Bernard Cheong

Children, let alone babies, are often not able to tolerate cramped spaces or pressure changes that come with plane rides. They need space and should be given that without causing any disturbance to passengers who pay a high price for their business class seats in order to get the silence or rest they need—I assume that’s why it’s called “business” class. I’m able to attest to this after having once flown nearly 14 hours for a one-day meeting and returning home exhausted the next day to work. 

I feel that babies also don’t gain much benefit from the atmosphere, treatment or welfare of business class. Thus, it would be a waste to sit them there. Instead, for long-haul flights, it’s not only less costly but more practical to buy an extra seat or two in economy. That way, a family can have one solitary row to themselves, which is beneficial for them and their baby. And for shorter flights, flying business class to me is almost indulgent for adults, let alone a baby, unless it’s a red-eye flight. 

Clarinda Tjia-Dharmadi

To paraphrase Dr Seuss, “A passenger is a passenger, no matter how small.” I’ve sat near babies who were perfectly well behaved and have also heard lots of crying babies on planes. Babies and toddlers are especially sensitive to changes in cabin pressure and cry to relieve the pressure build-up in their ears. However, this is easily fixed by giving them something to suck on, which opens up their air passages to relieve the pressure. 

Mostly, it’s the parents who are not working hard to mitigate the impact of their bawling children on other passengers that create the issue in question. The key is to not just sit there while your baby screams. Do everything you can to calm him or her down, and others will be more understanding. Still, I recognise that even with the most watchful parents, sometimes a cranky baby is unavoidable. But I hope that when that day comes, my fellow passengers will see how hard I’m trying to make the flight easier for all of us. Besides, I’ve seen adults on planes behave far worse than any baby. 

Maisy Koh

As a mother of young children, I am inclined to have babies allowed on Business Class. What I am less comfortable with, are parents who allow their rambunctious children to run and scream with complete disregard to other passengers. Babies cry for various reasons – air pressure, discomfort, unfamiliar surroundings, boredom.

Generally, our rules for flying with kids are comfortable, easily recognisable clothes; entertainment – books, simple art & craft, new games; a soothing blanket/toy if they have one; and we manage their sleeping time before takeoff to encourage long in-flight naps. Now that they are older, they enjoy the inflight entertainment, so a large part of the entertainment planning is removed.

Whenever my children cried, I would always trace the cause. If it was due to discomfort, I’d remove the cause of discomfort, failing which, I’d comfort and soothe them. If it was because of boredom, the various entertainment options were presented. And if none of them worked, a stern warning usually would. 

As long as caregivers make concerted effort to soothe the crying, passengers are generally understanding, and many are actually very helpful when they know your baby is experiencing discomfort.

Adrian Ng

Whatever their class of travel, many people would have had the experience of flying with crying babies. It can be trying and exasperating when all you want to do is to enjoy a movie but keep hearing a baby&;s shrieks. However, I have to say NO to banning babies in business class. 

Modern-day air travel necessitates some inconveniences, from stringent security screenings to flying babies. Paying a premium to fly at the front of the plane does not spare one from getting their Louboutins radiologically examined. Or having a completely peaceful no-baby environment. Smoking and guns are banned on planes. Babies do not fall in the same league! Besides, the practicalities of such a ban would also be difficult to impose. Sound travels far and wide in the confined environment of a plane. Having child-free zones is about as useful as standing next to a smoking-permitted yellow box.

I say just accept that crying babies on planes happen and to manage it within oneself. A glass of Krug and noise-cancellation earphones do wonders for me!

But surely the premium business customer is entitled to a noise-free, peaceful flight after all that daily grind he puts himself through? There exists a simple solution: private jets.