While the benefits of being able to travel are self-evident, there's no denying that flying is a thoroughly unpleasant experience for the most part.
Whether it's being frisked by a complete stranger because you brought too much shampoo, the complete lack of legroom, the recycled air, or the sheer terror of hurtling through the sky in a metal tube powered by dead dinosaurs, flying isn't great.
And often, the experience is only made worse when the first cry of a child echoes through the cabin and every passenger simultaneously braces themselves. It's going to be a long flight.
It's really not the child's fault. I'd probably scream and cry on planes too if it was socially acceptable for an adult.
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Now, a picture has emerged online which got some people calling for child-free flights. It shows a toddler on a flight where the lights have been turned off so passengers can sleep.
The child is wearing a fluffy rabbit onesie which lights up when the ears are pulled.
This outfit left other passengers on the flight less than impressed as people tried to get some sleep, only for the outfit kept them awake.
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The incident got under people's skin so much that some even called for the introduction of child-free flights.
A person commented: "This is why we need the option for a no-kids flight when booking.”
One person joked: “If the parent refuses to take that off the child then the child is going to learn the truth about Santa, the Easter bunny and the tooth fairy all in under six minutes."
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A third took an extremely dim view, saying: "Parents need to be told that the whole world doesn’t have to tolerate their children.”
A final person wrote: “As a flight attendant I’d say put that it away. There are people trying to rest, read, watch a movie etc. Also, there are people with disabilities, and this can be incredibly annoying and irritating for them.
“Leave stuff like this for home or amusement parks. Not in a tiny tin can at 30,000ft in the air. Some folks have sensitive eyes please consider others around you.”
That said, 'child-free' flights may not be the answer, as children are not the only people who can sometimes cause issues on flights.
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In June this year, it was reported that tour operator TUI kicked a group of seven men on a stag party off their flight for 'disruptive' behaviour, including shouting and wolf-whistling at flight attendants. Charming.
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