Yes, Planes Should Have a Family Section for Everyone’s Sanity — and I’m a Mom

I took my oldest son, now 15, on his first flight when he was three months old, and I haven’t stopped flying with him (and now his younger brother) since.

Which means I’ve experienced the following: Five straight hours trying to soothe a screaming baby with a fever while an entire plane stared daggers at me; Being projectile vomited on (like top-to-bottom soaked) mid-flight by a lap toddler; And even reluctantly changing a diaper on the seat next to me when there was no option in the bathroom. (I know, I know. Sorry!)

In short, I know all too well the horrors of flying with little kids. It sucks. There is not one good thing about it. But families live far apart, grandparents must be visited, vacations are allowed. So how do you get through air travel with your family without going totally insane? I have an idea.

It’s time for family sections on airlines.

The way I envision it, the family section would be located in the back of the plane, where it would always be loaded first. This ensures fellow passengers won’t be stuck behind any extra baby gear, or getting frustrated as parents unload the endless devices and snacks and stuffies they need to survive the excursion. Let the families get situated first, and no, don’t be weird about it and think they are getting special treatment. The plane will still take off, and this helps everyone.

For parents who think being sent to the back of the plane is rude, it’s not. Because the family section is FUN. If airlines really want this concept to take off, it would behoove them to make it cool. So cool, in fact, that it inspires brand loyalty and they can eventually up-charge parents who love to sit in the family section.

Maybe kids can get little activity packs, or their airplane wings, or even just a sticker that says “I’m flying [insert your favorite airline here]!” If the airlines want to make a few extra bucks, as they usually do, they can sell stuffy airplanes or other things off of the kids snack and toy menu. Moms and dads will buy anything if they think it will keep their kid behaved.

The reason I feel strongly about this idea is that it truly helps to be around other parents and kids when you’re flying, especially for those flying solo.

Flying alone with a baby when you need to use the bathroom is the worst, but your neighbor would most likely be happy to hold your child when they can commiserate. It could even foster camaraderie between kids, since no one can entertain a kid like another kid. Babies enjoy staring at other babies. Think of it as a giant plane playdate!

Now if you think I’m only caring about the poor parents here — and yes, I know many of them don’t do enough to keep their kids calm or quiet and make horrible noises and messes — let it be known that there would be RULES.

Any kid watching a screen must do so with headphones on. Families can’t hog the toilets. And if an egregious mess were to be left behind, those responsible would face an extra cleaning fee.

Now, for the benefit of everyone else flying without kids.

You get peace of mind knowing that you won’t be sitting next to a crying baby, or in front of a toddler that pulls your hair and kicks your seat. And if anyone tries to ask you to switch seats so their family can sit together? Hell no. Go to the family section, Jack.

Is my solution perfect? Of course not — if there’s a wailing kid on a plane, you’re still going to hear it ten rows up. But I do think that if everyone knows what they’re in for in advance, it will make flying much more pleasant for everyone.

So think about it, airlines: Time to consider implementing my plan, which I am calling BIB. (Babies in Back.)