I mentioned earlier that I encountered some drama on my recent Austrian Airlines flight from Vienna to Chicago. The drama centered on a family with two young children who were loud during the flight and unable to sit still. When another passenger complained, a nasty confrontation ensued. The situation escalated further after landing, nearly leading to blows.
Unhinged Father Goes On Cursing Tirade On Austrian Airlines
I noticed them at the gate prior to takeoff. An American family demanding an upgrade from the gate agent. They claimed they were not seated together in economy class and therefore needed an upgrade so they could sit next to eachother. I rolled my eyes and boarded the flight.
But toward the end of the boarding process the family boarded…and sat down in business class. I’m going to hope that the Austrian Airlines gate agent did not give into their pressure but instead sold them upgrades on a flight that was fairly full in the back but mostly empty in business class.
Austrian’s re-configured 777 with premium economy features a main business class cabin and then a single row of business class seats behind lavatories and a galley. The family had that mini-cabin all to themselves, with plenty of space to spread out and enjoy privacy.
But their daughter was restless and midway through the flight the father and daughter, about four years old, began making laps around the main business class cabin. The daughter was whiny and grabbed onto everything, including other passengers and their belongings.
Finally, after three laps an increased noise, a passenger told the father to stop.
The father freaked out, cursing out the woman loudly with expletives I will not repeat here. He also said:
“I paid for my seat and have a right to walk through the cabin.”
Flight attendants appeared and directed the father to the mid-cabin galley for further discussion. I could not overhear that, but the family did not re-appear for the remainder of the flight.
However, when we landed in Chicago the family walked up to the main business class cabin, as we would be deplaning from the front door. Rather than just maintain silence or apologize for cursing out the woman, the father confronted the woman again, pointing his finger at her and lecturing her that she had no idea what it was like to travel with children (the woman was traveling with her teenage daughter).
While the woman said nothing, a man standing in front of her told the father that his conduct was totally inappropriate, particularly the cursing.
The man then denied that he had cursed and so did his wife, who was not even there.
The woman who had been cursed out, now incredulous, told the man to leave her alone.
Volumes escalated. The crew appeared and separated the two passengers. One said the police had been called.
I had my camera ready to record video of a physical altercation, but thankfully the crew kept the two men apart and both walked off the airplane without further incident. I did not see the police show up.
My Thoughts
As a father of two young children, I am particularly sympathetic to parents traveling with children. I’ve experienced a transatlantic flight myself in which my son simply would not behave.
Nevertheless, the dynamics were different here. The family literally had their own cabin, like a private jet. The kids could have walked around that cabin and made all the noise they wanted with minimum disturbance to other passengers.
Yet instead, the father chose to parade his daughter around the cabin, waking up other passengers and subjecting them to unwanted touching from a small child.
That conduct was unacceptable, but his decision to curse out a passenger who asked him to stop was totally out of line and his lack of self-control in needlessly confronting the passenger after landing was indefensible.
CONCLUSION
My bottom line is not “control your children” onboard because any parent knows that is easier said than done. But when you are given special perks onboard like your own mini-cabin, you should be courteous and not disturb others, precisely because it avoidable.
The cursing and confrontation evidence a very weak man with severe anger management issues. The “I did not curse” delusion would have been laughable if it was not so pathetic. I am thankful the confrontation did not become physical.
Note: for privacy reasons I blurred out the faces of the two children
Just another day of “rich” assholes ruining things for everyone. If the tables were turned you can believe the man would be outraged that someone’s kids touched their stuff or their seats.
Should have punched the guy right in the face, if that was my wife he cussed out I would have spent my vacation in jail and the guy would have spent his vacation in the hospital
Well Matt, the flying trash does get around. Even on Austrian Airlines!! Who would have thought…
Yeah that father should go eat [expletive deleted]
A “My Thoughts” section and a “Conclusion”?
It is a super serious issue. Time for extra words…..
wow, no altercation, but I flew home from Zurich in Swiss business yesterday and pretty much the same thing with the kids running around, screaming, crying, yelling, completely out of control. I’m not an anti-kids traveler because I was traveling with my 7 & 8 year olds too, but they don’t behave like that on planes. I had no issue with the crying baby that the father was standing up trying to soothe for half of the flight, because that’s what happens with kids and I’ve had to do that too. It’s the toddlers that just bounce around annoying everyone the whole time. This time is started in the lounge, and again at the gate and then on the flight…and then then more equally annoying kids on the shuttle bus when we arrived. I get made at my kids sometimes, but I need to remember to thank them for behaving in public. I am not even angry at the kids though, it’s the parents that tune out completely and look at their phones the whole time while their kids just run wild.
