Should Kids Be Banned From Business Class?
Sep 25, 2014, 9:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boston
Posts: 467
Should Kids Be Banned From Business Class?
This is a topic that comes up from time to time, and I was compelled to bring it up again after a disastrous two-leg journey on Asiana Airlines, featuring screaming kids aboard both flights and in both business class lounges.
When you’re flying in long-haul first or business class, you aren’t merely paying for transportation. You are paying for comfort. For luxury, even. This is premium class, not economy class.
And unlike a very high percentage of the people who travel up front, I was not flying on company expense or cashing in frequent-flyer miles. I paid out of pocket for my ticket. I did this precisely to be as comfortable and pampered as possible. This is not something I normally can afford, and my expectations were high — as they should have been. And the experience was wrecked at every turn by the behavior of other passengers. Of course this was no direct fault of those passengers, who as young children can’t be held accountable, but that doesn’t exactly matter.
The full story is here on my blog page....
http://www.askthepilot.com/kids-in-business-class/
When you’re flying in long-haul first or business class, you aren’t merely paying for transportation. You are paying for comfort. For luxury, even. This is premium class, not economy class.
And unlike a very high percentage of the people who travel up front, I was not flying on company expense or cashing in frequent-flyer miles. I paid out of pocket for my ticket. I did this precisely to be as comfortable and pampered as possible. This is not something I normally can afford, and my expectations were high — as they should have been. And the experience was wrecked at every turn by the behavior of other passengers. Of course this was no direct fault of those passengers, who as young children can’t be held accountable, but that doesn’t exactly matter.
The full story is here on my blog page....
http://www.askthepilot.com/kids-in-business-class/
Sep 25, 2014, 9:42 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
IIRC malaysian airlines is first/only to ban infants in some first and economy areas
one of the most popular topics on FT, there must be hundreds of threads
compared to economy (without buying-out cabins, chartering, etc)
one of the most popular topics on FT, there must be hundreds of threads
compared to economy (without buying-out cabins, chartering, etc)
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Sep 25, 2014 at 9:50 am
Sep 25, 2014, 9:46 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: Hertz 5*, United Gold (Soon to be gone), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 383
This is a topic that comes up from time to time, and I was compelled to bring it up again after a disastrous two-leg journey on Asiana Airlines, featuring screaming kids aboard both flights and in both business class lounges.
When you’re flying in long-haul first or business class, you aren’t merely paying for transportation. You are paying for comfort. For luxury, even. This is premium class, not economy class.
And unlike a very high percentage of the people who travel up front, I was not flying on company expense or cashing in frequent-flyer miles. I paid out of pocket for my ticket. I did this precisely to be as comfortable and pampered as possible. This is not something I normally can afford, and my expectations were high — as they should have been. And the experience was wrecked at every turn by the behavior of other passengers. Of course this was no direct fault of those passengers, who as young children can’t be held accountable, but that doesn’t exactly matter.
The full story is here on my blog page....
http://www.askthepilot.com/kids-in-business-class/
When you’re flying in long-haul first or business class, you aren’t merely paying for transportation. You are paying for comfort. For luxury, even. This is premium class, not economy class.
And unlike a very high percentage of the people who travel up front, I was not flying on company expense or cashing in frequent-flyer miles. I paid out of pocket for my ticket. I did this precisely to be as comfortable and pampered as possible. This is not something I normally can afford, and my expectations were high — as they should have been. And the experience was wrecked at every turn by the behavior of other passengers. Of course this was no direct fault of those passengers, who as young children can’t be held accountable, but that doesn’t exactly matter.
The full story is here on my blog page....
http://www.askthepilot.com/kids-in-business-class/
Sep 25, 2014, 9:49 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: SMF
Programs: Hilton Diamond-Marriott Platinum-life
Posts: 1,015
Should Kids Be Banned From Business Class?
"one of the most popular topics on FT, there must be hundreds of threads"
True with always the same responses some against children in business/1st class some for it.
So these post just become letting off frustration, hope the OP feels better, but nothing will change
True with always the same responses some against children in business/1st class some for it.
