OK, this is going to upset some, but I think it should upset less that it would please: Known facts; - Premium classes are at the front of the airplane - often they're separated

OK, this is going to upset some, but I think it should upset less that it would please:

Known facts;

- Premium classes are at the front of the airplane

- often they're separated by just a curtain

- the front of economy is usually blocked out for "airlines frequent flyers"

..bare with me;

- the galley is often at the rear of the plane

- the toilets are often down there also

- parents/children usually need access to all of the above

..so suggestion!!: why do airlines not allocate/reserve seats at the rear of the economy cabin, for those travelling with young children? (I don't mean those requiring the bassinets), I mean

- If this was to happen, premium passengers get a trip worth the $$'s

- front of economy/regular flyers get a more restful trip

- middle of economy passengers get a more restful trip

- and families with children get to board first, not obstructing those boarding after?

(just throwing it out there!!? :-)

Aboard the 747s when flying long-haul economy I actually prefer the back of the plane (albeit a few rows from the back to avoid the galley/toilet noise) due to the extra room next to the window seats because of the curvature of the plane at the back; the seat configuration goes from 3-4-3 to 2-4-2. I often see frequent flyers and elderly passengers sitting in these seats.

Other than that, I think your argument is valid.

I agree with the principle of your argument, the problem then becomes what do you do if say a QF  flies with their family and wants to put them at the front of the ecconomy cabin or in the exit row seats?  The other issue is that a lot of younger people (inc. young families) are savvy enough to do everything online and have selected their seats well before arriving at the airport, and if you are flying QF even at the airport you use electronic check in counters and bag drop.......The only way to make this work would be a very complicated booking engine which looks at the age of those flying and blocks out seats....ad as a QF WP I would be pretty annoyed if I was precluded from accessing exit row seats etc just becuase I had say a 14 year old with me.  International flights already do something similar.  If you look at expertflyer.com you will see areas blocked out that not even QF WP can acess, owing to them being reserved for families etc.  Obviousbly these seats tend to be congregated around bassinet positions.

Oh and belive me even with families all over the place as a WP I get my $$'s worth sitting in exit rows =)

It is my understanding that to sit in an exit row seat you have to be over a certain age as well as been fit enough and strong enough to operate the doors should there be an emergency.  I cannot remember the age limit and perhaps at 14 it is allowed though I think that may be a little young.

Not a bad idea, in fact quite logical.  However, there is the problem.  Logic.  Airline management seem to be like politicians these days, no logic and full of steam and no hot water.  

I often fly business class for work and have QFF Platinum so even in economy I get the pick of the seats but when no bassinet is needed, I love been down the back where there can often be a feeling of having more room, been close to the W/C and galley for the reasons you state and, most importantly, not getting jostled with the little one when getting on and off the aircraft, accessing the overhead compartments is also easier. We can take our time and walk on and off at her pace and not feel uncomfortable about blocking the path of some angry businessman huffing puffing and tutting behind me.

Love taking the family in business class though as well.

Hi woganfan, thanks... you've provided an awesome balanced perspective... so how do you think we impart L O G I C on the airlines? ;-)

Been able to find someone capable of imparting logic in to airline management, it would probably be easier to find a talking dog. Very rare.  Finding airline management that would listen so said person would be like finding a dog that talks Norwegian, even rarer. However this website is a good start.

I have a simpler solution. Children should have air tight and sound proof fish tanks fitted to their heads so no one can hear them. Then if they scream and scream they will finally realize how annoying they are and stop. 

I've always thought that children should have a minor operation done on their vocal chords when they're born, to stop them from making any noise.

It can be reversed when they hit 25 or so, for the minority that seem like they might have anything to say by that age that's worth saying.

LOL. I agree.

Gold Jay! While we all know children can be unpredictable the only unacceptable circumstance to me is when the parents sit there and do absolutely nothing to placate or quieten the child and are happy for everyone in the rest of the cabin to endure the pain. Basic discipline is certainly lacking moreso nowadays I think, last year after 10 minutes of a child strongly kicking the back of my chair I turned around and asked the mother very nicely if she would get him to stop. After that she told the kid " you need to stop as you are making the man in front angry", not behave and dont kick the back of someones seat! I bit my tounge that time but reflecting now should have said something along those lines after the comment was heard! 

Another option would be to anaesthetize all under the age of 16 lol. 

Or all the adults so they dont worrry about he kids.