Asia Air is the second airline to banish families from the front of the plane. The low-cost Malaysian airline has created a Quiet Zone behind first-class that can only be used by passengers age 12 and older, according to the Economist.
Asia Air announced the new seating section on its website this month with a message saying that and the “Quiet Zone” is meant for those who want “a more peaceful journey”—and it seems like a great idea if everyone sitting in this zone is truly quiet. An adult chomping obnoxiously on potato chips can be just as annoying as a fussy baby.
Seats within the seven-row zone don’t cost more than other coach seats but travelers who want to be in the front of the plane must pay a seat-selecting charge. The new zone will be added to planes beginning in February 2013.
Earlier this year, Air Asia’s main rival, Malaysian Airlines, made national news headlines when it was the first airline to add a kid-free zone to some of its routes as a way to attract business travelers. Last year, the same airline introduced a policy not allowing kids to fly in first-class.
Crying babies on planes cause discomfort for all parties involved. Passengers are easily irritated by their cries while parents become anxious and embarrassed when their children breaks into a loud wail. And the poor babies sense all this stress and only cry louder. Is sticking the babies in the back of the plane the solution?
