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SNCF is making waves with its premium class that's off-limits for kids between Lyon and Paris!

undefined undefined 22 janvier 2026 undefined 17h00

The Editor

Alexandros Michailidis / Shutterstock.com

With its new Optimum Plus class, SNCF is excluding children under 12. This decision is causing quite a stir, especially as the French population continues to decline.

On trains, we knew about the famous first class or even Business class that allows for a more comfortable travel experience, in peace and with more space. But this year, SNCF has decided to think bigger by creating a new class called Optimum and Optimum Plus, replacing the Business Première class. 

The concept? Enjoy a “exclusive comfort in a space solely dedicated”, with “wide reclining seats” in particular. So on paper, nothing to complain about, except for one detail: this class is accessible only to those over 12 years old. Children are therefore excluded from these cars, at a time when the no-kids concept is becoming increasingly significant. 


Not Accepting Children for Adults' Comfort

This class Optimum Plus, now available on the TGV Inoui, is currently only valid for trips between Paris and Lyon. Its goal is to meet the “specific expectations of our professional clients or those seeking a special travel experience with personalized support and flexibility ,” stated SNCF in a press release.  

Indeed, the railway company decided that « children are not alloweds ». This decision sparked a reaction from Sarah El Haïry, the High Commissioner for Children, who was interviewed by BFMTV : « When you create the feeling that the comfort of adults comes from the absence of children, it’s shocking. »


The no-kids trend even on trains ?

This only emphasizes the growing no-kids trend spreading more and more in both restaurants and hotels. A trend that views children as a problem and a potential disturbance to the serenity of adults. However, as Sarah El Haïry points out, « we cannot say, « : 400;">“We’re having fewer children, we have demographic problems” and sending such harsh signals, referring to the number of births that were lower than the number of deaths in 2025.

To explain herself, Gaëlle Babault, director of TGV Inoui Offers - SNCF Voyageurs stated in a video that « 92% of seats are available to everyone [from Monday to Friday] and 100% on weekends » and that this measure has already been in place « for years in our previous Business Première offer, without any negative feedback ». The High Commissioner for Children reminds us that « traveling with children is not a problem to fix, but a reality to support ».