Child-Friendly Airlines?
Feb 2, 2001 | 8:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,783
Child-Friendly Airlines?
Which North American or other international airlines are child-friendly, and in what sense?
Feb 2, 2001 | 9:59 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,811
You can't count on too much from anyone. But -- UA produces McDonald's meals for children, which makes my son very happy; believe me, it's the only reason I book UA for family travel. Overseas, BA has a "Skyflyers" service for children that my son thinks is pretty nice -- games and prizes inflight, and imaginative children's meals (and kids are fed first on longhaul services). Also, the US version of the BA Executive Club allows children and their parents to pool earned miles in a "Household Account", which I think is pretty family-friendly... my son's BA tickets, purchased at two-thirds of normal tariff, have earned full BA miles.
Feb 2, 2001 | 10:14 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2000
Programs: I am an AS employee, but my comments do not represent the company in any official capacity.
Posts: 4,343
I would say that while the folks at Southwest are awfully friendly, I wouldn't take a small child on a long WN flight because the frequent take-offs and landings can cause them to cry from hurt ears.
Feb 3, 2001 | 5:52 am
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Feb 4, 2001 | 6:17 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,337
Lufthansa is great with kids, at least in Biz. Kids get coloring books, special meals and they have disney and other cartoons on their own TV channel.
Feb 4, 2001 | 9:09 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Athens, Alabama, USA
Posts: 569
One of the most child friendly flights we've had was with KLM from ATL to AMS and back. The little fun packs they pass out before take off will entertain kids for a little while (think Applebee's placemats and one or two other items).
The FA's were very pleasant to both boys (10 & 17).
The FA's were very pleasant to both boys (10 & 17).
Feb 4, 2001 | 10:19 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Boston,MA,USA and GVA
Posts: 433
Originally posted by Library Dragon:
One of the most child friendly flights we've had was with KLM from ATL to AMS and back. The little fun packs they pass out before take off will entertain kids for a little while
The FA's were very pleasant to both boys (10 & 17).
One of the most child friendly flights we've had was with KLM from ATL to AMS and back. The little fun packs they pass out before take off will entertain kids for a little while
The FA's were very pleasant to both boys (10 & 17).
I assume your kids were a little younger then, but regardless your points are valid. Moreover, I think SR is a good choice for the kids (1-8) After that, all are the same.......
Feb 4, 2001 | 3:51 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Athens, Alabama, USA
Posts: 569
No, the 17 year old didn't want the kid pack. He hunkered down to have a good read. The ten year old did occupy himself for a fifteen minutes. But, that's fifteen minutes more of entertainment than most airlines offer.
Feb 5, 2001 | 11:15 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Third planet from the Sun
Posts: 7,024
Most international airlines offer decent kid packs on their long-haul flights. The kids meals on British Airways are in loaded up with lots of sweets and choclates.
In general the foreign airlines offer a better product than the US airlines for children.
In general the foreign airlines offer a better product than the US airlines for children.
Feb 6, 2001 | 7:08 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Great Britain
Posts: 1,442
Of all airlines, I have been told by parents that Air India is wonderful with children, and will have someone aboard to look after them! AS a rule, I have found that most european airlines are good with children, but those from the mediterranean are the best. Iberia, TAP, and Alitalia come to mind