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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think children should be banned from long-haul flights in economy?

267 replies

OneGreenLeader · 06/04/2025 10:59

Before I get jumped on - I don’t hate children. But I do think it’s unfair that someone paying hundreds or even thousands for a flight has to endure hours of screaming, kicking seats, or being disturbed constantly. Some parents try, but let’s be honest, others just don’t care. Shouldn’t there be designated “family zones” or restrictions on certain routes/times? AIBU to say it’s inconsiderate to bring babies or toddlers on 10+ hour flights?

OP posts:
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UrinalCake · 07/04/2025 10:03

I imagine the demand for adult only flights is relatively minimal.

It certainly will be if people work out how much more it'd cost them.

Sadcafe · 07/04/2025 09:22

Good grief yes, children should be put in the hold with the luggage not allowed to disturb people who have paid hundreds/ thousands for there seats, not even as if the kids will have paid for a seat

NautilusLionfish · 07/04/2025 09:20

Diydanny · 06/04/2025 15:28

Thank goodness for the voice of reason. Well done! We raised our two children to the same standards and they are considerate, rounded people. If only we could have your children behind us next time we fly. My husband always seems to get the ‘kicker’ and he no longer engages with parents. It is not worth the aggravation… and the parents already know what the child is doing and does nothing anyway.

I have just had an idea (yes I have had a kicker once and parents pretended not to. notice. And another time a kid that kept trying to play on my laptop. Mum stood in aisle doing nothing and after my nose were ignored, I used a stern voice and mum picked her daughter and finally stopped that crap). Now back to the idea. Travel with a scary mask. Give kid/parents the pls don't do that. If they do it again, discreetly put the mask on, turn around and in your scariest villain voice tell the kid you will chomp off their foot.

wastingtimeonhere · 06/04/2025 19:18

How about a 'sin bin' area...drunks, druggies and other antisocial twats all get moved into it with direct route to exit and police escorts off the plane. I bet parents would soon stop Alfie from kicking seats and shouting if they know they will have to sit next to Phil, Liz and Ryan who are pissed on duty free.

Vivi0 · 06/04/2025 18:57

People were absolutely lovely going there and back from the States and were chatting to me and DD throughout and letting me know if I need any help, let them know.

This has always been my experience when travelling with my children.

They are 8 and 5 now so are happy to just sit with their iPad and sleep for a bit. Like the majority of children I encounter on flights.

Of course, when boarding, there is always the odd person with a face like a smacked arse at the thought of children being on a flight. But I suppose they are the type to be annoyed by/complain about anything. For the most part, people are either lovely, or don’t bat an eyelid.

I imagine the demand for adult only flights is relatively minimal.

TheatreTraveller · 06/04/2025 18:48

Ridiculous!! Why on earth should me and my family be punished for badly behaved kids/adults? Mine are 7 and 4 and have travelled extensively, short haul, long haul, trains, coaches, road trips. Not once have they ever been noisy or caused any disturbance, not even as babies. We went long haul last year age 6 and 3 and there wasn't a peep out of them. They watched tv, coloured in/stickers, ate and napped.
We would absolutely choose to sit in a quiet zone!
I've had many many flights disturbed by obnoxious adults though.

Springsprung2 · 06/04/2025 18:10

PeloMom · 06/04/2025 17:35

Agree. I either fly with my kid (where my job is to keep them entertained/ quiet etc) or by myself where I want peace and quiet as it’s a rare luxury to be kid - free on a flight. No chance I’d be entertaining someone else’s kid!

Yes agree, it was a very minor chat for a few minutes and the other people all said hello to them first and seemed happy to have a little conversation. I would never let them bother someone who didn’t look like they wanted to talk. We have immediate family who live abroad, not just decided to randomly have a long haul holiday.

Vitrolinsanity · 06/04/2025 18:03

Anyone kicking my seat gets a death glare, followed by a stop kicking my seat if they don’t stop.

phoenixrosehere · 06/04/2025 17:55

So those of us who have immediate family in other countries should never take our children to see our home countries? Older relatives who can’t fly should just be told tough luck, we have to wait until child is an age where they may not cause a disturbance while grown adults do so all the time and should know better can?

People bang on about how people should care more about family, be nicer to others and not be so individualistic and then tripe like this gets spouted off.

I wear headphones and they often provide them on long haul flights. I constantly keep an eye on my own children when travelling and make sure they’re not being disruptive.

I did a long haul flight alone last year with walking 10 month old DD and was worried about how people would be since it had been years since I traveled with a baby. People were absolutely lovely going there and back from the States and were chatting to me and DD throughout and letting me know if I need any help, let them know. It was a packed flight going back and she let out a few whimpers here and there over an 8.5 hour flight but kept nursing her to keep her quiet and asleep and occupied by talking to her, giving her snacks , when it wasn’t packed, letting her walk a bit when it was safe to do so and wasn’t in anyone’s way, and letting her watch a bit of Teletubbies.

We get looks when it’s autistic DS with ear defenders on and yet he sits by the window quietly or watches his tablet. I have seen parents who don’t do anything but it has been rare and tbh, I would not want to be put along in the same area as them because people such as OP want to lump all parents and young children together as problems.

If we’re going to go there, I’d like to see the same restrictions for the plenty misbehaving adults who should know better.

PeloMom · 06/04/2025 17:35

KimberleyClark · 06/04/2025 17:29

Someone else’s child trying to chat to me would have driven me up the wall.

Agree. I either fly with my kid (where my job is to keep them entertained/ quiet etc) or by myself where I want peace and quiet as it’s a rare luxury to be kid - free on a flight. No chance I’d be entertaining someone else’s kid!

