AN airline has provided passengers with some advice for getting stuck on flights with screaming children.
Some people, including flight attendants, believe that being sat next to a crying baby is the worst way to spend a plane journey.
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However, British Airways have revealed their best tips for not only dealing with such a situation, but also for how to be a supportive passenger to parents struggling with their kids on flights.
Their main bit of advice is a simple, but expensive one. Invest in some good noise cancelling headphones.
The airline said: “Screaming toddlers is just one of those annoying nuggets of joy that life hands you sometimes and you just have to deal with it.
“Besides, crying is not the only noise generator on a plane – other people talking and laughing or the crew announcing messages over the speakers can be equally disturbing.
“If you intend on sleeping, pop on your noise cancelling headphones and cut parents some slack.”
BA also recommends helping parents and being supportive whenever you can, which could calm kids sooner and make the flight more peaceful for everyone.
They suggest the following steps to do that:
Understand why toddlers cry on flights
They said: “Contrary to popular belief, toddlers don’t cry just because they want to annoy you. They cry because they’re either in pain or discomfort, or because they are scared or need something.
“On top of that, toddlers are much more sensitive to ‘popping ears’ during take-off and landing than adults.
“Ears popping when flying is something that most of us are used to and consider a normal part of air travel, but for a baby or a toddler, this sensation can be scary and uncomfortable.”
Offer a smile
The airline advises: “Showing that you understand why babies cry on planes and showing compassion with a parent trying their very best to avoid it can be hugely important.
“A kind smile can be enough to demonstrate this. Most parents fear they are troubling all other passengers with their toddler’s wails, so knowing they have your support will put them at ease.”
Help or interact with the child
Ba say: “In an non-accusational or passive aggressive way, kindly ask if there is anything you can do to help.
“It can be as little as offering to hold the child while the parents sort something out or fishing out an unexplored object for the toddler to play with.
“Even interacting with the child in some way by waving or playing peekaboo can help immensely.”
Meanwhile, this flight attendant showed how to calm screaming babies during flights.
And this mum complained about a family who brought their newborn child on a plane.
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