Originally posted 12/18/18, no content changes. 

Does anyone enjoy flying with a baby? Infants themselves certainly don’t like the experience, but neither do their parents and aisle-mates. Young children’s cries and frequent needs (for food, attention, and diaper changes) can cause significant irritation on the part of other passengers. As a result, parents may experience anything from angry glares to scolding and threats. It’s enough to convince some families to stay at home or restrict travel to locations within driving distance.

A news story from the Washington Post may dissuade more parents from taking their children aboard. According to The Washington Post, a crew member allegedly told a United passenger her baby’s behavior was “absolutely unacceptable” and claimed the company’s rules prohibit infants from crying for more than five minutes. Although United apologized and issued a refund, this egregious story belies the fact that unprepared parents often do make mistakes during air travel, writes the Post’s Christopher Elliott:

Crew members have mixed feelings about babies on board. They want to welcome all passengers and make them as comfortable as possible. And privately, they often tell me young children aren’t their biggest problem; it’s their adult travel companions, especially new parents who tend to make a lot of mistakes. The errors include being ridiculously unprepared, acting as if any advice they receive is “baby-hating” or “mom-shaming” — and not knowing what to do with diapers.

You can read the full article, “The do’s and don’ts of flying with babies,” here.

We may not be able to guarantee comfortable air travel, but Offit Kurman’s Family Law attorneys can assist with virtually any legal matter you or your children might face. While it can be a bumpy ride, so to speak, you don’t need to fly solo. See how we can help.