A baby in a bassinet on a Delta Air Lines flight has inspired a heated debate about what the upgraded experience should entail.
In a TikTok with more than 1 million views, a traveler posted a short video illustrating how an in flight space was crowded, even after the traveler paid extra for more room.
For her first video, LooseLips (@looslipssavetrips) posted a short clip showing how a fellow traveler’s legroom was impacted by a baby-holding shelf. Behind text that says, “I’d be pissed if someone put a stranger’s baby in front of me in comfort plus,” a bassinet is placed on a shelf, attached to a bulkhead, in the center of the row. It’s not a real logistical impediment, yet it begs the question: should the impacted traveler ask for accommodations or a refund?Because according to the caption, the baby’s mother was “sitting to the far left.” Meaning the child was directly in front of a stranger.
In Delta’s Comfort Plus, travelers can expect a few modest upgrades, but the big draw is more legroom. Well, that and dedicated overhead bin space. Perhaps the baby in the bassinet is considered a kind of special luggage? Probably not, but for a baby that is under two years old, the bassinet offers a little relief for parents, especially on a long international flight.
Typically, a bassinet is provided for free by the airline, but the bulkhead seat is extra. Former flight attendant Carrie, writing for the specialized blog Flying With A Baby, advises that after a parent traveling with an infant purchases the seat, they confirm bassinet availability. Because when a flight has more babies than bassinets, the “sky cradles” typically go to the youngest onboard.
So, what’s a traveler to do if a baby is hanging out in front of their seat? According to one Redditor, u/Bamavianola you “roll with it.” In his case, he remembered what it was like having an infant, and wasn’t “going to be that person.” He did underscore the point that both the parents and the flight attendant asked for reassurance that he was “okay” with the situation.
The internet immediately seizes on the absurdity of the situation. Indeed, it almost seems like one of the few things almost everyone agrees on—whether sarcastically or not.
“No babies on planes! Matter of fact…no babies period!” jokes Centrjbyaru (@centrjbyaru).
Theoobriens chimed in, “These videos are bugging me so much!! I paid and booked a bassinet seat with my baby and yes strangers also booked the seats next to me. Do you expect me to buy the whole row? There’s literally a baby icon on the seats when you book it. Like don’t book a seat in front of a bassinet if you don’t want to sit by a baby!”
Bubbaj077 joked, “Babies go in the overhead.”
Sitting near a baby on a long flight can be stressful for everyone involved. There are some things you can do to make the experience more pleasant. The first: be polite. After all, you don’t want to end up on the internet.
If you really don’t want to sit near an infant, wait until boarding is finished and discreetly ask the flight attendant if there is another seat you can use.
If the flight is full, there’s nothing to be done. Remember patience is a virtue. Hopefully you’ve packed headphones or other materials to keep you entertained. If the baby starts to fuss, try to remember it’s just a baby, and the parents are likely doing their best to soothe them. Grace, even in the form of a smile, might make the situation easier for everyone.
However, if you’ve paid extra for a more comfortable flight, and it is truly disrupted by a child in a bassinet in front of you, it might be time to reach out to your carrier. Speak with with the gate agent upon landing; failing that, reach out with an email using the Travel Resolution Form explaining the situation. But a purchase of a ticket, in any class, is not a promise of quiet. Babies are allowed in any section of the cabin where seating is available except the emergency exit row.
Boarding Area reached out to LooseLips via TikTok direct message and with a comment on the post. We reached out to Delta via their press email. We will update this if either reply to us.
@looselipssavetrips So Delta put this contraction right in front of the middle seat. Mom was sitting to the far left 😬
♬ original sound – ~°MIR°~
