We have flown back and forth, three times in two years with a baby on 24 hours flight to India. Every time it was a different airline service. Sharing the airlines, we flew and the ones that impressed us as a parent.
Sharing the things I felt were good and bad of each airline gathered from the last three India trips in six different Airlines .
If I look back in the last three India trips, we have flown six different Airlines and every experience was unique. I would love to share the things I felt were good and bad of each airline.
Etihad
Personal observation
This one is popular among my Indian friends and family along with Emirates. There’s nothing spectacular about it I can vouch for.
Also, the amount of crying and the number of babies crying in this flight is high compared to any flight. It’s just a personal observation, no data to support :)
Travel duration split
After having a baby we realized, we did not like the Travel duration distribution. 16 long hours in one flight and then 5 hours in the next, equals to a not so happy baby. It's too long to be in a closed environment with a baby and for a baby.
Toddler goodies
Coloring book + colors; (not the most ideal for a 4-month-old, read on to know some cooler airlines that give cooler freebies).
Korean Air
Personal observation
Their economy seats are very comfortable. Best of what I've experienced.
The best service, for a Mommy, as far as I remember on any Airlines. The air hostess would just come immediately when they heard my/any baby cry and assist the mom. They offered to hold the baby, distracted the baby and also offered reminders like "maybe he is hungry", "did you diaper change" etc., in a very polite way that didn't seem like you’re being judged. I literally felt like Kate Middleton having her crew there to attend every discomfort my Bubu had. Not really, but at least it felt like they care.
Travel duration split
12 + 8 hours; not bad.
Toddler goodies
They gave infant mom's care packages with 2 diapers, bum cream, skin cream in a zipper pouch very convenient to tote along with a crying baby in another hand while going for a diaper change in the plane, or later as an organizer in your diaper bag. That’s where my diaper bag organization idea sparked,do check the blog post.
They also gave a coloring book + colors.
British Airways
Personal observation
Generic nothing stands out.
Travel duration split
Loved the flight travel duration. It’s an even distribution with 10 hrs then a layover and again 10 hours. Which is more to do with the city of layover than the flight itself, but I remember it so vividly as the most pleasant plane journey. My Bubu was the happiest and slept content in this flight and I mean on both flights.
PS: One of the things that helped was, the first flight took off at his bedtime. We had a 7 hr layover. In which we window shopped, had a formal sit-down meal, took him to a play area 2-3 hrs before flight to tire him out. And a couple hours in he slept on the connecting flight too! Score!!!
So not necessarily something magical about the British Airways but just the even flight duration helps. And no, our bags did not get lost :)
Toddler goodies
Coloring book + colors.
Turkish Airlines
Personal observation
Flight is clean, however the bubble burst is when no kabobs were served during meals, wink ;P kidding.
Travel duration split
The travel time distribution is close to British Airways 12 hours, then layover and 8 hours. Which is perfect.
Toddler goodies
The best part about Turkish airlines was the lovely goodies the toddlers get. A freshen-up zipper pouch with kid size toothbrush + slippers + socks + eye mask + earphones and a toothpaste. It’s just one-size may not fit your kid like a glove but it’s thoughtful. Turn the zipper pouch inside-out and you have a huge backpack. Which we conveniently used to put in all our Bubu activities in.
They did give a coloring book + colors like all other airlines and also a lil cloth tote with eco-friendly wooden toys. And not to forget a pilot’s hat. So very cool, if I was a child I would insist to go again and again just to collect all the beautiful wooden toys :)
Singapore Airlines
Personal observation
Flight is clean.
Travel duration split
It’s not the best 16 + 5 hours. The 5 hours is tricky if you leave from India sleep is bound to get disturbed, which can end up in a cranky baby/toddler.
Toddler goodies
Coloring book + Colors
I do not know if this is a helpful or interesting blog post but thought of sharing as there were some nice surprises in trying a new Airline service. Sometimes the most unexpected flights will give you a pleasant experience to remember. My take home is, experiment and share with me some unique ones you tried.
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