Today's Hot Topic (7/8): Should kids be banned from first class?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

Story Highlights

Poll: Overwhelming majority want families with kids segregated in own section

Dad air traveler: "No one under 12 should be in first class"

Mom: "These questions about kids and flying are frankly disrespectful"

Airlines don't have age limits for first-class seating

(Tribune Media Services)

 

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!

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

What are your thoughts?

[Eilish]

I think that mom shouldn't have tried to sedate her child. Any pharmacist could tell her that benadryl has the opposite effect on kids under 6.

As for banning kids from first class .... I say grow up, and quit being so damn selfish.

[cmb121906]

First class obviously costs extra and if the parents can afford it and want to, there shouldn't be any discrimination.

[jzsgrandma]

 First class is like treating your self to a fine dinner. I would never have taken my small children in first class out of respect for those who have paid to up grade. Just as I wouldnt want to go to a fine dinner out with my husband and have a table of loud crying or unhappy children next to me. I also would never have given my child anything that my pediatrician did not prescribe 

[Robyn218]

I have 5 kids and family in Europe.  We have flown three to five times a year for the last 25 years with the kids in first class.  First one then 2....  until 5. 

There were times when i thought I'd tear my hair out and kill a few kids, but as they got older and used to the tedium of flying it got easier

NOW it;s just hubby and I or just I and our kids are all over the US.   I HATE to walk into first class and see kids,,,,  What a double standard.  First Class is so much easier for a mom with kids because there is more room. 

I think a family section with activities and what not for kids would be a great idea!

[iluvmommyhood58]

I'm not sure I'd mind sitting in a separate section with my kids. I worry about bothering other people too and it's just because flights can be long, kids can be unruly and don't want to sit and it's a very enclosed space.

[ColtsFan1912]

after being stuck in an Indiana airport for 6 hours due to cancellilng our flight, we were upgraded to first class from Chicago to LA. .. & we had our almost 2 year old son with us. They had no other seats but the first class. ..so NO they should not be segrated. How stupid? were we suppose to wait another 6 hours for another flight ? lol no way.

[eaglemama2]

That's a tough one, I would have to say it depends.  From experience, I know that kids have to be a minimum of 12 years old to be able to stay on a Concierge Floor in most major deluxe International hotels.    The reason is simple, its a business floor, its favored by executives for the extra amenities and privacy they pay extra for, for business.

The same should apply to Business / First Class on an airline.    People pay extra for the privilledge, if you are not upgraded it can cost north of $10,000 for an International flight per ticket depending on the airline.  Emirates charges that for a first class ticket on an International flight.    There should be at the very least an age limit as there is in hotels.

This age limit should also be enforced for upgrades.    Its the same thing if you took a young child to a 5 star restaurant, get a babysitter.  Diners who pay for the priveledge should not have kids running around the restaurant.    Take them to McD's or Applebees.    Its the same thing, sort of, LOL.     There are just places where kids don't belong, period.

[ColtsFan1912]

Sometime you are upgraded by them. with no real choice unless you want to wait another 7 hours. . . We were upgraded to first class & didn't even realize it until we were wating in line at O'hare. . .so yes we got first class with our 19 month old l(who slept the whole time BTW)... sometimes there isn't a choice. we didn't want to be stuck in Chicago for another 7 hours like we already had been in Indiana

Quoting eaglemama2:

That's a tough one, I would have to say it depends.  From experience, I know that kids have to be a minimum of 12 years old to be able to stay on a Concierge Floor in most major deluxe International hotels.    The reason is simple, its a business floor, its favored by executives for the extra amenities and privacy they pay extra for, for business.

The same should apply to Business / First Class on an airline.    People pay extra for the privilledge, if you are not upgraded it can cost north of $10,000 for an International flight per ticket depending on the airline.  Emirates charges that for a first class ticket on an International flight.    There should be at the very least an age limit as there is in hotels.

This age limit should also be enforced for upgrades.    Its the same thing if you took a young child to a 5 star restaurant, get a babysitter.  Diners who pay for the priveledge should not have kids running around the restaurant.    Take them to McD's or Applebees.    Its the same thing, sort of, LOL.     There are just places where kids don't belong, period.

[Kittismama]

I can see both sides here honestly.  My daughter is almost 3 now, and very good at self entertaining for extended periods, I am not scared to take her anywhere and feel confident that we can rely on her to be good no matter what situation we put her in.

That said, she is a toddler.  I know that no matter how confident I feel in her behaviour I like having a way to beat a hasty retreat should it be needed.  I can do that if something goes all abnormally out of whack and I am in a nice restaurant with her...I can't do that on a plane.  No matter how much of an angel your child might be, something could happen to cause problems.  My daughter is a wonderful child, but I know my husband has had issues that cause extreme dental pain while flying...I don't know how well she would handle the ear popping, how scared of turbulence she might be is another unknown.  Perhaps after flying with her a few times in whatever they now are calling the non-first class (coach still?) I would consider first class, but not till I knew how well she flies.

[MsDean]

I think kids should be allowed in first class, after all it is somehting you are paying extra for and they should not age discriminate. I like one of the other mom's post about having a family section, that is a pretty brilliant idea!