Airline's new 'quiet zone' moves babies to back of plane

By Roshina Jowaheer, Sep 26, 2012
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Travel News

AirAsia new 'quiet zone' on flights, child-free flights, air asia, babies on plane, travelling with children Getty

Budget airline AirAsia is to offer a child-free 'quite zone' on its long-haul flights from February.

The Southeast Asian airline will reserve the first seven economy class rows 'exclusively for guests age 12 and above', NBC News reports.

And the new option won't cost you more than the regular fee charged for seats with extra legroom.

The section, which is separated by bulkheads and toilets on one side of the coach and has the premium cabin with mostly adult travellers on the other side, means that passengers opting to sit in the Quiet Zone are likely to be far from babies and young children.

Advertising the new option, AirAsia's website reads: 'Because we know that sometimes all you need is some peace and quiet for a more pleasant journey with us.'

It does, however, come with an exception: AirAsia may allow travellers younger than 12 to sit in the Quiet Zone when 'necessary for operational, safety or security reasons.'

This means that passengers sitting in the special section are not guaranteed a quiet flight, argues founder of American website Airfarewatchdog.com, George Hobica.

He told NBC News: 'Logistically, it's a nightmare for an airline to allocate certain seats for certain people.

'The last time they had to do this was back when there were smoking and non-smoking sections. Even if you were just one row away from the smoking section, you still got the smoke and you'll still hear the screams... if a child has strong lungs.'

There's also the backlash from parents that could prove an issue. Speaking to NBC News, blogger Brett Snyder, of The Cranky Flier blog, said: 'It's already hard enough for families to find seating together so this would take another chunk out where they have fewer seats to choose from.'

'I think you would see some family groups up in arms and would probably see lawsuits... it would be ugly.'

This April, Malaysia Airlines was the first Southeast Asian carrier to introduce a child-free zone, restricting families with children from sitting in the upper deck of its Airbus A380-800 on the Kuala Lumpur to London route.

What do you think about child-free zones on planes? Leave a comment and let us know.

Related articles

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Airlines under pressure to consider child-free zones
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Tags: air asia, babies on planes, child-free, child-free flights, traveling with children

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17 Comments

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jaibreitnauer

As a parent of two children under five this doesn't bother me at all. In fact, I'd rather be in an area for families. I think the marketing could use work - perhaps they should be zoning the plane with 'family area' rather than excluding families - less of a backlash, but then it can't be charged as a luxury option I guess. What I find the most distressing is the people who think children should be allowed to fly at all, especially the ones who have this misguided idea their lives would be better for not flying. Both my kids love flying, even as babies they were fascinated by all the knobs and buttons, cartoons (which they're not allowed at home), dinky food and the view from the window. And we've been on some very, very long haul flights, no problems. The onus is on the parents to know if their children are comfortable or not, rather than 'banning' all babies or claiming all parents are irresponsible.

September 28 2012 at 12:34 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

c1addams

I would pay extra for a totally child free plane.

September 27 2012 at 8:03 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

masonwrites

It's tricky, but there is a lot to be said for giving babies their own space. Too many of these iittle ones are being taken on unnecessary flights simply because the parents want holidays abroad. The babies derive no benefit - indeed, I've seen many utterly miserable babies on holidays with upset tummies and sunburn. Unless it's to visit family, I'd like to see no children under three on flights, for their own sakes as much as for the rest of us.

September 27 2012 at 6:13 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to masonwrites's comment

c1addams

agreed, the parents just walk up and down the aisles trying to comfort the poor little things, then everyone gets an earfull.

