Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

The most embarrassing moment of my life? That's easy.


One poll showed an overwhelming majority of air travelers want families with kids put in a separate section.

Our son, Aren, had just turned one and we were flying from New York to London on an airline whose name I've promised never to mention.

We'd managed to score an upgrade -- seats 1A and 1B -- and to ensure Aren had a pleasant trip, we offered him a nip of Benadryl. Most kids fall asleep when they're given an antihistamine.

Not mine.

The medication had the exact opposite effect: Aren turned hyper, tearing down the aisle of the first-class cabin, shrieking and bumping other passengers. He woke up the person sitting next to us and drooled on the passenger behind us.

All of which brings me to the issue at hand: Kids in first class. Should we or shouldn't we? And if so, when?

Allow me to state my completely unbiased opinion right up front. No. We should not. At least not mine. I downgraded myself on the flight home, that's how badly I felt for the other London-bound passengers that day.

What was I thinking, trying to bring a toddler into first class?

I'm not alone.

An overwhelming majority of air travelers to a recent survey by Skytrax -- 9 in 10 respondents -- said families with children should be seated in a separate section on flights, presumably not in first class.

Another poll by corporate travel agency Carlson Wagonlit found that business travelers, who are most frequently found in the business- and first-class cabins, believe crying babies are the second-most annoying aspect of air travel. The first? Air travelers who carry too much luggage on board.

Several years ago, a United Airlines flight attendant just came out and said it: no children in first class. A passenger disagreed, sued the airline -- and lost.

In my last column, we argued about whether kids belong on planes, and resolved that although many of us would like to keep the little ones from flying, it's just not practical. Now, we're having a more nuanced and civil discussion about children in the good seats.

Well, sort of. I asked some of my readers for their opinions of kids in first and got an earful.

"No, no, no, no, no," says Mona Palmer, an administrative assistant from Friendswood, Texas. "First-class tickets are too expensive to have the investment destroyed by an unruly kid whose parents think they've paid for the privilege of ignoring their kids' rotten behavior."

The other side of this argument is equally vehement.

"Give me a break," says Jennifer Thomas, a mom who describes herself as the owner of a public relations firm. "These questions about kids and flying are frankly disrespectful. Let's see, kids in first class or terrorists allowed to fly on planes? Or how about just plain rude adults who take to the friendly skies? I would take a child any day over previously mentioned. Why not ask questions about those two audiences?"

Kids! Kids! Can't we just get along?

Instead of spending the rest of this story fighting (as entertaining as that might be to some of you, dear readers) let's instead focus on three solutions to this problem.

No children in first class

One of the most persuasive arguments for limiting first class to adults is that the premium cabin is essentially an adult product. Which is to say, it's difficult for a youngster to appreciate a wine list or a gourmet meal. It's just no place for kids. Plus, it's pricey -- even if you're using miles to upgrade.

Rosanne Skopp, a grandmother who says she "really loves kids," puts it this way: "If I'm going to be sitting next to a screaming baby, at least let me feel good that I haven't paid for a first-class ticket, only to be tortured."

No airline that I'm aware of has banned children from first class or business class, but it wouldn't be accurate to say any of them have opened their arms wide to their junior passengers, either. Like a five-star restaurant or a luxury resort, the first-class cabin is not particularly welcoming to young fliers. Or, for that matter, their parents.

Age limit for premium seats

Here's another suggestion: If we can't ban minors, then let's at least prevent the littlest passengers from sitting "up front." Babies and toddlers are too disruptive to the other passengers, who are paying a premium for their seats.

"No one under 12 should be in first class," says Richard French, an anesthesiologist from Christchurch, New Zealand, who by way of full disclosure, is himself a father.

"I pick that age because kids are essentially self-caring by that age and that is the age that airlines start charging an adult fare. It is really depressing when you have treated yourself to a very expensive fare, to have a 3-year-old running up and down the aisle."

