 2018, 8:48 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,908
Furthermore having flown extensively with now 7 year olds i can tell you that they will buckle up put on the headphones and completely disconnect with ipad or ife for the duration of the flight in any class of service. Any interruption from my end they see as an annoyance.
Last edited by azepine00; Feb 27, 2018 at 8:57 pm
Feb 27, 2018, 8:56 pm
#20
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Putting aside all of the social judgments from people who do not know, OP, the kids, or their circumstances, the answer is that OP has stated that this is a US domestic trip.
What OP proposes is "allowed", e.g., it is not prohibited. The 17 YOA can be the responsible person for the 12 YOA and that is the end of it. This ticketing arrangement is perfectly fine.
What OP proposes is "allowed", e.g., it is not prohibited. The 17 YOA can be the responsible person for the 12 YOA and that is the end of it. This ticketing arrangement is perfectly fine.
Feb 27, 2018, 9:12 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 4,735
I am sure this is posted somewhere but I was wondering....
It is our 20th anniversary coming up and I think we are going to Maui, ORD-OGG. We might have to take the kids. They will be 17, 14, and 12 when we go. They are pretty mature boys.
Should I use miles and have the Mrs and I up front, row 2 is calling, and leave the kids in back? Is that even allowed? I don't fly enough anymore to know the rules or etiquette. I of course would love it but I don't know if it is right. This forum seems like the perfect place to ask. They travel well and have flown many times before, including ORD-DFW-HNL back in 2012 when they were a lot younger. For that trip the Mrs was up front with one son, I stayed in the back with the other 2.
Anyway, just wondering.
It is our 20th anniversary coming up and I think we are going to Maui, ORD-OGG. We might have to take the kids. They will be 17, 14, and 12 when we go. They are pretty mature boys.
Should I use miles and have the Mrs and I up front, row 2 is calling, and leave the kids in back? Is that even allowed? I don't fly enough anymore to know the rules or etiquette. I of course would love it but I don't know if it is right. This forum seems like the perfect place to ask. They travel well and have flown many times before, including ORD-DFW-HNL back in 2012 when they were a lot younger. For that trip the Mrs was up front with one son, I stayed in the back with the other 2.
Anyway, just wondering.
Feb 27, 2018, 10:27 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
The 12 year old I could see being a little young but you know them best! Remember that the rules are that they aren't supposed to be wandering between the classes of service.
I would say that it's a different, more like parents who get a suite and put the kids in a nearby standard room. I also don't see the issue with the kids eating fast food while the parents are fine-dining.
I would say that it's a different, more like parents who get a suite and put the kids in a nearby standard room. I also don't see the issue with the kids eating fast food while the parents are fine-dining.
Feb 27, 2018, 11:27 pm
#24
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: MidSouth
Programs: AA; Delta GM
Posts: 728
I know this is not the popular opinion, but this now seems to be a family vacation with an added celebration of the anniversary. I'd travel together in the same class and then do something special for the anniversary if you feel the need to do something separate.
But for those people saying that the 'kids' will be fine ordering off the kiddie menu and fine in coach - remember these are all boys, the oldest of whom is 17. That's nearly an adult in both size and appetite. The other two sons could already have a bit of an appetite as well.
Long story short - kids grow up fast these days. Make it a family excursion since you're all together.
But for those people saying that the 'kids' will be fine ordering off the kiddie menu and fine in coach - remember these are all boys, the oldest of whom is 17. That's nearly an adult in both size and appetite. The other two sons could already have a bit of an appetite as well.
Long story short - kids grow up fast these days. Make it a family excursion since you're all together.
Feb 27, 2018, 11:45 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 143
As others said, shouldn't be an issue if well behaved.The discussion about keeping the family together vs providing some independence is all up to the family itself and the values you believe in.
Personally i'm just waiting for the thread about "Should kids be allowed to visit their parents in F"
Personally i'm just waiting for the thread about "Should kids be allowed to visit their parents in F"
Feb 28, 2018, 5:12 am
#29
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
OP, I think your arrangement is just fine. The children are both old enough, and fortunate enough that their parents are taking them to Hawaii on what is their anniversary trip. Which would have been far cheaper to leave them at home with grandparents or other relatives.
those who suggest what you are doing is wrong, or tacky- are crazy..
those who suggest what you are doing is wrong, or tacky- are crazy..
Feb 28, 2018, 5:38 am
#30
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
I'm young, and don't have kids, but if I were in your position I would put the kids in Y and fly upfront with the Mrs.
Kids are small and are mostly comfortable in an economy seat, and if there's in-seat entertainment, they'll be distracted for hours. Additionally, kid cannot enjoy premium alcohol nor finer foods (especially if flying F internationally.)
Kids are small and are mostly comfortable in an economy seat, and if there's in-seat entertainment, they'll be distracted for hours. Additionally, kid cannot enjoy premium alcohol nor finer foods (especially if flying F internationally.)
PS: Avoid booking one parent in J/F and one with the kids in Y and constantly swapping the J seat. That's really tacky and is likely to annoy fellow passengers.