A mother travelling with her baby and young child on a long-haul Delta Air Lines flight has triggered an online debate after posting an image showing herself crouched on the cabin floor while her children slept across economy seats.

According to a report by the New York Post, the woman, identified as Mely Skoglund, shared the photograph on social media platform Threads, describing the experience as exhausting and uncomfortable.

“12 hours flying Delta Airlines back to the US was sold out, so we have no extra room. This is our situation,” she wrote alongside the image.

Online reaction divided

The post quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions. Some users criticised Skoglund for not purchasing a separate seat for her infant, arguing that parents should plan travel with adequate seating.

“I’m so glad I was raised by a mother who bought the correct number of seats for the number of travellers,” one user commented. Another asked, “What part of ‘sold out’ didn’t you understand?”

Others, however, defended her, pointing to airline policies that allow infants to travel on an adult’s lap. “That’s a baby. She doesn’t have to buy a seat for an infant,” one user wrote, adding that not all families can afford additional tickets.

Airline policy on lap infants

As per Delta’s policy, children under the age of two are permitted to travel on an adult’s lap free of charge on domestic flights. On international routes, lap infants are generally charged around 10 per cent of the adult fare. Parents may also opt to buy a separate seat for an infant, provided an FAA-approved car seat is used.

The report did not clarify whether Skoglund had tickets for both children, though she appeared to have seats for herself and her older child.

Airline response

Responding to the controversy, Delta told the Daily Mail that passenger safety remains its top priority. The airline added that it could not independently verify the image but stressed that passengers are expected to remain seated with seatbelts fastened unless movement is necessary.

The incident has reignited discussion around airline seating policies, affordability, and the challenges faced by parents travelling with young children on long-haul flights.