Ex-Flight Attendant's Message About Flyers With Kids: ‘Don't Come for Me'

A former flight attendant has ignited debate online after sharing her controversial opinion about when families with young children should board flights, arguing they may be better off boarding last rather than first.

The opinion was shared in a video posted by @laurainsouthflorida, a British mom living in South Florida who identifies herself as a former flight attendant in her TikTok profile. The clip has amassed over 2 million views since it was shared on April 8.

The TikTok video shows a man at an airport adjusting a blanket over an infant lying in a baby carriage in an airport setting. Text overlaid on the video reads: “Hear me out. Families with young children board last NOT first…”

In the caption, the creator acknowledges the controversial nature of the opinion, writing: “Okay don't come for me but I think families with babies should board LAST. I know. I KNOW. And yes I used to be a flight attendant. I have seen things. I have opinions. This is one of them.”

Many airlines allow families with young children to pre‑board, a policy typically designed to give parents time to install car seats, stow carry‑ons, and settle children before the rest of the cabin fills. However, the former flight attendant explained why she believes that approach can backfire.

In the caption, she referenced her own experience traveling with her son, named Oliver. “Every time we pre‑board Oliver we spend an extra 25 minutes strapped into seats going absolutely nowhere while every other human slowly files past us making faces at him like he's a zoo exhibit,” she wrote.

She described her child staying calm only briefly before becoming restless. “He's fine for the first 10 minutes. Then he's done. DONE. And we still haven't even pushed back from the gate,” she added.

Drawing on her professional background, the poster said her view was shaped by years of watching families struggle during pre‑boarding. “I spent years watching families board first and slowly unravel before we even closed the door,” she wrote.

Her alternative strategy is simple: “Board last. Sit down. Take off immediately. Baby never knows the difference.”

She summed up her stance with a blunt conclusion, writing: “Trust the ex‑flight attendant on this one. The pre‑board privilege is a trap. I handed it out for years and I'm only now admitting that. You're welcome. Or I'm sorry. Depending on how strongly you feel about this.”

The viral video touches on a broader and often-emotional conversation about traveling with young children and how families fit into the passenger experience.

A June 2023 survey of 1,000 adults in the United States and Canada, conducted for Kayak, found that most travelers expressed acceptance toward families flying with young children.

Those surveyed said, “You are allowed to bring a baby,” because 74 percent of passengers “aren't monsters.”

Travelers also believe “you are allowed to bring a toddler” on board because 78 percent of travelers “don't put themselves before the well-being of families,” according to the Kayak survey.

The viral video sparked debate among TikTok users.

Mar Friend wrote: “I agree there should be no special boarding first for kids.”

User kikoamons posted: “Yes and this will help parents not have anxiety of rushing because they're holding people up too.”

Lindsay W Smith said: “That's fine as long as you don't need seats together due to littles.”

User ddcc noted: “Agree but the baggage storage runs out if you go on last.”

User danielajames521 commented: “I mean they typically have a lot of stuff and the people getting on last sometimes have to hunt around for an overhead spot for their stuff.”

Livingmylife05 posted: “I will never understand why they don't just board back of the plane first.”

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. This video has not been independently verified.

Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@newsweek.com, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.

Newsweek's reporters and editors used Martyn, our Al assistant, to help produce this story. Learn more about Martyn.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 7:41 AM.