Should children be banned from first class on flights?
It’s hard enough being on the plane, no matter what the class. Everyone knows it—that sound of a child crying as soon as you sit down. I’ve had children and travelled with them so I understand how difficult it is for parents. But just as you can opt to stay at a resort that caters exclusively to adults (many of which exist), you should also be able to opt to enjoy good sleep on a plane. If you have paid a substantial premium to travel in first class, it’s not too much to ask that your flight be unencumbered by children. Of course, some children are very well behaved, but sadly no parent can predict or control when, and for how long, their infant decides to squeal. Is it fair to ask children and their parents to travel only in economy class? Perhaps not, but allowing them to disturb passengers in premium classes isn’t, either, is it, especially when there’s no real obvious need for a child to have to travel in first. Olivia Lee-davies, a mother of four, is a consultant for business development with TVB
When children hit their teens I think it’s good for them to fly economy to understand the value of money. But while they’re young, they should be able to travel with their parents whatever the class. If you’re going to discriminate against kids for fear they may disturb others, then the airline should consider people who snore. I was subjected to something like a farm animal for an entire flight to London; it was so bad I could hear it through my ear plugs. And what of people who smell? It’s extremely unpleasant to smell someone’s feet, not to mention bad body odour. What about the drunk man behind me who loudly kept pestering the stewardess to join him for a cuddle and some champagne? That was cringeworthy. So should we really ban kids, people that smell, snorers and drunks from first? Does first class buy you the right not to be irritated by fellow passengers? Of course not; it’s a dice roll, like life. If you want a trip free from irritation, then get your own private jet. Annabelle Bond is a record-breaking mountaineer, keen philanthropist and mother