Should Children Be Banned From Red-Eye Flights?

If they can figure out a way to regulate it while still getting other travellers where they need to go, yes. Kids can be cute but it is seriously annoying when they're screaming or crying or sometimes even just talking a lot! And I've never actually had to fly with them. This is just from when I've seen them in restaurants or stuff. I would hate to have an important meeting and not be able to catch any rest because a child won't shut up.

The airlines are dying financially and don't need to restrict anyone. I have done 6 segments a week since 1997 and have had FAR more trouble with drunks, body odor and people with seat belt extenders that take up their seat and half of mine than kids.

When the balance sheets look as horrific as American Airlines and major carriers are at or near bankrupt, they need all the tickets they can get. You separate the kids, where does that stop.

the airlines problem is not my problem. They can merge with each other or die. They need gimmicks. Like Southwest's gimmick is nobody gets an assigned seat. And that gimmick has worked.

not to many things worse then being traped with unrully kids

Why do people insist on traveling with very young children in the first place? If the kid is old enough to keep quiet and behave there's no problem.

I think that there should be a separate area for parents of young children. I'll pay more to have peace and quiet. A 'quiet zone flight' would be heavenly.

How can somebody be banned, merely for wanting to talk?

from next seat: "Want to talk?" "Aha! You talked. Foul?"

Maybe somebody who doesn't talk, who gives me the silent treatment, ought to be banned? Why not ban something useful, say like TSA harassment? Or should I say, "molestation?"

I agree with all of the above. Parents should try to fly at a different time if their kids are to young, though.

NO. ...GREAT GRANDMA

None of the answers are particularly appealing.

I do think there should be a separate section for those with children. However, it's not for the benefits of those who need to sleep, rather for the children themselves. There needs to be a section where the children will be sufficiently, and quietly, entertained. Perhaps give them a little play area, like a flying daycare. The parents can be in the same area or not, their choice. One of the bits of entertainment can be a TV with headphones showing some kids shows.

Point is, it's neither the parent's or the child's fault that other people are being kept awake, it's the fault of the airline not providing for the energetic nature of all children. Without this in place, the only options left are to either completely exhaust the children before the flight (or before everyone goes to sleep) or to let them run wild and bored.

I predict that the first airline to properly support a daycare center, for free, will be the preferred flight by parents and businessmen.

That's a perfect solution!

Makes you wonder why no one's thought of it, eh?

You should call/email an airline and suggest it!

What? And give up the opportunity to do it first, myself? Never!

*Shoots Inner Evil Genius*

Go for it. I don't fly, so it's not important enough to me to waste any more time than offering an opinion. ^_^

*Inner Lazy Genius Wins*

Hahaha hey it would be an ingenious business venture.

Then have at it. As I said, I'm too lazy to get that involved. I'm an idea man, nothing more. ^_^

well, it is a good idea. once they get to a certain height they can take off their seatbelts and play in the "play cabin." It would cost more for this for the parents, but some parents would pay because they always want their child stimulated.

Oh, definitely. Have it like restaurants. Instead of paying extra for the drink, you pay extra for the daycare.

... And the drinks.

Red eye flights are perfect for families with small kids. My daughter sleeps the whole time and we don't need to keep her occupied on a 6hr transcontinental flight.

I had to take a red eye flight back to Arizona, I sat next to an older couple who were very nice, but in front of us were two preteens and their mother. Apparently the mother felt that everyone else on the flight needed to know their business; her husband was taking a different flight and wouldn't get another flight till 2 am and she'd never let anyone plan her vacation ever again. She kept yelling at her kids to stay still, be quiet, and what not- to the point where the kids werent the problem anymore and all I wanted was that beverage cart with the free mini wine bottles to hurry up.

those cost three dollars and you can pay with debit card only.

I got mine for free, it was a late flight and the attendant said not to bother paying for them.

It was also contributed to the entire airport having to delay their flights back 2 hours due to a storm.

BINGO

I think that airlines should offer child-free flights. It would be a big seller too.

I don't fly business XD i just hate noisy children.....or children just people

Aw heck no. Half the fun is messing with them so they piss off the parents.

There would not be a problem if parents would control their children.

Its the kids that control the parents in many cases.Do not cry i will buy it for you then. "Bingo it works every time"

Exactly. Just like any reward system for learning.

Maybe they could ban children from the silent section if they have one.

you know the metra train has a quiet car now, so it won't be long before there is quiet planes.

Sounds like more sniveling of me first .

When I see the word banned it makes me cringe, when I see the words Banned and Children it seems like a police state.

ok, but it is not a police state. There are other airlines going from Kuala Lumpur to London too. It is a fair market gimmick.

sounds like it, if you don't like children then put your ear plugs in.

I've never been able to sleep on board jets. Something about that engine whine just won't allow it. I have no problem with kids on a red-eye, though, just trank them first. ;)

NO, but we should be able to stuff them into the overhead compartments.....

put whiney kids back in baggage along with their parents

MAYBE WE NEED "ADULT SIZE" COMPARTMENTS?