A mother has publicly criticised Delta Air Lines after enduring an uncomfortable long-haul journey where she was forced to sit on the aircraft floor for 12 hours.
Viral Post Sparks Travel Debate
Mely Skoglund, a 42-year-old mother-of-four from Minnesota, shared a now-viral photo on Threads showing her crouched on the floor in front of two economy seats. Her two young children were asleep in the seats during the sold-out Delta flight back to the United States.
'12 hours Flying Delta airlines back to US was sold out, so we have no extra room. This is our situation,' she captioned the image. It remains unclear what her exact route was or her full ticketing arrangements.
The Lap Child Policy at the Centre of the Row
While it appears Skoglund purchased a standard ticket for her older child, it is likely her infant travelled under the airline's common lap child policy. This policy allows infants under two to fly for free or at a reduced fare on the condition they remain seated on an adult's lap for the duration of the flight.
Skoglund's post did not detail whether she had attempted to book a separate seat for the baby, but her situation suggested she had expected to find spare seating on the fully booked aircraft.
Online Backlash Over 'Lack of Planning'
The reaction online was overwhelmingly critical of the mother, with many travellers arguing the airline was not at fault. Commenters accused her of poor planning and expecting a free handout.
'If you want a seat for the baby… you buy a seat for the baby…? I don't understand how this is the airline's fault. Your lack of planning does not constitute a problem for the airline,' wrote one Threads user.
Another, claiming to be a former flight attendant, advised: 'always buy a ticket for the child, bring a car seat and voila [there is] space for everyone in the family.' Others were more blunt, with one asking: 'You were expecting free room? Really.'
The consensus among critics was that parents must plan and pay for adequate seating if they require it, rather than assume an airline will provide extra space on a busy flight.
The Daily Mail has approached Delta Air Lines for comment.
