28th May 2023 – (Kuala Lumpur) On 24th May, a 2-year-old Malaysian girl on a flight refused to sit alone and stood on the seat crying, prompting a warning from the flight attendants. The pilot even threatened to call security if the child did not sit down and fasten her seat belt. The incident left the family embarrassed and angry, as they had experienced no issue on their outbound flight to Langkawi.
The family claimed that they had asked the flight attendant for an infant safety belt but were refused and that the flight attendant was rude and unhelpful. The toddler cried continuously for around 20 minutes before finally sitting down and fastening her seat belt for the remainder of the flight.
After landing, airport security asked the family to delete the video footage they had recorded on the plane, but the family refused, stating that it was evidence of their experience.
MYAirline later issued an apology to the family, claiming that the airline operates in accordance with the safety guidelines set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and that infants under 24 months old must be seated with their parents or guardians and secured with an infant safety belt. Children over 24 months old must occupy their own seat and wear a seatbelt for safety reasons.
MYAirline stated that they would investigate the matter and ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. The incident highlights the challenges of travelling with young children and the importanceof clear communication between airlines and passengers in such situations to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers on board.