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

[OneGreenLeader]

Before I get jumped on - I don’t hate children. But I do think it’s unfair that someone paying hundreds or even thousands for a flight has to endure hours of screaming, kicking seats, or being disturbed constantly. Some parents try, but let’s be honest, others just don’t care. Shouldn’t there be designated “family zones” or restrictions on certain routes/times? AIBU to say it’s inconsiderate to bring babies or toddlers on 10+ hour flights?

I'd support Business class/ first class being child free but a ban in economy is beyond ridiculous.

I've never seen kids kicking and screaming on a plane!

Don’t be ridiculous.

We go to New Zealand every 10 years or so to visit family. 2x 26 hour flights is never going to be fun. Just because you had a good flight on an exciting holiday doesn’t discount other people’s experiences. Mentioning badly behaved adults on a long flight is hardly flexing privilege.

The worse passengers I have ever had on a plane or long train journey have been adults.

Honestly. Children haven’t ever really been a problem. A few crying babies temporarily or hearing upf if no headphones. But mostly parents deal with it and it doesnt last long.

I have been on a plane where we had to turn around and someone arrested on board as an Adult was so drunk and trying to assault every air hostess. Plus roudy stag or hen groups, loud football fans, loud people who think they are important.

My Ds has always flown well. Even as a baby. Dh and I kept him fed, napped and occupied and he didn’t bother anyone. Now school age he will sleep overnight flights, watch tv or iPad, snack, games

Worst flight for us was a Tui flight full of kids and families. The kids were not really the problem - it was some of the parents who were woefully unprepared for their children to be sat on a plane for 4.5 hours.

A few parents had nothing to keep them entertained and a desperate 'oh look at the clouds' for the 10049th time wasn't working! Also saw a father who had placed himself on the opposite side of the plane a couple rows back. Mum was really struggling with 2 pre-schoolers. Not once did he offer to take one or make any effort to entertain them - he was living his best life enjoying the hospitality! Though he did shout at them several times.
Also agree with the pps who have said that drunken adults are way more annoying than kids on a flight - and more common from my experience.

Be honest, whose kids have caused disruption/annoyance to others on a flight?
...I don't see any hands up.

That's the problem. Not sure how you solve it...

Children and babies are humans too.

this is a you problem

So are you saying that parents with children should be made to pay extra to fly business or first class and not economy just because you don’t like it? Maybe you should pay the extra to not fly economy then if it bothers you so much!

I understand your point op but trying to say that parents (who probably can only afford to fly in economy) shouldn’t do so is absolutely ridiculous! If you don’t like it then maybe you shouldn’t be flying in economy on long haul flights

I done a lot of long haul flying and I’ve never found a child on the flight to be so annoying that it caused me more than a passing thought. Adults can be absolute twats. Getting drunk, manspreading (one had a man manspread so far that he attempted to stretch his leg and foot below the seat in front of ME not even his own foot space), crawling over me, shouting at flight attendants, pushing and shoving and dropping all their overhead luggage on my head.

I don’t mind children. I’ve never had any be overly disruptive. I don’t fly loads with my children, but they would get a right bollocking if they kicked the back of someone’s seat or were shouting on a plane bothering everyone.

I assume that you're assuming all these children are going on holiday. They're not. We're currently in the situation of a child travelling with a parent due to illness and subsequent death of a parent / grandparent
The world does not revolve around you.

I used to fly long haul regularly on business.

There was the occasional crying baby, stinky nappy, irritating child, in all classes of flight, but to be honest the manspreading, excessive drinking, unwashed adults, and passengers spilling into my space, was infinitely more frequent, and harder to put up with.

Children are part of society. If their behaviour troubles you, have a word with the crew.

Definitely should not be banned but I think the idea of a quiet zone / family zone is a great idea.

But it’s public transport.
Private options are available, but if you’re usually flying long haul in economy, I suspect you can’t afford that.

There are almost always families with children in business class, what makes you think there wouldn’t be?

We could stick you in the hold. Ridiculous thing for you to say. Some people live far away from their families and need to take their children to see them. Dickhead child haters should be banned from flights.

Family zones are reasonable. And obviously expecting people to stop kids kicking seats etc is reasonable.

But obviously no one should be banned 😂 unfortunately young babies and toddlers cry. Just turn up the volume on your earphones 🤷

It's public transport, which everyone can access. Children are people and are allowed to access public spaces. It's also unreasonable to expect a young child to be absolutely silent and never cry on a plane.

I've flown plenty, and have never experienced annoying kids. Yeah, I've been behind a crying baby, but it's a baby, and not worth more than a fleeting moment of irritation.

You're entitled to a child-free life but not a child-free world. If there was sufficient demand for adults-only flights, they would exist.

How could they travel then?
I hardly think people in first would be jumping at the idea of their section turning into a nursery/ crèche?!

I can't say I understand people bringing very small babies on far away holidays on planes though. If it were me I'd go somewhere closer or leave the baby with someone else. The child is too young to appreciate it and it wouldn't be relaxing at all as a parent.

But blanket banning it isn't really going to work. I think people should pay extra for a baby though, even if it doesn't take up a seat.

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.

Can drunks be banned too?

If i was paying extra i would absolutely want a seat

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.

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.

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

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!

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