Monday
Aug252008
Cover up! Airline breastfeeding policies...
Monday, August 25, 2008
If I could summarize briefly what airline policies towards breastfeeding seem to be, it is that women can breastfeed, but should cover up when doing so. Whether or not the baby is comfortable (or subjected to disgusting airline blankets or not) doesn't seem to be a big concern for most airlines. Instead, they are more concerned with ensuring that no one else feels squeamish, as if the sight of a tiny bit of bare breast (if even that much) would be enough to make everyone on the plane reach for their vomit baggies.
No wonder there are so many incidents where breastfeeding women's rights are violated in the air.
But that is a generalization. Some are better than others. As we are planning an upcoming vacation and since we travel by air frequently, I wrote to a number of airlines asking them to clarify their policy on breastfeeding to help me in deciding which airline to fly with.
Here is what I heard...
They have no official policy on breastfeeding. Women should feed their babies as needed, including during take-off and landing. In fact, flight attendants often advise mothers to breastfeed during take-off and landing to help their ears from popping. As a public transport company, they follow the Human Rights Act and the Canadian Transportation Act.
A family oriented airline, they welcome nursing mothers to breastfeed their infants from the comfort of their seat anytime during the flight. Mothers are welcome to nurse their infant in the manner that they are comfortable, whether they use a blanket to cover the infant or not. They indicated that some restrictions may apply during take-off, landing, or any other moment when passengers are directed to fasten safety belts by a crew member because it is not possible to breastfeed an infant due to the holding position recommended by Transport Canada in those situations (Note: I beg to differ! See my post on Breastfeeding During Take-Off and Landing)
Their procedures advise the crew to ensure that mothers breastfeeding their children have the privacy they need and that other customers are not subjected to an uncomfortable situation. Their inflight personnel are trained to handle such situations with professionalism and discretion.
They don't have an official 'breastfeeding policy' , however cabin crew training for new staff covers breastfeeding issues. British Airways is fully supportive of a mother's choice to breastfeed her baby, when travelling with them - therefore you do not need to ask the cabin crew on your flight if you are allowed to do so. You are also welcome to breastfeed during take-off and landing if necessary, as long as both yourself and your baby are wearing your fastened seat belts. They appreciate that there could be times when a fellow passenger might feel uncomfortable when sitting next to/near a feeding mother, and in this case the cabin crew would see if they can re-seat either of the breastfeeding mother or the other passenger to ensure you both continue your journey as comfortable as possible. They did provide me with one last piece of interesting information - "please make sure that you take extra breast pads in your hand baggage, as the cabin air pressure can have an influence on your body when the flight is at maximum cruising altitude" (note: this hasn't been my experience, but I'll leave it there for y'all to use as you see fit!).
They claim they are a family friendly airline. Their policy does not prohibit breastfeeding onboard the aircraft, but when passengers become troubled by the action of a fellow passenger, they have a responsibility to address the issue and to try to find an amicable solution that meets each customers' needs.
When I enquired about their breastfeeding policy, I got a very defensive e-mail back that assumed that I was referring to the situation where Emily Gilette was kicked off of a Freedom Airlines/Delta flight. They assured me that the Vermont Human Rights Commission ruled that Delta played no role in the decision or act to remove Ms. Gilette from the plane. They further indicated that they support a mother's right to breastfeed aboard their aircraft and that they have coordinated with Freedom Airlines to ensure that they deliver the level of service they expect for all of their customers.
Lufthansa does not have an official policy towards breastfeeding on a flight. Breastfeeding is permitted on flights to any destination. They do, however, request that mothers use a cover if they wish to breastfeed in their seat out of respect for other passengers that may be uncomfortable and for your own privacy. You may also use the lavatories to breastfeed without a cover or request a secluded area for your privacy. They also mentioned new requirements for infants to be strapped in the Infant Belts during take off and landing on all flights to and from Germany and indicated that it is therefore not possible to breastfeed during those times.