I can't argue with that. During my research for this story, I heard whispers that several international airlines had informal age-limit policies for first-class passengers, but they were difficult to confirm.

Let the kids fly

The overwhelming number of travelers I spoke with said kids should be able to fly in first class if their parents could afford to pay the freight. But they were quick to add that they expected the children to behave.

"Of course children should be allowed in business- or first class," says Frank Nowicki, a retiree from Winter Haven, Florida. "As long as the parents have raised their children properly -- as far as behavior goes -- there should never be a problem on a flight."

Still, Nowicki admits that's not always possible, and has seen "many occasions" when parents have allowed their offspring to run wild on a flight. "Don't blame the children," he says. "Blame the adults for their permissive ways and their lack of parenting skills."

But how do you mandate good parenting on a plane? A multiple-choice quiz? Social references? Even peer pressure -- dirty looks and all -- isn't always enough to stop these indulgent parents from boarding a flight, or buying an upgrade for their brood.

I'm afraid this is one of those instances when new rules and regulations, even with the best of intentions, would not end the problem of disruptive kids in first class. This is ultimately a parent's decision that the entire first-class cabin must live with.

But before buying a premium ticket, here are a few useful questions to answer: Can my child behave like a first-class passenger? If not, do I have the parenting skills to contain a meltdown? Is it really worth the hassle -- not to mention the money?

I've already answered those questions. My son Aren, who today is a reasonably well-mannered first-grader, now has two siblings: a 4-year-old brother with a penchant for practical jokes and a slightly hyperactive 2-year-old sister. Even if I could, I would never inflict them on another first-class passenger. Ever.

But if you think your kids can do better, I have just four words for you: Welcome to first class!

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Great article, thanks!
It's very funny though, DH have had this conversation ourselves. We have often wondered if there isn't a market for an entire child-free travel experience. Like an company that would offer childfree flights, cruises, tours, etc. They already have resorts like that which we certainly frequent.

I know we are a much more mobile society then we used to be and kids pretty much go everywhere these days, but lets face it, nothing worse then just having enjoyed your chidfree resort for a week only to be stuck on the plane for 4 hours with whining, screaming, seat kickers!!

I know if my sister or I had misbehaved on a plane (or anywhere in public for that matter) it would have been the last time we got to go!

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

I can't make up my mind on this one.

Sure, you could exclude kids from business and 1st class, which would eliminate the seat kicking. But moving a screaming child behind a curtain- which is really all that separates coach from business and 1st, isn't going to do much about the noise level.

Also, I'd like to see the good behavior rule applied to adults too. The ones who hog up all the luggage space with oversize bags, the ones who get sloppy drunk, the ones who blast the music of their headphones, the ones who look at porn on their laptops. I could go on.

Even though you pay for business/1st with the expectation of a more peaceful ride, it doesn't mean you'll get it, kids or not.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

I'd love a no kids under 13 in first class/business class rule

I fly once a month to the west coast or Europe for work and this without a doubt would make those trips better

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

I'm sure this thread would get flamed bigtime on any other board, but I am going to vote with the masses (the 9 out of 10 flyers who said children should not be in 1st class).

who wants to pay thousands of $'s for a 1st class ticket and have to deal with a screaming unruly child for the flight's duration

to be honest though, I have encountered MANY more a-hole rude adults on flights than unruly children.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Flying is an uncomforable experience for most children. We flew first class to aruba and there was a baby about 9 months with us. I thought he would have been screaming from the pressure - but he didn't make a peep the whole flight even with a 4 hour delay on the runway.

Needless to say, if I pay out the eyeballs for a 1st ticket or exhaust all of my miles to upgrade I want a luxury experience - which doesn't include screaming or annoying children (or adults for that fact too)!