So again, stupid Americans who think they own the world. Does he not know that many others have travelled with kids? Does he think he is the only one who has ever flown with children?
They should have been given the “American treatment”-ziptie or duct tape the dad to the seat. Maybe someone should have reported him to be trafficking the children cause he obviously didn’t know them.
Wow, dude.
Ohh..that’s a good one James..accusing him of trafficking children since some of these so called parents doesn’t seem to know that children.
I once were international flight where a baby 2 rows down wouldn’t stop crying and everyone around them giving them the looks ( like they were never a baby)while the parents were frantically trying to calm her. Even my wife want to offer an advise but I told her that no parent want to be told how to raise their children. After 30 minutes the baby went to sleep.
I apologize as an American. It’s lucky that I’m not a Senior flight attendant on that flight. I would’ve stated since you’re unable to control your kids, we will move you baxk to your regular assigned seat in economy class. People pay extra to fly Business (and that family shouldn’t get Business Class privileges except the seat anyway.) But, he’s lucky. I might’ve even tempted to be an “ugly American” and say things I shouldn’t (but wouldn’t cause I know better.)
Once had a flight from where the kid behind us (maybe 9-10 years old) would repeatedly kick our seatbacks very hard and yelled and screamed when his parents didn’t get him what he wanted (soda and candy). Tried to be nice about it but finally turned around and told the parents very loudly to stop it or else we would have to report him to the flight crew. Parents just shrugged and said there wasnt anything they could do …. yeah thats going to be a good way to raise a child. Finally FAs came around and the kid was a brat and parents still weren’t willing to even try to make him behave. Captain finally came over the intercom and called them out and the child freaked out and behaved. Everyone around started clapping.
There should be a test before you can have kids. Simple stuff like, is it your responsibility to at least try and raise your own kids?
There are a lot of potential extenuating circumstances. Child may have autism or ADHD, and any younger child can be unpredictable and throw a tantrum when the parent least expects it. I never blame the child.
When my daughter was 6 months old she cried continuously for about 20 minutes on a flight. I tried my best to calm her but nothing was working. Then an older guy across the aisle and one row up decided to turn around and stare at us to let us know he was being disturbed by the noise. I couldn’t help but laugh because clearly I’m doing all I can and a stink-eye isn’t helping. I smiled and waved at him using her hand until Mr. Grumpy finally turned around. Then my daughter finally passed out and slept the rest of the flight.
But I agree that the parents are often to blame for not disciplining their kids for clearly unacceptable behavior. As long as the parents are trying, I say nothing because I know it’s worse for them than anyone else!
I agree that it is usually how the parents are dealing with it that matters. Kids cry or have meltdowns, they aren’t equipped yet to deal with things and it is natural. Parents can try out of respect for others. When parent do nothing or encourage running up and down aisles or jumping around, that is entirely different.
Was in international biz class once where a family of 3 adults (mom, dad, grandpa) and 3 young kids were horrible. Baby would cry and screech but then family encouraged the older two to play with the baby to get him to screech because it was funny. Then the two older were jumping across the aisles and running around. Somebody complained to the FA. FAs politely asked if family could have the kids behave and the mother FLIPPED out saying how she was calming her baby and couldn’t do anything and that the other kids were doing nothing wrong and being good. When she said her two older were behave I snapped around and said “No they are not!”, which startled the mother from her rant and she demurred to the mid-galley.
I had no problem with the baby and endured the older kids’ behavior, but when mother flipped out verbally attacking the FA, I could not stay silent. Parent behavior is the key issue.
I am an American who has had the pleasure of living in a foreign country. I can tell you kids from other countries DO NOT behavior in that manner on flights or anywhere in public. They are well behaved when out with their parents in almost any venue including flying. Why is that? Because parents are not parents anymore and don’t have manners themselves so how are the kids suppose to learn them? I’m embattled to be an American at times because of all the stupid, and ignorant Americans I have encountered while traveling.
