Best airline for travelling with under 5s

[Aaron Aardvark]

Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.

I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We will
have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery, backed
up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
carrot or stick.

So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not mine"
;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good with
kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I was
tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most) but
I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)

Thanks.

AA.

[ripper]

Qantas are crap with kids. Stick with BA.
"Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
...
> Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
> couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
>
> I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
> travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We will
> have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery, backed
> up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
> realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
> carrot or stick.
>
> So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not mine"
> ;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good with
> kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
> Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I was
> tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most) but
> I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
> entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)
>
> Thanks.
>
> AA.

[Claire]

I've travelled with Singapore Airlines with a 5 year old and more recently
with a 6 month old - they are brilliant and have baby supplies (nappies,
food, milk, wipes, bibs) available on request as well as handing you a bag
of stuff when you get on board. The staff frequently offered to hold or mind
the baby if we were trying to get stuff out of the overhead compartment or
going to the loo or eating dinner - they were happy to stagger our meals so
one of us could keep her amused and when she threw up (massively, all over
her father and his seat!) they came running with hot cloths, plastic bags
and spray stuff to clean the seat. You can reserve the bassinet and the
bulkhead seats when you book (I do this direct with Singapore airlines
rather than a travel agent as they have always been able to do it for the
same price and usually have more seats available on the dates that we want.)

They were so very helpful that I am going to be using them next time - when
we will be travelling with another 6-9 month old AND a toddler (plus an
11year old who loves the gameboy/ kids tv and film channels on the personal
tv). Singapore airlines give small kids a goodie bag with things to do and
have good kids meals (I never had any trouble getting my eldest to eat his )
although I recommend confiscating anything chocolate from the tray the
moment it appears in front of them- the small crumbs of chocolate will
magically transfer themselves to the clothing of everyone in the vicinity.
They even put priority stickers on our luggage when we checked in so that we
wouldn't have to wait too long at the other end of our journey for the bags
to come out onto the carousel- which we really appreciated after a very long
flight with two grizzly kids. My sister flew Thai a couple of years ago with
two toddlers and found them very good too. I've flown BA with one small
child and they were bloody awful.

Singapore Airlines usually go via Singapore's Changi airport (surprise
surprise) so you can either get onto the next plane to Oz or break the
journey with a stopover at the airport hotel - you won't need to leave the
airport or collect baggage or clear customs - just walk off the plane and up
to the reception desk (make a reservation!) it was a life saver for us when
travelling with a little one. We usually go to NZ so have two twelve hour
(-ish) flights so a lie-down half way through and a chance to shower and
change are heavenly.

Claire


"ripper" co.uk> wrote in message
...
> Qantas are crap with kids. Stick with BA.
> "Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
> > couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
> >
> > I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
> > travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We will
> > have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery, backed
> > up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
> > realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
> > carrot or stick.
> >
> > So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not mine"
> > ;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good with
> > kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
> > Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I was
> > tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most) but
> > I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
> > entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > AA.
>
>

[Cakie]

