Should children be BANNED from flying business class? Two of the Mail’s travel editors go head-to-head with Sarah Hartley saying YES and Ted Thornhill NO…

Turning left on a plane is an expensive experience, usually costing thousands of pounds.

Those who pay for it expect peace and relaxation. So should airlines make it a treat for adults? Here, two of the Mail’s travel editors go head-to-head, with The Mail on Sunday’s Sarah Hartley arguing that children should be kept off the pointy end of planes and MailOnline’s Ted Thornhill arguing that adults should not be allowed to use their not to leave toys in. the stroller Throws air while children fly around in the fancy seats. Let her in, he says.

BAN THEM, SAYS SARAH HARTLEY

Did I fly business and first class? Hell yeah – but years before that I was a travel editor or a mom. What a treat to turn left and cut yourself off from the outside world. How lucky to be served hand and foot in the cocoon of a booth where business travelers put their spreadsheets in his pocket and I indulged in a good book and champagne. Throwing kids into this heady mix of adult recreation? What? Why?

On a terrible flight from California, a mother was relieved of all duties, lying wrapped in blankets, wearing an eye mask.

Behind them (who rarely actually sat) sat three-year-old twins plus a nanny. Did the sound of the engine drown out her screams? Or their little feet stomping down the hall while swinging their arms like they’re on a roller coaster? none Did you have the time of your life? Safe.

The short-tempered nanny took it upon herself. The crew did their best and my fellow passengers were angry, verbal and unable to relax.

My favorite airline still calls it “the most beautiful way to travel”.

Price tag for this flight today? £5,840. It was literally inescapable misery. My blood boiled. Not because of the children, or the babysitter, or the modest mother, but – because of the ridiculous airline policy. Keep kids sparing and don’t treat business class like a flying kids club (please).

DON’T BAN THEM SAYS TED THORNHILL

“Why protect the economy as a kindergarten where accidents are more difficult for parents to deal with?” argues Ted Thornhill

Ted’s daughter in luxury – the first class cabin of a BA 747

“You should have seen the look on the man’s face across the street – utter horror.”

That’s what my partner told me after I flew with our then 18 month old daughter in a British Airways 747 First Class (I was in Economy and lent her my First Class press pass). He was obviously afraid that his extremely expensive cocoon would be endangered by a whirlwind of chaos created by our munchkin.

What happened? Nothing happened. Well, she pooped peacefully in her diaper but then fell asleep in the cot for the rest of the flight.

Business and first class are probably the very best seats on a plane for little ones – they can’t kick the front seat because their legs won’t reach, and there’s a plethora of built-in distractions for them, from seat buttons to giant entertainment screens . And there’s a higher crew-to-passenger ratio, so more help is available.

Parents just need to be prepared, that’s all, and come armed with their children’s favorite toys, books and groceries. And in an emergency there is always the possibility of getting them out of the cabin. Most people in business class are in their own world anyway, watching movies with free noise canceling headphones and oblivious to what’s going on around them.

As for the argument that people may have paid big bucks for business class and are therefore entitled to a Zen-like temple experience… Well, as part of their wealth those behind may have spent the same amount – so why his Space Shield as a nursery where it is more difficult for parents to deal with accidents?

Kids in business class? Let’s not throw our pram toys at it.