travelling from London to Melbourne with a baby - which airline is best?
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travelling from London to Melbourne with a baby - which airline is best?
I am travelling from London to Melbourne soon and I have a 13-week-old baby. I am from Melbourne and we are moving back permanently.
Any suggestions on what airline best caters for babies would be appreciated. I am travelling by myself (my husband is following on a bit after) so I need a direct route and I am not doing a stopover as I will have loads of stuff.
I am not so worried about the new cabin baggage rules, rather I want to know what airline will give me a bulkhead seat and and have good facilities. I am a bit reluctant to book with Qantas as I don't want to end up on a BA flight as I had a dreadful flight with them from LHR to Melbourne last Christmas when I was pregnant. I am also anxious in light of the whole foiled terror plot. I have flown so much and never been concerned before I had a baby and this has just heightened my anxiety.
Any suggestions/experiences/tips would be appreciated.
Any suggestions on what airline best caters for babies would be appreciated. I am travelling by myself (my husband is following on a bit after) so I need a direct route and I am not doing a stopover as I will have loads of stuff.
I am not so worried about the new cabin baggage rules, rather I want to know what airline will give me a bulkhead seat and and have good facilities. I am a bit reluctant to book with Qantas as I don't want to end up on a BA flight as I had a dreadful flight with them from LHR to Melbourne last Christmas when I was pregnant. I am also anxious in light of the whole foiled terror plot. I have flown so much and never been concerned before I had a baby and this has just heightened my anxiety.
Any suggestions/experiences/tips would be appreciated.
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Not sure about the connections, but may I suggest Emirates via Dubai ... from all I have heard from recently travelled friends on the route, its very good, very friendly service and the babies all seemed content on her flight as she didn't hear a single cry all flight.
Jordan
Jordan
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By going via Dubai you might only have to change once - LHR-DXB, DXB -MEL nonstop (A340). And they offer a Stroller service in Dubai.
They usually have plenty of supply for babies on board as well (nappies, baby food, bottles, babymilk, ...) But than again - most airlines might...
They usually have plenty of supply for babies on board as well (nappies, baby food, bottles, babymilk, ...) But than again - most airlines might...
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I'd listen to Salusa.
Flew long haul several times with SQ when my two were babies and I never had a bad experience with either the airline or, thankfully, the kids.
That said, 24 hours in a metal tube is enough to unsettle most babies, so I wish you well!
Flew long haul several times with SQ when my two were babies and I never had a bad experience with either the airline or, thankfully, the kids.
That said, 24 hours in a metal tube is enough to unsettle most babies, so I wish you well!
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Thanks for your advice. I'm going to have a good lok at Emirates, Singapore and maybe Cathay. I would like to fly Qantas home but in the past, even though I have booked with Qantas, I've ended up on a BA flight as they share and I had a shocking flight from LHR to Melbourne last Christmas. I was 20 weeks pregnant, seated by the toilet, had a old guy faint on me and had no choice of food as all the good dishes had been taken by the time they got to the back of the plane!
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Originally Posted by emilybwebb
I would like to fly Qantas home but in the past, even though I have booked with Qantas, I've ended up on a BA flight as they share ...
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Just a thought - If Gulf Air fly to Aus, & I think they do, they have a facility on board called "sky nanny" They take your kids of your hands for practically the whole flight, or if you are travelling with an infant, you get a lot of personal attention.
Of all the other airlines mentioned in this link, I would suggest Singapore, as they are fantastic with infants & kids. I've travelled many times with them in 1st, business & econ and found them to be at the peak of thier game. Forget Emirates with kids, had terrible experiences with kids - both times in 1st & business class - too much crap to mention, just not worth it, stay away. Statisticaly, BA/QF carry the most kids to Aus, so crew are always stretched when it comes to babies.
If you are travelling from LHR, give SQ a call at thier ticket desk, & they usually pre-assign a seat for you 3-4 days in advance.
Best of luck
HPC
Of all the other airlines mentioned in this link, I would suggest Singapore, as they are fantastic with infants & kids. I've travelled many times with them in 1st, business & econ and found them to be at the peak of thier game. Forget Emirates with kids, had terrible experiences with kids - both times in 1st & business class - too much crap to mention, just not worth it, stay away. Statisticaly, BA/QF carry the most kids to Aus, so crew are always stretched when it comes to babies.
If you are travelling from LHR, give SQ a call at thier ticket desk, & they usually pre-assign a seat for you 3-4 days in advance.
Best of luck
HPC
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I am traveling to New Zealand from London this Christmas with my (at time of travel) 6 month old son and was wondering exactly the same thing - thank you for all your suggestions. I have heard very positive feedback on Cathay Pacific and when I spoke to them they could not have been more enthusiastic and helpful about traveling with children - but, I will now also get a quote from Singapore on these recommendations.
Has anyone flown with children using Cathay Pacific and what was your experience?
Has anyone flown with children using Cathay Pacific and what was your experience?
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Jordan,
I think etops' comment is quite justified if you have the slightest incling of how the world works.
So come off your high horse and get real!
(watched the news recently?)
I think etops' comment is quite justified if you have the slightest incling of how the world works.
So come off your high horse and get real!
(watched the news recently?)
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I've got a very good idea how the 'real world' works - just I think ETOPS comment is a little imflamatory (sp) and as for the validitiy of the statement ...
Jordan
Jordan
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lemmiwink - Jordan's comment was perfectly justified. He just asked a poster to expand on what appears to be a racist comment.
With your massive amount of posts, do you have the slightest incling (sic!!) of how the world works? I'm sure Jordan has watched the news and he would have seen that some Englishmen (who I believe have never been to Dubai, or have any connection with the place) are accused of plotting to down some American planes flying to the States.
Flip Flop 2 - CX are also very good with kids. The enthuiasm you got was just a person doing their best to sell you a ticket, but they are fine with kids. I would put them at a close number 2 to SQ. So basically, whatever carrier comes up with best scheduling/price, use them.
With your massive amount of posts, do you have the slightest incling (sic!!) of how the world works? I'm sure Jordan has watched the news and he would have seen that some Englishmen (who I believe have never been to Dubai, or have any connection with the place) are accused of plotting to down some American planes flying to the States.
Flip Flop 2 - CX are also very good with kids. The enthuiasm you got was just a person doing their best to sell you a ticket, but they are fine with kids. I would put them at a close number 2 to SQ. So basically, whatever carrier comes up with best scheduling/price, use them.
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I've now booked on Singapore and the travel agent has requested a bassinet for me so, fingers crossed, I will get a bulkhead seat. I am travelling alone with my baby as my husband needs to wrap up things with the sale of our flat etc. and apparently that will mean that I will most likely get a bulkhead seat. I don't know how I'd manage otherwise. As it stands, I can take hand luggage on but no liquids/gels/creams etc. but they will have those for the baby. I am breastfeeding so taking milk on in bottles is not an issue.
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Rather than leave it to your travel agent give SQ reservations a ring and ask to check if a bassinet seat has been requested. All too often these requests go missing in cyberspace.