TUI tells mum not to breastfeed on flight as it 'could make passengers uncomfortable'

A mother has criticised TUI after she was advised that breastfeeding her newborn baby on the plane “could make other people feel uncomfortable”.

Chelsea Williams, 28, had boarded her flight with the airline for a holiday in Almeria, Spain, from Manchester airport with her husband, Thomas Williams, and their two children on 26 July.

Mrs Williams decided to breastfeed her six-week-old during the plane’s take-off and landing to alleviate the baby's ear pain.

However, she says she was later approached by a member of the cabin crew on the plane who said that she “wasn't permitted” to feed the baby during take-off and landing.

Mrs Williams, from Conwy, North Wales, said she stopped feeding her baby to avoid “making a scene” and was left feeling anxious about the family’s return trip home.

She said: "We were trying to make the [travel] experience as non-stressful as we could.

"Before going, I did some research and it said to feed for take-off and landing.

"They came to do the belt checks, and saw that the baby was buckled in and feeding and I was told it wasn't permitted to feed during take-off and landing...

"I didn't want to cause a scene by not cooperating, so I stopped feeding.”

Frustrated with the situation, Mr Williams, 28, sent a message to TUI to ask whether his wife was allowed to feed their baby during flight take-off via the company's app the day before they were due to travel home.

However, the couple were left in shock after TUI suggested that they avoid breastfeeding on the plane as it may “make other people feel uncomfortable” – despite there being no official restrictions in place.

Mrs Williams said she was “gobsmacked” by the response – claiming that she expected the company to explain a policy or safety regulation rather than “discrimination”.

She added: "Their response was absolutely shocking. I didn't expect that response at all; I expected a policy maybe, or a safety regulation...

"I didn't reply, I was honestly gobsmacked.”

Mrs Williams ignored the advice from TUI and decided to feed her baby on the flight home and said that nobody told her to stop.

TUI have since apologised for the message and said that all colleagues will be retrained on their policy on breastfeeding.

A spokesperson said: "We are really sorry for the distress caused to Ms Williams and her infant.

"As a family friendly travel company, we support breastfeeding on our flights at any time.

"We are currently conducting an urgent internal investigation and will be making sure that all colleagues are retrained on our breastfeeding friendly policy."

What are the rules on breastfeeding on planes?

Some international airlines may have their own policies but the UK Equality Act 2010 states that businesses are not allowed to discriminate against mothers who are breastfeeding a child of any age.

Airlines are no exception to this policy and therefore women are allowed to breastfeed on planes as much as in any other business premises – such as in restaurants or shops.

In fact, the National Childbirth Trust recommend that mothers breastfeed babies during take-off and landing to prevent pain or uncomfortable sensations, including popping ears.

However, babies should be secured with an extension lap belt if being breastfed during take-off or landing.