Air-travel with little ones can potentially be a harrowing experience for parents, especially if the flight is not comfortable.
Luckily, there are some airlines that understand the need for comfort and kid-friendliness for families with children.
If you are already stressed out about your next flight with tots, stop worrying right now.
Here are 8 of the best child-friendly airlines that really go out of their way when it comes to ensuring a super-comfortable flight for families.
Child-friendly airlines that go the extra mile for your baby’s comfort:
1. Gulf Air: Free sky-nanny services
The national airline for Bahrain, Gulf Air, offers special services for kids such as meals, entertainment, bassinet seats and baggage allowance.
In case you are missing any diaper bag items, the airline also stocks up pretty much everything, including baby food, diapers, wet wipes, baby powder, lotion, bibs or even cotton bud packs.
What’s more, you get the services of a nanny, totally free. These sky-nannies escort you to your seat right from the departure gate. You can get your much-deserved break or even a nap while these loving ladies keep your babies engaged.
2. Emirates: Families board first policy
They have special family check-in desks along with a complimentary stroller service at Dubai International Airport.
Internationally, they have a policy of ‘family’s board first.’ The facility of pre-ordering meals for kids is available.
So mums, if your child has any dietary issues, be assured that Emirates will do their best to accommodate you. They also provide baby meals. Apart from that, they help you warm up your child’s food and milk as well.
But this is not all.
All kids on board get access to the toys available in-flight. They also provide your child with an activity pack that consists of a backpack, book, eye masks, pen and activity book.
Along with these they also give a soft toy and a blanket. The baby’s amenity kit includes baby wipes, a spoon, a bib and a bassinet liner. A vast collection of kids’ TV shows and popular cartoons are available for older kids.
Little ones are also given colourful headphones to make their experience more interesting. All in all, kids of all ages are sure to enjoy this journey with Emirates.
3. Air France: Bring your stroller on board
Air France has good news for mums who don’t wish to check in their strollers. If it meets the specifications provided by the airline, you are allowed to bring it on-board. The strollers can be kept in the overhead baggage compartments.
For babies, sweet and savoury organic food jars can be pre-ordered. Even baby biscuits are available on the flight. Children in the age group of two to eight years are served healthy, colourful meals.
Games and colouring books are provided for long-haul flights. Kids can also keep themselves entertained with a wide range of children’s cartoons, movies, video games and radio stations.
Most tantrums on board are caused by ‘hangry’ kids and that’s why British Airways have a wonderful policy of feeding kids first. Also, families are given preference when boarding.
Age-appropriate ‘skyflyer’ activity packs are given to kids. These come in swimming bags adding to the overall excitement.
For kids in the age group of 3 to 5 years, the bag has crayons and a ‘spread your wings’ colouring book that features Cuthbert, the Cat.
Older children will get a pen and a ‘wing it’ book that has interesting and fun facts about flying, puzzles and Sudoku. The best part is that in-flight entertainment for kids can be controlled by parents. So there’s no way that your kid will chance upon inappropriate content.
An on-board stroller check-in, inflatable aircraft beds, diapers, disposable bibs and feeding bottles are just a few things that you can get in-flight with Singapore Airlines.
An access to activity games and toys that consist of stickers, memory card games, puzzles, soft toys and so on is an added advantage and keeps your child busy. Not just that, the toys and games are refreshed every three months. So if you are a frequent flyer, your child will always have something new to look forward to.
6. Etihad Airways: The flying nanny service
Mums, with Etihad’s ‘flying nanny service’ no need to worry about travelling alone with kids. The nannies are well-trained from a childcare college in the UK.
Kids are equipped with a goodie bag of games and fun hands-on activities, like face painting, origami-making and magic tricks.
Kids three years and older will be given a pack of games, activity books and stickers to stay entertained. Little ones are also provided with tasty meals.
7. Air New Zealand: Olbas oil to soothe your baby’s earache
Air New Zealand has awesome in-flight entertainment as well as an amazing kids’ pack. However, the highlight is a herbal remedy that uses Olbas oil to ease your child off an earache during take-offs and landings.
If you are willing to spend extra, you can enjoy the comfort of Sky Couch, that are special seats. These seats extend and turn into a couch or bed for a comfortable experience for you and your little one.
8. Asiana Airlines: Happy mom service
The South Korean airline provides lots of services under their ‘happy mom’ service.
They offer healthy meals for babies, toddlers and children. If you did not book a bassinet seat or if your baby has outgrown it, then you can get a baby sling when on board.
An added advantage is that kids under 2 are eligible for free travel and you can also check in a bag upto weighing 10 kilograms as well as a stroller at no charge.
So mums, with so much comfort and convenience, get going and plan your next trip soon!
Source: Smart Parents
Images: Air Asiana, Air New Zealand, Etihad, British Airways, Emirates, Gulf Air
