We can see this proving pretty popular.
Much like passengers who immediately recline their seats after sitting down and passengers who are standing ready to exit practically before the plane even lands, encountering crying babies is an accepted part of the flying experience.
And while there will always be crying babies on flights, Japan Airlines is attempting to make it easier for passengers to avoid them by introducing a seat map that enables passengers to see where babies will be seated on a flight when booking their seats.
Passengers travelling with children between eight days and two years old who select their seats on the Japan Airlines website will have a child icon displayed on their seats on the seat selection screen, informing other passengers that a child may be sitting there.
While it’s no guarantee that a passenger will not hear a crying baby during a flight, Japan Airlines has been keen to stress, it at least allows passengers the option of giving them as wide a berth as possible while on board.
The only stipulations for this option are that seats must be booked on the Japan Airlines website rather than through a third-party, it does not apply to seats booked as part of a tour or using award tickets and child icons may not be displayed correctly if there is a change in aircraft.
As it turns out, the seat map – offered as part of the airline’s Smile Support Travel Service for passengers with infant children – is not new, but came to global attention after a tweet posted earlier this week complimenting the option went viral.
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.
Please take note, @qatarairways: I had 3 screaming babies next to me on my JFK-DOH flight two weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/kQYQFIqqCD
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 24, 2019
Japan Airlines isn’t even the only Japanese airline option to offer such a service; it has been a feature provided by All Nippon Airways (ANA) for some time.
The option for passengers to avoid babies on flights has caused quite a stir online, with some hailing it as a godsend and others pointing out that babies are, quite often, far from the worst passengers to share a plane with, something the man who posted the original tweet has acknowledged after finding himself at the centre of the debate in recent days.
Since this blew up quite a bit:
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.
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 26, 2019
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.
Also, @qatarairways, you’re still one of my favorite airlines. See you all soon! pic.twitter.com/ZkVnfXhp7I
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 26, 2019
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.
Wish everyone and their loved ones a wonderful day!
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 26, 2019
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