New tool for passengers to avoid babies or toddlers on Japan Airlines flights

The booking system shows a child icon to indicate where a child is sitting.

A new booking feature on the Japan Airlines website shows travellers where young children are seated on some flights, allowing passengers to avoid being seated next to babies or toddlers.

The feature, which has attracted mixed reaction online, shows a child icon on the online booking system on the airline’s website.

“Passengers traveling with children between 8 days and 2-years-old who select their seats on the JAL website will have a child icon displayed on their seats on the seat selection screen,” a statement on the airline’s website read.

“This lets other passengers know a child may be sitting there.”

It’s been called a “baby” map with some users on Twitter saying there should be more tolerance and empathy for a crying baby and their frazzled parents.

Others have praised the move as answering prayers from frequent flyers who’ve endured a flight next to a crying baby or toddler.

The airline warns that the feature only works for families who book through the website and not through a third party.