AirAsia has already rolled out the quiet zones on its Airbus fleet (Picture: EPA)

Eighteen-hour flights with a screaming baby sitting next to you could be a thing of the past, if you are prepared to shell out an extra £25.

Budget airline AirAsia, which is run by Queens Park Rangers Football Club owner Tony Fernandes, is offering a new quiet zone upgrade to passengers.

Since last week the first seven rows in economy flights from Kuala Lumpur to Australia, China and Japan have been reserved for over-12s only, with travellers paying between £8 and £22 for the privilege.

A poll by the TripAdvisor website found 22 per cent of respondents thought a child kicking the back of their seat was a major pet peeve of air travel.


AirAsia tycoon Tony Fernandes (Picture: AP)

A similar proportion said parents failing to control their kids was the number one frustration.



‘Even on a short-haul holiday the flight makes up a significant part of the travel experience, and a stressful flight can really have a negative impact,’ said TripAdvisor’s Emma Shaw.

‘Any disturbance when flying is a frustration but it seems that unruly children are among the biggest frustrations for some passengers.’

Last year Malaysia Airlines banned children from the top deck of its A380 planes.