'Emirates controversial new first class kids ban feels like a slap in the face'
OPINION - "You're entitled to a child-free life, not a child-free world." It's a saying I've heard often, especially since becoming a parent.
And it's the first thing I thought of when hearing of Emirates' controversial new ban on kids in their luxurious first class cabins.
As of last month, anyone who books first class using Skywards Miles can no longer use it on children under the age of eight, regardless of whether it's a full ticket or an upgrade, as first reported by One Mile at a Time.
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Children under the age of eight will no longer be allowed to use first class upgrades or rewards. Getty
"Please note that passengers aged 8 years old and below are ineligible for First Class Emirates Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards," the updated terms and conditions of the Skywards program read.
The ban does not apply to travellers who can afford to outright pay for themselves and their families to fly first class. Which makes it seem like the airline's move is less about customer satisfaction and more about dollars.
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I've been very fortunate thanks to my job to have had the opportunity to fly in business class before with my little one. But it's not something I could ever really afford to do on my own dime.
The thought of those people who desperately try to scrape together miles to be able to do something like this as a family, and now won't be able to, makes me sad.
I count myself in that bucket - unless I win the lotto of course - and it feels like a slap in the face.
The airline is the first to implement such a policy. Supplied
But what has stunned me even more is the reaction from people online once the news was shared.
Yet again, a heated debate has ignited between travellers on social media as to whether or not kids should "be allowed" at the pointy end of the plane.
"There's no denying that little kids can cause a lot of noise on planes (no matter how hard parents try), and that can take away from the experience," travel expert Ben Schlappig wrote on One Mile At A Time.
"In fairness, adults can also cause a lot of noise, but banning them might be a step too far," he added.
Meanwhile another commenter wrote: "I do not want to have my first class experience ruined by the noise of a small child. I paid money for a quiet, lovely experience."
"Not allowing kids in the first class is absolutely logical, and all airlines should have such policy," another agreed.
In defence of children one mum responded: "People can be so awful toward families as you can see in this comment section. I promise you, the last thing I want is for my child to be crying, loud, or bothering anyone on a plane," she explained.
Young children need to fly. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Which brings me to my very first thought. A plane is a form of PUBLIC transport. Regardless of which class you can afford to fly in. If you want to be able to control who you travel with, use a private jet.
Some airlines have implemented different strategies to give customers a choice of things like "adult-only" zones or "quiet" cabins, which is fair enough.
But people just need to cut families some slack. I mean, you're in first class.
Close your suite door, fluff up your pillow, pop on your very expensive and very good noise-cancelling headphones and get on with your own life.
It will be less stressful for everyone that way.
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