SNCF Launches Child-Free Premium Class, Sparks Controversy in France

SNCF’s child-free “Optimum Plus” class sparks controversy, offering premium travel but facing backlash amid European rail capacity constraints and public scrutiny.

January 23, 2026 5:39 pm

🛑 Key Takeaways:

SNCF has launched a child-free premium class on its TGV InOui trains, sparking public condemnation from government officials and rights groups.
The “Optimum Plus” section accounts for less than 8% of train capacity and is available only on weekdays, targeting business travelers.
The move highlights a broader European rail trend of passenger segmentation to maximize revenue as operators face severe network capacity and infrastructure constraints.

PARIS, FRANCE – France’s state-owned railway operator, SNCF, is facing significant criticism over its new “Optimum Plus” premium class, which bars children under 12 to ensure a “calm travel experience.” The policy has been labeled “shocking” by France’s High Commissioner for Children, Sarah El Haïry, and comes as European high-speed rail operators grapple with network-wide capacity shortages, infrastructure limitations, and increased public scrutiny over safety and service levels.

Category	Specification / Detail
Service Name	Optimum Plus
Operator	SNCF (on TGV InOui services)
Key Policy	Children under 12 are not permitted.
Capacity Impact	Less than 8% of total seats per train.
Availability	Exclusively on select weekday (Mon-Fri) journeys.
Key Stakeholders	SNCF (Jean Castex, CEO), Sarah El Haïry (High Commissioner for Children).

Operational & Technical Details

The Optimum Plus service is a premium subcategory within first class, replacing the former Business Première offering. SNCF justified the child-exclusion policy as a means to provide “maximum comfort” and “more privacy” for its target demographic of frequent business travelers. The dedicated carriage is strategically located at the end of the train to prevent other passengers from passing through.

In response to the backlash, SNCF emphasized the limited scope of the policy. The operator noted that 92% of weekday seats and 100% of weekend seats remain available to all passengers. The company also highlighted its existing family-oriented services, including dedicated children’s areas and the Junior & Compagnie program, which transports approximately 300,000 children annually.

Market Impact Analysis

SNCF’s move into passenger segmentation reflects a wider European trend. Operators are increasingly exploring concepts like “quiet zones” to attract high-yield customers and maximize revenue per seat. Italy’s Trenitalia, for example, offers an “Area de Silenzio” on some routes. This strategy is being deployed amid severe operational pressures across the continent, including what one Eurostar executive recently called critical shortages in track capacity, station space, and maintenance staff.

While potentially lucrative, the policy carries significant reputational risk. The public and official backlash in France, with commentators linking the move to declining birth rates and a culture less tolerant of children, demonstrates the potential for negative brand perception. This controversy adds another layer of pressure to an industry already facing intense scrutiny over safety and reliability, particularly following recent high-speed rail incidents in Spain, a market where SNCF’s low-cost Ouigo subsidiary also operates.