Flying long-haul with your kids? Here’s how to make the best of your trip
What could be more than daunting than flying long-haul? Travelling for hours on terminate with whiny tweens, bratty toddlers and screaming infants. Dubai-based carrier Emirates even has the stats to testify that parents need a lot of convincing to travel more than six hours at a stretch with children in tow.
In August, the airline engaged enquiry company YouGov to deport fieldwork exercise on 408 Singaporeans with children between the ages of 0 – sixteen years. According to the in-market survey, effectually half of Singaporean families (56 per cent) accept taken long-haul flights with their children, and among families who have, most say they travel an average of once per yr on long-haul flights with their children.
The popularity of travel destinations tends to differ across segments, with Japan existence most popular among Chinese families. Malay families, meanwhile, are most interested in visiting Commonwealth of australia. A desire to visit Western countries, such equally the Great britain or the US, is more apparent amid families of higher household incomes (S$viii,000 and above) and pedagogy levels (academy degree and above).
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More than importantly, the inquiry found that children under 16 become bored ninety minutes after take-off, and an hr or less for those nether six. To placate them, 63 per cent of parents take turned to inflight entertainment while 60 per cent ply their kids with snacks.
Besides the usual techniques, 58 per cent of parents with children below six rely on activity kits to vanquish the boredom, while 48 per cent of parents with children betwixt seven and 12 offer a favourite toy or book. Interestingly, some 28 per cent of parents prefer to merely take the younger ones on walks around the aeroplane.
The three top concerns of parents when onboard were ensuring their children were comfortable (67 per cent), fully entertained (62 per cent) and slept well during the flying (49 per cent). To increase willingness to travel with children, parents made a wishlist that included air ticket discounts for children, priority boarding, and the availability of children's meals. Having supportive cabin crew and special seats for families were besides other considerations.
Here's how Emirates is tackling parents' nigh nagging issues.
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Information technology HELPS TO Have A CHECKLIST
To soothe your frazzled nerves, the airlines has a dedicated microsite packed with tips and data on how to fly better. For first-time parents, there's a checklist detailing pre-flight travel logistics to onboard carry-on essentials. Emirates has likewise prepared its own checklist of emergency items from baby formula to spare bottles and bibs.
EXTRA Baggage? YOU'RE WELCOME
Yeah, packing for an infant is like packing for a sting operation, and that'southward why families with infants are allowed up to 10kg of extra checked baggage and manus luggage, at no additional cost. Even if you lot forget something as crucial every bit diapers, you tin can request for special assiduities kits containing essential items such as diapers, bibs, lotion and wipes. Aside from on-demand bassinets, at that place's also changing tables in the bathrooms onboard.
STAYING CONNECTED
In that location's wifi onboard. If y'all're an Emirates Skywards member, you can bask unlimited access, either at a discounted charge per unit or gratis, depending on your membership tier.
Immature fliers can too beat boredom with a selection of 150 special kids' channels in 40 languages, with stylishly comfy headphones to boot. They tin sentry popular channels similar CBeebies, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, or enjoy fifty Disney classics along with numerous family blockbusters. If that's not enough, there's besides 100 games to choose from. And, while their minds melt into the screens, they are free to indulge in a pic snack carte of fruits, chocolate bars, pizza and popcorn.
TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME? At that place ARE ALTERNATIVES
Parents looking for alternative sources of entertainment volition appreciate Emirates' sectional line of plush toys and activity kits. Tiny tots can caress with Fly With Me Animals vibrating plushies and matching blankets. Pre-schoolers can look forward to hours of fun with a Fly With Me Animals haversack filled with activeness sheets and stickers. Older kids tin keep busy with a diverseness of travel-themed activity kits by Lonely Planet containing interactive books packed with activities, puzzles and crafts.
DEALING WITH FUSSY EATERS
To bargain with hangry tantrums and finnicky diners, there'due south a special kids' menu with a wide option of good for you meals. Babies get special handling likewise, with a range of soft foods from Ella's Kitchen, plus baby formula and feeding bottles, available on asking. Those travelling with infants can likewise request for cabin crew to help with food and bottle warming.
IF LONG-HAUL IS Only TOO LONG
Then interruption your flying with a stopover or mini-layover in Dubai and enjoy the airdrome's amenities similar the Kids Zone, equipped with a mini indoor playground, interactive screens and movie surface area. Families can also brand utilize of gratis Emirates strollers to navigate the aerodrome easily.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/experiences/flying-long-haul-with-children-245701
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