Adult only flights: Airlines urged to spare passengers from noisy children

 

 

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 1:58 PM on 2nd February 2011

 

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Not seen and not heard: 75% of business class travellers said they were annoyed by the presence of children on planes

 

Major airlines are being urged to consider child-free flights or 'zones' to give travellers a more peaceful journey.

 

Families could be segregated from other passengers on planes or banned from certain flights if campaigners hoping to persuade airlines to introduce adult-only flights get their way.

Carriers such as BA, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates have been told to think about 'adult-only' flights after a survey revealed that three quarters of business-class travellers found youngsters on planes irritating.

If the airlines, keen to keep lucrative business and first-class travellers happy, went ahead, planes could introduce 'quiet cabins' similar to those currently operated on railway services in the UK.

Among those spearheading the campaign for adult-only areas is travel journalist Dave Richardson.

 

Mr Richardson told the Daily Express: 'It would work well on high-frequency routes so that families could be accommodated on other services. On long-haul routes I might look to more innovative airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, Emirates or Etihad to consider taking this on board.'

He added that many airlines use the Boeing 747 plane, which has two decks and would make the separation of adults and children easier.

The survey saw 1,000 business class travellers questioned about pet hates on flights ahead of the Business Travel and Meetings trade show, which takes place in London next week.

 

The event's director David Chapple said passengers paying more for tickets were well within their rights to complain: 'It’s understandably frustrating for business travellers, who have paid a premium in expectation they can work and sleep in comfort, to have that peace disturbed by children.

 

 

Zoning in on an adult market: Campaigners are calling for segregated areas on planes

 

Frank Barrett, The Mail on Sunday's travel editor said the controversial idea would be unethical: 'I'm always amused to see children in business class on flights. What sort of business can these children be travelling on? What work does a six-month old baby have to do in New York?'

'However, much as I hate being kept awake all night by a grizzling child, I think that starting to introduce passenger apartheid might be a dangerous step. Where would it end? Banning fat people, roping off anyone who has smelly breath? We'll just have to grin and bear the presence of kiddies, I'm afraid.'

 

There has been a muted response from UK airlines to the survey. A spokesperson for British Airways said:'We do our best to help families travelling have as smooth a journey as possible.

'We do a lot of research into what our customers want and are always looking into new ways of making their journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.'

 

Virgin Atlantic however said it had 'no plans' to introduce areas that specifically cater for adults.

 

Former Virgin Atlantic director Paul Charles said: 'It would be a bad decision by an airline to ban children. Once you did, would you start banning other types of traveller? It would be a mistake.'

18 per cent of business class passengers surveyed said they resented paying more for their ticket when economy class passengers could sometimes be upgraded for free. And 15 per cent of those questioned said they would prefer to be further away from the economy class cabin.

 

A spokesperson for BA said: 'As an airline that flies 32 million customers a year, British Airways does its best to help out families travelling with children to make sure their journey is as smooth as possible.'

 

'We're a full service airline that caters for both business travellers - through our First, Club World cabins and innovative London City - JFK business class-only service - as well as family and leisure customers.'

 

'We do a lot of research into what our customers want and are always looking into new ways of making their journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.'

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1352779/BA-Virgin-Atlantic-Emirates-urged-ban-children-adult-flights.html#ixzz1CtOhMtlx

It would be a little slice of heaven not to endure a screaming brat that has to f*%k with the tray every time I fly.

It would be a little slice of heaven not to endure a screaming brat that has to f*%k with the tray every time I fly.

 

I take it you're in favour, then!:P

Its also annoying when you´re waiting to get off the plane or sit down, as it takes the parents a year to all the stuff and their kids together... I try and spring ahead of them !

some people, once they reach adulthood seem they forget they once were annoying children aswell ... another matter is how well educated kids are today.

 

in the flights i've taken the annoying were certain teenagers or young adults.

@ Bart and 66- I will be sure to book a seat right behind you with my son:P

It would be a true slice of Heaven to slap the fuck out of you when he even begins to wimper !

And "education' has nothing to do with it- it's called discipline, and had being taught manners and respect in social situations.

Saying this- I have no problem for Adult Only Flights. If people wish to pay for this service, they should have it.

I'd pay. I'd also pay not to sit next to a screaming child at a restaurant.

thread title gave me naughty thoughts.

On a plane to Germany, I was stuck next to a baby. . . it was the worst 10 hours or so I've ever had. :|

 

I don't blame it on the baby though, it's not its fault, but it still would have been a much nicer flight if there were no kids.

There was a baby on the train when I was travelling to London a few weeks ago and it was driving me insane. I really needed to work on my dissertation and I couldn't concentrate at all. I kept turning up the volume on my ipod but the baby was louder.

 

I think it's fair enough if there's quiet areas on a plane. If someone's paying for business class, they should be able to have a more peaceful journey.

I'd pay. I'd also pay not to sit next to a screaming child at a restaurant.

 

Well there are already plenty of "child-free" restaurants............................... ;)

There was a baby on the train when I was travelling to London a few weeks ago and it was driving me insane. I really needed to work on my dissertation and I couldn't concentrate at all. I kept turning up the volume on my ipod but the baby was louder.

 

So it became a cry-pod?:P

 

I think it's fair enough if there's quiet areas on a plane. If someone's paying for business class, they should be able to have a more peaceful journey.

 

Definitely.;)

I don't get it, who would want to watch porn on a plane journey?

thread title gave me naughty thoughts.

 

That's why I clicked it :disappointed:

"75% of business class travellers said they were annoyed by the presence of children on planes"

 

And 100% of business class travellers said they were annoyed by the presence of economy passengers on planes ;)

 

Wait, that's 1st class travellers