Emirates to add more features for Children

By BA Staff

Emirates will boost the children’s content on its in-flight entertainment system, ice Digital Widescreen (information, communication, entertainment) in December

Children on an Emirates flight in December have more than 50 hours of kid-friendly TV and new features on ice Digital Widescreen include Nickelodeon featuring Bubble Guppies, Spongebob and Team Umizoomi, and new and updated channels dedicated to Thomas & Friends, Dora the Explorer, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Austin & Ally, and The Gruffalo. This is in addition to the BBC’s CBeebies, pre-school channel Disney Jr., Cartoon Network and over 15 channels of children’s television.

iceDigital Widescreen’s movie line-up is also adding movies such as Despicable Me 2 and One Direction, The Smurfs 2, Planes, and The Croods. Many of these movies are available in up to seven different languages and close to half offer closed captions.

Patrick Brannelly, Emirates’ Vice President Corporate Communications Product, Publishing, Digital & Events said:

“We want getting there to be half the fun, and the flight on Emirates to be the part that everyone in the family looks forward to. Having a great entertainment line-up for kids also helps alleviate some of the travel stress from the parents, so they can relax and enjoy the flight.”

He added:

“Emirates pioneered inflight children’s entertainment with the launch of a dedicated children’s TV channel back in 1992, and the introduction of a huge selection of Disney movies in 2003. We aim to continue raising the bar in this regard and look holistically at the whole entertainment offering such as the variety of games to play, music to listen to, kids activity packs and the newest members of the Emirates family: the Fly With Me Monsters.”

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Alaska Airlines debuts Disney-Themed airplane in Seattle

By BA Staff

The newest themed airplane in Alaska Airlines' fleet flew into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, featuring one of America's most beloved and rusty tow trucks.

Adorned with the familiar images of Disney-Pixar's animated Cars characters Mater, Lightning McQueen, Guido and Luigi, the colorful Boeing 737-800 named "Adventure of Disneyland Resort" celebrates Alaska's partnership with Walt Disney's original theme park.

It is the fifth Disney-themed airplane born out of the successful partnership between Seattle-based Alaska Airlines and Disneyland Resort.

Jeff Butler, Alaska Airlines' vice president of customer service-airports and cargo, and board member of Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington said:

"Our Disney planes generate a lot of excitement among our passengers young and old wherever they fly. I can't think of a better way to celebrate our strong partnership than to launch this flying invitation to visit Disneyland Resort's newest attraction and Mater's home in Cars Land."

At a special airport event, Mater himself made a satellite appearance from Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park, providing travelers with updates on the arrival of the plane as it neared Seattle. After the ceremony, the aircraft officially joined the Alaska fleet on a flight to Orange County, Calif., and will then fly throughout the carrier's 65-city network.

Sharon Siskie, Disney Destinations' vice president of travel industry sales said:

"Adventure of Disneyland Resort is a great example of taking beloved, iconic Disney-Pixar characters and bringing them to life in new and unexpected ways. It's been our great privilege to be part of this collaborative effort with Alaska Airlines, and we're delighted that today's inaugural flight will create some very powerful memories for special guests from Make-A-Wish."

Joining passengers flying on Flight 500 were four Make-A-Wish children from Washington and Alaska, ages 3 to 7, and their families, who will spend the next several days at the Disneyland Resort. During their visit, they will be treated to special activities and enjoy overnight accommodations at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel at the Resort.

Barry McConnell, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington said: 

 "Since our inception, we've granted life-affirming wishes to more than 5,300 children in Alaska and Washington and it's only because of the partnerships that we have with companies like Alaska Airlines and Disney."

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Flying with children for the first time

Guest post by Patricia Hogenes

It’s time for a vacation, so the family is heading out to visit relatives. It won’t be a long plane flight, but for the kids – it will be their first time. So how can a parent prepare the children for the whole flying experience?

Make it sound fun. Above all, the experience should be described as a fun adventure. There will be a lot of new things to see, the kids will get a chance to fly – depending on how old they are, remind them of fun flying experiences like Peter Pan – make it a positive association.

Explain the airport. With the metal detectors and serious people watching the screening process, that could be a really frightening experience for children. Sit them down before the trip and let them know this is going to be something they will encounter, but emphasize the safety – this is what happens to make sure everyone will be safe on the flight. Tell them the metal detector is very safe – it will just be a minute to walk through it, and they’ll be done. Mom or Dad will go first, to show them that it is really easy.

Talk about safety. Let the kids know that when the family gets to the airport, they are not to wander off, or try to run around and see everything. The kids need to hold hands with the their parents if there is a crowd.

There will just be a lot of noise, with people moving in different directions, announcements coming over the loud speaker, and little carts zooming by. The family will have to spend some time in lines – waiting to check in luggage, going through security, so just let them know to be patient – fun is just around the corner, when they get to go on the plane!

Above all, teach your children to keep their seatbelts fastened at all times when they are seated, and remember to practice yourself what you preach to others.

