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Heathrow's New VIP Lounge is Juvenile
The presence of kids in the fast-paced world of airline travel can evoke as much controversy as McCain versus Obama. The harried business traveler not only has to worry about getting slowed up or annoyed by the incessant whining (real or imagined) of youthful travelers, they also have to be concerned about accidentally thumping a child on the head with a briefcase as they try to hurry to their gate.In a nod to traveling tots, London Heathrow has created a VIP lounge specifically for families. It's not the first, but definitely sounds the coolest. That's right mom and dad, no need to put up with the icy glances of laptop jockeys in the regular first-class and business-class lounges. In fact, the kids' lounge in Heathrow's Terminal 5 doesn't even require a business class ticket. Known as KidZone, it has an ample buffet, computers and whimsical decorations. Entrance costs $27 per trip and is also included in the membership perks of clubs like Priority Pass. Virgin Atlantic has a similar lounge at Heathrow, while some state-side airports like JFK and LAX boast child-friendly facilities as well. American Airlines will continue the trend by opening no less than 9 KidZone-like lounges at major airports in the US. Food you can eat with your hands, no worries about making noise, and I bet they have Legos too. Sounds better than the regular VIP to me. I wonder if they let you in even if you are not traveling with kids.
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Filed under: United Kingdom, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Rick Sep 18th 2008 9:06AM
My family traveled through Tokyo this past year. The Northwest lounge was nothing short of great in Narita. It has a great kid's area. Every airport needs a place for children to let off some energy before and after a long flight. I will usually try to find a play area for the kids in the airport while taking turns with my wife going to the lounge, but every VIP room should have an area for kids.
Lee Sep 18th 2008 9:19AM
VIP Rooms should NOT have areas for kids. It is bad enough we have to listen to them on the plane and in the hotels, at least this this is an occassional short term refuge while travelling.
I notice that you said that you and your wife take turns going to the lounge - might that be to escape the annoyance of other people's kids?
A trip closer to home via car might solve your problem
and make travel more pleasant for everyone else.
S Sep 18th 2008 9:30AM
Why cant' parents just teach their children to behave in public rather than catering to them with a "Kid zone"??
Sara Sep 18th 2008 3:51PM
If you have the secret to reasoning with a 1 yr old, who just learned to walk and wants to walk everywhere, comprehends his punishment when they do not behave, and can fully understand when you explain to them to stop crying when their ears are popping, please please share with us all. I understand at a certain age a kid is expected to behave, and you do have your spoiled kids. But when it comes to infants and toddler, it gets a little hard. People complain of having kids on planes, and now they are complaining when there is a specified area for these kids. I can understand if everyone, with or without children were expceted to pay for this service, but if not, stop complaining. Why do you care? Oh, and show me an adult who has never been cranky or jet lagged from traveling.
Just ME Sep 18th 2008 9:12AM
Any place they can keep crying, screeching, puling tots is a plus. Now how about a special place on the plane were we do not have to hear them or deal with the drama that is childhood.. It is not an enjoyable to fly with even one child on the plane let alone a hord of them... god help us all.
Just Me's earned reward Sep 18th 2008 3:47PM
I hope you have a child with a mental disorder that cannot control himself. Then take him in public. THEN what are you going to do? Stop going places?
Or just have a child, and take him on a plane at 1 year old, go anywhere. Then when he doesn't behave in your perfect little perception of a child, come back and say the same thing.
You're ignorant.
I vaguely recall having BEEN a child once, and I wasn't perfectly behaved in public every single time we went somewhere. You cannot treat children like little adults. They are children. You may be able to sit on a plane for four hours without a problem, but most kids I know need to move, they need stimulation other than what little an airplane can provide.
I have traveled twice with my son. Both times he was better behaved than most of the adults that were on the plane! - not to mention one of those occasions we were stuck in an express jet delayed for 2 1/2 hours. I heard more grown adults b****ing about the delay while he sat quietly and patiently. Even when we got to the airport, we missed our connecting flight, while waiting 4 hours for the NEXT flight, he was STILL better behaved than at least half of the others in the same position as us. - he was 3! (the first time I traveled with him he was barely 2).
