What’s the go with child-free flights?

Smiling little boy travel in airlane. Child air plane passenger

By Daisy Doctor

Here we go again.

It looks like the debate over child-free zones on flights has been reignited and it is getting HEATED.

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Let’s face it: nobody enjoys listening to a crying baby or a toddler having a tantrum to on a long-haul flight.

The only thing worse than listening to it is probably being the parent who has to deal with the offending tot while copping dirty looks from everyone else on the flight.

A recent viral video of a child having a “demonic” tantrum that lasted an entire eight-hour flight, has led to many people calling for airlines to introduce child-free zones.

Some Twitter users are even going as far suggesting child-free airlines:

some believe there should be a separate airplane cabin for those traveling without children but I will do you one better — there should be an entire AIRLINE that guarantees child-free travel
— undead (@undeadisntdead) January 15, 2018

https://twitter.com/raje_kaje/status/949420049827209217

The concept of a child-free zone is nothing new, international airlines including Scoot, AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines and IndiGo have already introduced quiet areas where customers can pay a bit more to sit in an area that doesn’t allow young children.

However, no Australian airlines have jumped on the bandwagon yet.

Tracey Stewart from Airfarewatchdog told Business Insider that the idea is a bit too controversial for many airlines to take it on.

“It’s probably hard for parents to be super objective for this stuff. Whenever this comes up, people get so upset about it,” She said.

“If you’re a parent and you live with that kind of behaviour, you’re probably pretty resigned to kicking and screaming. If some stranger calls out your kid for misbehaving on a plane, those situations escalate so quickly.”

It seems to be a pretty divisive topic.

In fact, a 2017 survey found that just over half of respondents believe children should be seated in a separate area, away from other travellers.

But surely making an entire flight childfree is going a little too far?

Let us know what you think in the comments below!

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest comments

Lesley Roberts says:
November 8, 2018 at 1:15 am
Gosh I wish it would happen – after sitting behind a family who had 3 under 5s chanelling the exorcist for 6hrs plus on an early (06:30) flight & did nothing, yes, nothing about the noise….I could hear it through earplugs & noise cancelling headphones.. my stress levels were through the roof & my ears practically bleeding when I disembarked…I’d pay extra for child free flights…..I really would.
I flew a lot with my parents as a kid & was told to sit down, behave & play quietly with my books & toys…. and reminded that I was bothering other people if I acted up….now, there’s a novel (old fashioned) idea that parents might like to consider…?
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