Johannesburg - There’s something magical about flying when you’re a child – being awed by the size of the aircraft, the anticipation as you fasten your seat belt, the thrill of take-off and the wonder of looking down at the clouds.
Usually it’s not as fun an experience for parents. Airports can be stressful at the best of times and particularly when escorting one or more children, while juggling bags and passports and negotiating urgent appeals to use the bathroom.
Even when you’ve settled in your seat and answered excited questions you sometimes aren’t able to relax. Your duties as maître d’ and entertainment officer usually preclude anything other than snatching a bite or two of a cold meal and rule out following the plot of anything longer than a cartoon.
Sue Botes, British Airways commercial manager for southern Africa, who has being flying with her children since they were babies, says that by being proactive you can reduce a lot of the stress.
“You need to consider the children even before you make your reservations, even if they are a bit older because everyone can act up when they’re out of their comfort zone. For example, when you’re booking connecting flights, factor in an additional 30 minutes per child to the minimum connection time.”
She also suggests trying to book the entire trip on one airline or its alliance partners as this makes life much easier if there are any delays or connection problems. If you need a baby seat or bassinet, book it when you make your reservation as these are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Make sure all your paperwork is in order. If you travel frequently your passport will be up to date, but it’s worth checking the children’s are, too. Also find out if the country you’re travelling to requires any additional paperwork for children. For example, from next year, parents travelling to or from South Africa with children under 18 will have to produce an unabridged birth certificate in addition to the child’s passport. If only one parent is accompanying a child or children they’ll also need a certified letter of consent from the other parent.
To take some of the stress out of the airport experience, do as much as you can before you arrive at the check-in desk. You can pre-empt some queuing and any arguments about who sits where by requesting your seats using the Manage My Booking function on ba.com 24 hours before the flight departs.
You can also check-in on ba.com and print your boarding pass out at home. If you’re travelling with teenagers and they really want to be cool they can get a mobile boarding pass sent to their smartphone using the ba app.
Above all keep a careful eye on your children in the airport so they don’t wander off. Make sure that if you do get separated from young children, whoever finds them can get in touch with you. You can write your mobile number on their hand or arm in indelible ink, or write your contact details and flight number on a sticker and stick it to the back of their shirt.
When the flight starts boarding, take advantage of the priority boarding procedures for parents with children. This means you aren’t juggling the luggage and children while other passengers are trying to board and you have some time to get settled and relax.
Another hint is to ask your travel agent or use Manage my Booking to pre-book children’s meals. These are specially prepared to be interesting and filling, but importantly are packed with the things children love to eat.
Boredom is, of course, one of the biggest threats to a fantastic family flight. Onboard British Airways offers dedicated in-flight entertainment channels for children and teens, but remember you’ll also be spending time at airports. It’s a good idea to download their favourite game to your phone or mobile device or to pack some familiar, small, lightweight toys or books in their hand baggage. The trick is, in an unfamiliar environment, to provide them with something they know and like.
British Airways allows babies and children one item of hand baggage each, as long as these comply with the rules applied at many international airports including Heathrow. These restrict the maximum size of hand baggage to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Mothers with small children can take baby food and bottles onboard, but will be asked to taste the contents at security.
Under no circumstances should you medicate your children or give them any over-the-counter remedies to try and keep them quiet.
If you need help disembarking the aircraft, wait until everyone else has left and the crew will assist you. This is where allowing more time for connections can really pay off. It’s also worth asking if there are any fast-track immigration options for families travelling with young children.
More details about British Airways’ services available at:
http://www.britishairways.com/en-za/information/family-travel.
Saturday Star