BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Babies in Business class

This is a tough one. I think if it's called "business class," children shouldn't be allowed. They aren't conducting business, and they will likely distract others that are working on their laptops, etc.

If they are calling it first class, the kids shouldn't be allowed to sit there for free. And if they charge the parents first class rates for their kids, chances are they will sit in the regular section.

The reason people choose this seating is because they want a higher level of comfort and quiet so they can stretch out to sleep, work, whatever. And most children will inhibit that. I think a child over the age of 12 would probably be fine. They aren't likely to tantrum or cry for no reason, and know how to keep quiet. Maybe they should have an age limit or something.

Babies on airplanes are a problem. I can see if parents are taking their kids to Disney World. If I was on a flight to Orlando, I would probably expect to see babies. And people travel with kids around the holidays to visit with family. And there are some life emergencies that might require traveling with small children. But I wish parents would minimize this, and at least come prepared. I don't think it's cool to drug children on planes, that sounds pretty extreme to me.

But I agree with what someone said above that you can't leave if you are on a bad flight. That's a very good point.

I've had times when I've been stuck next to someone that wouldn't stop talking. He was an arrogant jerk, and he saw that everyone around him was sleeping, and continued to bend my DH's ear for the entire flight. I don't know how I didn't flip out on him!

People need to be more considerate when traveling on a plane b/c it's such a small space. It's hard to imagine that no too long ago cigarette smoking was allowed on planes! Maybe children will be banned to sound proof sections soon!

Honestly, I can think of very few good reasons to have a kid under age five on a plane in the first place. Take local or driving vacations. Have Grandma visit YOU until the baby is older if she's healthy enough to travel. Don't take toddlers to Disney World. Wait a couple of years until they are old enough to enjoy it. I'm willing to bet 80% of babies and toddlers on planes don't HAVE to be there.

Edited to add: I remember reading articles a few years back discussing the ear drum pressure of flying being very hard on little ears. That's likely why the babies on places so often won't shut up. They are probably in (minor) pain. Why parents disregard this type of information to prioritize their own wants is beyond my comprehension.

Ack.... heck, *I* am in pain/discomfort most of the time when I am on a plane, and I am more than a year old (by a little bit). That's why I don't like to fly unless I have to.

As someone who flies a fair bit and always sits in regular class, no, I don't think it's fair to subject all economy fare people to all the screaming kids and allow first/business class people to get to sit in quiet and peace.

I don't think that someone paying a higher fare means they more deserve to keep their sanity any more than anyone else. It should be considered a very basic right not to be subjected to screaming brats.

Ideally, I think that screaming kids should be separated somehow from everyone.

>Honestly, I can think of very few good reasons to have a kid under age five on a plane in the first place. Take local or driving vacations. Have Grandma visit YOU until the baby is older if she's healthy enough to travel.

This is not a business class issue -- but, honestly, that is a fair thing to suggest. My grandmother would NEVER have seen my son, had I not flown. Never. She was not able to travel, but my son is the only great-grandchild she ever knew (there was one other born a couple years later, but I think she had deteriorated to the point that she could no longer connect him with her family, whereas she ALWAYS knew my son was "hers".)

And, when we flew, I always got comments on how good he was. As an infant, I nursed him or had him suck a finger to help with pressure, and he never had a problem. When he was old enough to be awake for more of the flight, I always had things with me to amuse him, and he never bothered anyone. I feel that part of parenting is to plan for these things -- bring food, books, toys for the kid. The fact that so many kids are ill-mannered is a (negative) reflection of their parents. It isn't a given, but so many parents have bought into the idea that "well, they are kids, so of course they are going to act this way" when the parents haven't even tried to guide them and plan to help them learn appropriate behavior.

But as for business class -- if they are doing the "infant in the lap" bit, that is a bit of a cheat, imo. I'm not sure what, if anything, the steward/ess can do -- but sometimes a carefully placed suggestion can guide the parent to alleviate the problem. Like, "Please keep your child from disturbing the other passengers."

I do wish parents would actually PARENT!

Wow, it's really weird hearing babies being referred to as 'it' and 'thing'

I would pay extra or whatever to fly on planes that were designated "no kids" flights..NOT TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH "ITS" AND "THINGS"!

Hmm, I don't know if this is a more recent thing, or only on certain airlines, but when my friend traveled one Christmas to bring the kids to grandma for the first time, she had to buy a ticket for a full seat because you HAD to have a "carseat" for the baby. It was alright to hold onto it when the seatbelt sign was off, but otherwise it had to be buckled in, and since that takes up a seat, you pay for it.

I think any human has the right to sit in any passenger seat on any plane. The fact that this is up for debate is pretty backwards.

Oh really? So if an adult sat next to you screaming the entire flight you'd be o.k. with it? How about hitting you? Throwing stuff at you, or defecating right in the seat by you? There are standards that have to be met when flying, and babies/children should also have to meet certain standards.

Go Grey!! Totally agreed!