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

Plenty of kids in business and private jets are £££££££££££££

We’ve flown extensively over 4 continents in the past and I can’t honestly remember being bothered by any children.

(Not so the bloody man who wanted to talk constantly when I was flying solo on a flight to Japan to meet up with my husband! A real pita, ordering vodka after vodka and trying to persuade me to. I was in first and discreetly asked to be moved, and was).

If it was something airlines could make money out of they’d already be doing it. Commercial aviation is public transport, I’m afraid, and the fact that it can be very expensive doesn’t change that!

No but I would happily pay more for a child free flight.

I agree shorthaul is often worse, because for only 2-4 hours parents 'wing-it' and end up with bored kids who act out. With long haul most parents are planning how to manage the kids for 8 hours and have plenty to entertain them.

My heart does sink when I'm near kids on a flight, and 90% of the time they are no trouble, but the 10% they can be an utter nightmare. I would also pay more to access a childfree flight, or appreciate childfree sections on a plane.

I fly a lot and it’s weird, I’ve never yet had a single flight ruined by kids screaming, kicking, etc. Yeah, you get the odd crying baby (which is completely natural, nothing to write home about, and usually over pretty quickly).

Conversely, I’ve had a decent few flights marred by inconsiderate, pissed, loud and/or obnoxious adults.

No. We had a period where we were flying long (and short) haul a lot. The kids did not misbehave.

Other people’s children in public are a part of life, if you can’t cope with it, maybe the problem is just as much you as them?

Go into business class then, or private jet

Family zones or quiet zones would be lovely. I’ve just done a series of flights in business class and EVERY ONE had at least one child that screamed for hours and hours. I feel for the parents, they tried so hard but these were small children and there was no stopping them. I would absolutely definitely pay more for a quiet flight.

I’ve flown a lot, I was once with someone on an 18 month world tour which involved a lot of flying, I’ve also flown a lot with children, including long haul. I’m yet to witness anyone have a flight ruined by a child screaming, kicking etc. I have however seen several people have their flights ruined adults due to poor hygiene, being abusive, sexually assaulting other passengers, vomiting due to being drunk. I don’t however think that adulta should then be banned from what is essentially public transport.

Private planes are an option for people who don’t want to fly with children, just as private coaches are option for those who don’t want to share a bus with children.

Flying 10 hours in economy is going to be horrific no matter what. It’s not just badly behaved children (and I’ve never been on a flight where the parents aren’t making an effort) but adults spraying perfume all over themselves every 15 minutes, adults watching porn on their iPads without headphones, adults whining for hours because they didn’t book seats early and now can’t sit with their friends, people who overdid it in the pub before getting on the plane and are vomiting noisily… lots of people in close proximity is always going to be awful.

Get good headphones and plenty of books and just get through it. At least you won’t need to deal with a child with jet lag at the other end.

One of the best behaved people I ever sat next to on a long haul flight was a 6 month old baby but he had very responsible parents!
I understand your feelings but I don't think anyone is going to ban children from economy. It's a pity some parents have no idea or inclination to make sure their children behave themselves.

As someone who has flown long haul many times with a baby, toddler, primary age, and now adult child (same child but over many year) I think yabu tbh.
I actually think short haul flights are worse than long haul as kids get bored, long haul they either sleep or watch movies.
Honestly other than babies crying, esp before take off , I can't say I've ever had a long haul flight spoiled by a young child. Adults reclining their seats all the way for 90% of the flight have been a bigger bug beat tbh

Always flown long haul with my kids and honestly never had a problem with them. They have always been well behaved. However booze filled adults have caused problems around us!!

I would happily pay more to go on a child free flight or be seated in a child free area.
I didn’t fly for years when mine were small as the thought of the screaming the whole way filled me with anxiety.

I can see both sides.

Family zones and quiet zones like they have on trains is reasonable, I think.

You can’t force people to book them, though.

Firstly people should stop their kids kicking seats but I think intolerant people should be made to pay first class or just get on with it.