Child-free zone in airlines will create problems

Introducing child-free zones on flights is impractical, readers say. Other topics: greeting cards, US Middle East policy, savings, Houthi attack, social media

Introducing child-free zones on flights is impractical, readers say. Robert Nickelsberg / Getty Images

Child-free premium zones in airlines would only create problems (No baby on board, October 7). Just think what happened when smoking was allowed on flights. You might have sat in a non-smoking section in a particular row, while passengers would smoke in the next row. It could be the same with silent zones. We were all children once. Some of us still are. Yes, it can be annoying at times, but that's part of life.

Ivana Emme, Dubai

Many people buy business and first class tickets to able to relax. In many European airlines, children are not allowed in those areas. This policy is nothing new.

Marian Álvarez García, Abu Dhabi

I would pay more for flights that allow only decent and well-mannered adults and families. Same for restaurants.

Mari Shimizu, Abu Dhabi

Twenty years ago, my friends and I unsuccessfully pitched child-free flights to United Airlines in San Francisco, where we then lived.

I continue to believe that flights without children, with designated quiet zones or only for business travellers would be a welcome addition. And yes, I would be more than willing to pay a premium for it.

Elan Fabbri, Dubai

US wants region to depend on it

I agree that Gulf Arab states must prepare for life with dwindling American presence and influence in the region ('Gulf needs to look beyond relationship with US', October 8).

Sadly, I don’t think America would allow that to happen. Back then (pre-revolution), Iran had become quite independent and advanced in the region for its time and look what the US did to it and look at it now.

The US wants a dependent Middle East so it can suck it dry and keep it in check.

Morvarid Jalali, Sharjah

Why people are spending less

With all the tax scares and generally skyrocketing living costs, it is not surprising that people are spending less (UAE residents saving more and borrowing less, says top banker, October 7).

A lot of people have already been displaced by rent hikes going on in the past year or two. The system of reintroducing earned money back into the economy needs to be rethought.

Victor Crainic, Dubai

Boy’s video an eye-opener

Activities of Abu Sin, the teenage boy in your story Arrest of Saudi teen for 'enticing' online videos with American woman met with mixed opinion (October 6), should serve as an eye opener for the authorities in Saudi Arabia over the state of teenagers in general in the country. They are desperate to explore the world through whatever means are available to them.

Jehad Makhoul, Lebanon

People weren’t laughing at Saudis because of this video, it was seen as adorable. But they started laughing when the boy was arrested.

Chris Reid, Dubai

Goodness will be rewarded

The Almighty is always there to support good people (Crew members of UAE ship attacked by Houthis tell of terrifying raid, October 6).

The survival of 24 young men who were on-board the Yemen-bound aid ship that was attacked by the Houthis is a testimony to this. May this country and its people be always protected by him.

Name withheld by request

Stop referring to Houthis as rebels; they are terrorists.

Likewise, Hizbollah is not a militia. It’s a terrorist group trained and funded by Iran.

Syed Hemayune, Dubai