Airline introduces booking system that shows where babies are seated, and adults rejoice

Look, we respect that babies crying on flights can't really be controlled by their parents. We're sure parents get unwarranted and completely rude glares and frowns whenever their babies decide to cry on a flight when they should be met with empathy and understanding instead. However, there's nothing like a flight — especially a long haul one — during which you don't have to listen to the shrieks and screams of a baby. Now, this Japanese airline company finally makes it possible for you to stay far, far away from crying babies with their newly-unveiled booking system which displays where babies are seated, CNBC reports.

Japan Airlines introduced the feature as a measure to keep passengers of all kinds, families traveling with young children included, satisfied and perhaps less cranky during the flight. Wondering how it works? Well, when you're done booking your tickets and checking in right before your flight, as many airlines now allow passengers to do, you'll be shown a "child icon" atop seats occupied by babies or children. The airline company's website explains: Passengers traveling with children between eight days and two years old who select their seats on the JAL website will have a child icon displayed on their seats on the seat selection screen. This lets other passengers know a child may be sitting there.

This means, as with many similar booking systems, you'll have to be an early bird to feed on the worm. If you choose your seats too late, you might just find that all the seats have already been occupied and will be forced to sit near a family traveling with a baby or toddler anyway. Moreover, the child icon may not be displayed in certain instances, such as when seats are booked as part of a tour or using award tickets if they're selected through means other than the Japan Airlines website, and if there is a last-minute change in aircraft. But you know what? That's better than nothing at all.

However, Japan Airlines isn't the first company to implement this feature. If you've traveled with AirAsia X or budget Indian carrier IndiGo in the past, you may be familiar with "Quiet Zones." These are specific areas on these airline companies' flights dedicated especially for adults. On AirAsia X, which introduced their Quiet Zone policy in 2017, for example, eight rows on the flight are reserved for those above the age of ten. On the other hand, IndiGo's Quiet Zones feature extra legroom as well as a "passengers over the age of 12 only" rule.

Either way, Japan Airlines' changes to their booking system is a welcome addition to the booking process. Both families, as well as lone passengers, can benefit greatly from this; parents don't need to feel weary about receiving rude or unwarranted glares, and solo or business travelers won't have to sacrifice their peace and quiet to accommodate a family with a young child. While some are divided about the introduction, others are rather chuffed about it, such as Twitter user MumSoPatient who posted: As a parent, when my daughter was younger, I would have preferred to have other travelers given the choice of sitting elsewhere, instead of tutting and rolling their eyes at us. Iniamkevich added: Very useful system! I hate flying with little children on board, they always cry as loud as they can. I [am] literally ready to pay more to fly without any children on board. Well, Iniamkevich may have just had his requests answered for — without having to pay a penny more.