Lifestyle

Aussie air travelers vote babies out

Crying babies and their parents should be separated from other passengers on overseas flights, according to voters in a new survey. An overwhelming 81 percent of the nearly 2500 Australian travellers surveyed believe there should be a separate area for parents with babies or toddlers on overseas flights. Three per cent voted that babies did not belong on planes at all, while the remaining 16 per cent said everyone deserved to be treated equally. But while the totaltravel.com survey indicated the low tolerance of air travellers to distracting noise, the company's global marketing manager Paul Fisher said a separate room was unlikely to become reality. "Unless parents campaign for their own separate area, I think everyone will be sharing cabin space for some time to come", he said. He suggested that parents contact their chosen airline prior to departure to determine what onboard entertainment was available for their children. Airlines usually have a range of games and activities to keep young travellers amused and occupied for lengthy periods of time. Parents can also bring their child's favourite soft toys, games or food, he said.