Bounty

The majority of air passengers would prefer planes to include family-only sections, according to a survey.

As many as 60% of 2000 people surveyed by Skyscanner said that they would like a separate section where families with children can be given their own personal space. Some 25% of passengers without children say that they would prefer if their flights were child-free, with 70% of non-parents wanting to sit "as far away as possible from children".

Most of the support for separate family sections (68%) comes from non-parents, with 45% of parents disagreeing with this arrangement, saying that they do not want to be seated next to 'other people's horrors'.

According to the survey, only around 8% of people without children agree that anyone should be able to sit anywhere on planes with 24% of parents opposing the separate compartment idea for the very same reason.

Only about 31% of parents agree that a family compartment would be appropriate.

Mary Porter, public relations manager at Skyscanner, said: "As a relatively new mum myself I can still remember that feeling of dread when you found yourself seated next to a baby on a long flight.

"However since regularly flying with my one-year-old, I am much more aware of what a stressful, and often embarrassing, situation it can be for parents.

"When tempers are frayed, a screaming child can cause a major disturbance for fellow passengers.

"If passengers are prepared to pay extra for child-free flying, perhaps the solution is a premium adults-only section, rather than a pre-allocated families section, giving airlines yet another extra they can charge for?

"I am sure this service would prove really popular on routes that attract a lot of families such as flights to Orlando (in Florida)."

The inclusion of a baby nursery and only allowing well-behaved children to travel are other suggestions that have been put across - with one person surveyed saying that "children should go in the hold".

Copyright Press Association 2010