"Claire" > wrote in message
...
> I've travelled with Singapore Airlines with a 5 year old and more recently
> with a 6 month old - they are brilliant and have baby supplies (nappies,
> food, milk, wipes, bibs) available on request as well as handing you a bag
> of stuff when you get on board. The staff frequently offered to hold or
mind
> the baby if we were trying to get stuff out of the overhead compartment or
> going to the loo or eating dinner - they were happy to stagger our meals
so
> one of us could keep her amused and when she threw up (massively, all over
> her father and his seat!) they came running with hot cloths, plastic bags
> and spray stuff to clean the seat. You can reserve the bassinet and the
> bulkhead seats when you book (I do this direct with Singapore airlines
> rather than a travel agent as they have always been able to do it for the
> same price and usually have more seats available on the dates that we
want.)
>
> They were so very helpful that I am going to be using them next time -
when
> we will be travelling with another 6-9 month old AND a toddler (plus an
> 11year old who loves the gameboy/ kids tv and film channels on the
personal
> tv). Singapore airlines give small kids a goodie bag with things to do and
> have good kids meals (I never had any trouble getting my eldest to eat
his )
> although I recommend confiscating anything chocolate from the tray the
> moment it appears in front of them- the small crumbs of chocolate will
> magically transfer themselves to the clothing of everyone in the vicinity.
> They even put priority stickers on our luggage when we checked in so that
we
> wouldn't have to wait too long at the other end of our journey for the
bags
> to come out onto the carousel- which we really appreciated after a very
long
> flight with two grizzly kids. My sister flew Thai a couple of years ago
with
> two toddlers and found them very good too. I've flown BA with one small
> child and they were bloody awful.
>
> Singapore Airlines usually go via Singapore's Changi airport (surprise
> surprise) so you can either get onto the next plane to Oz or break the
> journey with a stopover at the airport hotel - you won't need to leave the
> airport or collect baggage or clear customs - just walk off the plane and
up
> to the reception desk (make a reservation!) it was a life saver for us
when
> travelling with a little one. We usually go to NZ so have two twelve hour
> (-ish) flights so a lie-down half way through and a chance to shower and
> change are heavenly.
>
> Claire
>
>
> "ripper" co.uk> wrote in message
> ...
> > Qantas are crap with kids. Stick with BA.
> > "Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
> > > couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
> > >
> > > I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
> > > travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We will
> > > have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery, backed
> > > up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
> > > realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
> > > carrot or stick.
> > >
> > > So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not mine"
> > > ;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good with
> > > kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
> > > Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I was
> > > tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most) but
> > > I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
> > > entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > AA.
> >
> >
>
>
I would NOT recommend Thai. We flew from Melbourne to London when my
daughter was just 5 months old and although they were very friendly towards
us and loved the baby, they weren't helpful at all. We had to ask for the
basinette once we'd taken off and had to wait ages before they remembered
us. Not great. Plus we had no TV screen on the bulkhead seat so were without
entertainment for over 14 hours. When asked why there was no entertainment
we were told there were spare seats further back if we wanted to move.
Obviously not possible with a baby in a basinette on the bulkhead.
Ridiculous!

[4000 psi]

Singapore Airlines is considered one of the best airlines in the world
period, so i am not surprised at your experiences ...

"Claire" > wrote in message
...
> I've travelled with Singapore Airlines with a 5 year old and more recently
> with a 6 month old - they are brilliant and have baby supplies (nappies,
> food, milk, wipes, bibs) available on request as well as handing you a bag
> of stuff when you get on board. The staff frequently offered to hold or
mind
> the baby if we were trying to get stuff out of the overhead compartment or
> going to the loo or eating dinner - they were happy to stagger our meals
so
> one of us could keep her amused and when she threw up (massively, all over
> her father and his seat!) they came running with hot cloths, plastic bags
> and spray stuff to clean the seat. You can reserve the bassinet and the
> bulkhead seats when you book (I do this direct with Singapore airlines
> rather than a travel agent as they have always been able to do it for the
> same price and usually have more seats available on the dates that we
want.)
>
> They were so very helpful that I am going to be using them next time -
when
> we will be travelling with another 6-9 month old AND a toddler (plus an
> 11year old who loves the gameboy/ kids tv and film channels on the
personal
> tv). Singapore airlines give small kids a goodie bag with things to do and
> have good kids meals (I never had any trouble getting my eldest to eat
his )
> although I recommend confiscating anything chocolate from the tray the
> moment it appears in front of them- the small crumbs of chocolate will
> magically transfer themselves to the clothing of everyone in the vicinity.
> They even put priority stickers on our luggage when we checked in so that
we
> wouldn't have to wait too long at the other end of our journey for the
bags
> to come out onto the carousel- which we really appreciated after a very
long
> flight with two grizzly kids. My sister flew Thai a couple of years ago
with
> two toddlers and found them very good too. I've flown BA with one small
> child and they were bloody awful.
>
> Singapore Airlines usually go via Singapore's Changi airport (surprise
> surprise) so you can either get onto the next plane to Oz or break the
> journey with a stopover at the airport hotel - you won't need to leave the
> airport or collect baggage or clear customs - just walk off the plane and
up
> to the reception desk (make a reservation!) it was a life saver for us
when
> travelling with a little one. We usually go to NZ so have two twelve hour
> (-ish) flights so a lie-down half way through and a chance to shower and
> change are heavenly.
>
> Claire
>
>
> "ripper" co.uk> wrote in message
> ...
> > Qantas are crap with kids. Stick with BA.
> > "Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
> > > couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
> > >
> > > I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
> > > travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We will
> > > have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery, backed
> > > up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
> > > realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
> > > carrot or stick.
> > >
> > > So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not mine"
> > > ;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good with
> > > kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
> > > Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I was
> > > tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most) but
> > > I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
> > > entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > AA.
> >
> >
>
>

[Stephen]

There is only one choice, Singapore Airlines. When young children are in
your group then they are by far the best.
You may even want to consider a stop over in Singapore.

