Holidays are always exciting, but traveling with young children? The jury's out. Love it or hate it here are the best airlines for traveling with your kids.
What is it about traveling with children that makes flying just that little bit more stressful? Flying with children requires a lot of determination. So it comes as pleasing news that there are some airlines out there that want child and parent alike to have a relaxing onboard experience. This could be in the form of children's entertainment and meals to free baggage allowances or even sky nannies! In no particular order, here are the world's best child-friendly airlines.
Etihad Airways
It appears that the Middle Eastern carriers are leading when it comes to offering a family-friendly service. Among them, Etihad offers an almost unprecedented service with child and infant fares for passengers under 12 years old as well as children's meals, movies, and games. The airline also offers a bassinet for babies on a first-come-first-served basis and provides young children with an activity pack on board. But that's not all. The airline takes the pressure off parents by offering a Flying Nanny. That's right, with Etihad your children will get just that extra attention for no extra cost. And for parents, there's the extra assurance that a pushchair or car seat can be taken for free in addition to a normal baggage allowance. Etihad does pull out all the stops. On its website, it says:
"We do everything we can to make flying with children as comfortable as we can."
And we believe it.
Air Canada
When it comes to catering for children, Air Canada makes its inflight experience as adventurous as possible. It offers an explorer-themed backpack packed with entertainment like puzzles and coloring books as well as special luggage tags. It also makes a commitment to sit children under 14 with a parent or guardian for no extra cost, has family priority boarding and family check-in. But traveling on Air Canada is the most child-friendly when flying internationally. This is when the airline offers a child fare and child meals.
ANA
Whilst other airlines accommodate passengers by allowing them to bring extra bottled milk and food sachets, All Nippon Airways operates a kind of onboard baby shop. It provides formula milk and nappies to allow for extra passenger ease. It also has bassinets that come with the latest technology: a blanket designed for heat retention, ventilation, and absorbency. As well as this, All Nippon Airways has allergen-free child meal options which can be requested before flying.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa is turning the operational element of the airport on its head. When it comes to traveling with children, it incentivizes parents to make the most of viewing points as a form of entertainment for children. It says:
"At many airports, there are viewing terraces available which, in fine weather, allow even better insights into how an airport works. If your children would prefer to play and run around, visit the play corners specifically designed for children which most airports provide."
There's also the option to check in one 23kg bag for passengers under two years old. What's more, the airline recently collaborated with a Michelin star chef to provide a healthy, balanced, and fun-looking in-flight menu for its young passengers.
Special mentions
Whilst some airlines excel in their provisions for children, it seems as though the Middle Eastern and Asian carriers are championing the child-friendly aura. Special mentions must also be handed to Emirates who offer child headsets unlike most airlines as well as a free stroller at hub airports. Gulf Air, like Etihad, also uses a Flying Nanny to make flights more enjoyable for children.
What's your favorite airline for traveling with children? Let us know in the comments!