Juneyao flight controversy: Women lock crying child in the washroom

On board a Juneyao Airlines flight from Guiyang to Shanghai, a controversial situation occurred. Two women locked a crying girl in the washroom. This punishment was meant to “teach the child a lesson."

According to foreign media, passengers’ attention was drawn to a little girl travelling with her grandmother during the flight. Witnesses reported that the child was crying and difficult to calm down. The media was abuzz when it was revealed that the women tried to control the little tourist.

According to a BBC report, two strangers got involved when the grandmother couldn’t calm her granddaughter. One of them reportedly took the crying girl to the airplane washroom. The other was said to have informed the child that she would only be allowed to leave the washroom once she stopped crying.

A short video posted on social media shows the girl crying and trying to get out of the locked washroom. It must be acknowledged that such an experience could be traumatic for a child.

The women who locked the girl in the washroom claim that they had her grandmother's permission to use this method to “teach the girl a lesson.” Additionally, the women emphasized that they wanted to help not only the girl’s caretaker but also the other passengers who were clearly disturbed by the noise generated by the little passenger.

The airline briefly stated in an official declaration that passengers took the child to the toilet at the grandmother's initiative to ensure the comfort of other travellers.

Internet users are widely commenting on the matter on social media. “This behaviour is child abuse,” “Lack of sensitivity from these two women,” “Poor child,” “I’m ashamed of the grandmother and the women” – can be read under the footage on YouTube.