There are a number of things that can make you internally groan when boarding a long-haul flight , but seeing that you’re seated next to a crying baby is guaranteed to be near the top of the list.
To help ensure passengers get a scream-free flight, Japan Airlines has unveiled its new seating tool which allows those passengers choosing their seats online to see where babies aged under two will be seated.
A child icon will appear where babies are seated and Japan Airlines says the icon ‘lets other passengers know a child may be sitting there’.
The airline explained, however, that the icon would not appear if passengers book their flight through a third party, if they were part of a tour group, or if there was a last-minute change of the aircraft.
Twitter user Rahat Ahmed tweeted about the change: “Thank you, @JAL_Official_jp for warnings [sic] me about where babies plan to scream and yell during a 13 hour trip. This really ought to be mandatory across the board.”
Ahmed’s tweet garnered over 220 replies with some users agreeing, but others calling for more tolerance towards parents and children on planes.
Japan Airlines isn't the first Japanese carrier to indicate where children are sitting on flights. According to The Guardian, a spokesperson for Japan's All Nippon Airways said its seat maps have shown where children are sitting on its flights ‘for a while’.