I experienced the “kid kicking the back of my seat” game once on a long international flight. After politely asking the kid several times to please stop kicking my seat, with no effect, I then asked the parent sitting next to him to please ask his child to stop kicking the back of my seat. The parent told me to mind my own business, and that he didn’t think his kid was doing anything to disturb me. Shortly after that, the kid kicked my seat again. I got up, when to the row behind the kid’s seat, quietly asked the person sitting in the seat behind the kid if he would just stand up for a minute and let me sit in his seat to deal with this kid, and, having seen what had been going on, the person smiled and got up and let me sit in his seat. As soon as I sat down I waited until the kid was comfortably seated in his seat, and I raised both legs and kicked the back of his seat so hard that I literally launched that little sh#t forward face first into the back of my assigned seat. He was shocked and started to cry as he picked himself up from the floor, and I leaned forward and said to him “How do you like that? Do you like having your seat back kicked?” I returned to my seat and he didn’t kick my seat again the rest of the flight.
Im flying the BS flag on your story. Kids are annoying, but there’s no way you assaulted a kid like that without being arrested.
“nearly leading to blows”
So no blows.
Thankfully, no physical altercation.
I apologize as an American. It’s lucky that I’m not a Senior flight attendant on that flight. I would’ve stated since you’re unable to control your kids, we will move you baxk to your regular assigned seat in economy class. People pay extra to fly Business (and that family shouldn’t get Business Class privileges except the seat anyway.) But, he’s lucky. I might’ve even tempted to be an “ugly American” and say things I shouldn’t (but wouldn’t cause I know better.)
Ah yes… the “you don’t know hard it is to bring a child on a plane” argument. They should reserve the last 5 rows of every flight for the people with kids. Let them run, scream, stomp, and kick all the want. I’m guessing people wouldn’t make so many excuses for their unruly children if they were subjected to their seatbacks being kicked for 4 hours across the ocean. And yes, I have a child. But no, I had respect for others and didn’t subject an infant to unnecessary travel until we were certain that he could act in a way that wouldn’t disturb others. Little Billy won’t remember his trip to Paris when he’s 2. Do the responsible thing and put him in the back seat of the Odyssey and take a nice road trip to Florida. Unruly kids don’t belong on planes – especially in business class. And before anyone brings it up, I have the same feelings about loud cell phone talkers and drunks.
I wouldn’t be so quick to judge. Not all parents are taking young kids to various international destinations for vacation. Many people (including the author of this blog) have family members who live abroad and want to visit them even if they have young kids.
Bless you Caleb!
After a thousand flights or so around the world, you get to see just about everything with kids. Among other things, I’ve had the lap baby next to me throw up on my pants in Sumatra, helped a dozen passengers pass a baby over head down 10 seats to bring the baby from its father to its mother on a flight to Beijing, held a baby while its mother had to get into her cabin bag for a bottle on the way to Paris and played a version of red light/green light with about a dozen passengers to tire 2 kids running down the aisle on a flight to Moscow. Guess either I have been lucky not to see folks get in a fight over a kid’s behavior on a flight or perhaps the world has just turned nastier since my last prepandemic flights out of South Africa, Ethiopia and Turkey.
I’m pretty tolerant of kids on planes having had kids myself, but that kind of adult behavior in business class? That is the disappointing thing to me, The main reason I started trying so hard to get out of economy and into business class on international flights years ago was to get away from obnoxious, drunk and combative fellow passengers. I don’t want that to be come the norm in J, too.
Many years ago I recollect that Air New Zealand would not allow any child in business or first under the age of eight. Didn’t matter whether it was paid for. Was a fine idea. Saved me from a lot of sleepless nights and days I’m sure.
Eh, I think it’s a good thing they got rid of that rule. I don’t have kids, but so long as the parent(s) are doing their best to deal with an unruly child (unlike the parents in this story) I don’t have a problem with them in business class (maybe not first class, but sometimes F is the only premium cabin available on miles and the difference in miles needed isn’t that steep). People need to fly for most intercontinental journeys and it seems unfair and elitist to say that those with kids should be banished to coach until their kids are more predictable. It’s not something optional like taking an unpredictable 2 year old to a fancy restaurant or to a Broadway show or something.
Also, why is it ok for people in coach to suffer through small children but not premium cabin passengers?
In other news, I hope you will be doing a food review of OS
Lol I flew with my kids (7 and 5) from ord to hkg in Cathay First 2 years ago and we had 3/4 seats on the right side of the cabin (chosen deliberately). There was one other passenger and they moved him to make a quartet. Prior to takeoff I said to him “mate you’ll probably enjoy your own area on the other side of the plane”. Sometimes attendants a little clueless.
