Over the past few years, my family has flown internationally with our kids in a mixture of business class, premium economy and economy seats. This miles and points hobby has made those premium seats possible!
However, some travelers have a problem with kids flying in business class, especially younger ones who cry a lot. Not to mention, it costs a lot of miles to splurge on business class for everyone in the family. But regardless of public opinion and cost, there are several reasons why flying kids in business class for long international flights can be beneficial for children as well as adult travelers.
Comfort and Space
Business class offers more space, which can make long flights more comfortable for children. The extra room allows them to move around more freely, reducing restlessness and discomfort.
When my daughter and I flew back from Switzerland, our flight was delayed on the tarmac for two additional hours after we already boarded. That turned our 10-hour flight into a 12+ hour experience. We were both thankful for the extra wiggle room in business class.
Enhanced Seating Design
While many business class seats turn into lie-flat seats, some also have other features like ergonomic design, extra cushioning, and lumbar support. My husband and sons appreciate the lumbar support control feature on their business class seats in United on their way home from Switzerland.
Privacy and Quiet
Business class cabins offer increased privacy with features like partitions or individual pods, which can help create a quieter environment conducive to relaxation and sleep. This can be particularly beneficial for children who are sensitive to noise or need a calm space to unwind. Is your kid a nose-picker? The good news is that nobody will observe them doing that in business class due to the seat layout.
Better In-Flight Entertainment and Amenities
Business class seats often include larger screens, a greater selection of kid-friendly movies and games, and noise-canceling headphones which are much better than the crappy headphones in economy. Entertained kids are happy kids.
Elevated Service
The ratio of flight attendants to passengers is higher in business class, so service tends to be more attentive. Faster refills on drinks and guaranteed pillows and blankets can enhance the overall travel experience for kids.
Better Sleep
Even though kids are notorious for being able to sleep in weird positions, the ability to recline seats fully or partially into a bed can help children sleep more easily on long flights. This is especially beneficial on overnight flights to Europe. On our trip to Portugal earlier this year, we flew TO Europe on overnight flights in business class but opted for premium economy and economy for the day-time return flights when sleep wasn’t as crucial.
Minimized Jet Lag
Of course, better sleeps leads to minimized jet lag when you’re traveling across multiple time zones. Many flights to Europe land in the morning, so lack of jet lag helps families hit the ground running on arrival day.
Better Food Options
Business class often provides higher quality and more varied meal options, which can be advantageous if a child has specific dietary preferences or needs. Some airlines even serve ice cream sundaes in business class, a hit with most kids (and adults too!)
Access to Better Airport Amenities
When flying international business class, travelers have access to priority check-in lines and sometimes even priority security lines. Kids hate standing in lines, so these priority lines can help minimize meltdowns. In addition, business class tickets include access to airport lounges with included food, drinks and space to stretch out.
Priority Boarding
Families flying business class can board earlier, allowing children to settle in without the rush or stress that can come with general boarding.
Educational Experience
For some families, flying in business class can be a learning experience for children, teaching them about different levels of service and travel etiquette. I’ve used my family’s recent international flights in business class to educate my teens on the basics of collecting miles and points and how this hobby enables us to afford things we couldn’t normally afford if we had to pay cash prices. See Beginner’s Guide: 7 Steps to Free Travel with Miles and Points.
Family Bonding for Special Occasions
Some families choose to fly business class for special occasions, such as milestone birthdays or once-in-a-lifetime trips, to make the travel experience more memorable. My kids’ first time in international business class was our first major trip after the pandemic. That was certainly a reason to celebrate! They will never forget their first time walking into business class and oohing and aahing over their fancy seats.
Final Thoughts
Flying kids in business class offers numerous benefits and can add to the “wow” factor of your family adventures. Of course, it does come with a price, regardless if you’re paying with cash or miles. Next week, I’ll cover reasons to skip business class for kids.
Have you splurged on business class seats for your kids? Was it worth it?
Author: Nancy
Nancy lives near Dallas, Texas, with her husband and three kids. Her favorite vacations include the beach, cruising and everything Disney.
We do splurge miles on business class occasionally, and I agree with all of your points. I’ll never forget how excited my son was when we flew on JAL upfront. He was seriously living it up! I do think long overnight flights are where splurging miles really pays off. This is something I will likely consider for our next trip to Europe, though the kids will probably be in economy. But there is no right or wrong way to use miles, it comes down to preferences and award availability.
@Leana Definitely no right or wrong way to use those miles!
Nancy,
I am planning for a business class redemption for my son and I and I want to keep as a surprise. I think as a treat it would be super special.
@Tania What a great surprise for him!