Nice to hear of a decent airline. We are hoping to fly to Australia in the next 18 months, we keep putting it off because of the children, aged 10 and 7. When is a good time, as they get older or just go with the flow. We have family in Butler, NS Wales, so we will fly to Perth and find accommodation near to them, they have just had their first baby, so if anybody knows of any good places to stay in that area, it would be great to hear from you, Scarborough has been recommended.
We flew to Australia with a 4 and 6 year old and it was just about manageable because the 4 year old could amuse herself colouring etc. We flew with Virgin, who were good and the flight was at night from UK to Hong Kong - the kids had a quick runaround at the airport for an hour and then back on the flight to Sydney - also at night. It meant that the children could sleep whenever they felt like it because the cabin lights were off most of the time. I do like the idea of a sky nanny though although not necessarily for the older kids.
i read somewhere that there's a swimming pool at singapore airport which is a good place to refresh with kids between flights then again I read somewhere that jesus had a baby with mary magdalene
There is a swimming pool at Singapore Airport - it's on the roof and when I last went (seven years ago) it was just fab. I would recommend it. We are about to travel to Australia again but this time with a 4 year old and a 20 month old. I have bought a seat for my youngest as well - can anyone tell me whether I definitely need to take a car seat on board for him to put on his seat?
Hi Sharon. This tends to vary from airline to airline, so the best advice would be to check with your airline directly. Generally speaking, it is really advisable for all families to pre-book relevant 'services' before flying. Services can include, provision of 'sky cots' you asked about, (also called bassinets): - these are in limited supply and are on a first come first serve basis, seating together, (somewhat surprisingly this is not as routine and you may expect and you may find yourself in a different row from your child!), extra legroom bulkhead seats at the front of the plane, kids' meals, kids' goodie bags, bottle warming facilities and changing facilities. Also ask the airline whether you can take your buggy onto the aircraft or you have to check it in. Keeping it with you means your baby has somewhere to rest, in relative peace, between check-in and boarding. Early check in is also very useful, as it will give your baby time to settle before take off. Singapore airlines, for example, also allow you to take your own car seat. "You may use approved car seats onboard for your child. The seat must be able to be secured onto the aircraft passenger seat by means of the aircraft safety belt and must conform to all applicable safety standards certified for use in aircraft." We hope this helps you all to have an peaceful and enjoyable trip! Do let us know how you get on - Take the Family Team
We are planning on going on a holiday to Australia, via a few days in Dubai where we have friends, with our 18 month old daughter. We are hoping to fly with Emirates, but have not travelled with our daughter on a long haul flight before. I am hoping we have made a good decision?
have not flown emirates with kids - but heard good things good luck!!
My brother in-law and his wife and 9 month old son have just travelled from Oz with Singapore Airlines. Despite initial concerns with flying with a 9 month old, all went very well, they booked a sky cot, and their little boy was as good as gold. Apparently if children do get fidgety the air hostesses come and take them away to an area with other children, so they can play and chat to other children while mum and dad sleep. We will be booking Singapore Airlines when we travel out in the next 18 months, we have heard nothing but good things about them.
I have travelled to Australia twice. Once with my son who was 6 with Quantus, and the second time with my daughter who was 4. The best airline by far was Singapore. The were fantastic and wouldn't hesitate in recommending them. Singapore airport is lovely too.
Hoping to travel to Perth in Feb, taking my son who will be 14 months old is there a age limit on the sky cots?
Hi Linzi. In my experience all Airlines seem to have different rules for this kind of thing. Some have limits based on age and others on weight or some based on both age and weight. . I think BA have a limit of 2 years, but as I said earlier, you reallyl need to check with your chosen airline. Virgin I think was 12 mnths last time we flew. Hope this helps Have a great holiday! Airlines really should put some effort into making these things clearer for parents!!
We returned on Christmas Eve from a trip to Australia. We flew with Virgin in Premium Economy with our 4 year old. The night flight from Heathrow was great as it meant our daughter could wear her pyjamas to 'get ready for sleep' Once in Hong Kong it was only a 1.5 hr turnaround to get back flying. Be warned though you have to clear all your possessions out of the overhead compartments and take them with you through Hong Kong security as the plane is cleaned for the next leg. If you are travlling with kids it would be wise to try not to take too much on the plane. We left our daughters clothes by accident and they were taken but we did manage to get them back! Food and service was very good on the plane with lots of entertainment on offer in the seat back tv's.
Check out www.seatguru.com for airline information. Some of the most useful things that the site provides are seating plans for each type of aircraft, bassinet details and baby changers. If you ever wondered how to get the most legroom, or which seats are nearest the lavatory, then here is your answer.
My son and I have made the trip between Australia and the US several times. We've gone Qantas each time and have used the bassinet. The weight limit for the Qantas bassinet is 26lbs. The bassinet was great when my son was smaller but on the last trip his feet and head were touching the sides (he was 7 mos old). He also wanted to sit up and look around so I had to take off the "seat belt" that covers the top of the bassinet when he wasn't sleeping. I'm considering using a car set on our next trip.
we travelled to singapore several times - when my son was 4mths, 10mths, 14mths, 18mths and 23mths. and have done so with different airlines. often, i had to travel with him by myself as my husband usually has to return to UK sooner than i'd prefer. the cabin crew in singapore are ever so helpful with little ones. and it's true - they are happy to take them away for a little while so that i could go to the toilet and more importantly have my meals in peace. absolutely brilliant. they had nappies and wipes on board. and a few times, the head stewardess allowed me to use the business class toilets as they are roomier and more comfortable for changing fidgety infants. their babycots are also at the right height and hence easier to put the baby into and take out. the infant cooked meals on singapore airlines were simply delicious! (for 12mths plus or as long as baby is taking solid food-my son has his first airline cooked meal at 10mths on singapore airlines) poached salmon, creamed spinach, hearty beef burger, spanish omelettes, etc. on one trip, we went out on BA and returned on Qantas. Qantas' babycots are attached really high and unless you are 5"11, it was impossible to comfortably put the baby in and out. BA - nothing to shout about.
Emirates ex UK via Dubai to Australia are excellent value and service is brilliant. the kids entertainment system is second to none and there is more leg room than any other economy airline. Gulf air Sky nanny would be good if you could afford 20,000K.Singapore are also good but deparute arrival times ex UK are not family friendly. Malaysian airlines do not have an everyday service for a flight straight thro to australia so a stop over a must but well worth it when you stay at the Meridian just above the trainstation that links the airport. It has the best pool in nearly all asia and a water slide for kids!!! Brilliant. Going via Hong Kong a bit like torture as not a direct route and no cost saving either. I've been doing this for 5 years too long....there is no easy way just grit your teeth and bare it, the sun will shine when you get there and you'll forget all about it!
Hi, I will be travelling with my 5 month old son from London to Melbourne on my own. We will fly Singapore Airlines. I wanted to know if anyone has had a bad experience with them? Also, does anyone know if I can bring my son's baby carseat (a MaxiCosi) on board as a "baby carrier"? I thought it would be useful as he could sleep in it during the transit in Singapore Airport. We will be flying Business Class. I'm a little anxious about the flight and would greatly appreciate any tips.
Thanks in advance!
Before going on any journey, you have to decide or plan whole schedule. If everything was scheduled then you can enjoy in best way and can travel a lot.
Flights to Australia are a challenge for anyone....and especially with kids in tow. At Take the Family we've heard good things about Gulf Air's Sky Nanny service...though you would need to fly via Bahrain and total flying time may work out a little longer.