Malaysia Airlines Bans Babies in First Class

rani

rani

Administrator
Malaysia Airlines announced they are extending their first class baby ban on their new Airbus A380 jumbo jets, coming out in June 2012.

Babies have already been banned from first class, on their current Boeing 747-400 flights.

The A380 jets will make long-haul flights between Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, London and Amsterdam.

What do you think?
 
Great! They should extend the ban to Business as well.

People who are paying big premiums for these seats should not be inconvenienced by a bothersome and noisy human; whether it be a noisy adult or a whining baby.
 
Can't say I've any problem with. They've obviously judged that it won't affect their margins in any negative way, and possibly even improve it. There are plenty of other airlines that people can choose to fly with, should they wish to travel first wtih a baby.

Out of interest though, what is their cut off age? A lot of airlines class infants only up to 2 years old, and we all know that just because a child turns 2, it doesn't automatically shut them up!
 
I think it is fine to ban it in First Class so people have an option if they want to be in a baby-free environment, but I wouldn't agree with babies being banned in business. There should be options for everybody, and that entails an option for mothers & babies to enjoy premium travel too. I flew business back to the UK recently with my 5 month old. I noticed the disappointment of the passengers around me as I took my seat, but my baby didn't make a sound. On either journey. "Baby" doesn't necessarily equal noise.
 
I travel a lot and have traveled with 3 kids as well as for business. I can say that most, vast majority, probably in excess of 98% of babies are quiet and delightful on planes. They coo once in a while, a quiet burp and then sleep.

Its the select one or 2 memorable ones that scream for 6-8 hours that stay in ones mind etched forever in our brains.
 
Its a business decision so the airline can do what they want.

However, we fly business (with an occasional upgrade to first) with our baby on long haul flights and if our preferred carrier banned babies in the business section of the cabin we would change carriers. On each of our last three flights there have been unruly, drunk and loud passengers in the premium cabins who have caused much more disturbance than our child. To create a more peaceful environment in premium cabins airlines will need to ban more than kids.
 
Surprised people are not more upset about this, but then I realized most people probably go through life never flying 1st class anyway (I certainly haven't, and have only flown business a couple of times). That being said, I honestly don't care when there is a baby or toddler around me because I just watch movies or listen to music the whole time. I can't imagine a kid being so noisy they can get through those mega-earphones the airlines provide.
 
i must admit i thought babies weren't allowed in First Class on any airline! Not really an issue for the vast majority of people who are never likely to fly 1st class, including myself....

I have travelled in Business Class with babies as I have suffered from DVT twice and when the babies were little and I was travelling alone with them and it was very difficult to move about regularly as they sleep on you etc we forked out or used points because of the health issue and the comfort. They never caused any problems and while i got a few looks when I got on very busy flights they never disturbed anyone, as Elle said unlike many passengers......

And we were paying a premium for that reason (same as other Business class passengers) so I guess we were 'entitled' to be there!
 
ssheng said:
I can't imagine a kid being so noisy they can get through those mega-earphones the airlines provide.
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Ahh, then you've been very fortunate indeed. But fly enough times and I assure you, you will run into one that will scream with all their might for many hours on end. I dont wish it upon anyone but it does happen with regularity and no amount of noise cancellation will work.
 
TNT said:
And we were paying a premium for that reason (same as other Business class passengers) so I guess we were 'entitled' to be there!
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And never mind the premium for the child!! We are taking our baby to Europe with us next month and Cathay are charging $8,000 for his ticket. $8,000 for a bassinet if he still fits in it, otherwise $8,000 to have him sit on my lap for 12 hours... For that price I think we have earned the right for him to cry the whole journey...
 
I agree with Elle, some adults are more noisy and disruptive than babies. I wouldn't want to bring baby into first class just in case, but I don't see any reason in business as like the above have said, you pay premium for those seats for you and baby...not that we have even gone business with baby. Besides, they're a business, they can do whatever they want.
 
howardcoombs, i must admit I"m a bit surprised with your statements being a parent of 3 children. Havent you had moments where your child just would not stop crying in public?

i just did a 3.5hr flight to Sg and I did fly business with baby and yes for 1 full excruciating hour, my son just would not stop screaming, every one in business gave us dirty looks and to be fair, I have done the exact same thing when I didnt have children. But now, when I fly and some other kid is screaming, I am much more tolerant and have empathy. We have all been there as parents. Besides as another poster mentioned, I paid that premium for that bassinet and the little one doesnt drink a drop of alchohol, watch any movies or eat any of airplane food, I would say their profit margin on my baby is very good!

Surely there must be parents who fly first class ( not me, never seen that cabin before) who happen to have children? Or do they just put their children in business class whilst they sit in 1st?
 
1stimemum said:
Surely there must be parents who fly first class ( not me, never seen that cabin before) who happen to have children? Or do they just put their children in business class whilst they sit in 1st?
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I have a friend who travels business and puts her child with the helper in economy.
 