Stephen
www.tryus4travel.com


"Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
...
> Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
> couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
>
> I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
> travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We will
> have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery, backed
> up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
> realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
> carrot or stick.
>
> So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not mine"
> ;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good with
> kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
> Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I was
> tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most) but
> I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
> entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)
>
> Thanks.
>
> AA.

[sdf]

"Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
...
> Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
> couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
>
Phenergan Airways (try google). When all else fails.

[Aaron Aardvark]

Many thanks for all replies.

AA

[Manglu]

Hi,

My experience with SQ has not been so rosy.

I travelled from KL to Chennai with a stop over in SG and i had made a
request for Bassinet seat and they had confirmed that.


I go to KL airport(to go to Singapore) and notice that i haven't been
provided with a bassinet seat. The guys promised me that i was alloted
a bassinet seat for the Singapore-Chennai connecting flight. So i put
up with this nonsense.

I board the Singapore-Chennai flight and i am as far away as possible
from the bassinet seats.

All this despite being informed that i would be awared a bassinet
seat. I spoke to some of the guys who were travelling alone and
exchanged seats with them. I did this one ton one with the
co-passenger as the stewards werent' able to secure me one.

Trust me it is good to talk to a co-passenger than with these airlines
folks. The co-passengers understand our plight and they are willing to
help(atleast a majority of them are helpful)

Do make thorough checks before choosing any of these airlines.

Manglu

[Thunder Ace]

"Stephen" > wrote in message >...
> There is only one choice, Singapore Airlines. When young children are in
> your group then they are by far the best.

What a load of twaddle. Have you tried all the other airlines then or
are you just surmising? I used both JAL and Malaysian with two young
kids in tow. Both are excellent.

Thunder Ace

> You may even want to consider a stop over in Singapore.
>
> Stephen
> www.tryus4travel.com
>
>
> "Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
> > couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
> >
> > I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
> > travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We will
> > have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery, backed
> > up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
> > realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
> > carrot or stick.
> >
> > So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not mine"
> > ;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good with
> > kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
> > Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I was
> > tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most) but
> > I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
> > entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > AA.

[Not the Karl Orff]

In article >,
(Manglu) wrote:

> Hi,
>
> My experience with SQ has not been so rosy.
>
> I travelled from KL to Chennai with a stop over in SG and i had made a
> request for Bassinet seat and they had confirmed that.
>
>
> I go to KL airport(to go to Singapore) and notice that i haven't been
> provided with a bassinet seat. The guys promised me that i was alloted
> a bassinet seat for the Singapore-Chennai connecting flight. So i put
> up with this nonsense.
>
> I board the Singapore-Chennai flight and i am as far away as possible
> from the bassinet seats.
>
> All this despite being informed that i would be awared a bassinet
> seat. I spoke to some of the guys who were travelling alone and
> exchanged seats with them. I did this one ton one with the
> co-passenger as the stewards werent' able to secure me one.
>
> Trust me it is good to talk to a co-passenger than with these airlines
> folks. The co-passengers understand our plight and they are willing to
> help(atleast a majority of them are helpful)

Are you ethnic Indian by any chance? It's been said SQ among other east
asian airlines discriminates against dark-skinned travellers.

[Thunder Ace]

(Thunder Ace) wrote in message >...
> "Stephen" > wrote in message >...
> > There is only one choice, Singapore Airlines. When young children are in
> > your group then they are by far the best.
>
> What a load of twaddle. Have you tried all the other airlines then or
> are you just surmising? I used both JAL and Malaysian with two young
> kids in tow. Both are excellent.
I should clarify. I meant that the airlines are excellent, I don't go
in for boasting about the kids.

> Thunder Ace
>
> > You may even want to consider a stop over in Singapore.
> >
> > Stephen
> > www.tryus4travel.com
> >
> >
> > "Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google and
> > > couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
> > >
> > > I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
> > > travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We will
> > > have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery, backed
> > > up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
> > > realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
> > > carrot or stick.
> > >
> > > So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not mine"
> > > ;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good with
> > > kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
> > > Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I was
> > > tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most) but
> > > I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
> > > entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)
> > >
> > > Thanks.
> > >
> > > AA.