September 27 2012 at 8:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

wdwrdstv

this is all getting up in the air blown out of proportion moaning and growning babies are babies i find the parents who allow there child to kick the back of seats standing on seats and leaning over and the parent doesnt make them sit and pay atention to there child, etc ok you have adults who are just as bad who lay back on the seat so you cant use the table to eat from so it goes both ways yes there is the moaners and there are the quiet ones and yes the louds if everyone was the same what would this world be like

September 27 2012 at 6:05 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply

gcfgbond

I wonder how many of the people complaining and demanding "children's/babies rights" have had to endure 10-12 hour flights surrounded by screaming children ? Yes, we have all been children and yes, we have all taken our children on flights, but "modern" parents will not control their off-spring and the result is a ruined journey for all. These parents forget that we all pay for the tickets and as such everybody is entitled to peace and quiet on-board, we should not have to endure badly behaved children because they can not be bothered to control them.

September 27 2012 at 3:11 AM Report abuse Permalink +9 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to gcfgbond's comment

seansandie

I am offended by your comments - i am a modern parent but on the many flights i have taken my children, they have been the quietest of passengers, just watching the films from the moment they are switched on until the moment they go off ( and yes even 11 hour flights when they have slept for large chunks). When we flew back from the US (1 was 6 the other 9) they had to witness a brawl between 2 adults' that resulted in foul language, and drinks being thrown over 1 another. That was an absolute disgrace!! They had noone controlling them and it meant we had an overnight flight with limited sleep! if you want it quiet - make sure everyone adopts library rules - adults and children alike. it can be the same on trains - on our trip to London for the Olympics it was half and half of families and groups of adults. No prices for guessing who were quietly amusing themselves on DS's, reading books etc and guess who was having the loudest of conversations across aisles? Hm - guess what - the adults were loud, annoying and the children - well didn't hear a peep!! Do not tar all 'modern' parents with the same brush. You also forgot that we have paid for many tickets to take our family on a plane (and a child pays as much as an adult BTW) and don't want our flights distrupted by a bunch a selfish, arrogant, small minded so-called adults who can't control their language, volume etc. I would rather listen to a childs innocent conversation than the foul, disrespectful language that comes from many adult Brits going abroad.

September 27 2012 at 4:32 AM Report abuse Permalink -3 rate up rate down Reply

seansandie

OK if you are doing that - can we also have 'no loud talkers' zones; 'no disruptive chav's zone, 'no fat people' zone etc etc. I have been less disturbed on flights by babies and children than I have by people talking so loudly there is no privacy to their conversation; adults throwing drinks over 1 another (yep coffee by 1; coke by another!!); my brother had to fly from LA to Sydney sandwiched between 2 significantly overweight people that he couldn't move or eat!! etc. Babies/children are a lot less trouble. Take the recent argument over idiot step-father and his 17 yr stepson - proves my point!! Total nonsense unless you discriminate against all above as well. Oh yes and anti-smelly-BO-person zone; anti-nail-varnish-putting-on-ladies-zone; anti maoning-about anything-cos-I'm-really-hoping-you'll-give-me-an-upgrade zone... oh my goodness the list is endless.

September 27 2012 at 3:09 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

cara

How is that discrimination? I'd be mortified if I had a young child crying or squealing for hours and was surrounded by people trying to relax and enjoy their holiday after having saved for it. I think it should be standard on all long haul flights.

September 27 2012 at 3:00 AM Report abuse Permalink +8 rate up rate down Reply

dianahythe

well done airasia.

September 27 2012 at 1:53 AM Report abuse Permalink +9 rate up rate down Reply

ctho1167

Dont see a problem? have travelled a lot with babies and toddlers and they usually sleep through it...have had more problems from selfish adults!!! maybe we should put them to the back ??

September 26 2012 at 10:44 PM Report abuse Permalink -1 rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to ctho1167's comment

seansandie

Well said ctho1167. everyone needs to consider others whether as a parent or as a so-called adult

September 27 2012 at 4:33 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply

garyjohnson8888

Good idea. I was a child once! And I do have children, I do fly a lot, but I don't want to be sitting in a child's play group for 12 hours as I have on some flights, Oh dear , it's my worst nightmare , no sleep , uncomfortable, and children and parents up and down all flight. ... No thanks.

September 26 2012 at 8:49 PM Report abuse Permalink +11 rate up rate down Reply