US EditionFrance's new child-free train carriages divide opinion: 'Supermarkets next?'
- Earlier this month, SNCF rolled out a new First Class Optimum carriage on select TGV INOUI trains, banning passengers under 12 as an adult-only weekday option.
- SNCF says the change meets business travellers' needs, noting toddler and child tickets are not sold in the Optimum carriage, designed for business customers seeking quiet, personalised travel.
- Promoted as "exclusive comfort," the Optimum area offers a seating layout that preserves privacy, ideal for working or relaxing, while the Optimum Plus subcategory features end-of-train placement and a premium, personalised travel experience on TGV INOUI.
- SNCF defended the move on social media, saying 92% of seats during the week and 100% at weekends remain open, despite Sarah El Haïry calling the ban `shocking`.
- The debate taps into a growing online trend for child-free travel, with social media users urging adult-only flights and commenters proposing Family Area, play areas, or wagon adaptations.
24 Articles
24 Articles
The arrival of the Optimum class, forbidden to children under the age of twelve, in the TGV of the SNCF caused a strong controversy. Jean Castex, former Prime Minister and CEO of the SNCF, reacted to this matter of spaces "no kids", saying "considered". He assures that the trains of the Société nationale des chemins de fer do not want to be excluded for children and families.
In Lille, on Tuesday 27 January, the SNCF CEO briefly referred to the controversy of the new Optimum class reserved for those over the age of 12. And claimed to be "at the disposal of family associations and public authorities" in order to improve their comfort on board.
The controversy related to the "no kids" space of the Optimum class has taken on such importance that the CEO himself reacted this Tuesday morning. He finds this "completely crazy".
SNCF CEO Jean Castex has reacted to the "no kids" controversy in the new business class Optimum of some TGVs. He says he is "ridden" by the magnitude taken by the polemic "C
SNCF was targeted by a wave of criticism after the launch of its Optimum formula, which excludes children. Its boss, Jean Castex, recalls that children are more present on trains than ever before.
The CEO of SNCF assured on Tuesday that children were "welcome" on trains. He estimated that 8.4 million children took the train in 2025 on the network.
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