A MUM has revealed how she always buys a business-class seat to travel with her husband and toddler.
Minna Havstad revealed that her toddler always gets an economy seat along with one and swears it makes them better parents.
Minna Havstad in her business class seat as her husband and toddler sit in economyCredit: SWNS
The avid travellers say sitting in business class makes them better parentsCredit: SWNS
Keen globetrotters Minna and husband Andy, both 34, would find themselves exhausted when they took long-haul flights in economy with daughter Malva, now three.
They said with Malva’s wriggling, snacks and toilet trips paired with their luggage, no one would get a wink of and their first day of holiday would be tough.
So they came up with a simple solution, buying one ticket in business class and two in economy.
While one parent enjoys the of sitting up front, the other looks after their daughter.
The parents, who use points to upgrade, said it has revolutionised their flights – and they’ve done it several times.
They say it makes them better parents because the break allows them to be more awake, alert, and present with their daughter, and they plan to continue doing it as long as they need.
Minna, a travel content creator from Woking, , said: “Last year we flew to China and Hong Kong, and we all sat in economy – none of us slept at all.
“We were all knackered when we arrived and it was challenging trying to get through and to the hotel in a new country, with jet lag too.
“After that we had the idea to upgrade one seat and it made such a difference.
“Malva is quite a good sleeper but she likes to sleep on you – so you can’t really move and it can be uncomfortable without much leg room when you’re in economy with her.
Andy and Malva sit in economy so that Minna can get some rest before switching seatsCredit: SWNS “Having a bit of me time and a lie down in business means we can parent so much better.”
Minna and Andy, who is a pharmaceutical manager, travel lots due to Minna’s work, and daughter Malva has been to 18 countries in her three years of life.
These have included the likes of Brazil, Norway, China, Morocco, Albania and Sweden – with some involving long-haul and overnight flights across different timezones.
The parents found themselves struggling to go a full flight without rest or sleep when they were looking after Malva – and eventually devised a plan to tackle it for themselves.
Minna, who runs the ‘Toddler Travel Diaries’ blog and account, said: “The trip to Brazil was the longest we had done – we were flying from Sweden where we’d been staying with my family, so it was 17 hours.
“The idea of being in economy for 17 hours was tough.
Tips for a stress-free holiday with kids
PARENTS have been told the three ways in which they can make family holidays with kids so much easier.
Three experts have weighed in with their advice on what to do in order to make your getaways as stress-free as possible.
are always exciting but having of a certain age can mean that things are more difficult than they need to be.
Thanks to Travel Weekly , here are three ways that those with young toddlers can have the best holiday possible.
Clarisse Chapolard, who is responsible for overseeing and caring for Club Med’s customers, says that booking off-peak flights ensures a quieter plane and airport – providing a more comfortable experience.
“Staff will generally be more available to help too,” she adds. “Flights can be the biggest headache with small children, so travel short-haul where possible.”
Clarisse also recommends making sure there are activities nearby to your accommodation to keep toddlers happy.
Having a child-friendly hotel can make the world of difference to your family holiday, especially when parents are looking for some time to themselves.
Founder and chief executive of Martinhal Resorts, Chitra Stern, said: “Accommodation needs to be child-friendly and safe, but also stylish and comfortable for parents.”
Finding somewhere with bed protectors, stair gates, steps in the bathrooms and furniture with round edges will prevent any unnecessary injuries or accidents.
Alan Cross, director of travel agent relationships for , has recommended parents to look at package holidays for peace of mind, ease and assurance.
“Families with toddlers may appreciate dedicated facilities like kids’ clubs, children’s pools, creches, playgrounds, cots and highchairs,” he said.
Package deals can also include free child places, single-parent deals and discount codes, catering for more than a standard family of four.
“We compared it to our flight to China and Hong Kong where nobody got any sleep – it was very challenging.
“And when you get to the new country, if you’ve not slept, it can kind of ruin the first day.
“When we booked one business class flight, both of us got the chance to get at least four to five hours sleep – meaning we can both function until the evening.
“We do always make sure to check with flight staff beforehand, and keep swaps to a minimum, to be respectful and avoid disruption.
“So far everyone has always been very nice about it, and accommodating.”
They have since done this four or five times, covering the cost of the upgrade with their air miles and loyalty points, and say it’s made them better parents.
Minna said while they’d be “more hesitant” paying for a business class seat at three times the price of economy if they didn’t have their air miles, they’d likely still pay it out of their own pockets.
She said since sharing their experiences with others, it has had mixed reviews – with some people saying they should all decide to stay together – while others said they’d consider it for their own future trips.
Minna said: “The hardest part is being summoned back to economy after a stint in business class!
“It makes us more alert, awake and patient – so we’re both able to parent better.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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