Parents hit back at airline for launching a feature that helps passengers ‘avoid screaming babies’ on a flight

We all love going on holiday but parents everywhere understand how stressful it can be travelling with children, especially if they’re very young.

But Japan Airlines has caused controversy with their latest feature, which allows passengers to identify where babies are sitting on the plane so they can avoid them.

By using “child icons”, you can now see where parents have booked a seat with a child. This applies to a child between eight days and two years old, so it’s specifically for young children.

One fan of the unique feature shared it on Twitter, praising the airline for their decision to introduce it.

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‘Thank you, @JAL_Official_jp for warnings me about where babies plan to scream and yell during a 13 hour trip,' he wrote. 'This really ought to be mandatory across the board.’

However, many were quick to criticise the Twitter user for these comments, with one user saying that ‘we need to learn tolerance’.

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'They are babies as we all once were,' one wrote. 'We need to learn tolerance or will soon start needing a map of seat locations for mouth breathers, droolers, farters, drunks, and perhaps a lot more things in life.’

Another added: ‘I used to feel and say exactly what you have just said - but after having my own son, I am very sympathetic to parents travelling with kids.’

plane

Credit: Getty Images

One parent assured the Twitter user that they try to keep their children calm, adding: ‘As a father of 5 and having travelled with each one as a baby at one point or another, I try to do everything I can to keep them from crying. It's hard on parents too. And remember: it's just one day. You'll survive your flight. Chill.’

Another added that he could ignore the sound using headphones, adding: ‘Wow... get some noise canceling headphones and go about your day. I dont understand people that complain about babies crying on planes.’

Japan Airlines have commented on the feature, saying that it only works if you book directly through their website. So if you booked via a third party app or website, you wouldn’t be able to see these icons.

What do you think of this new feature? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook!

Lucy Buglass
Digital Writer

Lucy Buglass is a Digital Writer for What's on TV, Goodto.com, and Woman&Home. After finishing her degree in Film Studies at Oxford Brookes University she moved to London to begin her career. She's passionate about entertainment and spends most of her free time watching Netflix series, BBC dramas, or going to the cinema to catch the latest film releases.