Skyscanner Reveals Travellers Becoming More Tolerant of Children, Despite First Class Baby Ban

EDINBURGH, Scotland, July 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Earlier this month Malaysian Airlines hit the headlines as they became the first airline to 'ban' babies from its first class section.  The move split opinion, causing outrage by many parents while many others supported the ban.  

A survey of 2,000 people by flight comparison site Skyscanner, found that 66% of respondents do in fact support the ban, appearing to show that travellers have prejudice against flying families.  

However, other results from the same survey indicate that, rather than becoming less tolerant of infants and children on board, travellers are actually becoming more relaxed in their views.

Skyscanner asked the same question to its users last year, which revealed that almost twice as many respondents (20%) wanted child-free flights, compared to the current poll in which only 12% claimed they wanted to see child-free flights. The survey also showed that last year 60% of respondents wanted a family-only section while this year the figure has dropped to 54%.

Mary Porter, Skyscanner PR Manager and mother of one, commented:

"I can understand that many child-free travellers would prefer not to be seated close to young children when flying, however, it's encouraging to see that a more tolerant outlook towards parents travelling with kids seems to be evolving.

"I don't believe that it is a practical option for airlines to offer child-free areas except, as Malaysian Airlines has done, by limiting this to first class.  Therefore airlines must do all they can to support parents flying with young families which will ensure a more pleasurable flying experience for both the family and those seated around them."

About Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a travel search site providing online comparisons on flight prices for millions of flights on over 600 airlines, as well car hire, deals and holidays.

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