My wife, Natalie, and I were recently interviewed by The Washington Post for an article titled “Why aren’t there kid-free flights?” The story, written by Hannah Sampson, was published on November 6 and explores a question that seems to come up every few months: Should airlines offer flights where children aren’t allowed?
It’s a topic that gets people fired up, especially those who have spent hours trapped in a metal tube with a screaming baby, a toddler kicking their seat or a child watching cartoons at full volume without headphones. I get it. Before I became a father, I probably would have been one of the first people to book a kid-free flight. In fact, that’s exactly what I told The Washington Post.
But now that I’m a father of two, ages 10 and 7, and have traveled with my children to more than 30 countries on over 100 flights, I see things a little differently. And I think there’s a reasonable middle ground that doesn’t involve banning children from airplanes.
What we told The Washington Post
The Washington Post quoted me saying that when I was single, I would have embraced kid-free flights. And today, I’d welcome them for people who simply can’t tolerate flying near children. “If they can’t deal, I don’t want their attitude,” I told the newspaper.
My wife, Natalie DiScala, who is also a travel journalist and has spent countless hours researching how to make flying with children easier, made an equally important point. “Kids are people and kids have a right to travel,” she told The Washington Post. But she also stressed that parents have a responsibility to do their best to keep their children comfortable and reasonably well-behaved. “If the parents are not trying to keep those kids in check, it’s understandable that other passengers are annoyed,” she said.
I couldn’t agree more. There’s a big difference between a baby crying because their ears hurt and a parent ignoring a child who’s repeatedly kicking the seat in front of them. One is often unavoidable. The other is something parents should be actively trying to prevent.
Could kid-free flights actually become a reality?
According to The Washington Post, the idea isn’t as far-fetched as it might sound. JetBlue Vacations recently partnered with Virgin Voyages to offer an adults-only vacation package that included a dedicated kid-free charter flight between New York and Florida, along with a four-night cruise. The package sold out all 60 cabins in less than two hours, which certainly suggests there’s some demand.
Internationally, some airlines already offer seating sections that restrict younger passengers. Singapore-based Scoot, for example, has a “Scoot-in-Silence” section on its Boeing 787 aircraft for passengers ages 12 and older. However, offering a few adults-only seats is very different from operating an entire scheduled flight without children.
Personally, I have no problem with airlines experimenting with adults-only flights if there’s enough demand. People already pay extra for more legroom, better meals and premium cabins. Why not let travelers pay for a quieter experience if an airline can make the economics work? But I also don’t think families should be made to feel unwelcome on regular flights. And here’s something people often forget: Some of the most disruptive passengers I’ve encountered over the years haven’t been children. They’ve been adults.
Our secret to flying with two kids
I’ve been fascinated by aviation since I was a little boy. Ironically, I developed a fear of flying in high school, which I eventually overcame. Here’s how I conquered my fear of flying. These days, I’ve flown millions of miles and have been fortunate to share my love of travel with my children.
My son took his first flight when he was eight months old. My daughter didn’t fly until she was two because of the pandemic, but she’s certainly made up for lost time. They’ve traveled with us to places like Australia, Fiji, French Polynesia and Europe, including some very long flights in economy class. And I’m proud to say that our kids are excellent travelers.
Inevitably, when we board an airplane and get to our seats, I can sense some of the passengers around us thinking, “Oh no, I’m sitting near little kids.” But almost every time we land, those same passengers compliment us on how well-behaved our children were. It’s not an accident. We put a lot of effort into preparing them for flights, and we have one secret weapon that makes a huge difference.
Our kids don’t get to use their iPads at home. We save them for travel, so getting on an airplane is like Christmas morning for them. They can’t wait to watch their favorite shows, play games and enjoy something they don’t normally have access to. My wife downloads their favorite movies, TV shows and games before every trip, and we make sure everything is fully charged.
Of course, they always wear kid-friendly, volume-limited headphones. There’s nothing more annoying than someone playing videos or games out loud on an airplane, whether they’re 7 or 70. But the iPads are just one part of our strategy.
8 tips for parents flying with kids
After years of traveling with our children, here are some of the things we’ve learned that can make a huge difference.
