To wonder if child free cabins on planes will ever happen?

[MrsJaxTeller]

Am I the only person who would happily pay for a child free cabin on a plane? We have 4 children and have flown with them both long and short haul when they were younger. I would never have allowed my children to kick seats or be a nuisance to other passengers on flights. I'm actually dreading our holiday in a few days after last years experience when a child had an iPad and watched bloody Paw Patrol for nearly 4 and a half hours. He screamed at the top of his voice "Chase is on the Case" every bloody episode then gave everyone a blow by blow description of what was happening in every episode. Yes, I understand children need to be entertained on long flights BUT the family in question eventually were spoken to by the cabin crew as a lot of passengers in our cabin were complaining about his behaviour. He was jumping on seats and hanging on to back of my seat while he jumped up and down. I tried to put my headphones in but that didn't help when he was rocking my seat by holding onto the headrest and jumping on his. As I said, am I the only person who would happily pay for a child free cabin?

I really struggle to understand the perspective of parents who feel like this. Mine are fairly OK on flights (not to Torremolinos, to see family) but every time I get on a plane or really go to any public space and there's a kid kicking off I just think, thank Christ it's not mine. If mine are with me I'm grateful that someone else's is keeping the bar so low for good behaviour, and if I'm alone I'm just grateful it's not me who has to deal with that. Does that effect wear off eventually then?

But that's why it's a good idea MrsK, because of the judgey fuckers do end up on a plane with children they have no right to complain! Stressed out parents can just say "well if you wanted peace and quiet you should have booked a child-free flight".

its not about slagging off children or calling them little fuckers. It's about whether there would be a market for child free cabins.
I'm not mad keen on other people's children (particularly in confined spaces). That's not a crime.
And yes. I'd like child free flights. Why not?

I'd def go.on the this flight. I have two toddlers on the rare occasion I get to fly alone for work I'd love to know it would be adults only.
Now a flight where they take my kids to a nursery / play area would be perfect for my holidays.

Oh MrsF, people will always complain about children, even if they are at a soft play child centred activity. They will always complain.

Presumably the airlines will charge more for this and people won't pay and still moan like fucking drains.

Also regarding the hot weather, you do know people who live in southern Spain have kids as well? And the planes go both ways... we live in southern Germany and this year we will actually be flying north to Denmark in the summer holidays to escape the 35-40 degree weather! Not that the kids worry about the hot weather, it's me that can't stand it...

Great idea. I'd pay extra for that.

Anyone that is this intolerant can just pay for first class, problem solved. Or, a cheaper version, just take a Mogadon and have 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep on the plane.

Unfortunately you still get children in First Class! Op, YANBU. Some of you need to get the chips off your shoulders and re read the opening thread. A separate, child free cabin would appeal to lots of people and I would happily pay extra for it!

What about a cabin to put kids IN? I emigrated from Australia to the Netherlands when I had a four year old and two year old twins. I travelled by myself as my husband was already here... I could see people recoiling in horror with "Don't sit near me!" written all over their faces, and I didn't blame them one single bit! I'm lucky that my kids are not special needs, and their personalities are relatively calm and (mostly) well-mannered, but it was exhausting making sure that they behaved as quietly and thoughtfully as they possibly could for twenty six hours....If I could have paid for a special child cabin, perhaps I could have relaxed a bit more, knowing that everyone there was in the same boat.

I too would like to kiss MrsK - couldn't agree more.

Ah, but surely First Class children are a better class of children and their behaviour is of a First Class kind?

I have travelled on my own with 4 under 7s and it was hell hard.
No screaming, no 'incessant' kicking of seat in front (but achieving that was hard work) and no cabin crew had to get involved.
After one particular stressful (for me) flight the passenger in front of me said to me as we stood waiting to disembark "You handled your DCs really well. You are a credit to each other". She made me cry. Happy tears.

I was also fecking relieved we had made it to the ground without me having turned in to a screaming banshee or attempted to strangle one of them...

When my DCs behave, it's ALL down to my excellent parenting.

When they don't, it's down to them being awkward little shites

Happily pay for child free.
YANBU.

I expect ds will still be noisy when he is 18.

I'm with toomuch - I sympathise and commiserate, rather than judge parents of kids kicking off (well.. within the limits of reasonable behaviour - ie. under 4 - almost anything forgiven)

Personally, I've rarely had a very annoying kid (the kicking seat kind), or even a crying baby (past takeoff/landing)

I have however frequently had smelly/snory/rude/fidgetty/loud music in headphonesy/wants to control the window blind despite being in the aisle seat etc. adults.

Frankly, I think I'd probably get along better in a child only cabin.. perhaps I just have more practise ignoring child voices

Yes please! i would definitely pay for it.

Nothing against any sort of child, I dislike them all equally

Oh no, I find my own DCs far more irksome than other people's

In business a child would have to climb up to disturb you. Even on Saudi flights with kids running wild, once you are in your little booth with earphones it's irrelevant. If the child free cabin was comparably priced what's the point. And if it's just a curtain they will still toddle through followed by a loud proud parent so what would be the point? I don't mind kids on flights (although I don't do economy long haul) but I do object to drunken adults. Since working for a Saudi company I have found the wild kids are a dream compared to BA finest pisshead engineers because it's a dry flight. Its a bit mean to object to kids on flights.

Op - the solution is that you book a private plane. Perfectly achievable and will result in you being able to control who flies with you.

In the meantime DC such as my son will say things like 'Chase is on the case' incessantly for hours upon hours because he has a slight problem called autism. It's a disability. As much as you think you have been disturbed it is NOTHING compared to what DH and I go through day in day out. So you had to endure 4.5 hours. Try months upon months of it and knowing that you are looking at years before this behaviour ceases. Oh and normally we try to go business because it's quieter for him. Surprisingly most airlines won't let those under 7 sit in business. The flat beds are ideal for our son but it's because of people like you that I get zero rest for an entire 8 hour flight and work the next day on fumes of caffine.

So please, take the chip on your shoulder and plonk it in a private plane next time.

They do have child free cabins - you turn left.

In theory it would be an idea, but a lot of other people are also annoying, not just children, so I wouldn't pay extra for it.
I was on a flight to Greece recently, and across from us (767, 2, 4 and 2 seat plan), was a family with two small kids. They were, frankly, a pain, and literally whined and screamed the whole 4 hours. I just thought, its 4 hours out of my life, and I hate flying anyway. I also had my MP3 so could block out some of the noise.
I find people who recline their seats more irritating to be honest.

I don't get the anger about kids in the age of earphones. It doesn't really affect you does it? Supermum try Saudi Airlines. If the kids sit down for take off and landing we are lucky. And thank you for sharing your feelings. I for one will remember your words and hopefully one day be nicer to someone as a result.

Naw, Want, I think owning a private jet is the only acceptable way forward.

Again, only if my DCs travel on a different plane from me.

I do like the idea of a quiet area/ quiet plane. Very happy to pay more for a seat in one of those.

Whinyleonard
I don't get the anger about kids in the age of earphones. It doesn't really affect you does it?

ahum, yes it does (so do adults). Earphones don't protect you against seat kicking, rubbish being thrown on you (another little angel), and I can still hear screaming even with earphones.

I am always amazed by parents who travel with young kids and bring adult books/ magasines etc, obviously fully expecting to have time to relax. Whenever I travel with my own kids, I have hand luggage full of distraction and snacks for them, and it works. My kids happen to be well behaved. After most of our flights an adult has turned round and congratulated them on being so quiet during the flight.