Cry babies welcome as tears prompt cheers at 30,000 feet

Parents flying with infants know all too well the looks of trepidation that come when other passengers see them and envision a nightmarish flight of blubbering babies.

In a video released by JetBlue Airways (JBLU), several moms voiced the stress that comes with taking a tot on board. "It's more stressful flying with a baby," said one mother. "I don't want to be that lady with the baby who is screaming for four hours." Another mom noted the hostile reaction of fellow passengers, saying "People definitely give you dirty looks."

But wailing infants drew smiles and even rounds of applause on a recent JetBlue flight from New York City to Long Beach, California, after a flight attendant announced a "FlyBabies" promotion in which passengers were offered a 25 percent discount on their next flight each time a pint-sized passenger cried.

Not long after the pilot announced the flight's descent, a fourth cry sounded, meaning all 140 passengers on the April 15 flight received a free ticket.

That said, don't expect to be rewarded with any freebies from future jaunts that include wailing infants. JetBlue said the Mother's Day promotion, intended to instill empathy towards parents, was a onetime deal.