Child’s outfit on plane sparks heated debate

Footage of a child’s “annoying” outfit on a packed flight has sparked a heated debate with the clip clocking almost 10 million views.

A child’s outfit on a plane has sparked a heated debate online after footage of their flashing costume went viral.

A clip of the young child and her father was posted on the popular Instagram page, @Sarcasm_only, and has been viewed almost 10 million times since August 16.

It is unclear when the footage was taken and on which airline, but it shows a plane full of passengers in a dimly lit cabin with those sitting near the child disturbed by her light-up costume.

“Imagine being on this flight?” the caption reads.

A child’s very bright and flashy costume on a flight has sparked a heated debate. Picture: Instagram/sarcasm_only

The post has generated thousands of comments, with many lashing at the dad for dressing his child in an “inconsiderate” outfit, particularly when passengers were trying to sleep.

“Anyone that thinks this is socially acceptable, especially on a night flight, is part of the problem,” one woman wrote.

“There are plenty of ways to entertain a child on a flight that doesn’t entail inconveniencing or ruining the flight for every other person around you.

“Simply bringing a tablet and headphones would have solved the problem for everyone. It’s called compromise and common decency, people.”

Others also blamed the dad with some saying “parents are the problem”.

“I (would) definitely throw something at that parent for allowing it. Be a parent, not a friend. Show respect for other people,” one annoyed Instagram user commented.

Some who suffered from epilepsy pointed out it would be a real concern to them.

Passengers appeared stunned by the child’s outfit. Picture: Instagram/sarcasm_only

“Bruh absolutely not. I’m epileptic and this could trigger a seizure. But TBH it’s just flat out rude and inconsiderate of those on the plane, medical condition or not,” one person wrote.

“NOPE. Sir, I am already anxious and get sick at flashes, could you kindly ask your child to turn the lights off? He’s smiling, he knows it’s annoying,” said another, while a third added:

“As someone with severe ADHD and light sensitivity/over stimulation issues … I would be LIVID. I’m normally not a Karen and just let things go but I would be creating such a stink and bugging the stewardess to do something.”

Meanwhile, a Kiwi musician, Henry Beasley, recently recorded himself reacting to a screaming baby on-board a 29-hour flight to Berlin. Picture: TikTok/balubrigada

A person who claimed to be a flight attendant said if this happened on her plane it would be over in 30 seconds.

“For the first time ever I would volunteer to be a Karen on that flight. Absolutely NOT!” wrote another.

However, others sided with the father and son, saying passengers could simply “close their eyes” – but it was met with fury.

“To everyone saying ‘if the light bothers you, close you eyes’ … Are y’all insane? So just cos you have kids everyone around (strangers, not family) has to adapt?! The entitlement,” one person lashed.

“At least that kid isn’t crying,” one person joked.

Others labelled it “rude” and “disrespectful” suggesting child-free flights or have parents and kids under the age of 13 seated at the back of an aircraft.

“This is why we need the option for a no kids flight when booking,” one person wrote.

“I vote for adult only flight. I would pay extra for adult only flights,” another added, while a third wrote: “Children under 13 should be seated in the back of the plane with the parents.”

Meanwhile, one man found the funny side of a screaming baby on his 29-hour flight, filming his reaction which has since gone viral.

Henry Beasley, a musician from New Zealand, gave a quick documentation of the very loud flight on TikTok.

However, it too sparked the debate of child-free flights.

In 2019, Japan Airlines introduced a booking system that shows where babies are seated on flights.

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.

Please take note, @qatarairways: I had 3 screaming babies next to me on my JFK-DOH flight two weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/kQYQFIqqCD

— Rahat Ahmed (@dequinix) September 24, 2019

It’s called a “baby map” and travellers who book through the airline website can see seats that have been claimed by passengers aged up to two years old. Those seats will have a child icon displayed.

“For flights departing April 11, 2023 or earlier, child icons are not displayed in the following situations: Seats booked as part of a tour or using award tickets and seats selected through means other than the JAL website,” Japan Airlines website states.

“Child icons may not be displayed correctly if there is a change in aircraft,” it also says.

An X user, formerly Twitter, thanked the airline for the baby map in a post from 2019.

“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,” he wrote. “Since this blew up quite a bit: 1/ Adults can be just as bad as babies. 2/ Empathy is important and every situation is different. 3/ Where babies sit can be one of many indicators that help travellers plan flights,” he added.