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

I would say first class = child free and if your obnoxious as an adult in first class your banded from it. Never was in 1st class due to price so if I paid for a ticket to be there i expect the best and children running around or screaming is not that.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

I definitely think there should be an age restriction for first class tickets. But to be honest, I do understand that flying is not a pleasant experience for some kids - painful even. And if a toddler is crying because their ear are hurting them or they're just scared in general and the parents are trying their best to console them, I don't fault them at all for that and I personally will never roll my eyes or complain. It's annoying, but children have to fly sometimes and if the parents can afford a 1st class seat for them, and are trying their best to not be disruptive, who am I to tell them no. And not only that but I've seen some very young children who are better behaved on flights than some adults. They would be a pleasure to fly with - even in 1st class!

The people I'd really like to ban are the parents who watch their kids kick the back of my seat for 3 hours or who hear their child screaming or throwing a tantrum and don't say or do a single thing to try to comfort them. A little effort to show some respect to the rest of us and acknowledge that your child's tantrum isn't "cute", would go a long way in my book. At least make the *effort* to get your kid under control!!

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

i hope you don't mind me crashing.

i am wondering, that if the airlines cannot control who gets to sit in first class, can they have a policy to remove "unruly" passengers (kids included) during a flight, bump them back to coach, and bump well-behaved passengers in coach up to first class?

could that be a kind of solution? that would "reward" parents for exercising good judgement (knowing how their chidlren handle a flight and at least attempting to exercise control over them) and "punish" those parents who do not attempt to control their chidlren at all.

but of course that could also aplpy to adult passengers who drink too much in first class

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Posted by headoverheels

i hope you don't mind me crashing.

i am wondering, that if the airlines cannot control who gets to sit in first class, can they have a policy to remove "unruly" passengers (kids included) during a flight, bump them back to coach, and bump well-behaved passengers in coach up to first class?

could that be a kind of solution? that would "reward" parents for exercising good judgement (knowing how their chidlren handle a flight and at least attempting to exercise control over them) and "punish" those parents who do not attempt to control their chidlren at all.

but of course that could also aplpy to adult passengers who drink too much in first class

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Posted by Lisa

Posted by headoverheels

i hope you don't mind me crashing.

i am wondering, that if the airlines cannot control who gets to sit in first class, can they have a policy to remove "unruly" passengers (kids included) during a flight, bump them back to coach, and bump well-behaved passengers in coach up to first class?

could that be a kind of solution? that would "reward" parents for exercising good judgement (knowing how their chidlren handle a flight and at least attempting to exercise control over them) and "punish" those parents who do not attempt to control their chidlren at all.

but of course that could also aplpy to adult passengers who drink too much in first class

and who determines who long a child is unruly before they are moved? The first cry out? or by 45 mins into the tamtrum?

I think its best to have a no-child policy from the start...it avoids anyone having to make the determination....

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Posted by headoverheels

i hope you don't mind me crashing.

i am wondering, that if the airlines cannot control who gets to sit in first class, can they have a policy to remove "unruly" passengers (kids included) during a flight, bump them back to coach, and bump well-behaved passengers in coach up to first class?

could that be a kind of solution? that would "reward" parents for exercising good judgement (knowing how their chidlren handle a flight and at least attempting to exercise control over them) and "punish" those parents who do not attempt to control their chidlren at all.

but of course that could also aplpy to adult passengers who drink too much in first class

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Posted by headoverheels

Posted by Lisa

Posted by headoverheels

i hope you don't mind me crashing.

i am wondering, that if the airlines cannot control who gets to sit in first class, can they have a policy to remove "unruly" passengers (kids included) during a flight, bump them back to coach, and bump well-behaved passengers in coach up to first class?

could that be a kind of solution? that would "reward" parents for exercising good judgement (knowing how their chidlren handle a flight and at least attempting to exercise control over them) and "punish" those parents who do not attempt to control their chidlren at all.

but of course that could also aplpy to adult passengers who drink too much in first class

and who determines who long a child is unruly before they are moved? The first cry out? or by 45 mins into the tamtrum?

