Mum admits to sitting in business class while leaving her kids in economy during flight – sparking debate

A WOMAN has admitted to sitting in business class while leaving her kids in economy - leading to debate online.

A mum said she almost "fell off my chair" after discovering her friend's arrangement, as she posted the details in a Sydney mum's Facebook group.

She revealed her astonishment that her friend left her primary school-aged kids in the cheaper economy class when they went abroad, while she flew in the more luxurious business class.

Opinion was split as Facebook users offered their opinions on the situation, as first reported by Australian travel site .

The woman wrote: "I just found out my friend flies business class with her (primary school) kids as unaccompanied minors in economy.

"Nearly fell off my chair as it had never occurred to me not to be sitting with them, making sure they're okay through takeoffs, turbulence, general supervision etc through a long flight.

"I figure we either all fly business or all economy.

"But maybe I'm too helicopter? Is this a common thing I just never knew about? Or maybe kids ages matter? What do you do?"

Some were quick to condemn the behaviour of the business-flying mother.

One replied: "I would call your friend selfish, and it makes it pretty clear to her kids what your friend thinks of her."

Someone said in reply to that: "I was thinking the same. It is a reminder that people have very different parenting styles.

"Love our kids and know we don't have unlimited time and opportunity to share doing things together (the fun, the bad, the grueling and the exciting moments that make up life!)."

Another Facebook user was having none of it, and pointed out how unfair this was on other plane users.

They said: "Absolutely NO! I find this completely disrespectful to the other passengers that end up sitting near the kids. Either everyone goes Business or everyone goes Economy."

Another person saw the funny side, and tagged a friend in a post as they said: "We can chuck Leo and Penelope in cattle class and enjoy Business Class child-free! Why didn’t we think of this before!?!"

A survey from last year found that as many as four in 10 parents would leave their kids behind in economy class if they were given an upgrade to first class.

It isn't the first time people have been divided over not sitting with family during a flight.

A woman went viral after slamming her boyfriend for upgrading his own seat to first class, leaving her in economy.

Another woman was left stunned after she paid to upgrade her boyfriend's plane ticket, only for him to complain about it.

And one man was even dumped when his mum paid for his entire family's first class flights - except for his girlfriends.