Air travel can be stressful at the best of times—long queues, security checks, and the ever-present worry of whether your luggage will make it to the same destination as you. But for parents, there’s an extra layer of anxiety: keeping little ones happy (and quiet) at 30,000 feet. However, one Aussie mum recently discovered that sometimes, the biggest surprises come before you even board the plane.

Emma Darrouzet, an artist and mum from Brisbane, was looking forward to a family holiday to Port Douglas with her husband and three children. But as she stood in line to check her bags at the airport, she was left gobsmacked by a stranger’s behaviour towards her three-year-old daughter, Odette.

According to Emma, a woman she’d never met tapped little Odette on the shoulder and delivered a five-word warning: ‘I hope you know you need to be quiet on the airplane.’ The comment, which Emma described as ‘completely out of line’, left both mother and daughter shaken. In a TikTok video recounting the incident, Emma asked Odette if she’d been approached by a ‘silly lady’, to which the little girl nodded solemnly.

A mum was left horrified after a stranger told her three-year-old to be quiet on the aeroplane. Credit: @emma.darrouzet.art / TikTok

Emma later told Yahoo Lifestyle that she was ‘taken aback’ by the exchange and that Odette was frightened by the stranger’s unsolicited advice. Emma responded by calmly telling the woman that her daughter had flown before and knew how to behave on a plane. But the awkwardness didn’t end there—the same woman later appeared in the boarding queue for their flight.

The incident quickly sparked a heated debate online. Some viewers sided with the stranger, arguing that all passengers have a right to a peaceful flight and even suggesting airlines should offer child-free sections. ‘There needs to be a section on all aeroplanes where all the children and their parents sit with soundproof walls so the rest of us can enjoy a peaceful flight,’ one person commented. Another added, ‘No, this woman is not a silly lady because we all have the right to a peaceful, quiet flight.’

But many others were appalled by the woman’s actions, pointing out that it’s never appropriate for a stranger to approach—or, worse, touch—someone else’s child. ‘I’m a childless adult, so I do enjoy my quiet. However, having some random approach a child and make veiled threats is 100 per cent unacceptable and would be a serious issue for me,’ one commenter wrote. Another added, ‘Regardless of what she said, a stranger touching my child and/or telling them what to do is a hard no from me.’

The debate also reignited the ongoing discussion about whether airlines should offer child-free flights. While no Australian airline currently provides this option, some Asian carriers have introduced child-free cabins. Scoot’s ‘ScootinSilence’ seats, for example, are located at the front of the aircraft and are off-limits to passengers under 12. AirAsia offers a similar child-free zone in the first seven rows of economy class on select routes.

So, what’s the right way to handle noisy children on flights? And where do we draw the line between personal comfort and common courtesy?

Navigating Etiquette in the Skies

For many, flying is a necessary evil—cramped seats, recycled air, and the hope that your seatmate isn’t a snorer or a seat-kicker. Add a crying baby or a restless toddler to the mix, and tempers can fray. But it’s important to remember that children, especially very young ones, can’t always control their behaviour, and parents are often doing their best under challenging circumstances.

If you’re bothered by noise on a flight, the best approach is usually to use earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones, or to politely ask a flight attendant for assistance if the situation becomes unbearable. Directly confronting a child—or their parent—rarely leads to a positive outcome and can make an already stressful situation worse for everyone involved.

The Case for Compassion

Let’s face it: we were all children once, and most of us have been on the receiving end of a public tantrum—either as a parent or as a bystander. While it’s understandable to want a peaceful journey, showing a little empathy can go a long way. Travelling with kids is no picnic, and a kind word or a smile can make a world of difference to a frazzled parent.

Should Australia Introduce Child-Free Flights?

The idea of child-free flights is gaining traction, but it’s not without controversy. While some travellers would welcome the option, others argue that it’s discriminatory and impractical. After all, families have as much right to travel as anyone else, and segregating them could create more problems than it solves.

For now, Australian airlines have no plans to introduce child-free cabins, so a little patience and understanding remain the best travel companions.

Credit: YouTube​

Key Takeaways

• A mum was left horrified after a stranger tapped her three-year-old daughter on the shoulder at the airport and told her, 'I hope you know you need to be quiet on the aeroplane.'
• The incident took place as the family were about to board a Virgin Australia flight from Brisbane to Port Douglas, leaving the child frightened and the mum ‘taken aback’.
• The event sparked heated debate online, with some supporting the need for peaceful flights and others condemning the stranger’s decision to approach and speak to a young child.
• While some international airlines offer child-free cabins, Australian airlines do not currently provide this option, prompting further discussion about family and child-free travel spaces.

Have you ever had a similar experience on a flight, either as a parent or a fellow passenger? Do you think airlines should offer child-free sections, or is it all part and parcel of modern travel? And how would you have handled the situation if you were in Emma’s shoes? We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories—share them in the comments below.

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[Iggydi]

How rude is that lady