That little act of kindness would have gone a long way, what was the cost $10? IMHO the airline now has a public relations disaster on their hands with all parents of special needs kids. Would you fly with them now if you had a special needs child?
Penny wise and pound foolish, just my 2 cents...
Imagine the PR disaster if the cabin crew walked up and quilted a paying First Class passenger to give up his paid for meal. . .being quilted in front of everyone else. . “unless you are heartless, how can you possibly refuse to give up your paid for meal so we can feed such a needy girl”. . .
IMHO. . .