[Susan Croft]

Avoid B.A at all costs !!!!
My 9 yr old barely had enough leg room.
Last time
I flew Emirates and they were fine. Not tried Singapore but they have a very
good reputation

"4000 psi" > wrote in message
news:aSMab.23$La.18@fed1read02...
> Singapore Airlines is considered one of the best airlines in the world
> period, so i am not surprised at your experiences ...
>
> "Claire" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I've travelled with Singapore Airlines with a 5 year old and more
recently
> > with a 6 month old - they are brilliant and have baby supplies (nappies,
> > food, milk, wipes, bibs) available on request as well as handing you a
bag
> > of stuff when you get on board. The staff frequently offered to hold or
> mind
> > the baby if we were trying to get stuff out of the overhead compartment
or
> > going to the loo or eating dinner - they were happy to stagger our meals
> so
> > one of us could keep her amused and when she threw up (massively, all
over
> > her father and his seat!) they came running with hot cloths, plastic
bags
> > and spray stuff to clean the seat. You can reserve the bassinet and the
> > bulkhead seats when you book (I do this direct with Singapore airlines
> > rather than a travel agent as they have always been able to do it for
the
> > same price and usually have more seats available on the dates that we
> want.)
> >
> > They were so very helpful that I am going to be using them next time -
> when
> > we will be travelling with another 6-9 month old AND a toddler (plus an
> > 11year old who loves the gameboy/ kids tv and film channels on the
> personal
> > tv). Singapore airlines give small kids a goodie bag with things to do
and
> > have good kids meals (I never had any trouble getting my eldest to eat
> his )
> > although I recommend confiscating anything chocolate from the tray the
> > moment it appears in front of them- the small crumbs of chocolate will
> > magically transfer themselves to the clothing of everyone in the
vicinity.
> > They even put priority stickers on our luggage when we checked in so
that
> we
> > wouldn't have to wait too long at the other end of our journey for the
> bags
> > to come out onto the carousel- which we really appreciated after a very
> long
> > flight with two grizzly kids. My sister flew Thai a couple of years ago
> with
> > two toddlers and found them very good too. I've flown BA with one small
> > child and they were bloody awful.
> >
> > Singapore Airlines usually go via Singapore's Changi airport (surprise
> > surprise) so you can either get onto the next plane to Oz or break the
> > journey with a stopover at the airport hotel - you won't need to leave
the
> > airport or collect baggage or clear customs - just walk off the plane
and
> up
> > to the reception desk (make a reservation!) it was a life saver for us
> when
> > travelling with a little one. We usually go to NZ so have two twelve
hour
> > (-ish) flights so a lie-down half way through and a chance to shower and
> > change are heavenly.
> >
> > Claire
> >
> >
> > "ripper" co.uk> wrote in message
> > ...
> > > Qantas are crap with kids. Stick with BA.
> > > "Aaron Aardvark" > wrote in message
> > > ...
> > > > Apologies if this has been posted before. But I did a quick google
and
> > > > couldn't find much that was recent on the subject.
> > > >
> > > > I will be travelling from the UK to Australia in October. We will be
> > > > travelling with 2 children under 5. This is likely to be hell. We
will
> > > > have the usual box of toys, pressies, sweets, etc. for bribery,
backed
> > > > up of course by threat of punishment. However, as I'm sure many will
> > > > realise, a tired two-year old does not always respond well to either
> > > > carrot or stick.
> > > >
> > > > So any recomendations for the choice of airline (apart from "not
mine"
> > > > ;o))? Who is best with kids? I have heard that Qantas can be good
with
> > > > kids and so can BA. However, I've also heard both (and particulalrly
> > > > Qantas) leave something to be desired when flying cattle class. I
was
> > > > tempted by Thai for the extra legroom (34" pitch vs 31" on most)
but
> > > > I've heard that overall they aren't as good, especially regarding
> > > > entertainment longhaul (from www.airlinequality.com)
> > > >
> > > > Thanks.
> > > >
> > > > AA.
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

[Not the Karl Orff]

In article >,
"Susan Croft" > wrote:

> Avoid B.A at all costs !!!!
> My 9 yr old barely had enough leg room.
> Last time
> I flew Emirates and they were fine. Not tried Singapore but they have a very
> good reputation

Emirates seating can be very tight however