This Just In: Budget Travel's Blog

You can always trust us—because we never take freebies or accept any travel discounts.
Recent Posts
  • All Recent Posts
People Are Talking…
Affordable Paris
Seine River at sunset
A special series of posts delivering money-saving travel tips.
Popular Authors
Sean O'Neill
Blog Editor
View author page
Beth Collins
Associate Editor
View author page
JD Rinne
Assistant Editor Online
View author page
AddThis Feed Button
Ban kids from planes? (60 comments)
Posted by: Budget Travel, Tuesday, Jan 15, 2008, 12:55 PM

Recently posted passionate opinions about the idea of creating child-free establishments, such as coffee shops, restaurants, cruise ships, and select airport lounges, that are "child free."

Readers were reacting to Disney's decision to ban children under age 10 from one of its Florida restaurants, and to AirTran's decision to kick a misbehaving little girl off of one of its planes. (See the earlier post for details.).

Here's a sampling of our reader's creative and impassioned thoughts about "sectioning-off children" on airplanes and in restaurants.

[Note: Comments have been edited for space]:

From a parent who's been criticized:

I've been given horrible looks, overheard people talking about my 10 month old baby, been asked to "Please move to the back of the plane" or "Please keep your baby quiet"...like I want my baby to cry! Who's being more childish in this situation? The baby who's ears are hurting or the adult in the next row who forgot their earplugs? Maybe you should move to the back of the plane, not the mother and child. NEWSBREAK: Babies Cry! Hello!!Sari

From a parent who is disappointed with other parents.

I don't think they should ban kids, they should just ENFORCE RULES and make THE PARENTS RESPONSIBLE! I have four kids, all under age 12 and I have been thanked so many times by people on planes and in restaurants because my children were seated while other kids were screaming, running down the aisle or in one case rubbing soap from the airplane lavatory on peoples armrests. Fine the parents or ask them to leave.Patricia

From a traveler who wants airplanes to have designated areas for families.

I definitely wish airlines would (at a minimum) limit children under 12 or so to their own section of the plane so child-free travelers aren't subjected to children running up and down aisles, kicking seats, crying, or screaming. Even better would be if airlines offered "children-free" flights during peak travel times for business travelers.Evelyn

From another traveler who agrees:

Let's put all of the folks with children under 5 years of age in the back of the plane where they can enjoy each others company and not bother so many other folks. You shouldn't punish good parents. Don't say that is discrimination because we did it with the smokers in restaurants! —Charles

From a parent who dislikes the idea of "family sections on planes":

It's not fair to separate parents with children from the rest of the group is people like me who have very well behaved children, it's not fair to those children that they should have to put up with misbehaving children either. Maybe changing seats once the flight takes off is a better idea. The flight attendants SHOULD speak up for the rest of the people on the plane who deserve a comfortable and peaceful ride.Lori

From another parent who also dislikes the idea of family sections on planes:

To me, flight attendants and the airlines need to deal with the behaviors individually instead of banning a group or seating them somewhere else. What if we need to fly, and the "children's area" is booked for that flight? We only have one flight a day to our destination to visit my husband's family, this could set us back several days, or we could just have to cancel altogether. I make sure I am well prepared for flights with lots of snacks, books, toys, and a touch of Benadryl for my two small children. You shouldn't punish good parents.Maureen

From a traveler who thinks parents should not travel with sick children:

I totally agree that traveling with a sick child is difficult but that is why travel insurance was invented!. If your child happens to be sick, it is prudent to consider canceling the trip - this simple action will benefit your child by preventing exposure to additional germs and allow other passengers to travel in peace.—Yanna

From a frequent global traveler who's disappointed with other adults:

Think about all of the times you've been bothered by adults in restaurants and on planes. More times than by kids, I'll bet. The loud couple behind you that talk incessantly, the smelly guy next to you, the people walking down the aisle that hit your arm, the man that moves the back of your seat whenever he gets his fat butt up, the smoker constantly hacking pieces of his lung up, the guy on his 3rd beer that won't stop burping, the crotch in your face as they put luggage overhead. Why aren't we banning adults? —Bob

Here's the full list of 60-plus comments.

