What To Expect When Flying WestJet Business Class With a Child
We have been traveling for years, and never have we had the opportunity to fly first class (nor have I wanted to fly first/business with a child). We decided to take our daughter to Disneyland Paris for her 4th birthday. Boy, is that a long flight from Los Angeles, CA.
I have a lot of anxiety when flying, and here I am looking for tickets for my 3 year old to be on the longest flight ever. What’s wrong with me? We have flown with our daughter a few times before this, and she is an amazing flier. She absolutely loves flying and travels far better than most people.
When we first planned this trip we didn’t even think of booking a business/first class ticket, until we found WestJet. The route to Paris was ideal, splitting up the flights in a way that worked for us. The longest stretch we would be flying was about 9 hours. We decided to just glance at those fancy lay flat seats just to daydream, and realized the price really wasn’t that bad. It was actually doable!
Day after day we went back and forth. We would save a lot of money if we chose Economy, but we might also all get the rest that we so desperately wanted before this big adventure.
Everyday the price would go up. And we started to panic! We talked to family and friends and researched this exact question, “Is flying business/first class with a child worth it?”
I came up with a lot of contradicting information. Zero help at all.
When it comes to flying, I am not a big fan. I have serious anxiety, especially when there’s turbulence. Throw in the stress of bringing a child, and I’m a total basket case. We thought booking first class tickets and being able to lay down might actually help me get through the flight. So we did it. We booked it.
Here’s what we learned.
Can A Child Fly Business/First Class?
Yes! Most airlines allow children to fly in any class they offer, but not all. Please check with the airline you’re flying beforehand.
Here is some information to consider:
- Age: If your child is under 2 years old, they can fly as a lap infant (the child will have to stay in your lap and usually without an additional fee.) Older children are required to have their own ticket. (Even if your 3 year old is smaller than most 2 year olds)
- Cost: Some airlines charge for a “lap fee” for children under 2 years old, and all will require a full cost ticket for children over 2. You can also redeem miles or points for this ticket.
- Other Passengers: Most passengers in first or business class have paid the extra bucks for a comfortable trip. The last thing they want to hear is your screaming child. So be prepared for some dirty looks when you’re boarding with your child.
- You know your child best: If you know your child cannot sit still or be quiet for the length of the flight, save your money and book economy. If your child throws a fit and you cannot de-escalate the situation, you could be asked to move into economy, and lose out on all that money you paid for first class.
Why Travel Business/First Class With A Child?
Because it makes things easier. For you and your child. There are plenty of reasons why you should book first class tickets when traveling with a child (if it’s in your budget). Here are a few:
- Extra Space: My number one reason is all of the space. Having room to sprawl out is crucial. When I’m more comfortable, it’s easier for me to navigate my child’s emotions. When my daughter is comfortable, she is a lot more agreeable and content.
- Attentive Service: Since first and business classes are smaller, you get all the extra attention. Flight attendants can help warm bottles quickly, provide extra pillows, and offer more personalized attention.
- Priority Boarding: A smooth start to your journey is important when traveling with littles. Being able to board and get situated without being rushed takes a lot of stress away.
- Food: The food is a lot better in first class which should be more appealing to your child. On some airlines you can customize your child’s meal.
WestJet Business Class
As a family of three with a 3 year old, we chose to travel business class with WestJet from LA to Paris. After a lot of consideration, we thought this would be the best for our family. We didn’t want to be jet lagged and exhausted once we arrived, we wanted to dive right in! We’ve also dreamed of those lay flat seats and how luxurious and amazing the trip would be. When we found WestJet, we couldn’t believe the price. It was way cheaper than any other airline. After a few weeks of watching those prices go up, we decided to just do it before it was too late!
From the get go it was a great experience. The ease of booking the ticket, the customer service on the phone, and the treatment from the staff in the airport was excellent.
Once we got to our lay flat seats, we were handed a cool wash cloth and champagne! So this is how the other half lives! Then I got slapped back to reality when my daughter spilled my entire glass of champagne all over her seat. Awesome. We didn’t want to say anything to the flight attendants, because we didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot. So we used our own sweatshirts to clean up the mess and let her lay on top of our blankets so she wouldn’t reek of alcohol when we got off the flight. Even though I’m sure Parisians wouldn’t question it.
Once we got settled, our daughter passed out before the safety video was over, and ended up sleeping for 8 of the 9 hours!
For that reason, I would recommend business class to anyone and everyone.
Even though we booked the lay flat seats believing we’d all sleep like angels, myself and my husband got zero sleep. I kept checking on our daughter, making sure she didn’t fall out of her seat in her sleep (this happens a lot), and we were too excited for this adventure. It was nice being able to lay completely flat. My legs were ready for the next day, but my brain was not!
To read the whole review of our WestJet Business Class experience, Click here!
Conclusion
In my opinion, is flying business/first class with a child worth it? Yes! Yes it is. I know that there are pros and cons to this, but speaking from experience, I’d book a business class ticket when flying with my 4 year old any chance I get.
Traveling with your child should be a positive and memorable experience, and it’s up to you to ensure this happens. Remember to stay flexible! Things can, and will, happen during your journey that are not.. ideal. Go with the flow. Stay calm. Your kid can feel and soak up your energy. If you are stressed and have high anxiety, your kid will most likely start acting out.
Deep breaths parents. You got this.
