http://blog.seattlepi.com/aerospace/archives/219170.asp?source=pimailShould Airlines create Adult Only Sections?The travel search site Skyscanner has been putting out a lot of polls lately, but this one caught my attention.
According to the company's latest survey, 59 percent of travelers would like a "families only" section on flights. That breaks down to 68 percent on non-parents (nearly a quarter of whom would prefer no-child flights) but just 31 percent of parents.
To me, it sounds like the issue isn't phrased right. "Families only" suggests to me that it's a section where only families can sit, whereas the non-parents who favor the idea seem to want families to be able to sit only in a special section. In other words, they'd like the rest of the plane to be "adults only."
In fact, Skyscanner PR Manager Mary Porter suggested something like that.
If passengers are prepared to pay extra for child-free flying, perhaps the solution is a premium adults-only section, rather than a pre-allocated families section, giving airlines yet another extra they can charge for? I am sure this service would prove to be really popular on routes that attract a lot of families such as flights to Florida.
I've been the parent of an unhappy young passenger, who made those around us unhappy as well. It's frustrating for everyone.
I suppose it might be OK to create a pay-option adults-only section, although I oppose the idea of segregating families who buy the same class of ticket, because I fear we'd all be shoved in the back of the plane.
And my general view is that society too-often forgets that children are people, instead viewing them as something akin to property or pets.