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

I don't understand why parents don't deal with this. Just take their shoes off! Instant solution. It isn't nearly so satisfying kicking a seat with no hard, noisy shoes on. Plus it hurts if you try to do it hard.

I think I would take the six week boat.

My most recent flight was a nightmare with a toddler and then someone ruptured a ripe brie in an over head locker. Haven't flown since.

Haha we got upgraded to business class with a 4yo and 20month old twins. They were actually really quiet the whole 11 hours. Kids aren’t the problem, arseholes are but you never know who they’ll be until about halfway through the flight when they flick their hair extensions over the back of the seat so you can’t see the film! Dc never do that.

I've got a child who travels well and would I f*ck be sitting in any family area 😅

Having done a 12 hour flight on Friday with a family with four under 5’s, I can say YANBU! We were booted in the back for 9 out of the 12 hours, they were banging the tables up and down very few mins, whining mummy repeatedly whilst she had her head phones in watching a movie and then to finish me off, gave them iPads with no headphones!

Lots of please don’t do that darling from the mum, but no actual action to stop them.

This has to be a wind-up. Mine have flown with me on the 16 hour flight HK to London. Sometimes they cry. They are never allowed to kick seats or cause a commotion. Drunk business travelers in the front of the plane on the other hand? They have ruined numerous flights for me. If you don’t want children on public transportation (because that’s what a seat on a commercial airline boils down to, regardless of the class you’re in) then charter a jet.

I must admit I did intervene in a very polite British was on my flight to India recently, the kid in front put their iPad on no headphones, after a couple of minutes I offered a spare set I had to the mum, she obviously a little embarrassed said it was ok she had some but they were in her bag above, she would find them as soon as the aisle cleared, and she did, and made the child use them despite repeated the child pulling them out. Once dinner service started she put the tablet away and made the kid use the inseat screen anyway

Family zone on long haul would be amazing.

I'd also happily pay a bit extra for child-free long haul flights.

In the meantime, invest in a good pair of noise cancelling headphones/earplugs!

We have flown a LOT, and have family on the other side of the world. I wouldn’t want to sit in a family zone, our children have always behaved well.

I would want to sit where annoying adults don’t recline their seats all the way for most of the flight. Arseholes. We fly business when we can.

Just take earphones.

People who smell are far worse, you can't stick nose plugs in your nostrils.

I think it’s noisy versus quiet that’s the issue. I have had way more flights ruined by adults than children.

The vast majority of children aren’t being purposely badly behaved on a flight in the same way that a hen do out for a party time aren’t purposely trying to be annoying.

My children fly sometimes from Spain to Japan to see elderly grandparents in Hamamatsu. They behave. Should they not be able to visit their relatives and the country where they have significant roots because some people sometimes have been disturbed by children on a long haul flight?

Ridiculous.

Airlines can offer what they like if they think it will make them money. They don’t offer it, clearly, as those who will pay for children (in all classes) clearly outnumber those who would pay a premium for child-free.

Lots of people with children aren’t going on holiday either, they are flying to see family or home from working abroad.

The issue isn’t children, it is badly behaved children . Lots of adults are far more annoying than a well behaved child.

And I agree with others, if you think you can choose who to fly with, get a private jet.

Family zones are reasonable. Banning altogether is not.

From what I understand a child screaming = a child in pain. If that’s due to air pressure the only thing the parent can do is feed them so the child swallows.

From my small look into the world, older people have a tendency to be be loudly intolerant of kids crying, as if the kids or parents are doing something bad, on purpose, to discomfort them!

How old are you OP?

I lived 10 hours by plane away from family and flew with my dc from their births, 1 child was hard 2 alone harder still (eldest autistic) yet never one did I let them disturb other passengers. In fact I swear they were the in flight entertainment as there always were many willing volunteers to bounce on their laps, read to, do colouring etc. typically older ladies travelling alone to see their own grandchildren as where I lived had many British expats. I had many lovely comments over the years too. The flight attendants too were incredibly lovely and helpful, I’ll never forget the lead cabin crew who offered me his little office (747) if I wanted privacy to feed my then 7 week old (didn’t take him up on this) and caused a huge amount of jealousy when he brought a first class meal to me as I needed good food as I was breastfeeding! I always booked the bassinet position until they were 2.

I know what you mean. I was thinking it would be less than the price of a seat though? That seems reasonable I think?

If you don’t want to travel with the general public including children I recommend you hire a private jet

We’re flying business for our baby’s first flight soon and I’m so conscious that I don’t want anyone’s experience to be ruined that I’ll be going out my way to ensure that she’s the best baby that anyone’s ever seen!

Lol, I agree, but try putting that point across on MUMsnet

Yes please. I would ban bars being open in the airport at the crack of dawn - no one needs a drink at that time of day.

Id also ban families who use an airline where you need to pay for a seat if you want to guarantee sitting together who then kick off a fuss when they realise they will be sitting separately.

Flights are to get you to places, not to work and if they aren't part of the fun of the holiday, then that's just how it goes.
I think people are insane going to some of the holiday destinations with toddlers, not to visit family etc. You can get the equivalent holiday somewhere in Europe or North Africa etc.

If i was paying extra i would absolutely want a seat

Can drunks be banned too?

I’d much rather sit next to a nice family with young children or babies on a flight than a stag do or the rowdy groups of men you often get. Children are people who exist in the world and I find it bizarre that people feel “entitled” not be to be around them. Would you say the same thing about someone making noise because of a disability?

Children have as much right to travel as anyone else and only Brits have this level of intolerance for children. However, I do think having family zones on flights is a good idea, the way many European countries have a family train carriage which is designed with the needs of families and children in mind which planes unfortunately aren’t.