In response to numerous complaints from first-class passengers about screaming babies on airplanes, Malaysia Airlines has announced that it is extending its ban on babies flying in the first class cabin. The airline already had a ban in place on Boeing 747-400 jets; now it plans to do the same on its Airbus A380 superjumbo jets.
Now, I know what you're thinking: That this policy is ballsy, harsh, reprehensible, and completely discriminatory ... and it's probably all of those things. But I also think it's brilliant. Here's why:
Just because your children are well-behaved and love to fly doesn't mean there aren't other parents who can't handle their children during flight. As a passenger -- usually in the economy section -- I've come to accept that screaming babies are part and parcel of flying on an airplane. I'm not thrilled about it, but I don't get upset about it. Sometimes I even ask if I can help. There's nothing you can really do -- save putting on some headphones and zoning off to your happy place.
But why should people who shell out big money to fly in comfort in first class have to tolerate such a thing? Many of the people in first class are there because they want/need to sleep on the flight. And it's nearly impossible to sleep when a baby is squalling next to you -- I don't care how sound-proof your headphones claim to be!
Here's the thing: Not every product, service, experience, etc. has to be family-friendly or even vice versa. Malaysia Airlines -- and any other airline that adopts a similar infant ban -- seems to be targeting a specific consumer: the childless passenger who will pay a lot of money to fly in comfort and quiet. If that's how they think they can make a profit, then they have every right to institute a baby ban.
But that also means a passenger looking for a more laid-back, family-friendly experience may feel alienated by this policy. Likely, they'll be looking to take their business elsewhere. And that might not be such a bad thing.
Image via Cesar Rincon/Flickr
Tie-Dye for the Fourth of July!
Mom Survives Horrific Domestic Abuse
Kim and Kanye's Baby Name Predictions!
Moms Love Birthday Parties, Too!
Comments 164
The comment about flights being public transportation is spot on. The comment about flights not being spa trips is spot on. I NEVER EVER say "wow, I can't wait to get on that plane and spend 8 hours in the air, it's going to be SOOOOO relaxing". I know it's going to be long and uncomfortable (and I don't even fly normal economy anymore) and I just grin and bear it. It's 8 hours out of my life, not an eternal punishment (although it can feel like it). Baby crying? Put the headphones on. Person kneeing you in the back? Maybe your seat's reclined too far. It goes on and on.
You naysayers would have loved my overseas flight with my two kids two years ago. My son - 12 at the time - had a sudden fit of motion sickness, threw up into the aisle minutes before the flight took off, much to the flight attendant's joy, and spent the entire flight quietly barfing (fortunately after that first one, it was just water). There was nothing we could do except deal with it as best we could. He was mortified, but the people sitting around us were surprisingly sympathetic once they realized he wasn't contagious :) S*** happens, babies cry - life goes on.
I'm sick and tired of people whining about other people's kids, you guys annoy me more than any crying baby on a plane. And discriminating over people with kids for necessary services is disgusting. That's why we stopped flying with the 4 of us and our dogs, that's a lot of money airlines will never see from us again at this rate. (And yes, my kids are very well behaved)