- I enjoy flying in business class while leaving my kid in economy.
- She gets to take advantage of my perks, like extra checked bags and lounge access, for free.
- I get a lot of judgment about my decision to fly separately from my kid but I have no regrets.
I receive a ton of side-eye glances of disapproval on international flights because I travel business class and leave my teenager in coach.
And, yes, I've been called a "bad mom" by strangers for leaving her in the economy cabin for as long as 13 hours while I sit in business class.
Nothing, however, can persuade me to join my petite 16-year-old in a narrow seat with hundreds of other travelers for a long-haul flight. I'm not going to pay hundreds to upgrade her ticket, either.
I feel the judgment, but I don't let it get to me
Before the flight takes off, I always explain to a crew member that my daughter, a seasoned traveler, is on her own in coach and that I'll be in business. I also give the crew my seat number.
I've often noticed eavesdroppers giving me judgemental glares while my sad-looking daughter receives sympathetic looks. I've even seen onlookers shake their heads at me with disgust.
Still, without feeling the slightest bit of blame, I joyfully trot up the aisle to my business-class seat, excited to convert it to a bed and enjoy the pleasant dining experience that comes with the upgrade.
My business-class status also comes with perks and freebies for my daughter
Fortunately, I can share a number of business-class perks with my kid without having to pay for two business-class tickets.
Recently, when heading to a British Airways flight from Sydney to London, we dodged a 100-person queue at the economy check-in desk. The business-class counter had no line and the staff happily checked us in together even though my kid's pass was coach.
My daughter's also benefited from my generous British Airways business-class luggage allowance. In economy, you can only check one complimentary 51-pound bag but you get two 70-pound bags in business.
On one occasion, I checked her bags because I had just one 51-pound bag and she had two heavy shell suitcases stuffed with clothes. All three pieces of luggage were marked "first-class priority" and she wasn't charged extra for checking her bags.
I can also usually take my daughter with me to business-class lounges, which are a great way to relax in an airport and avoid the temptation of duty-free stores.
When on the flight, I make sure to bring her my complimentary business-class amenities bag, usually filled with a fabric eye mask, lip balm, socks, dental kit, and moisturizer.
Sometimes I share my food, too. On one 13-hour flight, I received an elaborate breakfast with overnight oats, slices of sweet white dragon fruit, and a chive omelet. I sent the vegan items to my daughter and, much to her delight, they were delivered to her on a linen-covered tray with a mug of steaming herbal tea.
Otherwise, my daughter and I have no contact from when the flight is about to take off from when we disembark. Occasionally, I walk back to check on her and sometimes just find her sleeping.
My daughter isn't always thrilled with our flying arrangement, but I think it's a pretty fair deal. And she certainly doesn't seem to mind it when we disembark to find our priority-tagged bags first out on the luggage carousel, courtesy of my business-class status.