Flying with 16 month old-First Class worth the cost???

BabyNewbury2012 · June 2013

I will be flying back to Canada this summer with just myself and my 16 months old daughter. We have a 4 hour flight then a 2 hour layover and a second 4 hour flight. Leaving at 7am.

My husband thinks I should fly first class for more room and maybe with a flight to only 10 people would be more helpful to me.

Any thoughts for those who have flew before. Is first Class worth the extra cost when travelling with baby???

Karen1998 · June 2013

I'd say hands down yes, but that's also mostly because I can barely shove my knees into the seat "space" in coach and there's always some short person laying all the way back on me. More space would come in handy with a toddler, but don't expect her to be an angel. Expect her to be a toddler.

SmittyPants · June 2013

We fly to Austin to visit in laws two times each year. We flew in coach the first time and will never do it again. Since then, we've been able to fly business and always reserve the bulkhead seats (the ones just behind first class). There's LOTS of extra leg room and it's big enough that our daughter can stand and play. You could try that if you don't want to spring for a first class seat.

SmittyPants · June 2013

HilarityEnsued:
I'd spring for buying her her own seat before springing for first class.

FIVE MILLION TIMES YES! Unless you're prepared to stand the entire flight.

Netty_3 · June 2013

HilarityEnsued:
I'd spring for buying her her own seat before springing for first class.

This. We got LO his own seat from DEN to LAX last week, and it was really nice...that being said I flew to HOU from DEN alone with him as a lap child a few weeks ago and he was perfectly awesome then too. We're planning on lap childing him to PHX in a few weeks. If you buy LO a seat, the other space won't matter as much...although lugging a carseat might be cumbersome.

FemShep · June 2013

Agreed that getting LO his own seat is a far better use of money than flying first class.

Many people who are flying first class are business travelers, and aren't necessarily more likely to be helpful or understanding about your loud, squirmy toddler, especially if they're trying to rest or get work done.

And the extra space isn't anywhere near as much as having an extra seat in coach.

fryrat · June 2013

Some airlines do not allow lap children in first class.

harmonicbabe26 · June 2013

If you can afford it, absolutely DO IT. We flew business every time we went to and back from Europe and it was awesome.

But I wouldn't assume that just because there are fewer people in the 1st class cabin, they will be jumping up to help you wouldn't be surprised if you actually heard some grumblings if your LO screams etc. people fly 1st class for comfort and some peace and quiet...

Karen1998 · June 2013

I assumed you meant that you were both going to have your own seat in first class. If you're planning on lap childing her, NO WAY. Besides the fact that many airlines won't allow that, it'd be a much better choice to buy two coach tickets. That and I'd be pissed if I was the person stuck next to you in first class with a lap child.

chrisandmonique4ever · June 2013

First class is always worth it, lol. I would say yes, you need the room.

Aurora_Borealis · June 2013

Definitely two economy seats over First Class.

With 2 4-hour legs, 1st class might only be a somewhat bigger seat with more leg-room - not the fancy lie-flat 1st class - especially if you are flying during the day. So it will be less room than 2 economy seats.

Also, two economy seats will be cheaper. Probably by a large margin.

And as a PP said, some airlines do not allow lap children in 1st. This is because the cabin may not equipped with additional oxygen masks in the rows unlike in economy.

blu-eyedwife · June 2013

I just flew first class with a 20month old and it was SO worth it.

First of all, there were 2 other children (under the age of 1) in first class. Which meant 7/11 passengers were "baby friendly" (either being a baby themselves, or a parent of a baby).

Because the first class seats completely reclined, with foot rests, my kid and I were able to curl up, like on a bed and take a nap once in air. He does not do that when flying coach, where he's smooshed in. In fact, when he I had to put my seat upright, he was still asleep across my lap, and didn't make any contact with the person beside me. In coach, his feet would have been on their lap, which would be far more disruptive.

If we hadn't slept the whole time, there was enough room in front of my seat he could have sat on the floor and played with toys without disturbing anyone (which he did prior to takeoff). Normally he wants to roam around, but with that much space, he was fine just sitting. AND he couldn't kick or grab the seat in front of us, because he couldn't reach it!

And in First Class there was an endless supply of water and snacks, which always keeps him happy.

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