Class Concepts: Kid Class and Quiet Zone

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Kid Class and Quiet Zone

New ideas from Teague, Zodiac Aerospace, Airbus, Virgin and more are leaving traditional cabin configurations in the dust. In “Class Concepts,” a multi-part feature originally published in the March/April issue of APEX Experience magazine, APEX Media examines this new wave of concepts that promises a total overhaul of aircraft interiors. Read the full feature here.

Kid Class

Child-free zones – as controversial as they are – have been proposed for all sorts of public areas: restaurants, beaches, theaters and airplanes. Scoot, AirAsia X and Malaysia Airlines are among those that have implemented kid-free areas. But of course, the flipside of this proposition is a class designated for kids only – which, if you’re a kid or parent, is the stuff dreams are made of. McDonald’s PlayPlace, anyone?

As someone who's had the misfortune

Virgin Group’s Richard Branson thinks kid zones are a good idea, too. “I would love to introduce a kids class,” Branson said in a recent interview. “It would be a separate cabin for kids with nannies to look after them.” Before we see jungle gyms and ball pits on airplanes, however, a few kinks would have to be ironed out – top of the order being safety.

While Branson and his Virgin team work things out with safety authorities, airlines are steadily improving services and options for those traveling with children. Etihad Airways’ Flying Nannies program offers assistance to parents, whether by helping them settle in or even taking the child off their hands for a little break.

Quiet Zone

Child-free zones provide some respite for those looking for peace and quiet when they travel. In fact, “quiet” is what they promise. Singapore Airlines’ low-cost offshoot Scoot Airlines calls its adult-only zone ScootInSilence, while AirAsia X sells its child-free space as a Quiet Zone.

Providing a noise cancelling

But classes like these may take for granted that adults always behave themselves – which has led some to call for classes centered exclusively around quietude. On the ground, US rail operator Amtrak introduced Quiet Cars. Travelers in these cars are requested to limit conversation and speak in subdued tones. Phone conversations are banned and devices must be kept in silent mode. Sounds good and quiet in principle, but at times may require enforcement – as Amtrak found out in October last year when loud-talking New Jersey governor Chris Christie caused a stir.

Unlike isolated railcars, aircraft cabins pose a noise regulation challenge as well. Scoot’s ScootInSilence zone positions travelers behind the airline’s ScootBiz cabin and ahead of its economy class. While segregation helps, there may be nothing stopping the piercing squeals of an unhappy infant or the loud talking of US governors from making their way through all cabins. Noise-canceling headphones might be an obligatory amenity for this class to truly take off.