Emirates has made an enormous change to its First Class Cabin – and it’s not the perfect news for folks with young kids.
For anyone who books the luxe cabin using Skywards Miles – whether it’s a full award ticket or an upgrade – can not apply it to kids aged eight and under.
The policy was implemented as of August 15, 2025; nonetheless, it doesn’t apply to tickets paid with money, in line with One Mile at a Time.
The change is just a limitation on accessing the cabin through miles, with the Dubai-based airline being the one known carrier to implement this rule.
Many have weighed in on the brand new policy online, with some confused why it doesn’t extend to tickets paid with money, too.
“The one controversial a part of this is just applying this to the miles redemptions,” one person argued. “Not allowing kids within the first-class is completely logical, and all airlines must have such a policy, but when an airline only does it in instances where it doesn’t hurt their bottom line, it becomes clear that customer experience will not be the explanation why they do it.”
Some pointy-end flyers agreed with the policy, saying: “I don’t need to have my first-class experience ruined by the noise of a small child. I paid money for a quiet, lovely experience.”
The terms and conditions of the Skywards program have been updated to read: “Please note that passengers aged 8 years old and below are ineligible for First Class Emirates Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards,” in line with One Mile at a Time.
The change has ignited a heated discussion on whether kids ought to be allowed on flights altogether, as some described the airline’s move as “sad.”
“Truthfully, I imagine that youngsters mustn’t be allowed in first-class,” one woman wrote on Instagram.
“The last couple times I flew internationally, we had infants in first-class that cried the entire time. I don’t wish to be around that. I don’t wish to hear your kid screaming. I’m paying for a soothing a cushty flight, and also you bringing your infant or small child into first-class ruins that for everybody.”
Her comment was met with immediate frustration.
“Perhaps it’s time you get your individual private jet before complaining about sharing PUBLIC transport with the PUBLIC. Imagine it or not, children count. I’m pretty sure the parent of the screaming child found that flight far harder than you probably did, where you’ll be able to simply ignore, pop in some headphones or earplugs and get on along with your journey,” a user hit back.
One other parent also fired back, saying, “A few of it is advisable to stop your celebratory dance. I can promise you those of us who can afford to fly our youngsters in business class aren’t just using miles to book our tickets. My toddler will see you in your next flight.”
A mom said that as a parent, she wishes there have been ‘family-only’ flights.
“People might be so awful toward families, as you’ll be able to see on this comment section. I promise you, the last item I would like is for my child to be crying, loud, or bothering anyone on a plane,” she explained. “It’s actually incredibly stressful for us, too. And I’m not even talking about business class.”
Some airlines have made adjustments to their cabins. For instance, Turkish-Dutch carrier Corendon Airlines has introduced an “Only Adult” zone on board its Airbus A350 jets.
The section is for flying between the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam, and the Dutch Caribbean island Curaçao. It’s a few 10-hour flight.
“The Only Adult zone is situated within the front area of the plane, and is just accessible to passengers of 16 years and up,” the airline states on its site.
“The Only Adult zone is separated — each you and glad kids will stay glad travellers.”
Scoot has a ‘ScootinSilence’ cabin situated within the forward section of its Boeing 787 aircraft. “Exclusively for passengers aged 12 and above, this quiet zone offers enhanced comfort with generous legroom, with a seat pitch of 33-34 inches on the 787-9, and adjustable headrests,” its website states.
AirAsia X’s Quiet Zone is for guests aged 10 years and above.
“Quiet Zone seating is offered on chosen flights operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. These zones are designed for passengers in search of a more serene flying experience with minimal noise,” it states.
Meanwhile, in 2019, Japan Airlines introduced a booking system that shows where babies are seated on flights.
It’s called a “baby map” and travellers who book through the airline website can see seats which have been claimed by passengers aged as much as two years old. Those seats could have a toddler icon displayed.
