A top US fashion blogger, Arielle Noa Charnas, has claimed that she was asked to give up the first-class seat that she paid for and move to the back of the plane because her baby was crying.
Arielle took to Instagram to share her recent experience on a Delta Airlines flight from her New York base to Los Angeles. The married mum-of-two said the six-hour flight was her first time flying with nine-month-old Ruby, a stressful experience that many parents will identify with.
After taking the decision to pay extra to fly first-class to make travelling with her daughter more comfortable, the fashionista was shocked to be asked to leave her seat by a flight attendant when baby Ruby wouldn’t settle:
“On our way to LA a few days ago it was my first time flying with Ruby, I had a screaming crying sleepy baby who was so overwhelmed that she couldn’t fall asleep.
My husband and I paid for first class so that we’d have the extra space and could lay down with her – once we were boarded I was getting tons of eye rolls and head shakes from fellow passengers on Delta because my baby was crying (as if I could just look at Ruby and say okay now it’s time to stop).”
The blogger said that she herself began to cry as a result of the stressful situation:
“I tried to ignore the people until 10 minutes passed and a flight attendant came over to me and asked me and my baby to move to the back of the plane (as if the people in the back didn’t matter). Give up our seats that we paid for and move.
Apparently I was upsetting and getting a lot of complaints from the first class passengers. I started crying because I was so stressed and anxious and instead of the stewardess being helpful and compassionate she instead made the situation worse.
I don’t know what’s right and wrong when it comes to flying with a baby but after telling a few people the story they were in shock. We’re headed back to NYC today and we’re hoping for a much better experience.”
Although a lot of Arielle’s 942k Instagram followers were supportive, some felt that the flight attendant’s request was justified:
“Sorry but I have been on a plane in first class with a crying baby also there. People in first class pay extra to have a more enjoyable flight. And a baby crying is not more enjoyable. Flying with a baby you should always sit in the back.”
What do YOU think? Should the parents of crying babies have to move? Have you ever found yourself on the receiving end of ‘eye rolls and head shakes’ from other passengers?
Let us know in the Facebook comments.
