First-Class Controversy: Airline CEO Responds to Baby Ban

Free drinks, better food, priority check-in — first-class flyers really do have it all. Now passengers of one airline can add another pseudo-perk to that list: no crying babies.

Malaysia Airlines has announced that it won’t equip the first-class zone in its upcoming A380 line of mega-jets with infant-friendly equipment, essentially banning the tikes from sitting up front. Of course, mogul parents aren’t taking this lying down.

The company has faced an avalanche of criticism since it announced it would pull bassinet-positioning equipment from the pricey section of its forthcoming line of planes. One travel consultant, Corinne McDermott, regarding the policy with disbelief, said she “find[s] it hard to believe Malaysia Airlines would refuse a 1st class full fare passenger of any age.”

Airline CEO Tengku Azmil Zahruddin is regarding the controversy as any beleaguered exec might: by throwing his hands in the air with exasperation. Here’s some comments that AFP scooped:

“As I said earlier, it is a tough call. There will be unhappy (passengers) either way… We do not take infants in 1st Class whether on their own seat or on the lap. We do lose some revenue but many people complained.”

And I’m guessing even more people are going to complain now. A mogul who has to sit coach because of kids!? The horror.

TAGS: babies banned from first class | malaysia airline bans babies | should kids be banned from first class | tengku azmil zahruddin

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