Airline Adds 'No Kids' Section
What do airlines - and travelers, for that matter - have against kids? From in-flight nannies to possible fees for sitting together, it seems as if the airline industry is bent on making it harder for kids to fly.
Full disclosure: I have an 11-month-old. But, in all the flights I've taken in my life, I can count on one hand the number of times a child has been disruptive on a flight.
Related: No Kids Allowed: Adult-Only Vacations
Now, another Asian carrier has decided to add a no-kids section to its flights. Low-cost airline AirAsia will ban children under 12 in rows 7-14, the rows directly behind the airline's premium flat bed seats, "because we know that sometimes all you need is some peace and quiet for a more pleasant journey with us. "
According to the carrier's web site, no travelers with a person under 12 in their group will be able to book those seats. Travelers without kids who wish to reserve the kid-free seats can do so at no extra cost on the carrier's web site.
The new section is called Quiet Zone. According to AirAsia, it offers:
- minimal noise with less disturbance
- seats near the front of the aircraft
- ambiance with soft lighting
Quiet Zone is bookable for travel Feb. 2013 and on. Passengers holding tickets for travel in February and beyond can reserve their seats now.
The airline's seat map shows three spots on the aircraft reserved for baby bassinets. One of those is immediately in front of the premium flat bed seats.
Malaysia airlines has reportedly banned kids in first class for years, thought there's never been official word from the airline on the matter. The airline did, however, recently create an adults-only seating section on the upper deck of aircraft on its London - Kuala Lumpur route.
One-third of respondents to an online, unscientific poll conducted on ABCNews.com said they would be willing to pay more for a kid-free flight.
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