The topic of whether or not babies and young kids should be allowed in first or business class tends to be controversial. I recently shared our experience flying across the Atlantic with our son, and a couple of people expressed outrage at the thought of traveling with young kids in premium cabins.
I get it, sort of, so I wanted to address that topic in this post. My opinion is simple, and it’s always been this way, even before I was a dad — yes, babies are (and should be) allowed in first class, even if it’s not great for others.
The argument against allowing babies in first class
Let me start by acknowledging the arguments against allowing babies in first class. A couple of years ago, the New York Times ran a story in its travel section, entitled “Babies in First Class: Which Side of the Aisle Are You On?” The story interviews some travelers (like the below), and the argument against babies in first class essentially comes down to people claiming that they pay extra for “relaxation” in first class:
“First class is a premium space where passengers pay extra for added comfort and relaxation. The presence of a baby, with their potential crying and fussing, would disrupt the peaceful atmosphere and ruin the experience for other passengers.”
This topic was even discussed on CNBC’s Squawk Box, with Andrew Ross Sorkin taking a strong stance that babies shouldn’t be allowed in first class. His argument is similar to all the arguments we see in favor of banning babies in first class — people pay so much extra money to sit in first class, and for that amount of money they should be able to expect relaxation.
I see where this argument comes from, but if you ask me, this romanticizes premium travel in a way that just doesn’t reflect the current reality.
Why babies should be allowed in first class
Let me start by acknowledging the obvious — virtually no one likes sitting next to or near someone else’s baby on an airplane. I mean, it would be kind of weird if they did. That applies no matter which cabin you’re in. Furthermore, most responsible parents dread the thought of their baby disturbing others on flights, and do everything they can to avoid it.
With that in mind, let me address a few points…
Babies are allowed in first class
While it’s clear that some people don’t want babies to be allowed in first class, the current reality is that babies of all ages are allowed in first class on virtually all airlines and in virtually all cabins. So it’s fine to “want” things to be different, but that’s just the reality. I’d also like Emirates to fly the A380 to Miami and get rid of fuel surcharges on Skywards awards, but that’s unlikely to happen.
Airlines don’t promise “relaxation” in first class
The fundamental argument that people make in favor of banning babies in first class is that airlines are promising “relaxation” in first class. That generally isn’t accurate. When you book a premium seat, you’re paying for more space, maybe lounge access, priority services, and elevated food & drinks.
For example, look at the webpages describing the premium products of the “big three” US carriers, including American Flagship Business, Delta One, and United Polaris. Nowhere does it set any expectations about other passengers creating a relaxing environment.
But I think people are missing the distinction between paying a premium for a bit more space on a commercial aircraft, and flying private. If you actually want to control the environment around you, then flying private is for you.
Are we going to ignore poorly behaved adults?
If the argument is about creating a relaxing environment, then we really shouldn’t be ageist, right? I can’t even count how many poorly behaved and otherwise disruptive adults I’ve sat with in premium cabins. Let me give one recent example.
I was flying Aeromexico business class from Mexico City to Miami, and the guy two rows up from me in business class snored from takeoff to touchdown. In my entire life, I’ve never heard someone snore so loudly and consistently. Like, he was basically snoring at the same volume that my son is capable of screaming, and… that’s saying something. All of us in the cabin were looking at one another in shock.
All of this says nothing of the otherwise poorly behaved people we sometimes see in premium cabins, who behave like toddlers. For that matter, maybe some American agents can go around to all the people in the Miami Admirals Club conducting phone calls using speakerphone, and immediately downgrade them to economy?
The simple truth is that the same etiquette rules apply in first class and the rest of the plane, whether it’s behavior or dress code. Anyone who thinks otherwise is just sharing how they’d like things to be, rather than how they actually are.
Parents with babies also pay to sit in first class
People like to argue that babies should be banned from first class because people in first class paid so much money to sit there. I think a reality check is in order here:
- Parents who choose to sit in first class are also paying for that privilege in the same way
- While international first class is expensive, domestic first class is often marginally more expensive than economy; you’re paying for some extra space, often at a reasonable premium, and nothing more
- Parents with babies have lots of legitimate reasons that they may want to sit in first class, just like anyone else
To expand on that last point, say you’re traveling with a couple as a lap infant. For many people, it’s a really tight squeeze to have a lap infant sitting on your lap in economy. For that matter, it’s easier to control the impact your baby has on others when you have a bit more space. For example, in economy they may just keep trying to hit the seat in front, while that could be harder to do in first class.
Sound travels
On your standard domestic flight, there’s not much separation between first class and economy. Heck, there’s often not even a divider between cabins anymore. Sound travels, so realistically if you’re seated in first class and there’s a crying baby in the front of economy, you’ll hear it.
So is there really a difference if a baby is in the last row of first class or the first row of economy? Do the people who propose banning babies from first class also suggest banning them from the front of the economy?
Irresponsible parents are frustrating everywhere
Obviously people have all kinds of different parenting styles. I’m always impressed when I see parents who plan for their flights, recognizing the challenges that they may face. Of course a baby might scream a little bit, as many factors can impact that. However, we all hope that parents at least try to control their baby and minimize disruption to others.
Conversely, you see some parents — and they can be in first class or economy — who seem completely uninterested in taking care of their kids. People are understandably frustrated by this, regardless of where they’re seated.
My approach to flying with our toddler
Like I said, the above is my perspective on how things should be. While I’m now a parent, I’ve held the same beliefs on this for a very long time. That being said, how do I personally feel about traveling with our son in premium cabins?
On domestic flights, I have no qualms traveling with him in first class. I don’t view domestic first class as being some ultra-exclusive experience. Rather I view it as paying a bit extra for more space. When we could travel with him as a lap infant, this was a good option, so we could get a pair of seats.
That being said, now that he is two years old (and needs his own seat), we actually usually prefer traveling with him in economy. That way we can get a row of three seats, and he can sit between us — he is most comfortable this way, and we also have plenty of space, since it’s not like a two-year-old takes up their entire seat.
Of course we try to do everything we can to keep him quiet, from bringing entertainment (toys, an iPad, etc.), to bringing snacks, to planning his sleep schedule as much as we can. That effort doesn’t differ based on the cabin we’re traveling in.
Long haul international flights are a bit trickier. I recently shared our experience flying long haul with him for the first time, and it was challenging. We booked business class because we hoped he’d be able to sleep that way, and therefore minimize disruptions, but he ended up being too excited by everything.
We don’t plan to travel with him long haul again anytime soon (we’re waiting for his “terrible twos” to be over), but I definitely don’t want him just flying in first and business class, and just thinking that this is how everyone flies. Besides, it’s a good opportunity to finally review some premium economy products, which I know many OMAAT readers have requested. 😉
Bottom line
Babies are allowed in first class, and babies should be allowed in first class. When you book a premium seat, you’re paying for more space and extra amenities. You’re not paying for your fellow passengers to be vetted, to make sure that they can “play the part” (if so, lots of adults should be banned as well).
Understandably no one wants to sit next to someone else’s baby on a plane, but unfortunately that’s just the reality of commercial aviation. If you want full control over the people seated near you, getting a private jet is your only option.
All that being said, of course parents should do everything in their power to minimize the impact disruptions. But others also need to understand that babies are part of society, and shaming people for traveling with them won’t accomplish much.
Where do you stand on the babies in first class debate?
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