I travelled to Australia recently with an 11 month old baby. We flew with Singapore Airlines (direct on the way out and stopped off at Singapore on our return). The airline was fantastic and made that long and tiring journey quite 'painless'. The cabin crew were very attentive and extremely helpful with things like heating up milk and baby food and making sure all our needs and our baby's needs were met. The cabin crew were very friendly and seemed to love babies. The checking in process was quick and easy and the flights were on time. I would highly recommend flying with Singapore Airlines.

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.

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.