Feature: kids onboard
kiddingaround
Travelling can be stressful for children, the weary parents and often unlucky bystanders. We look at the companies committed to relieving this via targetted onboard entertainment
C
hildren these days are well travelled. Recent research revealed that 18-24
year olds these days are three times more likely than the baby boomer generation to have travelled abroad. In fact, out of this generation, four in five had travelled abroad four times before their 16th birthday. European countries were the most commonly visited, but some went as far afield as North America (15 per cent), Africa (17 per cent) and South and Central America (four per cent). Despite a willingness to travel, the research showed parents still had anxiety about going with children, with the top three concerns over flying with children as follows: keeping children entertained, getting seats together as a family and being able to contain and control children. It is no wonder then, that airlines, and other forms of transport, are liable to be judged in terms of what they offer for kids. Social networking, blogging and information forums have growing power in today’s society and online parents’ forums prove that travelling, particularly flying, with children still evokes strong emotions. Supernanny.
co.uk stresses the importance of the airline: “As someone who has experienced the horror of boarding a plane to find the baby change bag had been left on the back seat
20
www.onboardhospitality.com
of the car, I would argue that paying a little extra for a decent airline is worth its weight in nappy bags.”
Flyingwithkids.com is an online accessory store which also publishes tips for flying parents and has a Facebook forum. Amongst its nuggets of advice it says: “Research what your airline provides in the way of a children’s pack or infant pack.”
Airlines invest Bahrain-based airline Gulf Air has taken advice like this onboard and offers the free Sky Nanny service, dedicated to entertaining and caring for children. The Sky Nanny assists families with boarding and embarkation. They suggest appropriate dining times, leaving parents free to eat uninterrupted, as well as providing drinks and snacks for children and helping them select something to watch from the inflight entertainment system which has Disney specials, kids’ films and an educational audio channel. Rival Middle Eastern airline Etihad has a family room at its Abu Dhabi hub for Diamond First and Pearl customers. It offers little ones soft toys, comfortable seating, books, games and qualified nannies. Onboard services include special children’s menus, kids’ inflight entertainment and interactive games. Asiana Airlines was awarded a Mercury this
“The top three concerns over flying with kids are: keeping children entertained, getting seats together as a family and be able to contain and control children.”
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