I think its best to have a no-child policy from the start...it avoids anyone having to make the determination....

maybe the other first class passengers can vote

i personally agree with the article. i think that by paying for first class you are paying for extra priviledges that

1. most chidlren cannot partake of or enjoy and

2. you should be able to enjoy in a mostly quiet, peaceful environment!

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

This is a tough one. I agree that paying for a first class ticket is meant to entitle the holder to a more exclusive flying experience, and preferably, it would be one without annoying disruptions from passengers of ANY age... and obviously, though there are many exceptions, children by nature are more apt to be disruptive than adults.

But where do you draw the line? There is no universal age that is OK. I think no babies or toddlers is kind of a given, because they're just too unpredictable, but I don't know about those people they interviewed who said no first class until 12 or 13.

An 8 year old could be whiny and bratty and kick the seat in front of them the whole flight, OR they could be well-mannered, quiet and wonderfully behaved - it really depends on the kid. And honestly, I've been more annoyed by teenagers than anyone else on recent flights. They listen to their ipods turned up so high that I can hear their music clearly, and spend the entire flight gossiping and giggling loudly over the noise of the engine. But they would pass the "12 and over" rule, so...

Also, if a parent is willing to pay the extra money, I can't see the "struggling" airline industry having an easy time turning them down due to an unwritten policy. I just don't know what the right answer is here.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Message edited 7/2/2009 2:58:32 PM.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Sorry to crash, but where does it end? Banning kids under a certain age because "I paid $$$ for a ticket and I dont want to be bothered by babies/toddlers/kids", how long until the coach passengers complain with "I paid $500 for my ticket and dont want to be bothered by babies/toddlers/kids. Until the airlines find the family friendly flights niche we are all going to have the fly the friendly skies together.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Tough one. Well I know I would never fly first class WITH a child, but

this is b/c I wouldn't spend that kind of money on a child's ticket. But on the

other hand I would be livid if I had to spendmoney to fly first class and listen to a screaming kid the whole time.

I'm not sure if this will ever be banned but maybe they can set an age limit children five and over?

I know this doesn't guarantee anything, nor does flying in first class with an adult for that matter guarantee a pleasant

experience.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

I don't fly first or business so I don't really care It never really occurred to me that a lot of kids WERE flying up there. It seems like a waste of money to me. But IF I had paid the for the ticket, I would expect an undisturbed flight.

And airlines DO do things about unruly passengers - kick them off the plane or, if it occurs mid-fight, have security meet them when they get off the plane. Flight attendants do what they can when during the flight.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Posted by BaseballWidow

Posted by Lisa


I guess now a days, people bring their kids everywhere and we have to put up with it...sorry but growing up my parents taught us that children did NOT belong everywhere....

And there in lies part of the problem, we didn't get to go everywhere and do everything and if we were doing something "special" we sure as heck better behave or it'd be a long time till we saw the light of day again!
These days, kids are given carte blanche b/c parents feel their kids have all these "rights" that I learned were actually things I had to earn as a privilege.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Posted by BaseballWidow

Posted by Lisa


I guess now a days, people bring their kids everywhere and we have to put up with it...sorry but growing up my parents taught us that children did NOT belong everywhere....

And there in lies part of the problem, we didn't get to go everywhere and do everything and if we were doing something "special" we sure as heck better behave or it'd be a long time till we saw the light of day again!
These days, kids are given carte blanche b/c parents feel their kids have all these "rights" that I learned were actually things I had to earn as a privilege.

Re: Article: Should kids be banned from first class?

Posted by BaseballWidow

Posted by Lisa


I guess now a days, people bring their kids everywhere and we have to put up with it...sorry but growing up my parents taught us that children did NOT belong everywhere....

And there in lies part of the problem, we didn't get to go everywhere and do everything and if we were doing something "special" we sure as heck better behave or it'd be a long time till we saw the light of day again!
These days, kids are given carte blanche b/c parents feel their kids have all these "rights" that I learned were actually things I had to earn as a privilege.