The viral video from Chinese social media showed a year-old girl crying as two women locked her in the lavatory during a flight from Guiyang to Shanghai.
Despite apologizing for the incident, the airline faced backlash after the passengers’ claim of wanting a “restful flight for other passengers” incited accusations of heartlessness and bullying.
Public sentiment on Weibo and state media outlets condemned the passengers’ behavior, emphasizing the need for greater understanding and empathy towards children’s emotions in public.