Most of us like to have a pleasant and quiet journey, especially on long-haul flights. The biggest threat to it, some fear, could be a loud, screaming and crying child. Even if you manage to avoid the high-decibel noise, there is always a possibility that you could get kicked every few minutes by the baby if you have a seat next to them. Until now, it was all luck. But one airline has decided to take this challenge head-on and address it for its passengers. Japan Airlines has introduced a 'baby' icon for pre-booking that shows passengers which seats have been taken by travellers below the age of 12.
This allows passengers to avoid having their seating arrangement close to a baby. One Twitter user recently pointed out how this feature made Japan Airlines stand out vis-a-vis other airliners.
The user thanked it for warning him about the places “where babies plan to scream” during his 13-hour journey. He demanded that this “warning” should be mandatory across all carriers, saying he had to bear the screams of three babies during his New York-Doha flight two weeks ago on Qatar Airways.
Thank you, @JAL_Official_jp for warnings me about where babies plan to scream and yell during a 13 hour trip. This really ought to be mandatory across the board.
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 24, 2019
Please take note, @qatarairways: I had 3 screaming babies next to me on my JFK-DOH flight two weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/kQYQFIqqCD
According to the Japan Airlines website, “Passengers traveling with children between 8 days and 2 years old who select their seats on the JAL website will have a child icon displayed on their seats on the seat selection screen. This lets other passengers know a child may be sitting there.”
Since the tweet had gone viral and received a lot of attention, the Twitter user, later, clarified a few points, stating that “there are more important things to worry about”.
He added, “Adults can be just as bad as babies, empathy is important and every situation is different, and where babies sit can be one of many indicators that help travelers plan flights.”
Since this blew up quite a bit:
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 26, 2019
1/ Adults can be just as bad as babies.
2/ Empathy is important and every situation is different.
3/ Where babies sit can be one of many indicators that help travelers plan flights.
Ultimately, there are more important things to worry about.
He also told those who were hurling distasteful comments at him to chat constructively and that everyone has their “own stories and lives”, “different joys and pains”.
For those hurling hurtful comments at myself and/or others: We all have our own stories and lives. Everyone has different joys and pains. Let's chat constructively and respectfully instead of out-of-context attacks on Twitter.
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 26, 2019
Wish everyone and their loved ones a wonderful day!
In another tweet, he said he ironically chose to sit next to babies on two of his recent flights. “Some great, some loud. It happens,” he wrote.
Safely in New York. Amazing service as usual by @JAL_Official_jp. Ironically chose to sat next to several babies on my two flights: Some great, some loud. It happens. Some adults were worse.
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 26, 2019
Also, @qatarairways, you're still one of my favorite airlines. See you all soon! pic.twitter.com/ZkVnfXhp7I
What do you think of Japan Airlines' solution for passengers who don't want to sit near kids? Are you in agreement with it and think it's a game-changer or do you disagree with it?
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