Japanese airlines offer crying baby seat maps

Not everyone loves the sound of a baby crying, so some Japanese airlines will let you know where a potentially screaming tot will be sitting
Not everyone loves the sound of a baby crying, so some Japanese airlines will let you know where a potentially screaming tot will be sitting

TOKYO: Fed up with finding yourself next to a screaming child on a long-haul flight? On some Japanese airlines a seat map will warn you where potentially crying babies are sitting.

The facility, offered as part of Japan Airlines' "Smile Support" travel service for those with infants, is not new, but lit up the internet after a Twitter user praised it.

"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 tweeted.

A somewhat bemused JAL spokeswoman confirmed the feature, pointing out it was not a new offering.

At least one other Japanese airline does the same: All Nippon Airways (ANA), where a spokeswoman confirmed its seat maps have shown where children are sitting "for a while."

JAL's maps indicate where infants under two are sitting, with a child icon to let "other passengers know."

The news caused an internet firestorm.

"Nice. But how long before we get upcharged for seats away from said babies?" one user asked.

Another called the map an unnecessary offering.

"Japan Airlines seat map helps avoid screaming babies. Why not just have noise cancelling headphones?!"

And some pointed out that babies aren't the only troublesome travellers.

"Can we use the same software to avoid people who eat noisily instead?" one Twitter user asked.

Vocabulary

  • across the board: involving everyone or everything - รวมทั้งทุกคนหรือทุกอย่าง
  • bemused: showing that you are confused and unable to think clearly - ซึ่งสับสน
  • cancel out (verb): to stop something from having any effect; to remove - หักลบ; ทำให้สมดุลกับ
  • firestorm (noun): a very large fire, usually started by bombs, that is not under control and is made worse by the winds that it causes, also used to describe a big controversy in which there is strong criticism and disagreement - ทะเลเพลิง, ไฟที่โหมกระหน่ำและลุกลามเป็นบริเวณกว้าง
  • icon: a small symbol - สัญลักษณ์
  • indicate: to give details -
  • infant: a baby or a very young child - ทารก, เด็กอ่อน
  • mandatory: ordered by a law or rule - ตามข้อบังคับ
  • praise: to express strong approval or admiration - ยกย่อง, ชื่นชม
  • troublesome (adj): causing problems or difficulties - น่ารำคาญ, เป็นปัญหา
  • unnecessary (adj): not needed; not necessary - ที่ไม่จำเป็น, ที่เกินจำเป็น
  • yell: to say something in a loud voice, or to make a loud noise because you are angry, afraid, excited, or in pain - ตะโกน,ร้อง

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