Parents put off flying with kids

How 600,000 are ‘shamed’ by their fellow travellers

MANY parents become immune to the disapproving looks of fellow passengers when they board a plane with their young children. But for some, it is enough to put them off flying as a family.

More than 600,000 travellers are ‘parent shamed’, criticised or made to feel inadequate when flying with their children each year, according to a study.

And around a quarter of a million adults say they have avoided flying with their children for the past five years for fear of being criticised by fellow passengers. One of the biggest issues is breastfeeding. Almost one in five women had experienced problems with another passenger while breastfeeding their baby on a plane, with some told to stop doing it or move to the bathroom.

A quarter of parents who reported problems heard other passengers saying they should not be flying with their child, while nearly a third overheard another passenger complaining about having to sit next to a child.

A total of 28 per cent were told directly how they should manage their child’s behaviour by another passenger, and 15 per cent were asked to stop their child crying. One in ten of those who had experienced issues said their child was physically moved or hit by another passenger. The survey of more than 4,000 adults found parents resort to a variety of tactics to placate their children on a flight in an attempt to avoid confrontations with fellow passengers. A quarter admit to giving their child medicine on board or using homeopathic remedies.

Most parents bring extra games and books to keep them entertained (66 per cent) or give them access to devices they would not normally be allowed to use, such as iPads (62 per cent).

More than half admit to bribing their child with extra snacks while a third let them eat or drink whatever they want.

Meanwhile, other plane passengers use an array of ploys to ensure they are not bothered by a child on a flight. These include packing headphones and earplugs and avoiding flying at family-friendly times such as school holidays and the middle of the day.

Others take more drastic options such as booking into business or first class, asking the cabin crew to switch their seats or even drinking more alcohol than normal.

Tom Bishop, from the insurer Direct Line, which conducted by the study, said: ‘Travelling with children is hard enough without having to worry about other passengers complaining. When flying with families it’s important for travellers to remember a little patience and some ear plugs go a long way.’

‘Ear plugs go a long way’