After Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia X is also introducing a Child-free zone on its aircraft in the economy class. The service will be available from February next year while it is already proposed on MAS Airbus A380 since July.
KUALA LUMPUR- It is certain that you felt once in your life annoyed by crying children on board of a long-haul flight? We all love children for sure, but we cherish also a quiet experience when flying.
Malaysia Airlines found now the solution and it starts to be followed by others. Since launching its newest aircraft in the air, the Airbus A380, MAS offers now the possibility to travel in a children-free zone in Business Class as well as in the Economy class located in the Upper Deck of the Super Jumbo aircraft. First passengers testing the sound of silence on board are the ones flying between Kuala Lumpur and London. “We now book systematically families with children under 12s in the main all-economy lower deck,” explains a MAS spokesperson.
Obviously, the new formula has its fans. AirAsia X has just announced that it will also introduce a new kids-free zone, dubbed more politely “Quiet Zone”. It will start to equip all of its Airbus A330 fleet from February 2013.
Row 7 to 14 (first 7 rows of Economy Economy) will be officially designated as “Quiet Zone” with the following features:
- Minimal noise with no disturbances
- Strategical location right behind the Premium Seats
- Special ambience lighting
Passengers with children travelling that are age 12 and under (including infants), will not be able to book seats in the Quiet Zone. More information are available on AirAsia X website. The website stipulates also that “AirAsia X reserves the right to seat a passenger with a Child or Infant at the Quiet Zone during situations deemed necessary for operational, safety or security reasons.”
But the move of both Malaysian carriers is likely to be followed by more airlines sooner or later.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
