It's a familiar problem for any traveller.

After the rush to leave the house, the last-minute passport hunt and the rigors of airport check-in, you settle down to relax on your long-haul flight.

Then a disgruntled baby decides now is a good time to exercise his vocal cords.

Banned: Babies will no longer be allowed to travel in the first-class cabins of Malaysia Airlines flights

But now wealthy passengers on some Malaysia Airlines flights will have the chance to fly in serene calm after bosses banned babies from first-class cabins.

The airline, which operates out of Kuala Lumpur, has already imposed its controversial 'baby ban' on the first-class cabins of its Boeing 747 jumbo jets.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2009204/First-class-passengers-fly-peace-Malaysia-Airlines-bans-children-flights.html#ixzz1QdFANUiD

they are my two main hates on a long flight, screaming kids and people who smell

Agree with you - especially people who have just spent half-an-hour in the 'smoking lounge' and smell like week-old ashtrays.

But on Saudia, for instance, it is the usual practice for those in first class to sit in comfort with a selection of their four wives (plus concubines) and to relegate the babies to cattle class, with one or two maids to look after the horrible, spoilt brats.

Better still, on the Aramco airline I cannot recall seeing any kids at all. Just oil workers - and we all smelt bad.

they are my two main hates on a long flight, screaming kids and people who smell

Unfortunately, I agree with you. Many years ago, I flew back from Toronto to Bangkok on Canadian Pacific, and the flight had two stops: Vancouver and Hong Kong. All was well until 24 hours after departure from Toronto, when families with extremely loud kids boarded the plane in Hong Kong. I asked the steward to be reseated, and they did assign a quieter seat to me. I was just not up to dealing with the unpeaceful situation after I had already spent so much time in that confined space.

This was only business class, but I can certainly imagine first-class passengers to be more demanding.

I am not against babies. Don't misunderstand me. I understand that parents have to deal with them on a daily basis, and at the same time, these parents might have a reason to take their baby from A to B by plane. It is not my place to question their decision. But why-oh-why do I have to suffer? If I wanted to have a baby, which was likely to scream during the flight, I would take it to the screaming-baby class and not bother any high-paying passengers who might have an important business appointment the next morning. Otherwise they wouldn't buy such an expensive ticket but just fly economy class, would they?

I fully understand everyone's antipathy to screaming children. The thing is, those of us who are parents don't have much of a choice. I try to do my best to calm my boy down, but there are times when it simply doesn't work. We were all screaming children, once. Can anyone else recall the positive feeling of getting attention from adults around you? These days it seems that sadly, everyone assumes an adult who takes an interest in a child who is not their own is a paedophile. I keep thinking it must be worse to grow up today than it was when I was a child.

I have a great deal of sympathy for parents and even more for children who are stuck on these long-haul flights. Please understand that the rest of us also have lives to live. First of all, have some control of your children. Second, use some common sense.

When you check-in, make sure the kids do as much physical playing and running around as possible. Keep them awake and keep them relatively active. Probably a good idea to stay away from candy and sugar as well. Airports have a lot of space. Airplanes do not.

Once on the plane, but before take-off start the quieting down process. Don't be too abrupt. It's noisy and a lot of activity as people board, so they can squirm and wiggle for a while as they wind down. Make sure they get to see the plane. Airplanes are interesting and a walk around early on is a good idea Once the plane takes off and reaches cruising altitude, have some quiet type activities for the child(ren). Gum or something to chew on helps with the inner ear pressure--unfortunately, so does screaming their little heads off! Books, colors, things they enjoy during quiet time at home. They 'should' be tired and fall asleep. Don't wake them for meal time.

I have a great deal of sympathy for parents and even more for children who are stuck on these long-haul flights. Please understand that the rest of us also have lives to live. First of all, have some control of your children. Second, use some common sense.

When you check-in, make sure the kids do as much physical playing and running around as possible. Keep them awake and keep them relatively active. Probably a good idea to stay away from candy and sugar as well. Airports have a lot of space. Airplanes do not.

Once on the plane, but before take-off start the quieting down process. Don't be too abrupt. It's noisy and a lot of activity as people board, so they can squirm and wiggle for a while as they wind down. Make sure they get to see the plane. Airplanes are interesting and a walk around early on is a good idea Once the plane takes off and reaches cruising altitude, have some quiet type activities for the child(ren). Gum or something to chew on helps with the inner ear pressure--unfortunately, so does screaming their little heads off! Books, colors, things they enjoy during quiet time at home. They 'should' be tired and fall asleep. Don't wake them for meal time.

Agree with what you say for kids of around 4 and above.

Babies and toddlers are another matter, as they do not understand the air-pressure reduction and funny feelings and just scream. If they are small enough, a bottle will usually send them to sleep, but if you've allowed them to sleep too much already, you have trouble.