Emirates has made an enormous change to its First Class Cabin – and it’s not the perfect news for folks with young kids.
For anyone who books the luxe cabin using Skywards Miles – whether it’s a full award ticket or an upgrade – can not apply it to kids aged eight and under.
The policy was implemented as of August 15, 2025; nonetheless, it doesn’t apply to tickets paid with money, in line with One Mile at a Time.
The change is just a limitation on accessing the cabin through miles, with the Dubai-based airline being the one known carrier to implement this rule.
Many have weighed in on the brand new policy online, with some confused why it doesn’t extend to tickets paid with money, too.
“The one controversial a part of this is just applying this to the miles redemptions,” one person argued. “Not allowing kids within the first-class is completely logical, and all airlines must have such a policy, but when an airline only does it in instances where it doesn’t hurt their bottom line, it becomes clear that customer experience will not be the explanation why they do it.”
Some pointy-end flyers agreed with the policy, saying: “I don’t need to have my first-class experience ruined by the noise of a small child. I paid money for a quiet, lovely experience.”
The terms and conditions of the Skywards program have been updated to read: “Please note that passengers aged 8 years old and below are ineligible for First Class Emirates Classic Rewards and Upgrade Rewards,” in line with One Mile at a Time.
The change has ignited a heated discussion on whether kids ought to be allowed on flights altogether, as some described the airline’s move as “sad.”
“Truthfully, I imagine that youngsters mustn’t be allowed in first-class,” one woman wrote on Instagram.
“The last couple times I flew internationally, we had infants in first-class that cried the entire time. I don’t wish to be around that. I don’t wish to hear your kid screaming. I’m paying for a soothing a cushty flight, and also you bringing your infant or small child into first-class ruins that for everybody.”
Her comment was met with immediate frustration.
“Perhaps it’s time you get your individual private jet before complaining about sharing PUBLIC transport with the PUBLIC. Imagine it or not, children count. I’m pretty sure the parent of the screaming child found that flight far harder than you probably did, where you’ll be able to simply ignore, pop in some headphones or earplugs and get on along with your journey,” a user hit back.
One other parent also fired back, saying, “A few of it is advisable to stop your celebratory dance. I can promise you those of us who can afford to fly our youngsters in business class aren’t just using miles to book our tickets. My toddler will see you in your next flight.”
A mom said that as a parent, she wishes there have been ‘family-only’ flights.
“People might be so awful toward families, as you’ll be able to see on this comment section. I promise you, the last item I would like is for my child to be crying, loud, or bothering anyone on a plane,” she explained. “It’s actually incredibly stressful for us, too. And I’m not even talking about business class.”
Some airlines have made adjustments to their cabins. For instance, Turkish-Dutch carrier Corendon Airlines has introduced an “Only Adult” zone on board its Airbus A350 jets.
The section is for flying between the Netherlands’ capital, Amsterdam, and the Dutch Caribbean island Curaçao. It’s a few 10-hour flight.
“The Only Adult zone is situated within the front area of the plane, and is just accessible to passengers of 16 years and up,” the airline states on its site.
“The Only Adult zone is separated — each you and glad kids will stay glad travellers.”
Scoot has a ‘ScootinSilence’ cabin situated within the forward section of its Boeing 787 aircraft. “Exclusively for passengers aged 12 and above, this quiet zone offers enhanced comfort with generous legroom, with a seat pitch of 33-34 inches on the 787-9, and adjustable headrests,” its website states.
AirAsia X’s Quiet Zone is for guests aged 10 years and above.
“Quiet Zone seating is offered on chosen flights operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. These zones are designed for passengers in search of a more serene flying experience with minimal noise,” it states.
Meanwhile, in 2019, Japan Airlines introduced a booking system that shows where babies are seated on flights.
It’s called a “baby map” and travellers who book through the airline website can see seats which have been claimed by passengers aged as much as two years old. Those seats could have a toddler icon displayed.
