Airline's response to breastfeeding mum on flight causes anger online
A breastfeeding mum has taken to social media after airline staff told her to “cover up” while on board a flight.
Shelby Angel was travelling on a KLM Airlines flight from San Francisco to Amsterdam with her one-year-old daughter when the incident took place.
Writing on the airline's Facebook page on Sunday, Angel recounted the moment a flight attendant gave her a blanket as she was breastfeeding her daughter.
After refusing to cover up, saying it would upset her child, she was told it would be her “issue” if a fellow passenger lodged a complaint.
“Instead of standing up for and protecting breastfeeding mothers and our children, already under the duress faced by flying with our young children, KLM would rather hold up antiquated values that shame women’s bodies,” she wrote on Facebook.
After Angel issued her complaint, the company responded saying the flight attendant’s behaviour was “in line with company policy”.
And the airline refuses to back down on their statement, with a representative replying back to the post saying: “We would like to emphasise that breastfeeding is permitted on KLM flights.
“However, we strive to ensure that all of our passengers of all backgrounds feel comfortable onboard.
“Therefore, we may request a mother to cover herself while breastfeeding, should other passengers be offended by this.”
The post spread like wildfire and came to the attention of other parents who are now claiming to avoid the airline.
“Omg and I thought KLM was more modern thinking. Sorry you have felt this way,” one person commented.
“I am astonished. I’ve been a flight attendant at KLM for up to 21 years now and I’ve seen so many mothers breastfeeding their child. Never has this been an issue, not for me, nor for any of my colleagues.”
A third person then wrote to KLM on their Facebook page asking for them to clarify their policy on breastfeeding, and they were told, “as an international airline company, we transport passengers with a variety of backgrounds”.
“Not all passengers feel comfortable with breastfeeding in their vicinity … to keep the peace on board, in such cases we will try to find a solution that is acceptable to everyone and that shows respect for everyone’s comfort and personal space.”