Should babies be banned from commercial flights?

Is it time for young babies to be banned from commercial aircraft? Or at least be seated in a separate compartment? 

That is a question that was posted on the Global Travel Media site this week. And it is sure to provoke controversy.

I know most parents do their best when flying with infants. It is a tough job. But should other flyers be inconvenienced by screaming infants after paying good money for their seats?

Likewise, should children running around and kicking seats be allowed to impact on those seeking sanctuary in an airport business lounge? As I saw this week. 

After all, if adults created as much noise as some babies do they would be told to pipe down, or even be removed from a flight.   

Several Asian airlines already offer quiet zones where children and babies are not allowed. But how about zones simply for parents and young ones. So kickers and screamers can be surrounded by other kickers and screamers.

Dutch-based charter company Corendon Airlines recently announced that it will sell tickets in an adults-only zone - seating over 16s only - on its flights between Amsterdam and the Caribbean island of Curacao starting from November.

I, for one, would be prepared to pay extra to sit an adults only zone. 

I've heard possibly apocryphal stories of rich parents who seat themselves in business class and their children and nanny among the plebs in economy.

The “Only Adults” zone in the front section of Corendon’s Airbus A350 will consist of nine XL seats with extra legroom and 93 standard seats. 

This section will be partitioned from the rest of the aircraft by walls and curtains, creating a shielded environment “that contributes to a quiet and relaxing flight,” the company says.

“This zone on the plane is intended for travellers travelling without children and business travellers who want to work in a quiet environment,” it said in a press release.

Or maybe there could be certain fights designated adults only, so that those for whom this is an issue can be assured of peace and quiet. 

 Fair, or unfair? 

How to avoid screaming babies on long-haul flights

If you have ever spent a long-haul flight being kept awake by a screaming baby while its parents smile serenely, apparently oblivious to their odious offspring's aural assault, then you may welcome measures introduced by Japan Airlines.

Without going as far as Singapore-based Scoot - which has child-free zones on its planes - the airline has a solution for travellers who would rather avoid sitting near young children, introducing a seat map that highlights seats that have been booked for younger passengers. 

If you use the map before you fly then there is a good chance you might be able to avoid having the back of your seat kicked nonstop for 14 hours, or being hit by projectile vomit at 30,000 feet, as nearly happened to me recently. The child missed me by millimetres but did colourfully decorate the centre aisle. 

If course you could still end up sitting next to someone with horrific body odour, or even a world-class snorer. 

And Japan Airlines has not made it clear what would happen if someone with a late booking and a baby or two chooses a seat next to those who have attempted to secure a seat as far away from bubs as possible. 

Japan Airlines' website says: "Passengers travelling with children between eight days and two years old who select their seats on the Japan Airlines website will have a child icon displayed on their seats on the seat selection screen. This lets other passengers know a child may be sitting there."

A good start, but there is still risk involved for the unwary. 

How to bring gender stereotyping to your reveal party

Gender reveal parties are all the rage, I am assured. 

Expectant parents hold a party at which they reveal whether they are expecting a boy or a girl. The parties are often themed pink for a girl, blue for a boy and bright purple or green for a non-binary baby. 

Leading Champagne House Maison Pommery has now released mini bottles of bubbly designed for these parties. 

The POP It’s a boy, POP It’s a girl range has been launched across Australia with the piccolo bottles containing 200ml of Champagne with a traditional cork and wire cage. 

The drinks are designed to enable parents and their friends to "pop" and toast their happy news. 

POP is billed as the first Champagne range blended to be consumed directly from the bottle or with a straw.

POP It’s a girl! is, as you'd expect, a rosé Champagne, with POP It’s a boy! a more macho brut style. Gender stereotyping at its finest. 

The bottles have an RRP of $30. www.pommery.com.