For the five-and-above kids, their behaviour reflects on the parents. If they are a disturbance, it's because the parents (or maid) cannot control them and other people are entitled to get angry.

A little tolerance is needed by all, but there is a limit to tolerance.

My two daughters were never any trouble on any flight, whether within Europe or London/HK, London/Jeddah, Manila/Saigon or any other flight. Just prepare them beforehand.

(Flying ages from 1 year old through ten years old accompanied, then flat refusal to fly out to wherever I was stationed, unless unaccompanied)

Once on a flight from Dubai to London I was on the aisle up front with the wall in front. To my right were grandma and grandpa and to the left across the aisle were two young mothers with their babies. I expected all hell to break loose or at least be driven nuts by children being passed back and forth. Before the flight, the babies were sound asleep in the folding down tray in front of the mothers. Then the steward came by and told them the babies had to be buckled in while on the mother's lap. "F'n great", I thought, "Now the kids will never get back to sleep". Oddly enough, the kids were fine, not a single scream out of them the entire journey.

When my son was still a baby, flying with him was a breeze. Really small children don't really have a concept of time, and as long as they get their primary needs satisfied, they are not a big problem. Fast forward to 2 years old, and it's a completely different ball game. He's old enough to know when he's bored, old enough to know when he is missing/wants an object or a person, and he is right in the middle of exercising his will and experimenting to find the best strategy of obtaining those objects/persons, temper tantrums being the most commonly used method whenever he is disoriented/tired. This creates a very different type of experience. Is there such a thing as 'kid valium'?

A long time ago, I worked with a lady whose father was a Dr. She used to get some medication from him for her child when she traveled. That was many years ago, I am sure now he'd lose his license, she'd be in jail and the kid would be in foster care.

She always said, either the kid gets drugged or I get drunk!

Her child is now grown and she didn't turn out to be a drug addict. The mother now gets drunk, but has no good excuse.

By the way, traveling with girls is a lot easier. The boys are much more active and difficult. I once watched a little girl color for a couple of hours; her brother, however, lasted for 5 minutes.

they are my two main hates on a long flight, screaming kids and people who smell

Fly Emirates first class ...close the door.....order a bottle of wine and forget about being on an airoplane for 6 hours. Relax in the lounge and repeat.

When my son was still a baby, flying with him was a breeze. Really small children don't really have a concept of time, and as long as they get their primary needs satisfied, they are not a big problem. Fast forward to 2 years old, and it's a completely different ball game. He's old enough to know when he's bored, old enough to know when he is missing/wants an object or a person, and he is right in the middle of exercising his will and experimenting to find the best strategy of obtaining those objects/persons, temper tantrums being the most commonly used method whenever he is disoriented/tired. This creates a very different type of experience. Is there such a thing as 'kid valium'?

Is there such a thing as 'kid valium'?

Try some Scotch in the bottle of milk. If he's grown out of bottles of milk, he'll return.

One or two nips usually work well.

I fully understand everyone's antipathy to screaming children. The thing is, those of us who are parents don't have much of a choice. I try to do my best to calm my boy down, but there are times when it simply doesn't work. We were all screaming children, once. Can anyone else recall the positive feeling of getting attention from adults around you? These days it seems that sadly, everyone assumes an adult who takes an interest in a child who is not their own is a paedophile. I keep thinking it must be worse to grow up today than it was when I was a child.

Difficult to cast all children under the same umbrella - past or present. Frankly, it gets down to how the child is raised, exposure, disposition, etc.

Those brats that display such unruly behaviour in a broad public situation should logically be removed or barred from participation.

Majority rules, as no one cares to imbibe this type of behaviour - your children or anyone's little darlings.

PC crap need not apply.

Kudos to MAL for their sound policies.

The answer is simple……If people stopped carrying over sizehand luggage and the airline sound proofed the over-head bins………….Job done! Youcould get 3 sprogs or 2 rugrats to an over-head bin, no worries.

Is there such a thing as 'kid valium'?

Yes. <eg>

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

A smoking section in an airplane is like a peeing section in a swimming pool.

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

A smoking section in an airplane is like a peeing section in a swimming pool.

...or if just 6 or 7 passengers [of some 350] are flying with influenza or severe head cold.

They've no right to infiltrate my air space and infect me - as cabin air circulation is notoriously bad and recycled.

What about contagious folks? Should they be barred from boarding if found sick?

Chances are, these c_unts would be a greater harm to anyone and everyone than some old second hand smoke [which is a socially engineered invention and propaganda]

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

On the contrary - they should ban these 'smoking areas' in airports.

Have you ever had to sit next to someone who has spent the last half-hour in one of these places. They smell far worse than a month-old ashtray.

If I have such inflicted upon me, my first move is to call the nearest trolley-dolly and request a move, as 'This man smells as if he hasn't changed his clothes for a month.'. It usually works.

