Some airlines no longer let babies and small children board first

[royalcassel]

What's that all about ? Has anyone else had this experience recently ? I found it quite challenging. Surely it's better for the little people to be seated first to enable everyone else to board quicker ?

I've never, ever boarded early because I owned a small child and we go abroad at least once a year.

Don’t think it matters one way or the other

I always take my kids on last minute so that they're on the plane waiting (and whinging) for less time.

However, I don't think I've ever been on a plane that said children and babies board first, so I didn't notice as it's nit a thing I've ever experienced.

' owned a small child ? ' that's an odd way to put it.

Usually they ask families with small children to board first. Maybe we are flying different airlines ? I travel a lot too.

Best flight ever was walking on with an 18 month old as they closed door and started taxiing down the runway before we were at our seats (staff tickets and got the last seat and in business).

Made the flight shorter 👌

Never seen that tbh, I wouldn’t want to be on a plane first with small children. It would just be longer to try & keep them quiet

I've always thought it was backwards. Surely makes more sense to have the babies board last so they're not sitting around already getting bored and fidgety before everyone else is even on the plane?

I've boarded first when I've been with the kids but like a pp I quite often think surely boarding last is better in terms of boredom.

I’ve only ever experienced that with EasyJet. Do other airlines do it?

I've never understood it tbh. Worst flight with tiny DC was when we boarded early then were held up. Least time before moving the better!

We always waited to board last when kids were younger, much easier. Always booked the last row too so just slipped in at the back behind everyone else. Unless you’re a faffer not sure why you need to be on first it’s not that hard to just sit down.

Apparently I'm lumbered with being responsible for them until they're 18.

Which airlines make you board first? I make a point of leaving it to the last minute as I can't face extra time on a plane with them.

Which airlines OP? To be honest I don't know any airlines that allowed this anyway? We'd always board last by choice...more time for the kids to be free and we're not holding anyone up

Not seen it for years thankfully

Good! Reproducing does not make you any more entitled. Don’t travel if your kids are hard to handle. What about elderly people who may find it hard to stand and queue? They book speedy boarding or special assistance, just as you should!

And yes I have traveled with kids. They had to wait alongside the other however many passengers.

Makes more sense to board from the back so the aisle isn't blocked by people faffing at the front.

The last easyjet flight I took was 2019 and they didn't board children first then either!

Last time I flew when this did this was 15 years ago

Special assistance can be booked for people with additional needs or older people or those with disabilities or injuries. It doesn’t affect that group of people if children board before the other passengers as special assistance is before everyone else anyway. That said, it makes zero sense to spend even longer on the plane with small children. I suppose the only advantage is having your luggage near you but I feel the disadvantage of being on the plane longer outweighs that!

I totally agree with those saying that it’s easier to board last with children. Less time to entertain them in a confined space! Also that it makes much more sense to board from back to front, or from middle forward and back if there are two doors. The polite shuffle while people faff with their bags is soooooo annoying!

Long haul international always did this when mine were young, 8/9 years ago. I haven't taken much notice of whether they still do. If I'm travelling in business I'm sure the first and business are called up first come to think of it, used to be families with kids under 5 before that even.

I always thought it was so the could load all the buggy's quickly? My youngest is 9 and I do remember them asking us to board when we had a buggy.

Why should they. It makes much more sense to board young children last so they have less time sitting there getting restless.

I have never for the life of me understood why people want to be first on the plane. It's absolutely bonkers.

Some did this before they started charging for allocated seating. Haven’t seen it for a while.

Reproducing does not make you any more entitled.

What a disgusting attitude you have to children who are people in their own right and vulnerable individuals at that. They have a right to safety and if they are safer being boarded first then they should be.

I hate boarding early with my children. I can only entertain them for so long in a tin can!