The mid-air brawl broke out after the women told the baby's mum to 'shut her child up' during a flight from south-western China's Chongqing city to Hong Kong.
It all kicked off when 27-year-old Chan Juan Sung's baby began crying and woke the two women behind her.
The pair complained which sparked the fraught mum to lay into them – and almost caused an emergency landing.
Passenger Xiong Wan, 45, said: "I was sitting right next to them when they started telling the woman to shut the baby up.
"She started shouting back at them and before I knew what was happening she leant over the seat and punched one of them.
"They then started hitting her and all hell broke loose.
"They were fighting, the baby was now screaming and other passengers were shouting.
"It was like some bizarre film."
The brawling women were eventually separated by the Air China cabin crew after being warned the plane would have to make an emergency landing if they didn't stop.
They were taken in for questioning when the flight reached Hong Kong.
Daio Weimin, a spokesman for the airline, said: "Passengers cannot behave like this.
"Each and everyone must adhere to aviation laws to ensure a safe and comfortable flight for all."
Perhaps the brawl could have been avoided if the mum had warned fellow passengers in advance that her the flight might be a little disturbed by her baby doing what a baby does naturally!
That's what a considerate couple did last week when they gave a gift basket and a note of apology to airline passengers warning them that their baby girl might disturb their flight.
The parents were taking their one-year-old on a plane for the first time and so decided to win over fellow travellers, rather than risk raised eyebrows and admonishing tuts if their daughter made a racket on board – as small children are inclined to do.
So the mum and dad wrote out a polite note on behalf of baby Madeline, explaining why she might be making a lot of noise.
And they also provided their fellow passengers with ear plugs and sweet treats to help make the experience a bit more relaxing for everyone.
The note, which was shared on Reddit by an impressed passenger, read:
"Hi Stranger!
"My name is Madeline. I will be one on December 17 and this is my first flight. I'll try to be on my best behaviour, but I'd like to apologise in advance if I lose my cool, get scared or my ears hurt.
"My mom and dad packed you this goodies bag with a few treats. There are also earplugs in case my first public serenade isn't as enjoyable to you as it is my mom and dad.
"Have a great flight!"