Britons Say 'yes' To Child-free Zones On Planes

[bigdelta 46]

LONDON, April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- A survey by TripAdvisor®, the world's most popular and largest travel community, has revealed that 79% of Britons believe there should be child-free zones on planes.

 

Whilst 88% of travellers without children would like to see the introduction of adults-only sections on flights, a surprising 71% of parents also agree.

 

With 76% of families planning to take at least one holiday this year and thousands of travellers making preparations for Easter breaks, the survey of 509 Britons reveals the challenges that travelling with children can present.

 

SCHOOL TERMS DON'T GET IN THE WAY

 

Almost one in two Britons allows their child to miss school in order to take family holidays during term-time, reveals the survey.

 

A staggering 49% of parents of school children confess they allow their offspring to be absent from classes for at least one day a year, in order to facilitate travel plans and secure the best value deals.

 

Furthermore, 16% of parents allow their children to be absent from classes for seven days or more, whilst 8% are happy for them to miss five days of term and an equal number are comfortable to write off three days.

 

HOLIDAY HEADACHES

 

The most demanding aspect of family getaways lies in travelling to the destination, reveals the TripAdvisor survey.

 

Almost one in five (19%) parents find that journeys with their offspring pose the biggest headache, whilst for a further 16%, finding activities that everyone enjoys is the greatest challenge.

 

Keeping everyone entertained is the biggest hurdle for 13% of parents, whilst 12% find that staying on budget is a trial and 8% have difficulty in finding time to relax and unwind. A further 8% consider finding food which everyone likes to be the biggest holiday headache of all.

 

"ARE WE THERE YET?"...

 

With 20% of parents admitting they sometimes wish they could sit in a separate section of a plane from their offspring due to their misbehaviour, keeping children quiet on journeys can test even the most patient of souls.

 

When it comes to avoiding the dreaded cry of, "Are we there yet?", the survey reveals that technology beats more traditional pastimes hands-down. Whilst 47% of parents turn to a TV or DVD player to entertain their offspring, 18% encourage their children to read books and 11% rely on the appeal of new toys.

 

A further 3% resort to over-the-counter children's medicine, which surprisingly, constitutes a more popular solution than sweets (1%).

 

DADS ARE CHALLENGING TRAVEL COMPANIONS, TOO

 

Children are not the only challenging travel companions, reveals the survey! Whilst 54% of mothers maintain that their children and partner complain an equal amount on holiday, 51% believe that their partner and children are equally as difficult to please.

 

Men also lag behind children when it comes to language skills. Over one in five mothers (22%) maintain that their children are the most likely to pick up local words or phrases on holiday, whilst just 17% believe their partner is the most natural linguist.

 

Meanwhile, more than one in five mothers (22%) maintain their partner is the least willing to embrace the local cuisine on family holidays, whilst 60% find their children to be the fussiest eaters.

 

"Family holidays can be far from stress-free and often draw more parallels to scenes from The Simpsons than The Waltons. However, they're also an unbeatable opportunity for spending quality time with your nearest and dearest," said Luke Fredberg, TripAdvisor.

 

 

 

I was thinking more along the lines of child-free PLANES!

[Chivas 0]

Of course you were never a child once yourself ??

 

Selfish twat

[joekicker 53]

Whilst 88% of travellers without children would like to see the introduction of adults-only sections on flights, a surprising 71% of parents also agree.

 

Strength in numbers. People who travel with young children help one another AND create enormous pressure on the airline to provide more helpful facilities. Plus, almost all people who travel with children certainly have no intention of inconveniencing others.

 

Almost one in two Britons allows their child to miss school in order to take family holidays during term-time, reveals the survey.

 

Hmmm, weird choice of words. I have never "allowed" my kids to miss school, I INSIST on it.

[bigdelta 46]

Of course you were never a child once yourself ??

 

Selfish twat

Actually,my father and both retired from airline careers at the same company.I have been flying free my entire life.When I travelled as a dependent for 18 years,I had to be on my best bahaviour.Yes,we were the ones wearing the coats and ties in coach.I guarantee I was better behaved than ANY kid on the flights I took.

Any other ignorant statements,you ignorante egoísta pendejo?

Edited April 3, 2009 by LTGTR

[wetwillie 12]

Pack em all in the cargo hold

[Rick1079 0]

With 20% of parents admitting they sometimes wish they could sit in a separate section of a plane from their offspring due to their misbehaviour, keeping children quiet on journeys can test even the most patient of souls.

 

What do the parents expect the children are their responsibility, if they didn't want it don't have them.

I always enjoy taking my children with me in their holiday periods and it's always a learning curve when they are younger, just enjoy the time we have with them because they grow up and start their own lives in not time. That's when they ask us about their own children "were we ever like that"

[jacko 8,815]

What do the parents expect the children are their responsibility, if they didn't want it don't have them.

I always enjoy taking my children with me in their holiday periods and it's always a learning curve when they are younger, just enjoy the time we have with them because they grow up and start their own lives in not time. That's when they ask us about their own children "were we ever like that"

But Rick, in the UK having lots of children means having enough money to be on the flight in the first place. Child support, keeps many going.......