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

A smoking section in an airplane is like a peeing section in a swimming pool.

...or if just 6 or 7 passengers [of some 350] are flying with influenza or severe head cold.

They've no right to infiltrate my air space and infect me - as cabin air circulation is notoriously bad and recycled.

What about contagious folks? Should they be barred from boarding if found sick?

I believe they are. Would need to check with airline staff. Does anybody here work for an airline and knows?

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

A smoking section in an airplane is like a peeing section in a swimming pool.

Nice comparison, Tom.

A health check before flying would be a nice idea, but imagine the waiting time!

BTW, as I travel far more often on long-distance buses than on planes, I'm very happy that smoking is banned on buses in Thailand... and people respect the ban. They don't ban people with colds (or babies) though.

<br />

I fully understand everyone's antipathy to screaming children. The thing is, those of us who are parents don't have much of a choice. I try to do my best to calm my boy down, but there are times when it simply doesn't work.   We were all screaming children, once.   Can anyone else recall the positive feeling of getting attention from adults around you? These days it seems that sadly, everyone assumes an adult who takes an interest in a child who is not their own is a paedophile. I keep thinking it must be worse to grow up today than it was when I was a child.<br />

Difficult to cast all children under the same umbrella - past or present. Frankly, it gets down to how the child is raised, exposure, disposition, etc.<br />Those brats that display such unruly behaviour in a broad public situation should logically be removed or barred from participation. <br />Majority rules, as no one cares to imbibe this type of behaviour - your children or anyone's little darlings.<br />PC crap need not apply.<br />Kudos to MAL for their sound policies.

Luckily, environmentally conscious airlines, such as Obsomo, have banned everyone from flying. After all, mankind is a virus and the majority of the Earth would be so much better off without them.

Luckily, environmentally conscious airlines, such as Obsomo, have banned everyone from flying. After all, mankind is a virus and the majority of the Earth would be so much better off without them.

Careful - with views like that you could very well end up as the next Australian Prime Minister.

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

On the contrary - they should ban these 'smoking areas' in airports.

Have you ever had to sit next to someone who has spent the last half-hour in one of these places. They smell far worse than a month-old ashtray.

If I have such inflicted upon me, my first move is to call the nearest trolley-dolly and request a move, as 'This man smells as if he hasn't changed his clothes for a month.'. It usually works.

Warm and fuzzy PC.

Naturally, you're speaking for those non-smokers, which have largely had there emotional state, consciousness, and political opinion manipulated for the last generation [anti-smoking, second-hand smoke zealotry]

As long as we're at it, I say bring back the smoking sections on long-haul flights.

A smoking section in an airplane is like a peeing section in a swimming pool.

...or if just 6 or 7 passengers [of some 350] are flying with influenza or severe head cold.

They've no right to infiltrate my air space and infect me - as cabin air circulation is notoriously bad and recycled.

What about contagious folks? Should they be barred from boarding if found sick?

I believe they are. Would need to check with airline staff. Does anybody here work for an airline and knows?

I believe they aren't. I fly frequent international routes [3-4 major carriers] and have never witnessed [or know of] any such health check of passengers. Though, I could be mistaken - it would be informative if someone knows of such policies barring those with contagions from boarding said flights.

The only time I have experienced such broad health checks was during that 6 month period of the Bird Flu scare a few years back, where every major Asian airport required a on-the-spot check of every passengers - be they coming, going, in transit, etc.

Now that all efforts have been made to accommodate the comfort of first class passengers, will any effort be made for those of us who must travel in Cattle Class.

Just that I am no longer forced to suffer in silence.

As a child in the forties I had to eat my Sunday lunch while my father sat a cople of feet away, puffing on his Woodbines. That's why I enjoyed school dinners - maybe POM and minced leftovers, but at least I could taste food, not smoke.

And later I was stuck in a box of an office with two guys who smoked eighty a day, each.

Coming back from Saudi one trip, my wife insisted on the smoking area, then found herself sitting next to a man chain-smoking cigars for seven hours.

Things like this sit in the mind.

And now it is so noticeable when someone smokes heavily, because the smell comes as a shock. It used to be that everyone smelt the same, smokers or not. Now it is only the few, even in ASEAN countries, that have this ashtray smell around them.

If anyone wants to smoke, fine. Just don't come near me with that terrible smell in your clothes and hair, revolting breath and all the other puking effects that were endemic in the sixties, but so universal that they were not remarked upon.

I can see it coming. Making it criminal to smoke in public [narrowly defined].

Next on the list will be [in public] screaming and tantrum throwing brats - outlawed.

If anyone wants to smoke, fine. Just don't come near me with that terrible smell in your clothes and hair, revolting breath and all the other puking effects that were endemic in the sixties, but so universal that they were not remarked upon.

Same holds true for cheap cologne.