They have no policies forbidding or constraining the nursing of infants on their flights. Breastfeeding is allowed on the plane, but they do not have a written document indicating this. They ask as a courtesy towards other passengers that mothers be discrete when nursing. They suggested that I alert the gate agent and the flight attendant that I will be breastfeeding so that they will place me somewhere private.
On their Web site, they indicate that mothers should give a bottle or breastfeed to alleviate the popping sensation during take-off and landing. They also say that there are no private areas on board to breastfeed and that mothers are welcome to feed their baby in their seat.
They do not have an official policy about breastfeeding (and apparently they do not have an unofficial one either, because that is all they had to say!).
They respect the rights of a nursing mother. The only time a flight attendant should ask a passenger to stop nursing is when the activity presents a safety hazard to the mother, child or other passengers. If they receive a complaint from other passengers about a mother that is nursing, they will attempt to make everyone comfortable by offering the other a blanket for her privacy or moving the offended passenger(s) to another seat, if possible. If the situation cannot be resolved in a manner that makes everyone comfortable, then the other passengers will simply have to live with their discomfort.
They don't have a policy established, but indicated that women are more than welcome to breastfeed on the plane, including during take-off and landing. Whether or not they are asked to cover up with a blanket or cover is up to the flight attendant's discretion. If everyone on board is okay with the mother breastfeeding without a cover, she will not be asked to cover up. But if someone complains, then the flight attendant may ask her to cover up. It is a form of public transportation, which means they are dealing with lots of different types of people and they need to cater to all of them. They suggested that breastfeeding mothers wanting to avoid a situation where someone might complain should consider moving away from the aisle (e.g. to the window seat) to nurse so that they are less visible to other passengers.
On their Web site they indicate that mothers should breastfeed or bottlefeed infants during take-off and landing to make them more comfortable.
They support a woman's right to breastfeed. They also support the right of all guests on their fights to have a safe and comfortable experience while in their care. If at any time they decide that a situation exists which has the potential to interfere with the comfort of their guests, they have the responsibility to address it. They do not have a policy on breastfeeding and do not feel that one is required because they fully support it. At no time was their guest asked to stop breastfeeding (another defensive e-mail here...). They believe and trust in their staff and empower them to make decisions based on common sense and good judgement.
Are there other airlines whose breastfeeding policies you want to know about? If so, let me know at phdinparenting at gmail dot com and I'll see what I can find out.
There is one more upcoming post in this series on breastfeeding on airplanes. I am working on a post with tips for travelling my air with a breastfed child (done!), including information on your rights, what to do if you are confronted, and how to ensure that your flight is as comfortable as possible for you and your child.
No wonder there are so many incidents where breastfeeding women's rights are violated in the air.
But that is a generalization. Some are better than others. As we are planning an upcoming vacation and since we travel by air frequently, I wrote to a number of airlines asking them to clarify their policy on breastfeeding to help me in deciding which airline to fly with.
Here is what I heard...
Air Canada
They have no official policy on breastfeeding. Women should feed their babies as needed, including during take-off and landing. In fact, flight attendants often advise mothers to breastfeed during take-off and landing to help their ears from popping. As a public transport company, they follow the Human Rights Act and the Canadian Transportation Act.
Air Transat
A family oriented airline, they welcome nursing mothers to breastfeed their infants from the comfort of their seat anytime during the flight. Mothers are welcome to nurse their infant in the manner that they are comfortable, whether they use a blanket to cover the infant or not. They indicated that some restrictions may apply during take-off, landing, or any other moment when passengers are directed to fasten safety belts by a crew member because it is not possible to breastfeed an infant due to the holding position recommended by Transport Canada in those situations (Note: I beg to differ! See my post on Breastfeeding During Take-Off and Landing)
American Airlines
Their procedures advise the crew to ensure that mothers breastfeeding their children have the privacy they need and that other customers are not subjected to an uncomfortable situation. Their inflight personnel are trained to handle such situations with professionalism and discretion.