Ive had to do laps with my three year old up and down aisles because he’s woken up in the middle of the night beside himself. Basically the only choice I’ve had (bar having him scream at his seat). I could also see myself losing it (not excusable) if someone told me to stop. Tough situation.
I actually like that he wrangled himself into biz! Any which way!!! I would have been proud of myself !!!!
Why did you identify the family as American? Is that important to the story? Especially since you didn’t identify the nationality of the other participants.
Because they fit the “ugly American” stereotype. Of course I write this as an American and I am ashamed when nasty, rude folks create a picture that all Americans are such selfish slobs.
If you have young children, by a bottle of Benadryl before you buy your plane tickets. Cheap and easy. And for all the snowflakes out there before you start screaming, it is recommended by every pediatrician so both parents and kids can have a good travel experience.
Tequila works better. Just a few drops.
So I’ve heard…..
At least this ended ok. Too often we see flight attendants abusing their authority over flight safety and escalating/instigating/exaggerating situations where they make false testimony to the pilots or cops. This frequently happens on U.S. carriers with the worst rated flight attendants in the world. Not all situations call for duct tape and calling the police. Things should be talked out and allow for discussion between flight attendants/the head flight attendant/the passenger if possible. Flight attendants barking orders is not acceptable nor is the not articulating why they are requesting something.
It’s unfortunate the father wasn’t mindful of his actions or inaction in controlling his child. He had the mini cabin all to himself with his family. He could have had her walk between the row with the seats up instead of up and down the aisles. Walking up and down the aisles is normal for parents and kids to stretch. That’s what’s nice about a bar area like on the AA 772. I enjoy walking from the front to the back of the plane once during a flight. However, parents need to be mindful. If a child is being loud and grabbing on to things, keep him or her quiet and seated.
Sometimes it’s the tenor of how a person complains to another that causes a reaction instead of the actual complaint.
What a disgusting man. He should’ve been arrested.
Truly disgusting.
the Father probably snapped at that instant cause the woman’s comment was the last straw. The women should have talked to the FA anyways and doesn’t sound like anyone else complained. Pretty tough to expect the kids to only traipse back and forth in the row.
This made me laugh when people go crazy on flights when it comes to kids
The more this unruly behavior goes on with no consequences the worst it will get
Matthew was entirely correct about his comments concerning the rude man as just another out of control entitled American expecting the world to bow down and kiss his feet. I use to be proud to say I am from the U.S. when traveling abroad, but now in no way am I anxious to identify myself as such. Seems these days it is a very dangerous situation to put an American in a silver tube and expect them to act in a responsible and caring manner. Where has this country gone in the last 10 years, especially when it comes to air transportation? These disgusting and dangerous passengers need to be banned from flying on any domestic and/or international U.S. carrier and fined and given prison time in the more dangerous and extreme cases. The really sad reality is that until these people are made to pay for their irresponsible actions, it will never end.
When travelling with youngsters in a confined space like an aircraft cabin, I carried on our family tradition of ‘silent games’. Think Marcel Marceau, but our favourite was called SNOT.
Please do remember this was imaginary but you must do the actions of its real. You rolled up a ball of ‘imaginary’ snot in your hand – freshly imaginary picked from where snot comes from. You then proceed to do various things with it. Some examples include- Suck it up one nostril and sniff it out the other – plat yo-yo with it, put it in one ear, tap your head, and catch it out the other and so on and so forth.
Of course you will get some passenger saying how disgusting, but you will also get many passengers thanking you for such a fun, entertaining, educational (?) and free game that almost any age can play!
Of course I have patented this imaginary game ROFL
I flew business on Austrian VIE-LAX back in 2018 and I was lucky enough to snag a 1A throne seat on miles but the American couple in their 50s/60s behind me were getting way too booked up and were cackling and talking loud throughout the entire flight when everyone was trying to sleep. the FA then denies to serve them alcohol and the couple went into a hissy fit and I later went to thank the FA. it’s not just shit kids that ruin flights
Still miss flying?
MUAHAHA
When my kids were young and we were traveling, just before we headed out to the airport, I sat them down for “the promise”. They knew if they didn’t behave reroute, when we got to our destination they wouldn’t be able to sit down because their backside would be on fire. They knew I was serious too. Never had a problem.
I look forward to flights which are adult only.
Not to be too repetitive – but are you sure this was not a Spirit Airlines flight.:)