JeanGenieJean · 06/04/2025 17:33

CantStopMoving · 06/04/2025 15:05

I’ve had both great and horrendous experiences with babies. I spent the most delightful long haul flight with some babies next to me and they were utterly adorable and were so chirpy and happy. I also flew last year long haul and a baby close to us screamed the entire flight all night. I didn’t sleep a wink. It was awful. But I survived, albeit with the worlds worst jet lag, so think you have to suck things like this up.

I've had flights when I've heard babies screaming and been glad they weren't near me!
It's a lottery isn't it?

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 06/04/2025 17:29

”Should people listening to music on their phones on speakerphone on trains be banned too ? What about annoying city types having loud phone conversations on the train ? No one cares about your latest client Brian.”

Glued-on headphones for the former, Scold’s bridles for the latter, I’d suggest, @teledays.

KimberleyClark · 06/04/2025 17:29

Springsprung2 · 06/04/2025 17:25

We flew for 10 hours last week with 3 kids all under 6. They were really well behaved considering but naturally they do get a bit bored and want to get up and down and chat to people etc. everyone around us was lovely and chatted back to them but we had no other families near us and I did think to myself a family area on the plane would’ve been good. Maybe other kids would’ve encouraged ours to be a bit more boisterous though.

Someone else’s child trying to chat to me would have driven me up the wall.

Glitchymn1 · 06/04/2025 17:27

YABU kind of…. DD is 8 and so good, very quiet and just sits/snacks or sleeps. She doesn’t kick the seat, cry, scream… she doesn’t put her chair back either. I do agree with you to an extent as I’ve sat in front of a seat kicker.
Adults can be annoying too, I suppose that’s what business class is for? You pay more for a nicer seat.

Springsprung2 · 06/04/2025 17:25

We flew for 10 hours last week with 3 kids all under 6. They were really well behaved considering but naturally they do get a bit bored and want to get up and down and chat to people etc. everyone around us was lovely and chatted back to them but we had no other families near us and I did think to myself a family area on the plane would’ve been good. Maybe other kids would’ve encouraged ours to be a bit more boisterous though.

Whoarethoseguys · 06/04/2025 17:25

Sorry but children are people with a perfect right to travel their parents will have also paid the same for their children's tickets as you have for your ticket.
If anyone is to be banned from flights I would prefer it to be hen and stag parties and others who drink throughout the whole flight.

user2848502016 · 06/04/2025 17:22

Possibly on a larger plane for a long haul flights there could be quiet/adult only zones but otherwise if you fly economy it’s the risk you take

PeloMom · 06/04/2025 17:20

I agree. That’s why I fly my kid in business or first only.

RedToothBrush · 06/04/2025 17:19

dizzydizzydizzy · 06/04/2025 17:06

While we're at it, let's ban anyone over a certain BMi and anyone that's had more than 2 alcoholic drinks at the airport.

Already suggested this. OP suddenly backtracked....

dizzydizzydizzy · 06/04/2025 17:06

While we're at it, let's ban anyone over a certain BMi and anyone that's had more than 2 alcoholic drinks at the airport.

teledays · 06/04/2025 16:52

Should people listening to music on their phones on speakerphone on trains be banned too ? What about annoying city types having loud phone conversations on the train ? No one cares about your latest client Brian.

My point is that we're all annoying to other people and we just have to learn to be a bit more tolerant of others in public spaces. You've bought one seat in the plane, not all the surrounding seats and areas. Buy first class if you want more control over who you fly with.

MightAsWellBeGretel · 06/04/2025 16:38

So people in business class should spend even more money and have an unruly child ruin it?

Children are not the only antisocial or obnoxious passengers. Unfortunately, we don't get to choose who else boards the flight.

Ems1992 · 06/04/2025 16:18

We have recently flown from UK to Australia, with a 7 year old and a 3 month old. As the plane boarded, a very loud individual sat in the next set of seats (along the “extra leg room” seats where babies/infants are seated during long haul) and stated “I hope this baby doesn’t scream the whole way” and scoffed at my 7 year old also being present.

My kids were amazing, slept most of the journey, what wasn’t so amazing was this individual for the whole 12 hours sniffed his disgusting mucus into his throat every few minutes, coughed it back into his mouth then swallowed it.

Who would you rather have been sat next to?

ThatLilacTiger · 06/04/2025 16:09

Children are people and are entitled to exist in the world, same as you. If you don't like it, wear headphones.

UrinalCake · 06/04/2025 16:01

OliphantJones · 06/04/2025 15:52

Alright. Calm down. I don’t think putting on the odd adult (or ‘quiet’ flight is what I really mean) here and there is that big a deal. As I have already said it’s not actually children that are the problem. It’s the inconsiderate adults. Loud, badly behaved kids are simply a consequence of inconsiderate adults.
No one has tried it yet so no one really knows how successful it might be. One flight a week or a fortnight or even once a month to one or two destinations as a trial could be looked at.
It doesn’t need parents to froth and be so dramatically offended about it as some are being.

Calm down, don't get so offended at the whopping great flaws in your idea being pointed out. Stop frothing!

Again, if it were that attractive it would happen. There wouldn't need to be vague suggestions about trials from clearly uninformed randoms on Mumsnet. Businesses don't actually operate on a principle of nobody has tried it so we can't say how successful it would be. Or they don't last very long if they do! It has to actually be worth trying.

But out of interest, which one or two destinations do you want to see this trialled with and who will pay the additional costs of your idea? What would happen when if none of the airlines were interested, should it just be drawn out of a hat?

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