The Fierce Debate On Babies In First Class
Amanda Pleva January 10, 2017
Last week, I wrote an article about certain behaviors that elicit frequent complaints from passengers, yet are still permissible onboard aircraft. I’d stated my opinion on these topics, and one stood out as a particularly controversial (albeit not unpopular) one: infants and toddlers in first class. In fact, just after my last article was published, a woman claims to have been forced out of her first class seat by crew because her baby was crying and bothering the other passengers there. (Of course, if this account is accurate, that would be such a wrong move on the part of the flight attendants.)
Before I go any farther, I’d like to admit that my own stance on this topic is in more of a gray area than I’d let on previously. Some readers assumed that I am not a parent, or seemed to think I held parents of young children who fly in First Class in contempt. Both are incorrect. In fact, on one of the last flights I’d worked before the holidays, I’d had a lovely family with twins onboard in my cabin. I adored the parents and the children equally, and did as much as I could to help them with their kids and to provide them with the best service possible. Do I think it was the best fit for them as they traveled with their two toddlers, who took turns setting each other off into crying or yelling fits? Not really. But that is merely my opinion, one that I’m entitled to and don’t express while I’m working. And I’ve noticed from experience that about half of my passengers agree – although the ones who’ve complained to me about children have a much stronger opinion than I do.
For children, flying can be as stressful as it is on parents – the flights are long and the seats are cramped. Parents who book premium-class tickets do so to allow their children some extra room to fidget, as they will, or just to treat themselves to a bit of luxury on their trip to visit Grandma. I completely understand the draw for those who choose to book seats up front with the family in tow.
For others, the choice to upgrade is usually in order to catch a better rest than coach could afford them or to focus on working through the flight. Hence the upset when this isn’t possible. But debating this topic brings to light an interesting question – what, exactly, defines First or Business class? Is it merely a seat and a meal, or is it more than that? What makes the cost worthwhile to you as a passenger?
Clearly, it would behoove airlines to come up with solutions on how to best accommodate families with young children, although pleasing everyone all the time is far from possible – an obvious lesson learned by all flight attendants very early in our careers. Richard Branson has toyed around with the idea of introducing a “Kids’ Class” cabin, and Thomson Airlines also drew up models for family seating, offering booths and a table, but both of these have yet to be introduced. Other airlines have begun offering Quiet Zones to passengers who want to be guaranteed a more peaceful flight, but this, too, is bringing about some outrage from parents who don’t like the idea of age limitations on seating.
I don’t really think this issue has a one-size-fits-all answer. When my son was a baby we flew a lot, and with all the necessary accessories as well as the variable temperament babies tend to have, flying was no easy task. And babies aren’t just an accessory like a chihuahua in a tutu people fly with for the novelty of it. People fly with babies because there are grandparents to meet, vacations to look forward to, funerals, weddings…life doesn’t and shouldn’t stop because we have children. So we have to look to people with understanding and know that most parents are on the verge of frustrated tears by the time they are done with all that airports, TSA and flying throws at them.
I stand by my belief that First Class isn’t a good idea for babies that wouldn’t be expected to sleep or be quiet for most of a long flight, and it’s not based on income or class; it’s based on the expectations of passengers who chose those seats, especially if it’s something they can’t normally afford. And I certainly don’t believe that an economy-class passenger is worth less than a premium-class one. I just know that when I fly, I expect less in coach than I do in first or business class, because I have paid less.
So what, to you, makes First Class worth the money or miles? Is it merely the space and the food, or is it more for the peace and quiet?
[Photo: Shutterstock]
My church has created a kids area by enclosing it in a glass partition that is completely soundproof. The parents can listen to the service through speakers, and the little ones can play or scream to their heart's content without disturbing anybody. Replace glass with an FAA-approved material and you can do the same on an aircraft. I don't know if soundproof flexible curtains exist, if they do, even better.
I don't especially like babies, and I REALLY don't like crying babies. (Gay man with no children). But,on a flight, these babies have no idea what is happening to their bodies and just know it is uncomfortable and scary. And parents can't step outside until the little ones calm down. And I definitely know the parents don't like it any more than other passengers, but there is nothing they can do about it. So, the one place where I don't mind crying babies is on a plane. As far as first vs. coach, it's none of my business. Until an airline designates a "no children first class section", the parents have the right to sit wherever they want. OK, my age is showing here. I'll take the crying section over the smoking section any day!! And I always travel with noise cancelling head phones!
I've read most of the comments re this topic, and agree with many of them. The one I agree most with is, that babies should not be held on laps. If a laptop, purse or other such item, weighing far less, and less squirmy, is not allowed on a lap during takeoffs and landings, then a child should not. Therefore, any child or baby should be a paying passenger, regardless of booked class, and should be assigned a seat. Nearly every baby brought aboard has more than the usual carryon or valet checked baggage than non-baby pax, so tallies a bit more cost to gate workers. This hasn't even been discussed so far. Yes, I have been kicked, screamed in my bad ear, smelled changing diapers, received lesser service than usual due to attention going to baby or parents of kids. I have even changed seats with my very sweet cousin, who volunteered to switch. That child was so vile that even the FA asked if something couldn't be done. FAs are told their number one duty is to oversee the safety of the passengers. They should not be overseeing conflicts between bad babies and other pax. Yes, the parents should be held accountable, and yes, they know they have a bad baby, and should not fly with it, but "just can't help it", as they have to go see grandparents or do whatever. I liked that one writer said s/he didn't fly with the children until they were older. Good idea. If grandparents WANT to see the child, they should do the visiting. If parents wish to fly with children, paying for the ticket will put a value on the child flying, rather than 'child flies free, I might as well take him/her." I am an elite level passenger, because I fly a lot and actually pay for the ticket. I beg to differ with the writer who callously states that everyone in business or first class is there because they've been upgraded. I buy the ticket I want, because upgrades are a near impossibility these days, esp during peak flying seasons or days of the week. That issue has nothing to do with babies and kids riding in any class of the plane,. If that writer could afford to buy up, s/he would likely not be so cynical.
Actually due to the noise produced by the plane, you do not hear the baby very far nad in F or C much less people are distubed than in Y, where seating is much tighter.
The note above is correct Buy earphones. I have flown in first with my babies since they were 2 months old. My ticket. Too bad