Madam, – One can sympathise with Terry Forristal’s suffering due to crying babies on a long-haul flight (May 15th). However, her conclusion that the problem is due to selfish parents enjoying long-haul holidays is simplistic. The long-haul flight can be an unwanted ordeal. Many people in the world live far from their original homes and families, and have to make often urgent journeys at times of crisis. Flying to Australia or the US to be with a parent before they die is stressful enough without hostility from holidaymakers who might have forgotten just how difficult it can be to pacify a miserable baby. Not that Ben Lerwill’s original cavalier comment (Go, May 8) about ignoring other passengers is admirable either – a little more empathy all round is needed. – Yours, etc,