So these post just become letting off frustration, hope the OP feels better, but nothing will change
Sep 25, 2014, 9:52 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: EK - Silver; Accor - Silver; O6 - Gold; BAEC - Silver; Flying Blue; SPG; Krisflyer
Posts: 506
In a word "No".
While it's true that flying J or F, is basically paying for better service, comfort & food. Control over the passengers can hardly be an airline's responsibility. In a free market environment, those who can afford it will get the same options as any others.
I'm no stranger to screaming babies in J. But on a ultra long haul flight, that's what the airline provided noise cancelling headphones are for.
Only problem I have is with parents who do not even bother trying to comfort or stop their 5+ year old kids from making a din.
While it's true that flying J or F, is basically paying for better service, comfort & food. Control over the passengers can hardly be an airline's responsibility. In a free market environment, those who can afford it will get the same options as any others.
I'm no stranger to screaming babies in J. But on a ultra long haul flight, that's what the airline provided noise cancelling headphones are for.
Only problem I have is with parents who do not even bother trying to comfort or stop their 5+ year old kids from making a din.
Sep 25, 2014, 9:53 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ORD
Programs: Hertz 5*, United Gold (Soon to be gone), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 383
Not sure what else he would want, as it is covered at length already.
Sep 25, 2014, 9:59 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: PHX these days
Programs: US Chairman, M&M FTL
Posts: 222
Kids are not different from any other passenger on the flight - there are some that behave well, there are some that do not.
If you ban the kids, can we also ban everyone that drinks too much, talks too loud , *insert your latest annoyance*?
It is public transportation... get proper headphones and you won't be bothered that much.
If you ban the kids, can we also ban everyone that drinks too much, talks too loud , *insert your latest annoyance*?
It is public transportation... get proper headphones and you won't be bothered that much.
Sep 25, 2014, 10:27 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Programs: A3*G, LH FTL, VS Red, Avis Preferred, Hertz President's Circle, (RIP Diamond Club)
Posts: 2,364
This is a topic that comes up from time to time, and I was compelled to bring it up again after a disastrous two-leg journey on Asiana Airlines, featuring screaming kids aboard both flights and in both business class lounges.
When you’re flying in long-haul first or business class, you aren’t merely paying for transportation. You are paying for comfort. For luxury, even. This is premium class, not economy class.
And unlike a very high percentage of the people who travel up front, I was not flying on company expense or cashing in frequent-flyer miles. I paid out of pocket for my ticket. I did this precisely to be as comfortable and pampered as possible. This is not something I normally can afford, and my expectations were high — as they should have been. And the experience was wrecked at every turn by the behavior of other passengers. Of course this was no direct fault of those passengers, who as young children can’t be held accountable, but that doesn’t exactly matter.
The full story is here on my blog page....
http://www.askthepilot.com/kids-in-business-class/
When you’re flying in long-haul first or business class, you aren’t merely paying for transportation. You are paying for comfort. For luxury, even. This is premium class, not economy class.
And unlike a very high percentage of the people who travel up front, I was not flying on company expense or cashing in frequent-flyer miles. I paid out of pocket for my ticket. I did this precisely to be as comfortable and pampered as possible. This is not something I normally can afford, and my expectations were high — as they should have been. And the experience was wrecked at every turn by the behavior of other passengers. Of course this was no direct fault of those passengers, who as young children can’t be held accountable, but that doesn’t exactly matter.
The full story is here on my blog page....
http://www.askthepilot.com/kids-in-business-class/
No. If you want a perfect experience then book a private jet.
Sep 25, 2014, 10:32 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,537
My daughter, who will be just 2, and I will be flying in first to Costa Rica next spring. I will bring a whole backpacks of quiet toys to help keep her occupied on the 8 hour flight. But it is entirely possible that, despite my best efforts, she will get loud. Believe me, you'd be able to hear her in row one from row 185 if she really decides to melt down. I will do all I can to prevent that but it might happen. I'd rather deal with a screaming kid than a drunk adult