The welfare argument
It’s well known that children are noisy. So all the better if Corendon Airlines offers its passengers over 16 years old traveling between Amsterdam and Curaçao, in the West Indies, to take a seat in an area adults only. Because yes, we have the right, as she promises, “to travel in peace and silence, and to arrive at your destination relaxed.” Even if you have to pay extra (minimum 45 euros). Moreover, this is a first in Europe, but Asian companies have been offering it for a long time.
The altruistic argument
It’s a well-known fact that it’s much nicer for parents to be in a space where the other passengers also have children. The kids will have fun with each other, like in a daycare. Atilay Uslu, the founder of Corendon Airlines, understands this well: children will be able to behave much more freely without their parents having to fear remarks. “Parents will be able to enjoy the flight without worrying when their children make a little more noise,” he rightly pointed out.
The bad faith argument
It is less known that children sometimes jeopardize the safety of a flight. The proof: the connection between Olbia, in Sardinia, and Rome, on August 21, by the Spanish company Volotea, almost ended badly. According to the Italian press, the captain had to turn around after twenty minutes of flight, because a mother refused to strap in her two rambunctious boys, aged 2 and 4. The recalcitrant was expected by the police on her return. She had previously sent her phone – unintentionally, she swears – towards a hostess.
The welfare counterargument
Is a passenger who snores, listens to his music without headphones or discusses his prostate problems out loud with his neighbor less “harmful” than a child, even a slightly noisy one? And why exclude the possibility that a blonde (or brunette or redhead) could be a pleasant traveling companion? If this continues, we will soon create zones to protect against human interference. And is a child more annoying than an animal? Because Corendon Airlines offers its customers the opportunity to bring a cat or dog into the cabin for only 50 euros.
The altruistic counterargument
Some tourism professionals, hoteliers, restaurateurs, beachgoers, are surfing on the exclusion of children in the name of the peace of mind of these bank card holders who are over 18 years old. But do they know that they are risking a lot? Refusal to sell is in fact a criminal offense falling within the scope of an offense in the event of discrimination. “When the discriminatory refusal (…) is committed in a place open to the public or for the purpose of prohibiting access, the penalties are increased to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 75,000 euros. warns the penal code.
The bad faith counterargument
Those who complain about the noise of their surroundings on a plane can stop taking it. This will save the planet’s resources and – perhaps – preserve the future of their children… If they have any.