I am considering flying to Europe with Austrian Airlines.My husband and I would like to fly business and have the children(11 and 16)in economy(please ,no judjments).Has anyone done this and how did it go?

I would think your kids would love it on their own back there!

Your kids are old enough to behave responsibly (especially the 16 year old). If they do get rowdy separate them: have one parent in economy with one kid and the other parent in business with the other.

My husband had enough UA miles for us to get two business class tickets to Rome. So that's where we'll be...the 13 and 16-year-old will be in Coach. They're whining a bit, but that's the way it goes Given that they're old enough to handle themselves responsibly, I see no reason for judgments.

Why should there be judgment? Your kids are old enough to behave responsibly back there and I am sure that measures would be taken if they acted up. I think it's a great idea.
Enjoy your ride!
J

You (of course) know your kids best and are the best predictors of how well this would work. Have your children flown before and how did it go? If this is their first flight, I wouldn't try it but, if they are seasoned travelers they'll probably be fine. Does anyone know if there are there any rules about children flying internationally? (I'd probably check with the airlines.)

Not with kids, but I have flown a number of times with business colleagues in different classes. Just note that some airlines and flight crews, particularly on international flights, can be very picky about things like people walking between cabins (especially economy passengers coming into business), switching seats, etc., during the flight. It would be a good idea to let the purser know, at boarding, that you have kids in the back and may need to talk with them from time to time. He/she can let you know how they prefer to handle this.

Personally, with the "proper" preparation I don't see why you would have to check up on them. And if the idea of a possible "judgement" has to do with the fact that you are up front and they aren't, well....when THEY start buying enough airline tickets, etc., to earn miles then that is when they can sit up front, too.

As long as they aren't screaming and carrying on I'm certain it will all work out as planned.

Good idea.

Can you pack them in two crates and ship them as freight?

If they are happy with that arrangement then its a good idea, just make sure you don't forget to collect them when you land.

At the risk of sounding like an old fuddy-duddy (well, maybe I am one), please make sure that your kids are aware they aren't to keep running back and forth to report to you on everything that happens. I have been in Business Class where families have done what you're saying, and it got very annoying as the little ones (so to speak) spent the entire flight running back and forth. The attendants finally spoke to the parents and told them to keep the kids in coach.

Great idea. Make sure you check all of the luggage in first class as it will come out first on many airlines.

I presume you'll be getting downgraded hotel accommodations for them, too?

Just a thought.

They did it on "Home Alone". Make sure nobody's left behind

I would say to take as your guide the airline's rule about children flying alone. If an 11-year-old isn't allowed on the flight alone, I wouldn't leave him or her alone in coach. The child's repeated visits to business class would be an unwelcome intrusion for the other upgraded passengers.

But this seems to ignore the question of how your children feel/think/will react to this circumstance. I am trying to imagine a situation in which it would be advisable to antagonize an already obnoxious teenager (making a wild stab here, based on personal knowledge of hundreds of them) by segregating the teen in coach with a child five years younger. If I were planning to do that, I would either not take the kids, or I would pay the teenager to babysit the younger sibling, making it both a job and a responsibility.

Hey,KSWL,brilliant idea!Done!
Thanks

There is a similar age difference between our kids, and we've tried to avoid the seething resentment of required slave labor (babysitting) by paying the going rate and then expecting something in return. Have a good trip, dancer!

My kids are 4.5 years apart, and my daughter at age 11 would have been insulted by the idea that her brother needed to babysit her on a plane, and resentful if she found out he was being paid for it. She'd be fine with her IPod and a stash of books.

Well, obviously the point is that if the airline would not want an unsupervised 11-year-old in coach, the teenager would be the appointed guardian. But if your 11-year-old will take offense, dancer, like NYT's child, I would suggest a small but real bonus to him or her to complete the arrangement.

Bribery? Perhaps.

Some of you are looking at this "bribery" thing in an odd way from my perspective. As the youngest of three children I grew up often being supervised by my older brother or sister who were "paid" for the job. It made me very angry because I had no such opportunity to earn that money! I also think the plan backfired, because they eventually started taking the approach that they wouldn't do anything for me unless they were being paid to do so. Don't get me wrong, we got along great, but kids learn quick which side their bread is buttered on. Riding in the back seat of the car, why should they let me have more room if they weren't being "paid" to do it, or why should they read me the story? "I'll read his story if you give me a quarter!" I think my parents regretting ever having started the paid thing. It should have all been something brothers and sisters do for each other.