Japan Airlines has introduced a feature on its seat booking system that allows passengers to avoid sitting next to a screaming child on a long-haul flight.
The "baby map" warn passengers about where potentially crying babies, between the ages of eight days and two years, are sitting.
According to the airline, only passengers who book on its website can see babies on the seat map.
However, the new feature does not promise that passengers will be out of earshot of screaming infants.
The icon will not appear if passengers booked their flight through a third party or were part of a tour group, or if there is a last-minute change of aircraft, the airline's website said.
The new feature has been met with mixed reactions on social media, as some people said they appreciated not having to sit next to a crying baby and others said that it's part of the air travel experience.
Here is a snapshot of some of the reactions:
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.
— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 24, 2019
Please take note, @qatarairways: I had 3 screaming babies next to me on my JFK-DOH flight two weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/kQYQFIqqCD
I agree. Thank you JAL. If someone has ever been sitting next to or in close proximity to an infant or a child on a flight for several hours where you cannot escape, you get the feeling that death is a good option. From now on, i will choose JAL when possible.
— Eric (@EricM66524480) September 26, 2019
I used to feel and say exactly what you have just said - but after having my own son, I am very sympathetic to parents travelling with kids. If you're not happy with a screaming child in the cabin then I am more than happy to you to try and reason with them ;)
— Andrew Lim (@andrewlim85) September 26, 2019