British Airways
They don't have an official 'breastfeeding policy' , however cabin crew training for new staff covers breastfeeding issues. British Airways is fully supportive of a mother's choice to breastfeed her baby, when travelling with them - therefore you do not need to ask the cabin crew on your flight if you are allowed to do so. You are also welcome to breastfeed during take-off and landing if necessary, as long as both yourself and your baby are wearing your fastened seat belts. They appreciate that there could be times when a fellow passenger might feel uncomfortable when sitting next to/near a feeding mother, and in this case the cabin crew would see if they can re-seat either of the breastfeeding mother or the other passenger to ensure you both continue your journey as comfortable as possible. They did provide me with one last piece of interesting information - "please make sure that you take extra breast pads in your hand baggage, as the cabin air pressure can have an influence on your body when the flight is at maximum cruising altitude" (note: this hasn't been my experience, but I'll leave it there for y'all to use as you see fit!).
Continental Airlines
They claim they are a family friendly airline. Their policy does not prohibit breastfeeding onboard the aircraft, but when passengers become troubled by the action of a fellow passenger, they have a responsibility to address the issue and to try to find an amicable solution that meets each customers' needs.
Delta
When I enquired about their breastfeeding policy, I got a very defensive e-mail back that assumed that I was referring to the situation where Emily Gilette was kicked off of a Freedom Airlines/Delta flight. They assured me that the Vermont Human Rights Commission ruled that Delta played no role in the decision or act to remove Ms. Gilette from the plane. They further indicated that they support a mother's right to breastfeed aboard their aircraft and that they have coordinated with Freedom Airlines to ensure that they deliver the level of service they expect for all of their customers.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa does not have an official policy towards breastfeeding on a flight. Breastfeeding is permitted on flights to any destination. They do, however, request that mothers use a cover if they wish to breastfeed in their seat out of respect for other passengers that may be uncomfortable and for your own privacy. You may also use the lavatories to breastfeed without a cover or request a secluded area for your privacy. They also mentioned new requirements for infants to be strapped in the Infant Belts during take off and landing on all flights to and from Germany and indicated that it is therefore not possible to breastfeed during those times.
Northwest
They have no policies forbidding or constraining the nursing of infants on their flights. Breastfeeding is allowed on the plane, but they do not have a written document indicating this. They ask as a courtesy towards other passengers that mothers be discrete when nursing. They suggested that I alert the gate agent and the flight attendant that I will be breastfeeding so that they will place me somewhere private.
Qantas
On their Web site, they indicate that mothers should give a bottle or breastfeed to alleviate the popping sensation during take-off and landing. They also say that there are no private areas on board to breastfeed and that mothers are welcome to feed their baby in their seat.
Sunwing
They do not have an official policy about breastfeeding (and apparently they do not have an unofficial one either, because that is all they had to say!).
United Airlines
They respect the rights of a nursing mother. The only time a flight attendant should ask a passenger to stop nursing is when the activity presents a safety hazard to the mother, child or other passengers. If they receive a complaint from other passengers about a mother that is nursing, they will attempt to make everyone comfortable by offering the other a blanket for her privacy or moving the offended passenger(s) to another seat, if possible. If the situation cannot be resolved in a manner that makes everyone comfortable, then the other passengers will simply have to live with their discomfort.
US Airways
They don't have a policy established, but indicated that women are more than welcome to breastfeed on the plane, including during take-off and landing. Whether or not they are asked to cover up with a blanket or cover is up to the flight attendant's discretion. If everyone on board is okay with the mother breastfeeding without a cover, she will not be asked to cover up. But if someone complains, then the flight attendant may ask her to cover up. It is a form of public transportation, which means they are dealing with lots of different types of people and they need to cater to all of them. They suggested that breastfeeding mothers wanting to avoid a situation where someone might complain should consider moving away from the aisle (e.g. to the window seat) to nurse so that they are less visible to other passengers.
Virgin Blue
On their Web site they indicate that mothers should breastfeed or bottlefeed infants during take-off and landing to make them more comfortable.