1. Don’t let your kids get overtired
This is one of the biggest mistakes parents can make. An overtired child can go from happy to completely miserable in a matter of minutes. And once a meltdown starts at 35,000 feet, there’s nowhere to go. Whenever possible, try to maintain your child’s normal sleep schedule before traveling. Don’t assume keeping them awake all day will guarantee they’ll sleep on the plane. Sometimes it has the opposite effect. Of course, delays, early departures and time zone changes can make this difficult, but doing your best to avoid overtired kids is half the battle.
2. Save something special for the airplane
For us, it’s the iPads. Because our kids don’t use them at home, they’re genuinely excited when they get to use them on a flight. You don’t have to follow our exact approach. Maybe it’s a new coloring book, a favorite toy, a puzzle or a special activity. The trick is to have something your child really looks forward to that they don’t get to do every day. And please, if it’s electronic, bring headphones.
3. Pack a change of clothes for everyone
I can’t stress this enough. Don’t just pack extra clothes for your baby or toddler. Bring a change of clothes for yourself, too. Between spilled drinks, motion sickness, bathroom accidents and unexpected delays, things can get messy quickly. The last thing you want is to spend the next six hours wearing a shirt covered in juice or worse.
We always pack a change of clothes for everyone in our carry-on bags. And if we’re flying somewhere tropical, we pack bathing suits, too. If the airline loses our checked luggage, at least we can still enjoy the pool or beach without paying outrageous resort prices for replacement swimsuits.
4. Dress everyone in layers
Airplane temperatures are unpredictable. One minute you’re sweating during boarding and the next you’re freezing at cruising altitude. Dress kids in comfortable layers that are easy to remove or put back on. For long flights, we love soft sweatpants, pajamas and sweatshirts. Avoid uncomfortable clothing, tight waistbands and anything that makes it difficult for kids to relax or sleep.
5. Bring a comfortable blanket and pillow
Even on long-haul flights, airline blankets can be thin and pillows aren’t always comfortable. My wife found some fantastic travel blankets that we now bring on almost every long flight. She reviewed her favorite travel blanket here. We also bring small travel pillows for the kids. When children are comfortable, warm and able to rest, everyone has a better flight.
6. Never underestimate the power of snacks
Hungry kids are cranky kids. Pack plenty of familiar snacks and don’t rely entirely on airline food, especially if your child is a picky eater or has food allergies. Since our children have food allergies, my wife often prepares pasta and packs it in a Thermos so they have a meal we know they can safely eat. We also bring refillable water bottles that don’t leak or spray water everywhere when opened after takeoff.
7. Keep kids entertained beyond screens
Even though our kids love their iPads, we also pack washable markers, crayons, paper and other small activities. Sometimes they want a break from watching shows, and it’s nice to have alternatives. One of our favorite family traditions is bringing their flight logbooks.
On every flight, our kids bring chocolates for the flight attendants and politely ask if the pilots can fill out their aviation logbooks when they have a moment. The pilots record information like the date, route, flight number, aircraft tail number and sometimes a personal message. It’s an incredible keepsake and a wonderful way to get children excited about aviation. The flight crews are often so appreciative that they’ll invite the kids to see the cockpit when circumstances allow. Here’s why I think every parent should pack a flight log for their kids.
8. Be considerate of the people around you
This might be the most important tip of all. We constantly remind our children not to kick the seat in front of them, not to shout and not to disturb other passengers. If they’re getting restless, we try to address the problem before it escalates. That doesn’t mean we’re perfect or that our kids never have difficult moments, but there’s a huge difference between a parent who’s clearly trying and one who’s completely checked out.
Most reasonable passengers understand that babies cry and young children sometimes have meltdowns. What frustrates people is when parents don’t seem to care. For more ideas, read our guide to the 10 items every parent should pack for a long flight with kids.
5 tips for travelers who want to avoid sitting near kids
Now, let’s look at the other side of the equation. I completely understand why some travelers want peace and quiet, especially if they’re taking an early-morning flight, traveling for business or hoping to sleep on an overnight journey. If that’s you, here are some strategies that can help reduce the chances of being disturbed.
