Passengers on a flight in Sweden reportedly faced an unexpected hour-long delay after a three-year-old child refused to sit in his seat while the aircraft was preparing for takeoff.

The incident was shared by Reddit user Ava_Strange, who claimed to have been onboard the flight.

According to the Reddit user, the drama unfolded as the aircraft was taxiing towards the runway. The toddler was screaming and could not be persuaded by his parents to remain seated.

The child was reportedly considered too old to safely travel on a parent’s lap, meaning he had to be secured in his own seat for takeoff.

A flight attendant reportedly gave the family around 10 minutes to get the child seated. When that failed, the aircraft had to return and the parents and toddler were forced to deboard.

But removing the family was only the beginning of the delay.

The aircraft had to return to the gate, the family’s checked baggage had to be located and unloaded, and the crew reportedly had to deal with refuelling and updated weight-and-balance calculations. The flight also needed a new departure slot.

By the time the aircraft finally departed, passengers were more than an hour behind schedule — potentially leaving some travellers facing missed connections and disrupted Friday night plans.

Ava_Strange said the experience left them seriously considering paying extra for an adults-only flight.

The incident has once again raised a controversial question among travellers: Should airlines introduce child-free or adults-only flights — even at a higher ticket price?