Airline faces backlash over 'child-free zones'

It's a controversial topic but, for some people, children on a plane can turn a relaxing journey into a nightmare.

We all know about the potential risks of taking children on a flight, but would you be offended if people paid more not to see near your kids? What about if some flights won't sell tickets for families with children?

Well, that is exactly what one air company is doing. The Indian budget carrier IndiGo has announced a new ‘quiet zone' for its premium seats. However, in order to keep it quiet, tickets are only available to those 12 years and older.

For many flyers, the policy has come as a pleasant change from some ruined flights by loud children. Many people have praised the company for accepting that children can sometimes ruin flights, with some calling for other flight companies to adopt a similar approach.

However, while child-free flights might make flying a bit more enjoyable for some passengers, there as been a backlash from people who have said it makes families and children feel even more unwelcome on flights

Anshuman Sinha, from Pune in western India called the policy 'discriminatory' in the Hindustan Times.

She said: 'It means you cannot ask for more leg space while travelling with your children.

‘It's clear that they do not want children to disturb fliers paying extra for these seats. But then why permit children in the nearby rows?'

However, the idea of child-free planes has received a huge amount of support, with one fan taking to twitter saying that's it's a sign to parents to get their children to behave. In a tweet he said: 'When airlines create #ChildFreeFlights it's basically a shout to parents to get their kids to behave. In the meantime, buy earphones'.

The change comes soon after This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes was slammed by parents after admitting he doesn't like sitting next to children on aeroplanes.