 

I am a grump, kids and flights don't mix, especially long hauls. My BKK-UK flights are often ex OZ so the kids have slept for several hours, are full of beans and bored stupid. Sadly children are no longer of the 'seen but never heard' variety.

 

This sounds like a good idea, a playground on the new A380s..... .

Edited April 3, 2009 by jacko

[RobinBay 0]

kids on planes are ok they have the in flight entertainment to keep them busy and quiet,it's the parents that take babys that piss me off.The babys get on free and they piss folk off so no plus side for the airlines.

I'm starting the ban babys on flights group right here right now

 

Also if your one of these useless parents that can't control your kids well kill them and your self because your just a burden on everyone else.

[joekicker 53]

kids on planes are ok they have the in flight entertainment to keep them busy and quiet,it's the parents that take babys that piss me off.

 

What do you figure people with babies should do then? Drive? Or does having a baby in Robin's World mean you must simply stay home?

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't actually have any babies, but I used to be one.

Edited April 4, 2009 by joekicker

[Chivas 0]

Actually,my father and both retired from airline careers at the same company.I have been flying free my entire life.When I travelled as a dependent for 18 years,I had to be on my best bahaviour.Yes,we were the ones wearing the coats and ties in coach.I guarantee I was better behaved than ANY kid on the flights I took.

Any other ignorant statements,you ignorante egoísta pendejo?

 

 

Yes, what the flying fuck has your statement re flying free, dressed up like a penguin got to do with advocating child free planes in the first place dickhead ??

[RobinBay 0]

What do you figure people with babies should do then? Drive? Or does having a baby in Robin's World mean you must simply stay home?

 

Don't get me wrong, I don't actually have any babies, but I used to be one.

 

Drive sounds good,what is the reason to take a child ( say under 4 ) on a long haul flight for a holiday.They won't remember the holiday and they won't appreciate it,just because it's free to take the kid doesn't mean it's right.

[joekicker 53]

Drive sounds good,what is the reason to take a child ( say under 4 ) on a long haul flight for a holiday.They won't remember the holiday and they won't appreciate it,just because it's free to take the kid doesn't mean it's right.

 

Your tie must have been too tight when you were a kid.

 

Not all babies on planes are going on holidays. But if they are, not all parents want (or are able) to leave their child behind on a trip.

[RobinBay 0]

Your tie must have been too tight when you were a kid.

 

Not all babies on planes are going on holidays. But if they are, not all parents want (or are able) to leave their child behind on a trip.

 

Should be a law against taking babies on flights.Give me a good reason why a baby should be on a flight.

 

Holiday,no point.

Visiting family,get the family to come to you.

 

Every one knows that babys on planes piss folk off,so unless your willing to drug the rug rats then stay at home.

[bigdelta 46]

Yes, what the flying fuck has your statement re flying free, dressed up like a penguin got to do with advocating child free planes in the first place dickhead ??

Well dickhead,you obviously missed my point,so I'll type slowly and use small words this time.

I didn't advocate child-free planes,I just posted an article.

I traveled as a dependent and we were required to be seen and not heard.No meal-not a problem.Sit apart,no problem.Sit in smoking,no problem.I probably traveled more before I was 18 than you have in your entire life.So yes,I know the ropes.

Now do you understand?

[joekicker 53]

Should be a law against taking babies on flights.Give me a good reason why a baby should be on a flight.

...

 

Every one knows that babys on planes piss folk off,so unless your willing to drug the rug rats then stay at home.

 

Well, there you go. Babies on flights don't pixx me off but people who don't read my posts they're replying to piss me off. So a bit of balance achieved.

 

Give me a good reason why you should be on a flight.

[jacko 8,815]

Give me a good reason why you should be on a flight.

To go see a distant relative's new baby?

[stevoman 2]

Pack em all in the cargo hold

 

And leave it OPEN

 

 

What do you figure people with babies should do then?

 

Put them in kennels along with the rest of the Mongrels!

[Saddic 31]

The worst I ever experienced was a little chinese king who the parents could not control... and the mother babied over him the entire flight... The brat would not even feed himself... Cried when he was not being paid attention to... made a fuss, screamed, ran up and down the isles, etc... Whenever the father took over the duties, the kid threw a fit...

 

An obvious tragedy of the one child law in China...

 

Of course, to be fair...

 

The other worst was an elderly Japanese man who was complaining loudly and often (just before takeoff)... the entire cabin crew tried to placate him, to no success... finally I guess a Senior Manager presented himself in proper Japanese fashion... and I guess he was moved up to 1st class, because he disappeared... Bastard held the plane up for an hour...

[pattaya_mad 208]

my first priority after all my travel documents money and condoms is a very good set of earplugs in my hand luggage..the bastards can cry as much as they want then

[Arno 0]

I was thinking more along the lines of child-free PLANES!

Child-free planes?....whatever next?....child-free go go bars????