Can Kids Fly in a Different Cabin Than Parents?

Can kids fly in a different cabin than parents on a flight? A TravelSort reader writes “It's hard to find 4 business class award seats for my wife, two kids and me for travel to Europe. But we've found several dates with 2 award seats in economy and 2 in business, or even 1 in first class, 2 in business and 1 in economy. What are the rules for kids traveling in a different cabin or class of service from their parents?”

Kids traveling in a different cabin or class of service from parents can be a contentious topic, at least with young kids, but let's start with the fact that airlines vary in their policies, so I'll aim to summarize the policies of a few of the major international carriers.

Most Airlines Don't Allow Very Young Kids to Fly in a Different Class of Service from Parents, Period.

As you'd expect, airlines expect young kids to fly in the same cabin of service as their parent or guardian. Here's United Airlines' contract of carriage terms: “Children under the age of five (5) must be accompanied by an Adult Passenger or the child's Parent/Legal Guardian on the same flight and in the same compartment.”

Young Kids Traveling in a Different Class of Service on the Same Flight as Parents Usually Considered Unaccompanied Minors

Even if you're on the same flight as your child, most airlines will consider him or her an unaccompanied minor if you're seated in different cabins, for example if your child is in Business Class and you're in First Class. For example, here's Qantas' terms (bolding mine):

“Qantas considers a child is travelling alone as an unaccompanied minor where the child is traveling without the supervision of a sibling 15 years or older or a parent or guardian or in a different class or cabin to the sibling, parent or guardian.“

Read Policies Carefully: Some Require Booking Unaccompanied Minor Service at the Same Time as the Ticket

While many airlines simply require the Unaccompanied Minor documentation and fee to be paid prior to departure, some airlines, such as British Airlines, are quite strict and require that its Skyflyer Solo service be booked and paid for through the BA call center or a travel agent at the time of booking the ticket:

“You will need to pay the Skyflyer Solo fee at the same time you make your flight booking. If this is not done together you will be charged a fee to cancel your flight and reissue your ticket.”

Consider Letting Your Child Have the Upgrade

It's of course tempting to take the first class seat yourself, since after all, your kid is smaller and will probably be just as comfortable in the business class or even economy seat. But if your child is still fairly young, I would recommend giving him or her the business class or first class seat:

• Better Availability of Lavatories: Kids sometimes get so caught up in a film, book or game that they find they *suddenly* need to go to the bathroom. Much better for your child if s/he doesn't have an agonizingly long wait for a lavatory. First class in particular rarely has a wait for the lavatory, and business class is still better than economy
• Easily Able to Come Back and Visit You: Flight crews aren't keen on having passengers from Economy visit Business Class or First Class passengers, but it's no problem for a passenger in a first class cabin to visit Business Class or Economy. If you seat your child upfront, it will be no problem for him or her to come back and visit you.
• Less Likely to Disturb Anyone: In first class or business class there's more personal space, so your child is less likely to bother a fellow passenger, either by seatback kicking, armrest space, etc.
• More Attention From the In-Flight Crew: If your child hasn't traveled extensively, it's nice to know that s/he'll be well looked after in first class or business class.