Previously when travelling as a couple we were never fussed with which airline we fly. We simply chose the most economical option and go. Only starting from our babymoon travel that we started noticing airlines’ different levels of service and support. One airline we flew was very attentive from check in to landing, while in another (at 32 weeks pregnant) we were asked mid-flight, and these were the exact words “Err, my boss asked me to ask you if need anything?” =)
So far our family have flown with Thai Airways, Garuda Indonesia, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Dragon Air, China Eastern Airlines, Malindo Air and Emirates.
These are the Top 7 qualities you should consider when choosing an airline for your next family travel:
1. Helpful ground crew
Make sure your airline can help you go through airports quickly and allocate your actual pre-booked seats. This is especially important when you need a bassinet seat. Keep in mind that different airlines have different policies when it comes to bassinet row seats, do your airline specific research prior to making any bookings.
On our travels there were two occasions where our seat allocations have been mixed up. With Singapore Airlines they attended this problem promptly at the boarding gate, reallocating us to our correct seats. In a separate occasion Garuda Indonesia reallocated our pre-booked bassinet row seats to airline VIPs. Ground staffs at check in counter were not authorised to assist us and we were asked to sort our seating arrangements directly with the VIP passengers once on board – zero assistance!
2. Helpful on board crew
In general we find on board crews to be generally helpful. From welcoming us with a smile, offering kids pack to keep little ones busy and even making funny faces to our son during the flight.
Once again Singapore airlines crew seem to be the most relaxed and playful with kids. During our Singapore to Frankfurt flight, the baby next to us unfortunately had diarrhoea. The stewardess would check up on him regularly, reassuring the parents that they had extra nappies and other medications on board if needed. During longer flights, Emirates will take a Polaroid photo of travelling families and handout souvenir postcards, nice touch.
3. Choice of food for little passengers
Most airlines we have flown offer a good variety of toddler meals. However dessert and snacks generally tend to be sugary which may cause your toddler to get overly stimulated. Baby food is usually limited or not available at all. So if needed do bring your own baby food such as Rafferty Garden pouch food.
When serving meals Singapore Airlines crew will always ask which parent will eat first and reserve a meal for the other parent for later. Emirates provide good meals for kids which is served before adult meals.
4. Inflight entertainment
Inflight entertainment becomes important when you are going on a long flight. We find Emirates to offer the best display screens and range of entertainment for toddlers, from heaps of kids movies to countless TV programs. Remember that inflight entertainment screens can be too high for smaller toddlers, so bring along your own iPad as backup.
Good airlines will also handout kids activity pack. In our recent trip with Emirates they hand out teddy bear bags which contains a blanket inside. Also a Lonely Planet Kids pack containing activity book, drawing pad, postcards, drinking pouch, all nicely placed inside a bag which can be used for food pouch.
5. Stroller while in transit
Most airlines will allow to keep baby stroller up to the boarding gate and deliver it back to you at baggage collection area of your destination city. You will need to carry your little ones in between, but some airports like Hong Kong & Singapore have good airport strollers available for use.
When we flew Garuda from Perth to Bali we were told to leave our stroller at the check in counter. We were kindly offered to use the “airport stroller” which was filthy and had leftover food on it. Obviously we chose to carry Berlin instead!
6. Flight and transit time
Choose flight times which matches your little ones’ happiest time of day. For us we prefer to depart on a morning flight. We haven’t flown certain airlines purely because of excessive transit time.
If you need to transit, where possible allow enough time to stretch out, relax and perhaps have a meal before going on the next leg. Also try to transit through a family friendly airporta. A playground, outlets serving good food and efficient transfers without going through long security checks, will make things easier.
7. Budget airlines
Flying budget airline can a great option of family travel, but there are things worth checking before you make any bookings. We usually fly during shoulder season and after adding extras such as luggage, seat selection, meals, the difference with full service airline can be minimal. During our family travels we have flown Malindo Air twice for our trips to Nepal as well as Sri Lanka. Overall we are happy with their service on both occasions.
