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 ?

This is a good argument for not boarding families first because by the time everyone else gets on the families are still 'getting settled' which slows everyone else down so boarding takes longer.

They've probably realised it's quicker to let everyone on at the same time so the people who just have to put their bag away and sit down have done just this instead of queuing up behind people who think they've got all the time and in the world to hand out snacks and colouring books.

This. I've got 4 young children. I don't mind when I board but I've always been invited to board after priory boarding. It's normally a quick announcement but it is a thing. Recently with BA and EasyJet we boarded first.

I preferred to wait until last because there was less time waiting on the plane. Much easier to get on last after everyone else has boarded.

I’ve only ever occasionally (rarely) witnessed children pre-boarding, and it was never when I had children in tow! 😂 Not even when I was flying long-haul solo with an 18 month-old and a 3 year-old. Just need to get on with it, really.

Flew home a few days ago . There was an announcement for families with small children to make their way to the front when boarding starts . I joined the queue mid way through. Just as was about to exit the airport for the shuttle bus a family of 2 adults dragging 2 little children along barged past me like they were running from a fire 😆, slamming me into the door way on their way past . I ended up boarding the plane in front of them because I was now nearer the shuttle bus exit. 😆

Odd. We want to be last one so my kids are seated for less time. My kids don't make me more important than everyone else either

I came across this decades ago on BA (long hall) Parents and small children first. When I got on all the parents were sitting with an alcoholic drink, I thought that was very civilised.

These days I'm in a wheelchair so always last to get on and off.

Disgusting.

It’s not about being more important, it’s about accommodating those less physically able, and in general parents having to deal with young children and the paraphernalia that comes with that are less physically able then the average passenger.

They are not. No one is

Z@YaWeeFurryBastard couldn't think of anything worse being first on. I always chuckle a those first in the queue while I'm chilling waiting for the queue to totally go

My dream airline!!

To be honest on easyJet/ryanair I feel the same! I’d rather be sat on a seat in departures than stood in a queue/on the runway for 30mins+ so I always board last on those occasions. Long haul or BA is a bit different as you can usually get on pretty quickly.

Long haul international airlines usually offer disabled, young children and babies first on flights. The budget airlines don't tend to offer this service.

@Souredgrapes

I ended up boarding the plane in front of them because I was now nearer the shuttle bus exit

Good example of why there’s not really much point at many airports in trying to really finesse the boarding process beyond using groups.

So it's you holding the plane up
Great attitude

We lived overseas for years and I frequently flew to and fro long haul on my own with three under fives. I never understood the logic to be honest. I literally want to wear them out in the departure lounge until the last minute to reduce the chances of them getting restless. Can’t see why this ‘preferential treatment was ever preferable…

Passengers in first/business class are paying for a bigger seat, better food and better service, not a child free zone.

Everyone always trots out how much they’d love a child free airline but there’s clearly not that much demand for one otherwise airlines would have seized the opportunity.

@lazzapazza overhead luggage space - it runs out.

Holiday flights do seem to offer this ime however like hell did I ever take them up on it. Maybe your airline has now realised that the less time they are restrained to a seat the better!

Buggies and prams should not be in the cabin

That is a revolting response

Says who? I assume that poster meant they put the buggy in the hold but there are plenty of prams which are cabin approved. We’ll be buying and taking one.

Why would they? I remember it being a thing with easyJet but this is going back over 10 years. It makes no sense anyway.

Tell me you're from the US without telling me you're from the US...