On board the plane. Remind the kids that they need to be polite – they can’t just talk loud and do whatever they want – they must be well behaved. There will be smiling ladies who will bring them a soda pop – those ladies are called flight attendants, and they want to help, and the children must say "thank you".

Carry games, colouring books, tablets, video players, and other small items that will keep the kids entertained through the flight. After the family settles in, the kids will be able to use their tablets to quietly watch a video, and Finding Nemo is already loaded.

Carry a spare set of clothes and wet-wipes in your carry-on baggage. You never know when your child decides the orange juice looks better on his or her t-shirt than in the glass.

Meals. Many airlines offer special children's meals. Research with your airline and pre-order your meals at least 48 hours before your flight. If your airline does not offer a kid's meal, pack some of your children's favourite foods to keep them happy through the flight, but remember no liquids or gels will get through security.

Seating. If you are travelling with an infant below two years of age, you can request for a bassinet and seating in the very first row behind the bulkhead. Similarly, when travelling with children, many airlines will accept a special request in advance to seat all of you together. Check with your airline at the time of making your reservation.

What to expect on take-off. Don’t let the take-off be a surprise. Just explain to the kids that the airplane will roll around for a while, and then the smiling ladies will tell everyone to sit back. The plane noise will get louder, and then the kids will feel pushed back in their seats – like at the state fair on the roller coaster. After that, there will be a weightless feeling, and guess what kids, you’re flying! When a plane goes through some wind, it might feel bumpy once in a while. It is nothing to be alarmed about. Just sit back and relax, and the bumps will soon go away.

When it’s time to land. Point out to the kids that there will be a time when they can feel the plane going down – that is normal, and everything is fine. When the plane touches the ground, there will be a little squeak. Then after it rolls for a while, there will be some engine noise – that is the pilot using the engines to slow the plane – it is completely normal. When the plane slows down, it will roll for a while more, then slow down and pull up to a stop. That means the trip is over, and it’s time to go see the family.

When travelling with infants and younger children, it is important to remember that they do not know how to relieve the increasing air pressure that presses on the eardrums as the plane descends. Their natural reaction to the pain is to cry. The Eustachian Tube which connects the inner ear to the back of the throat, is the body's natural pressure regulating mechanism. It works best with a chewing action, and so carry some small pieces of a hard candy, or a device, anything the baby can chew on and relieve the pressure. In India, "Mishri" can also be used.

With a little explanation of the process, so the kids know what to expect during plane travel before it happens, their experience of flying for the first time can be positive, exciting and rewarding. When the little one says “Mommy, can we go again?” – that signals a successful flight!

While Patricia Hogenes works as a paralegal for a law office, her real loves are her three kids, and her latest travel adventure. She has been writing freelance articles 10 years, on topics as varied as law and legal matters, adolescent drug treatment, and health topics such as diabetes. She currently writes for SlackDavis.com.

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Etihad Airways introduces 'Flying Nanny' service aboard long duration flights.

by BA Staff

Etihad Airways has introduced 'Flying Nanny' service, a dedicated in-flight child care assistance program for families, on its long-haul flights, Identified by a bright orange apron, the Flying Nanny provides a 'helping hand' to families and unaccompanied minors.

Video below the fold

During the past two months 300 Etihad Airways cabin crew members have completed enhanced training for the role. A further 60 will be trained in September and 500 Flying Nannies will be working across Etihad Airways flights by the end of 2013. The course includes in-depth training, from the world renowned Norland College, concentrating on child psychology and sociology, enabling the Flying Nannies to identify different types of behaviour and developmental stages that children go through and how to appreciate the perspective and needs of travelling families.

In addition the course also covers many different creative ways the Flying Nanny can entertain and engage with children during flights. The airline said

“The Flying Nanny will liaise with parents and use their experience and knowledge to make the travel experience easier. This includes helping serve children’s meals early in the flight and offering activities and challenges to help entertain and occupy younger guests.”

Many of these activities derive from a special kit which contains straws, stickers, cardboard and other items which the Flying Nanny uses to teach simple arts and crafts such as creating special greeting cards for friends and family.

The Flying Nanny will also frequently use service items such as paper cups which can be made into hats and the Japanese art of origami to fold paper into sculptures. All activities are designed so the Flying Nanny can leave the children to produce and complete on their own.

A key on-board highlight is set to be the creation of sock puppets which uses stickers from the Flying Nanny kit as eyes and the socks from the guest’s travel pack.

In addition to the arts and crafts, the Flying Nannies can also teach children simple magic tricks which helps retain their focus and interest while seated.

For older children, the Flying Nanny is equipped with simple quizzes and challenges to keep them occupied as well as taking them on tours of the galley during quieter moments of the flight.

Towards the end of the flight the Flying Nanny will help parents by replenishing milk bottles, and offering items such as water, fruit and other snacks especially if the family is transiting to another flight.

The Flying Nanny will also advise families that are transiting at Abu Dhabi about the various baby changing and child facilities at the airport, as well as informing them that there is a children’s play area at Gate 32 in Terminal 3, and in the premium lounges.

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