Maybe some of the other passengers should seek anger management counseling. Or maybe I should teach my son to act like a total ass like the rest of the traveling population.
joeomar Sep 18th 2008 9:19AM
This article sure was written from the viewpoint that business travelers are scum for their attitudes towards kids. "Thumping a child on the head with a briefcase". "Annoyed by the incessant whining (real or imagined)". IMAGINED a whing kid? What a stupid comment. I've never "imagined" a whining kid. Never HAD to. I've also never thumped a kid on the head with a briefcase, regrettably. Thank God they've got their own "VIP lounge". Now if only they'd get their own flights.
Angiebaby Sep 18th 2008 9:51AM
Somewhat interesting. Perhaps it's a valid answer to our impatience and intolerance in this country. Adults without kids think they should not have to share breathing space with families. And families now have another option besides planning ahead for a trip by packing snacks and games for the airport wait, and yet another way to perpetuate our kids' need for immediate gratification, and to compound unnecessary skills such as discipline and appropriate behavior in a public place. And $30 bucks a head to have your children run around and get pumped up with excitement, and get over loaded with sugar and artificial dyes from kiddie foods and soft drinks... and then expect them to sit still on a plane, which may have only 1 bathroom? I think the idea has merit, but I'm not convinced the pros outweigh the cons. But I do not travel, so my opinion is quite subjective.
drocelot Sep 18th 2008 9:47AM
Hmm, when I was a child (honestly not that long ago), I was expected to behave myself in public. Do I think these lounges are a good idea? Yes. Mostly because today's busy parents cannot be bothered with discipining their children properly (and I do not mean beating them, behavior modification works just fine). We don't want to hear your plaintive whispers of 'Please be good, Junior. If you're good I'll buy you ___'. No one wants to to stifle Junior's creative impulses or whatever by telling him 'No, you cannot have ___ just because you screamed for half an hour. I'm the adult, and my rules are not up for negotiation.' Do your kids a favor and instill some rules. It really is good for them, and will make your lives easier when they're older.
slkscrpn Sep 18th 2008 9:52AM
My family traveled to New York last year and had a wonderful time. My kids were great on the plane..of course it was Jet Blue and they are awesome with every person having a TV. It dumbfounds me with the amount of people who are so rude as to think that children should not be on planes. Were they never children?? Come on people, have some sympathy for parents trying to fly with kids!
Adrianne Sep 18th 2008 10:36AM
I don't think that people have a problem with children on a plane. The problem most of us have is flying with children who have no home training and who are allowed to be disruptive b/c their parent(s) can't or won't take the time to teach their children what is appropriate and what it not. A flight can be long enough w/o "little Johnnie" screaming the whole time b/c he's bored or kicking the back of someone's seat thinking it's funny. Before, you think I am totally against kids flying, I'm not. I give a lot respect to those parents who fly w/ their kids, especially if they have more than one.
JENNIFER` Sep 18th 2008 1:04PM
YOU ARE CORRECT WE WERE ALL KIDS ONCE BUT I CAN DEFINATELY TELL YOU IF WE ACTED ANY WHERE CLOSE TO THE WAY KIDS ACT TODAY ALOT OF US WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT IT.
Josh Lew Sep 18th 2008 9:59AM
Wow. Some pretty strong opinions here. I think that the bottom line is that an airline has to cater to all paying customers. And, though there are parents who obviously could control their kids a little more that they do, most do a reasonably good job of keeping the crying to a minimum. It's not like parents bring their kids on a plane just to annoy people. They have as much right as anyone else to travel.
WeldGirl Sep 18th 2008 10:12AM
I was the daughter of a UAL captain growing up (before the industry went to pot). Even if we hadn't been "representing the company", my sisters and I still behaved in public airports. We were going to a place of *business* and it was "Daddy's work" besides. I was going to the Red Carpet Lounge at the age of 10, and all people could say to us growing up was how well-behaved we were. Learn to say "No" to your kids, people! And my parents hardly hit us. All they had to say was, 'Don't make me take you out of here!" in that hoarse, hissing whisper. And that only happened a few times. We took pride in the fact we could "hang with the grown-ups", like we were "mature". The reason everything has to be "kid-friendly" is b/c parents are too self-absorbed to raise his/her children with morals and values. I also have 2 stepboys, 4 and 10, who *never* forget to say "please", "thank you", "you're welcome", "excuse me" and "May I please..."