WestJet
They support a woman's right to breastfeed. They also support the right of all guests on their fights to have a safe and comfortable experience while in their care. If at any time they decide that a situation exists which has the potential to interfere with the comfort of their guests, they have the responsibility to address it. They do not have a policy on breastfeeding and do not feel that one is required because they fully support it. At no time was their guest asked to stop breastfeeding (another defensive e-mail here...). They believe and trust in their staff and empower them to make decisions based on common sense and good judgement.
Others?
Are there other airlines whose breastfeeding policies you want to know about? If so, let me know at phdinparenting at gmail dot com and I'll see what I can find out.
Stay Tuned
There is one more upcoming post in this series on breastfeeding on airplanes. I am working on a post with tips for travelling my air with a breastfed child (done!), including information on your rights, what to do if you are confronted, and how to ensure that your flight is as comfortable as possible for you and your child.
Reader Comments (61)
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So very annoyed - lat week a flight attendant on Continental brought me a blanket while I was bf-ing. I said thank you very much but that I was fine, and she told me I should cover up as it was inappropriate. I had a nursing top on so it wasn't even like my whole breast was hanging out or my stomach was showing. I noted to her that, in fact, in Canada it has been recognized as a right in some legislation, and she said they were an american airline and that I should cover up as someone had complained. I continued to nurse Charlotte, who would never nurse under a blanket btw, but did make sure my shirt opening was as minimal as possible. I am very happy to have found this info as I will use it to choose airlines in the future - regardless of whether I am flying with a child who requires nursing. I am also writing letters to Continental and transportation authorities.
PhD,
Thank you for this website! I was going to ask you to add Southwest Airlines but I just got off the phone with them. They don't have a policy but what the lady on the phone told me, "you have a baby ma'am, do what you gotta do!" She also mentioned being tactful about it but I didn't take that to strictly mean covering up. I'm personally not comfortable with doing it in public without covering up but i really don't want to be that way. I want to get over it and like you said, spread the word that breasfeeding your child is a good thing. We talk at my LLL meetings all the time about how breadfeeding in public shows, to young women and new moms, that it's ok for them to do it too. One friend said when she flew once, she had all the policies for each state they flew over/in and was ready to let them know it was either screaming baby or a breadfed one. Most, I would imagine, would choose breasfeeding! My son does not nurse perfectly for public situations and certainly does not like being covered up either. We're flying for the first time next week, so we'll see how it goes!
Here are the breastfeeding laws for Virginia if anyone is flying through/to/from there (I believe both DC airports are physically located in VA): http://www.vabreastfeeding.org/laws.htm
I just was asked to cover up on a Delta flight...attendant was very apologetic when he saw me looking at his name tag.
Wonder if they ever made their policy public...
Hi I will be going to Costa Rica with my 9 weeks old baby boy we are flying with frontier. the fly in five hours bo too bad! So I was wandering will I be able to breastfeeding?
There is no reason why you shouldn't be able to breastfeed. But I would always encourage people to get the airlines policy in writing ahead of time (e-mail them) in the event that you get a misinformed flight attendant who tries to prevent you from breastfeeding.
Thank you so much for this information I wish I had discovered it a few weeks as I had to travel to Morocco without my 3 month old and wasn't sure how I would manage to pump. The first flight was 7 hour and I accidently slept right through but woke up horribly engorged. Then pumped in the airport bathroom. Coming back I pumped in the airline bathroom, but it was uncomfortable. I don't know how comfortable I would have been pumping in my seat, but didn't think I had an option to ask the flight attendant, so didn't do so. Now I wish I had! Out of curiosity, any word on Air France - that's who I flew with. Thanks so much for this great reference, I will be looking at regularly from now on.
I flew with Lufthansa, sweden - germany - france, two-way. Nursing with the infant belt is no problem whatsoever and the flight attendants never batted an eye at my baby who used me as a pacifier during 90% of the flights. I didn't use a cover but I did wear a nursing slit top (kept the girls warm!) No passengers complained to me either. I also nursed in the stockholm airport and munich airport. Other than a very rude arabic man pointing at me so his friend could join him in staring (i ignored them and read a book), it went fine.
Do you know what Southwest's BFing policy is?
What about Southwest?