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Furious mums and dads have blasted an airline’s decision to introduce child-free zones on flights.

IndiGo is banning under 12s from eight rows of seats, prompting parents’ fears that other carriers may do the same.

The Indian budget airline, which flies to 40 destinations, said: “Keeping in mind the comfort and convenience of all passengers, rows one to four and 11 to 14 are to be kept as a quiet zone.”

Kids will also be bar­­­red from rows containing emergency exits as well as those with extra legroom.

Mum Laura Brook called the ban ridiculous.

The 23-year-old from Castleford, West Yorks, recently flew with son Roman who had an ear infection.

She said she didn’t feel the need to explain the one-year-old’s crying to other passengers, adding: “I’m not going to explain myself to an adult who should understand that babies do cry.”

(Image: Getty)

Laura went on: “Leading up to this holiday I was absolutely dreading it as Roman had this infection.

“But it’s just a little person. Why should they be moved somewhere different in the plane.

"What about the people making noise after having too much to drink? It was a new experience for all of us as we’d never flown as a family before.

“With all their worries, parents don’t need all this added stress.”

Rose Blue tweeted: “Most children behave better than adults" and Renee Weaver asked: “What’s next? Child-free restaurants, malls, libraries, parks?”

Virgin and BA both ruled out banning kids from parts of their planes and claimed to be “family friendly”.

BA added that it ensured parents with children boarded first and that youngsters were served first with in-flight meals.

IndiGo, the first major airline to restrict children, made their decision after smaller Asian airlines brought in similar changes.

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Singapore-based Scoot offer the chance to pay extra for a seat away from a child.

But while many slammed IndiGo’s move, others were delighted. Patricia Tallman tweeted: “Very interesting! I have been tortured by screaming children on long flights.”

Martin Sparey added: “Please let this happen everywhere. Now.”

A 2014 survey found 70% of passengers backed child restrictions and 35% would pay extra to travel on a childless service.

poll loading Do you want child-free areas on planes? 2000+ VOTES SO FAR YES NO

'12-year-olds don't cause a lot of grief'

Says, Rob Law, inventor of children’s ride-on suitcase Trunki

“I don’t think it’s necessarily a bad call really.

“We all know what it can be like on planes, but I question the age really - I don’t think 12 year olds cause a lot of grief on a plane, it’s more the younger demographic.”

Rob said the travel industry caters for all ages, and that he himself would be happy to stick to children-only areas on planes if travelling with his two young children.

He added: “It’s not such a bad idea as we do need to cater for all needs. Everyone has different travel requirements.

“For example, we cater for children’s needs with the Trunki, and this is just catering for a different person’s needs.

“If we travelled with IndiGo and were made to sit in certain seats, I would be fine with that.

“I’m not sure how a quiet zone would actually work on the plane though. Would there be soundproofing? Or a screened off area?”

'Why can’t the ban apply to the whole plane?'

Says Jessica Boulton, Mirror's Deputy Features Editor

I’ve always found boarding a plane terrifying. My chest tightens, my breathing shallows and I get a gnawing pain in my stomach.

But the fear has never been about flying. It’s about wondering which ‘little darling’ in the queue I might find myself sat next to.

Now IndiGo has finally realised the unspeakable truth: Not all adults like children.

Many adults especially don’t like children sitting next to / near them / anywhere within earshot of them on a long haul flight.

Our holidays are important to us. But starting a well-earned break trapped in a confined space with a bunch of unruly kids screaming, crying and running up and down the aisles does not a happy traveller make.

Particularly when the inevitable happens - you dare to complain and their indignant parents end up ignoring their kids and scolding you.

There’s only one problem I have with IndiGo’s new scheme - why can’t the ban apply to the whole plane?