1stimemum said:
howardcoombs, i must admit I"m a bit surprised with your statements being a parent of 3 children. Havent you had moments where your child just would not stop crying in public? [/QUOTE
Ofcourse I've had my share of screaming, but luckily never on an airplane.

Even if it ever did happen in an airplane, it would never have happened in Business nor First.
a) we never fly first (just too expensive)
b) I dont believe kids should be allowed in business. Its called business for a reason (its for business travellers) and I would not waste my money buying a business ticket for a kid who wont benefit from any of the perks.

i just did a 3.5hr flight to Sg and I did fly business with baby and yes for 1 full excruciating hour, my son just would not stop screaming, every one in business gave us dirty looks and to be fair, I have done the exact same thing when I didnt have children. But now, when I fly and some other kid is screaming, I am much more tolerant and have empathy. We have all been there as parents. Besides as another poster mentioned, I paid that premium for that bassinet and the little one doesnt drink a drop of alchohol, watch any movies or eat any of airplane food, I would say their profit margin on my baby is very good!
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What does profit margin have to do with common courtesy and keeping the peace for all customers? An airline should not tolerate a peace-disturbing passanger no matter what the age or the profit margin; I certainly wont and most definitely not in premium classes of travel.

Surely there must be parents who fly first class ( not me, never seen that cabin before) who happen to have children? Or do they just put their children in business class whilst they sit in 1st?
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*boggle*
Stick the kids in economy. Its simple, easy and much cheaper
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Malaysia Airlines is just another company in an increasing number of companies who are going the "Child Free" route--including cinemas, grocery stores, restaurants and hotels.

The no-kids-allowed movement is spreading

I think it reflects the overall selfishness of our culture--no one can be inconvenienced for anyone else and $$ talks and means more. I think this is combined with some very poor parenting skills that have become common as well.

I remember going to restaurants as a child and there was a certain standard of behavior that was expected and enforced by my parents and if we didn't meet it, you can be sure my mother would haul us right out of there--either to sit in the car or there were times when we simply just left the restaurant altogether because we (the children) weren't complying. I also remember my baby sister making a huge mess at the table and my mother requesting a broom and cleaning up the mess HERSELF after the meal--this was standard--she didn't leave the work to the staff. There are parents who really do not know how to (or are unwilling to) reign in their unruly children. And the sad part is that all parents get lumped into that category.

But, when it comes to babies--especially young babies--there really isn't much that can be done sometimes. I think in general people have become so self-focused that they can't give a little bit (or a lot of) tolerance in these cases. But it's an "i generation." Have everything "your way."

I think it would benefit society more if people could make a little sacrifice for the good of the community because if you have children you tend to have more compassion and if you don't, know that that parent sitting next to you who is doing their best to parent is actually doing our world a favor as they're bringing up the next generation.

Hong Kong is one of the most child and family-unfriendly places, I think in this regard. Children are not catered for here at all. A quick look at the parks and recreational facilities or restaurants or public bathrooms definitely gives that impression. But, then again, the child birth-rate is so low here that children are pretty much a negligible consideration for most of the public.

So, Malaysia Airlines is only responding to a customer desire and that reflects more about the customers than about Malaysia Airlines.
 
thanka2, I agree with you completely. I was in the baby changing room in Alexandra House (near Starbucks) the other day and the changing table was affixed to the wall at such a ridiculously low level that the average person would have to kneel on the floor to change the baby's diaper!?
 
RileyC said:
thanka2, I agree with you completely. I was in the baby changing room in Alexandra House (near Starbucks) the other day and the changing table was affixed to the wall at such a ridiculously low level that the average person would have to kneel on the floor to change the baby's diaper!?
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That's funny but sad.

Where we live there simply aren't changing tables--anywhere. So, we're experts at changing baby in lots of interesting positions including balanced on our own lap! I'm so used to it that when we go back to the States this summer I might die of shock when I see changing tables in every restaurants, accessibility ramps on every public building (required BY LAW) and baby high chairs at every restaurant. :)
 
I think businesses have the right to position themselves as "child-friendly" or as "grown-ups" only and consumers can make the choice. Just to throw in a different opinion here.
 
Biggie said:
I think businesses have the right to position themselves as "child-friendly" or as "grown-ups" only and consumers can make the choice. Just to throw in a different opinion here.
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That works when there is actually a choice to be made but it can cross over into a type of discrimination (such as businesses positioning themselves as "Chinese-only" or "female-only" etc.). When it comes to airlines sometimes there is a choice and at other times there is not. Same thing with restaurants. Yes, it is the choice of the business at this point but where is the line on rights of consumers as well? Is it the right of others to discriminate against me because I have children or others because they do not have children? It's really entering a grey area and I think eventually it will be legislated.
 
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