EARLIER How to deal with rowdy kids? Travelers trade tips.

Reader Comments

As a parent of 5 children who have traveled since they were, in some cases, 10 days old, I take exception to being pushed to the back of the plane. I have paid the same fare as everyone else and deserve the same courtesy. Being prepared is the most important part of flying. Airlines could make sure they provide an email notice to parents with small children giving them ideas and tips on how to make their journey successful while also stating what will and won;t be tolerated while flying.

Posted By Nancy on January 16, 2008, 8:25 AM

I fly quite a bit and
wonder why people take very young children on
vacations that require flying to the destinations.
The kids wont remember a thing about, but believe me, the passengers seated next to them will. Maybe a new airline promo would be family only flights so that
kids could enjoy listening to each other? I am sensitive to family travel needs since raising five and now have 7 grandkids, but taking kids ages 0 to 5 on a flying vacation is not showing very good judgement.

Posted By Tom on January 18, 2008, 12:43 PM

ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Adults that can't deal with children shouldn't go out in public where there are going to be children. I agree that many times kids are out of control, but there ARE many more times where I have seen ADULTS out of control, what is their excuse? Kids get cranky, adults get cranky, deal with it, that's life or better yet -stay off the planes - you drive to your vacation and leave the flying to the REAL adults, not you immature idiots.

Posted By Dolphin on January 19, 2008, 1:08 PM

The most annoying person on any given flight is rarely a child.

Besides, the only people who can criticize kids for acting like kids are those who were never children to begin with.

Posted By Mike Johnson on January 23, 2008, 9:52 PM

If we are going to ban children and families from flying how about banning the cougher who is spreading their germs and the people feeling the need to kick the back of my seat and mess with the trays during the entire 4 hour flight. I have more issues with adults on flights then children, children have an excuse and ault doesn't. There is more room in the front of plane so that is where I reuest to sit with my 2 yr old daughter. We bring toys and movies and we get compliments on how well behaved she is. We also choose flights according to her moods ex: early morning or late afternoon after naps.

Posted By Nicole on March 13, 2008, 2:07 PM

The only problem I have with parents flying with children are parents who completely ignore their children's bad behavior or completely ignore their children altogether. A recent flight I was on the three children were in a row to themselves and the parents were two rows in front of them. It was like they were not aware of their children's bad behavior.

Posted By Camilla Lummus on March 14, 2008, 11:14 AM

Perhaps the airlines could each build a "Big Red Plane", especially for families traveling with children, just as Disney has with their cruises. I do not have children and have restricted my use of airline travel due to the fact that I realize there will most likely be some crying babies, unruly pre-teens and loud teens traveling. I also carefully select the shops and restaurants I frequent due to this annoyance. This is my own personal choice and not meant to offend.

Posted By JoJo Roberts on May 5, 2008, 12:34 PM

"I fly quite a bit and
wonder why people take very young children on
vacations that require flying to the destinations." Is this guy KIDDING me? Maybe some of us have family that live in another country so have to actually FLY to get there. My daughter shouldn't know her grandfather, cousins, aunts and uncles in England because we may have to bring her onto a flight with adults? Get a grip. Kids fly. Kids sometimes act up. Adults sometimes act up. Whatever. Get over yourselves. If you have a problem, stick ear plugs in, stick your iPod on, do whatever you have to do to ignore it. It's what my 2 year old and I had to do last year as we watched the moron in the row in front of us get progressively drunker and louder before finally being cut off from boozing it up, and eventually arrested when we arrived at our destination for lighting a cigarette on the plane.

Posted By Patricia on July 11, 2008, 11:55 AM

Leave a Comment


(This is a moderated blog. Your comment will need to be approved by the site owner before it will appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)


We encourage users to analyze, comment on, and even challenge the articles, blogs, reviews, and multimedia features of BudgetTravel.com.

User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.

Get E-Newsletters
Subscribe to the magazine now!