Jane Sep 18th 2008 3:49PM
I worked for USAir for 15 years and can relate, although I had a lowlier job, in charge of cleaning planes. When my kids flew non-rev to visit their grandparents, they knew what was required. In fact, when they got off the plane their seatbelt was crossed, their seatback pocket and surrounding area was clear of trash and they folded their blanket neatly.
Jane Sep 18th 2008 3:49PM
I worked for USAir for 15 years and can relate, although I had a lowlier job, in charge of cleaning planes. When my kids flew non-rev to visit their grandparents, they knew what was required. In fact, when they got off the plane their seatbelt was crossed, their seatback pocket and surrounding area was clear of trash and they folded their blanket neatly.
Kat Sep 18th 2008 10:34AM
It sure sounds to me like none of the people commenting have 5 year olds. Kids will still be kids, "ants in the pants" and all, no matter how old they are. Children have different needs than adults, and families with children have different needs than "traveling alone" adults. Most folks consider it child abuse to dose a kid with sleeping medicine before a long day traveling. Well, how else should all the excess 5 year old energy be burnt off? How about running around in a play area and stuffing your belly with something remotely resembling healthy normal food. It works with puppies, works with children too. Great behaviour and good travel preparation purely aside, Children are not adults. These airlines are very smart in looking to their long term bottom line, by not excluding the needs and comforts of customers with children.
This really isn't very different than accomodating customers with physical needs and challenges. Motorized carts, and terminal shuttle service is fairly standard for more elderly customers and those with physical challenges. That's not considered pandering, or catering or encouraging their disability. It's just good sence to give them what they need to get where they are going. That customer service mentality, of "how can I make my job easier by making their experience better" is just smart. Well behaved children will be even better to deal with for having their needs met while at the airport. Badly behaved children will be badly behaved regardless.
mommyto3 Sep 18th 2008 10:36AM
I have 3 kids and travel with them on a regular basis. I do not see the need for kidzones where they can go watch a bunch of undisciplined brats screaming and jumping around like a family of chimps. Mine are expected to behave, no bribery for good behavior other than "If you behave you won't regret it." I do not think others should have to put up with my kids, a million games of peekaboo over the back of the seat gets old. They sit and behave or else, and they know what or else is.
valhallaarwen Sep 18th 2008 11:06AM
I think it's a good idea for this room and I don't have kids. I come from a large family and I have traveled on a plane as a kid, teen and now adult. I have only traveled lately with lots of people who have kids, and trust me, it's music to my ears. Why? I learned how to tune children out a long time ago, plus I bring my laptop, dvd player or mp3 player with me.
The other thing is, I wish it was a bit cheaper for some parents if they have three or more kids. I have not seen one of these play areas, but I will look for one next time I'm traveling (usually go thru Dallas-Fort Worth).
I just want to state something, reading these answers are fine, but just because someone has kids does not make them superior to those like me who don't. Yes, parents should know how to control their kids, but it is not my job, it is the parents. I have no problems with kids on planes, I have problems with the parents sometimes who have not taught the kid any better.
valhallaarwen Sep 18th 2008 11:22AM
Kat, you don't have to have a 5 year old to know how they act. I may not have children, but as I stated, I come from a large family (youngest of seven kids), I have been babysitting since I was ten, and I even babysit my great nieces and nephews (oh and yes, I used to babysit the parents of those kids). I am in my late 30's. Yes, kids are very active, and kids will be kids, but let me ask you this, why are parents so quick to condemn those who don't have kids? Let me give you an example. I take the kids out and one of my sisters (the grandmother) and the parents accuse me of letting the kid have his/her way . Letting a kid make a decision such as, do you want this/that book, what type of fruit/cereal/pudding, is not letting a kid have his/her way, it's giving the kid a choice. Another thing that parents seem to think is that people without kids don't know that kids have different needs. Way ahead of you know that, but don't let the kid rule you. That is where my problem lies. Don't let the kid throw a hissy fit and hit you (parent) and brush it off like it's nothing.