Child-free Zones on Planes a Thing of the Future?
You know the scene: You finally find your seat on the packed-full plane only to discover you're sitting next to a child with an ear infection or a 6-year-old who didn't nap. The rest of your flight is packed full of kicking, crying and crumbs. But would you pay more for a seat in a designated 'child-free zone' of a plane?
A new survey by TripAdvisor found that 79 percent of people in the U.K. think there should be child-free zones on flights. According to the survey, 88 percent of travelers without children would prefer child-free sections on planes, but the most surprising fact: 71 percent of parents agree that child-free plane zones would be beneficial.
So what's your vote, America? Would creating adult-only sections of planes be considered 'child-segregation,' or a welcome addition to flying?
Let us know your thoughts!
In the meantime, before you book your next family vacation, read these helpful tips on keeping the kids entertained at the airport and in-flight.
© Cheapflights Ltd Melanie Nayer
I think “adults only” sections (i.e. for 16 and over) would be an excellent idea on flights. The number of childless adults is now one in five in the U.S. and higher than that in the UK, Canada and Australia. This “childfree” group is growing, and needs to be represented (as well as those parents who are trying to take a romantic vacation away from kids.)
I don’t believe there should be a charge for this section, just as there was no charge for the “no smoking” section years ago. The kids and families should be together, and the quiet adults should be together — it’s only natural. (You could even show kiddie films in the children’s section!) I think the first airline to implement this marketing idea will reap the $ rewards.
Throw in a complimentary cocktail and I’m sold.
A “child free” zone would be equal to that of segregation and an act of discrimination.
My children are experienced and well behaved travelers. If you don’t want kids kicking the back of your seat then purchase a First Class ticket.
Frankly, I’d rather see a “retiree free” zone. Little kids are much easier to please and pacify compared to self-entitled senior citizens.
Us parents pay more than our fair share in air passage.
I think we should have “moron free” zones for such nuisances as amorous Yugoslavian soccer players, loud cell-phone talkers and the insufficiently bathed.
Hallelujah… It really is about time that they institute this. In fact, I would much rather pay an extra 25% for a long flight that is completely child-free. Most (although not all) parents who travel with small children are generally selfish people anyway (to put a small child through a grueling experience of a flight in cattle class so that YOU can go on a vacation – enough said), so by extension they see no issues with their child kicking the back of someone’s chair, or screaming through the whole flight.
Now, some children are well behaved and I have no issue with children behaving like children whereby you hear occasional crying, kicking, etc…, but in reality, the large majority of children are not well behaved and the parents should know better than to travel with them on an airplane. I mean, if you as a parent dread a 3-hour car ride with junior, you are clearly deluding yourself if you think it’ll be ok to a 5-hour flight with that same child.
Even if they do institute this, however, is there really such a thing as a quiet/child-free “zone”?? (what if you ‘re in the last row of the child-free zone and there is a child sitting behind you in the family zone?? I guess this is pitched by the same marketing genius that convinced travelers that smoke doesn’t spread from the smoking to the non-smoking section