As a full time flyer, I loved reading this story. And it isn't a surprise that it is an Asian carrier. Many Asian carriers have excellent reputations -- reputations based on placing great value on providing as good a flying experience as is possible/reasonable.

The thing is, this is a reasonable compromise. There is accommodation made for all (I assume this applies only to a wide body or large narrow body such as a 757).

US carriers? This kind of compromise will never happen. Part of it is the general operation styles of US carriers and part of it is the PC/media climate of the US ("ABC Airline hates children! The story tonight on Channel 4 news"). For anyone who knows a bit about the airline industry they will know this; when Southwest Airline (of all the airlines) draws the line at a loud, prolonged screaming child.....only to (eventually) conspicuously bend over backwards to apologize for it, the die is pretty much cast for the large US carriers.

What TW said.

& I'd pay $20 more to be seated with people who dress and groom themselves like adults.

"Now I Just Need A Reason To Fly To Malaysia" -- from a place in Asia or Australia. Checking out the airline's web site, it looks like it only flies Asian and Austrialian routes. Nothing in North America, and nothing in Europe.

If you need to go to Asia, I'd suggest Korean Air. I've heard good things about Singapore Airlines, too. Both are a little pricey, though.

Malaysia is one of the nicest places on earth.

It's cheap. It's warm. It has great beaches and interesting cities. The food is a mix of Malay, Thai, Chinese and Indian.

It's a Muslim country, but most people are laid back. Christians are not subject to Islamic laws.

The only bad things I can say about Malaysia are that it's a car culture without a lot of public transport and -- like many nice places -- it can be boring.

BTW, the flag carrier, Malaysia Airlines, also offers child-free seating in some of its configurations.

That Malaysia Airlines looks nice too! Only trouble is, I'd have to get out to Los Angeles to fly with them. Now, if our Gracious Hostess needed to make a beeline to Kuala Lumpur or Manila, she'd be all set (and free of Bawling Bambinos or Rampaging Rugrats)!

What's wrong with jeans and a t-shirt?

I cannot see it doing much good. If a kid starts whaling 5 rows behind you it is still really annoying though certainly not as much as being next to you.

As long as your clothes are clean, I see no problem with them. I mean you are flying not going to the prom. I seem to get something split on me on about 1/2 the trips I take -- most often because someone bumps my arm and my drink gets on me.

I read "or dress like Gregg does" as "or a dress like Gregg does" -- kind of changes the meaning.

The Acela has a Quiet Car, and if you so much as rustle a newspaper, they are in your face. It's awesome.

And your thoughts on banning animals and making fat people buy two seats?

Just got done with a cross country flight sitting next to a woman who I'm sure weighed 300 pounds and her fucking sedated Chihuahua who made freaky weird whining noises for hours. And the lady was half in my seat.

Hey! Great idea! & I'd pay extra $ too, knowing full well the ppl next to me were going to be of a certain size & decorum. I like kids like I like donuts-in doses? A "Professional Attire" area'd be great! A "Casual" section. Heck, why NOT match flyers to their interests?! A "Family" section even.

When I fly, I dress very casually. With all the rules about no shoes, no jackets, etc., I just make it a point to dress as lightly as possible. Yoga pants, flip flops or UGGs depending on the climate, a light shirt, with a sweatshirt in tow and a bra without an underwire. I am trying to avoid the molestation. So far, I have only been subjected to that once and I fly twice a month. I also don't carry any luggage on board, I check everything. Ridiculous that I feel I have to do that, but until the TSA is abolished, I will continue with my crazy attire.

Ugh, just got back a week ago from a flight.

Initially my 17-year-old son was in the middle seat and a small 12-year-old on the window seat. However, 12-year-old decided before takeoff that he wanted to sit with Mom a couple of rows back, so Dad took the window seat in our row.

The problem? Dad was so big the tops of his thighs were higher than the arm rests and his tray table wouldn't go all the way down. My son sat folded up like a card table for 2 hours.

And in the row directly behind us? A five-year-old boy who shrieked and bawled (the kind of attention-getting siren wail that has a note of hoarse desperation in it) because he wasn't sitting in his mom's lap but on the aisle seat approximately six inches away from mom just across the aisle.

In the row with the boy were two 7- or 8-year old sisters. The one in the middle:

"Mommy. MOMMY! MOMMY!!! She's being a meanie-peanie! She won't let me lie down and put my head on her lap with my Pillow Pet. You KNOW I can't sleep like that! MOMMY."

As for casual attire? Great, terrific. I'm all for comfort. But I'd really rather not get an eyeful of your lace-skimmed crotch or plunging cleavage or tramp stamp and thong panties for two hours. Just saying.

The food is reason enough to go to Malaysia. Yum!

When flying I follow one rule: always dress as though you are either going to or coming from Africa.

"What is it with people that they fly like they're getting into bed?"

Wannagetaway fares. It isn't special (expensive) anymore.

We already have first class. You could pay for it. You don't. I long for the glory days of Pan Am too, but probably wouldn't pay the price.

As a parent I say bring it on, so long as they serve bloddy marys in the third-row-seating-section. I really don't want to be in your way.