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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 2 of 2)
Demitrues Sep 18th 2008 11:30AM
I just return from a flight from FLA. Well I child and her father was sitting next to me. It was a nightmare. The little would not sit still she was all over the place. She kICK me several times. I couldn't wait for the flight to be over. I don't why the father didn't put the little girl with the mother who had no one sitting next to her. Yes I think that families with kids should sit in the BACK of the plane. Yes there should be a KID area on the plane for those No Neck MONSTERS...
When I fly I don't want to sit next to someone and there bad kids. If you can't keep the MONSTER still sit some were else.
IT was the FLIGHT from HELLLLL>>>>>
And bye the way I have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren.
age of my grands 6, 10, 9, 4,
When I fly with them I sit in there sit and read a book...
Gus Damis Sep 18th 2008 11:42AM
I'm tired of people complaining about unruly children in airports and on planes. I fly 25-30 times a year and can't remember the last time a child was crying and disturbing anyone.
Kat Sep 18th 2008 3:51PM
Well, either you are oblivious or extremely lucky. I'd sure like to have been on those flights.
Rich Sep 18th 2008 12:34PM
Air France did that years ago with a program called Planet Bleu as I recall. Even had a secure play area at JFK. Still its nice to see. Now if only they would segregate the screaming kids from the rest of the population on the plane. I know, I'm a scrooge...but six hours of a kid alternately whining, screaming, crying, kicking your seat or climbing over the seat while the parent does nothing to control the little darling (see I didn't say brat) is not high on my list of in-flight amenities. A kidzone on a plane would be great, where the only adults that have to sit with them are the one's that made them.
dean Sep 18th 2008 3:52PM
I hope I live to see the day airlines will have children-free flights...after no smoking, this would be the highlight of my flying life! Non-breeders should not have to endure the out of control, non-parent ability to handle their children of breeders who CHOOSE to have them.
kiki Sep 18th 2008 7:50PM
Good idea, and good comments. I agree that kids are not disciplined properly anymore, but cut the parents some slack. If you spank your kid in public now, you probably will get a child abuse charge against you.
JMO Sep 18th 2008 3:52PM
Ok, this is coming from a teenager, who has been flying since the age of one. I loved flying as a kid (still do), and I was always very good. I sat in my seat with a book and a cd player, and said please and thank you to the flight attendant. So, I don't think a kids-only flight would be a good thing. If you held kids who were good and kids who were bad together, you'd be punishing the good kids. It's like holding all of the kids back from recess when only one stole out of the teacher's desk.
JENNIFER Sep 18th 2008 3:51PM
SO THAT IS WHERE THE MONEY GOES FROM COLLECTING BAGGAGE FEES. AND I THOUGHT IT WAS TO OFF SET FUEL AND LOSS OF INCOME. SILLY ME. WELL I AGREE WITH THE MAJORITY OF YOU ON THIS ONE ANYTHING TO KEEP KIDS QUIET DURING FLIGHTS IS ALWAYS A PLUS IN MY BOOK. NOTHING WORSE THAN SETTING IN FOR A WHAT YOU HOPE WILL BE A QUIET PEACEFUL FLIGHT ONLY TO SIT NEXT TO, BEHIND OR IN FRONT OF OR EVEN ON THE SAME PLANE WITH A KID THAT IS CONSTANTLY TALKING OR CRYING. BENADRYL LOL OR BETTER YET A PLANE THAT IS JUST FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 6.
Flight Attendant Sep 18th 2008 3:50PM
I am a flight attendant who works long haul flights, also a parent to a 2 year old, I think the idea is great. DIA, has an area & kids love it. Sure, it's near other people but let a kid be a kid, you can't expect them to %100 of the time. Plus they need a time to strech. I would rather have them do that, instead of running up & down the plane or playing with doors
gai65 Sep 18th 2008 3:50PM
great idea! a place for kids where ever we go is now a necessity. It is the only way to allow kids to maintain a kid attitude.
stk Sep 18th 2008 2:14PM
If you have the secret to disciplining a 1 year old who just learned how to walk and wants to walk everywhere, who can understand when you tell them to stop crying and proceed to explain to them why their ears pop, or teach them to comprehend their punishment if they do not behave, then please please share with me. I do understand that kids at certain ages should be able to behave, and you do have your spoiled kids out there. But when it comes to an infant or a toddler it is very difficult. Smaller children do not understand that they are in a different enviroment and their actions can disrupt others. People complain about not having a kids area and now they are complaining about having an area " catering to them with a 'kids zone'" instead of teaching them to behave. If you are not paying for the service, then I really do not see the problem. Also, I doubt there has ever been someone, an adult, who has never been cranky from traveling, being jet lagged, encountering other rude passengers, lost luggage, delayed flights, etc....Just like children, adults traveling experiences can be altered by things that are not their fault.
Katgal Sep 18th 2008 3:48PM
If the children are too young to behave, perhaps they are too young to fly - just as they shouldn't be in a good restaurant, disturbing people who have paid a lot of money.
Kat Sep 18th 2008 3:48PM
Here's the secret: stay home.
CC Sep 18th 2008 3:48PM
Coming from a teen who babysits.
Let the little migets run around!!!! It's safe, and they can let off steam.
But no artifical sugar in ANY of the food. Let them have water and milk (soy, just so you don't get any parents complaning that you gave them 2% when their only "supposed" to have 1%). You want them to get tired, not more active and drive you up the wall.
gregg Sep 18th 2008 3:47PM
Same thing to those who want to travel with out being bothered by kids......Stay home....I guess it works for both.....
WifeofBill Sep 19th 2008 8:54AM
Staying home is not always possible. We had to attend a funeral, should we have stayed home? I've been flying with my kids since my son was 6 weeks old. My kids are very well behaved and have not acted out on flights, however, kids NEED to move around. I do my best to get their energy out before and after a flight, but I would love if there was an area set up for them at the airport for them to play. Not sure I would pay nearly $30 per person, but a nominal fee for just the play room would be welcome.
JustMeIsRight Sep 23rd 2008 9:34PM
That's right, Just Me! I agree totally.
JustsMe'sJustRewards asks incredulously "not go anywhere?" Yes, dear, don't go anywhere if you must inflict your noisy child on the rest of us, especially if there are disorders involoved. One of my friend's has to administer a mild child's sedative to her severely ADHD daughter, as prescribed by the pediatrician, on airplanes.
JustMe is not ignorant and is entitled to an opinion, as are we all.