1. Book an exit-row seat
This is one of my favorite tips for travelers who want to minimize their chances of sitting next to young children. Children under 15 aren’t permitted to sit in exit rows on U.S. airlines, and passengers seated there must meet specific safety requirements. That means you won’t have a toddler or young child sitting directly next to you in the exit row. Of course, a baby or child could still be seated in the row immediately in front of or behind you, so it’s not a guarantee of silence, but it’s a good place to start.
2. Avoid traveling during school holidays
If you have flexibility, avoid flying during major school breaks. Thanksgiving, Christmas, spring break and summer vacation are popular times for families to travel. Instead, consider flying when most children are in school. Not only might you encounter fewer families, but depending on the destination and dates, you could also find better fares and less crowded airports.
3. Bring earplugs and over-ear noise-canceling headphones
This is probably the most practical advice I can give anyone who wants a quieter flight. Pack a good pair of comfortable earplugs and over-ear noise-canceling headphones. The combination can be especially helpful for reducing steady aircraft noise and some of the sounds around you. I specifically recommend over-ear headphones rather than earbuds if you plan to wear earplugs underneath them.
Just remember that noise cancellation doesn’t eliminate every sound, especially sudden crying or high-pitched screaming. And make sure you can still hear important flight attendant announcements.
4. Download your favorite entertainment before boarding
Don’t rely on the airline’s Wi-Fi or seatback entertainment system. Download your favorite movies, TV shows, podcasts and music before leaving home. If you’re hoping to sleep, create a playlist of relaxing music or calming sounds. Having something familiar to listen to can help distract you from what’s happening around you. And remember to charge your devices before leaving for the airport.
5. Choose your seat carefully and be flexible
If you’re particularly sensitive to noise, pay attention to where you’re sitting. Bassinet positions are often located near bulkheads on long-haul aircraft, so those areas may be more likely to have infants nearby. If you’re hoping for a quiet flight, you might prefer a different part of the cabin.
You can also politely ask a gate agent whether another seat is available if you’re concerned about your assigned location. Just remember that there’s no guarantee. Children can be seated throughout most cabins, and seat assignments can change.
What about a quiet section on airplanes?
One idea mentioned in The Washington Post article was creating something similar to Amtrak’s quiet cars. I actually think that’s an interesting compromise. Instead of banning children from an entire flight, airlines could experiment with designated quiet sections where passengers agree to minimize conversations, keep devices silent and avoid unnecessary disturbances.
Of course, enforcing such a policy would be tricky, and sound travels throughout an airplane cabin. A quiet section wouldn’t guarantee silence, but I wouldn’t be surprised if more airlines eventually experiment with premium seating options designed around peace and quiet. After all, airlines have found ways to charge extra for almost everything else.
The Washington Post article has generated more than 200 comments, and readers are clearly divided. While some would happily pay extra for kid-free flights, many argue that the bigger problem isn’t children but parents who fail to manage their behavior. Others point out that disruptive adults can be far worse than crying babies, and I couldn’t agree more.
My bottom line on kid-free flights
I’ve been on both sides of this debate. When I was single, I loved having a quiet flight where I could work, sleep or simply enjoy the journey. Now that I’m a father, I know firsthand how stressful traveling with young children can be, especially when you’re doing everything possible to keep them happy and comfortable. I also know that parents can do a lot to make the experience better for everyone.
But here’s the thing: Kids have just as much right to fly as anyone else. Families travel to visit grandparents, attend weddings, take vacations and sometimes deal with emergencies. Children are part of the traveling public, and they shouldn’t be made to feel unwelcome simply because they’re young.
At the same time, passengers who pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for a ticket have every right to expect a reasonable level of consideration from the people around them. That includes parents making an effort to manage their children, but it also includes adults behaving respectfully toward families.
If airlines want to offer adults-only flights and people are willing to pay for them, I’m all for giving travelers more choices. Until then, a little preparation, patience and common courtesy can go a long way. And remember, the next time you see a family boarding your flight, don’t automatically assume you’re in for a miserable experience. Those kids might end up being the quietest passengers on the plane.
What do you think? Would you pay extra for a kid-free flight, or do you think airlines should focus on making flying more comfortable for everyone?
