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

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.

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?

Family zones are reasonable. Banning altogether is not.

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.

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.

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.

Just take earphones.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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 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.

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.

If there were enough demand to make this viable, it would be happening anyway without need for government intervention. Get out of the way of businesses pitching to the customer base they want.

No, my nearly 3 year old managed perfectly well flying to USA as did my 6 and 8 year old. But then I parent ny children.

I think family zones in aeroplanes would be reasonable.

Knowing the way airlines like to charge for everything, maybe it would be more a case of them introducing “adult only” zones and charging people extra to sit in that zone.

The worst flight I had was on the way to Florida. People decided the best way to stretch their legs was to stand right beside my seat talking shite for endless hours. The overhead announcements were incessant. It was just a generally noisy flight with a lot of families and you're trapped there which makes it seem worse. Its bad enough on the bus when people are watching their phones with no headphones, but equally being on a train with a hen party after a flight back from Florida was a physically sickening experience. The heart of it is adults with no awareness or consideration for people around them. I'm really surprised transport operators in general don't have terms of service about it and corresponding notices ON the transport. Every bus and train and plane should make it clear that it's not acceptable to watch devices with no headphones and that obnoxious behaviour won't be tolerated.

I think it's kind of looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist on the scale that you think it does?

I've flown a lot - as a child to visit family in Argentina where my dad's family is from, and as an adult, with and without my kids. I've not really encountered wide spread seat kicking and parents doing nothing but am aware it's a scenario which mumsnetters seem to encounter on a disproportionately high level 🙄
The thing is if you lump all the families together then all the kids and their families are affected by the ones who don't discipline their kids. Why is that fair?

Probably, although I expect it would have to be a choice between that and the deliberate overbooking of flights that some airlines engage in.

Surely in business class the seats are far enough apart that you can’t kick the seat in front.

i took an 18 month old in business class and have no regrets. Mostly they were very quiet and slept or relaxed.

Depends on Airline policy, some require the traveller to be over 12, others there are no restrictions...