Infants in premium cabins

[Jo145]

About 6 years ago I spent 3 weeks in New York and picked up a chest infection. Never had one before and just thought I had "a bit of a cough". Where am I going with this? The flight home from NYC to Mel (via LAX) must have been a nightmare for everyone around me as I could not control the cough - despite chugging down some really strong over the counter cough medicine bought at a NYC chemist (now the Americans REALLY know how to do cough medicine that knocks you out for a while - though in this case, not long enough). I felt awful for those around me and know that my cough was no different to a restless child. My point is, anyone can break the peace on a flight, not just children. Isn't the reason for flying the end result, not so much the flight itself? Having said that, I'm taking my first long haul F flight (Qantas A380 Mel-LHR) and am almost counting the hours, and if someone has a cough or a restless child at the pointy end I hope I have the grace to take sit back and dream of Paris!!

 

[Bindibuys]

For me, there is a BIG difference between flying "Long-haul" with an 18 month old and a say 3/4 year old.
By 3/4 they should be disciplined and understand NO. Be entertained by Ipads etc, but an 18 month old, getting the tantrum 2's early?.

Only the parents have an idea of how well the child will travel, but by making the first step and asking the question here, shows me that this parent is not DYKWIA or "it's all about ME and what I want" mentality. This kid is off to a good start with these parents.

 

[drron]

I will agree with you fairhsa on one point.Noise cancelling headphones do not cancel out the noise of a screaming child.This occurred on our flight SYD-LAX this month.I was in 5K-last row of F.Infant in the first row of Y.Started screaming as I laid down,headphones on.Still could hear the screaming.After an hour or two I just got up and watched movies.I was not upset at all.Things happen but dismissing complaints because you should have your headphones available is not correct.

 

[medhead]

Yet my noise cancelling headphones turn children screaming into just another bit of background noise, along with the engines and talking and carts banging.

 

[ermen]

I believe SQ take this matter seriously enough to restrict their F class to over 16 years old pax. Not sure if this only applies to suites. They also get you to sign a form if travelling in a suite (A-380) agreeing not to attempt to make babies. Possibly the sounds eminating from this activity could be more disturbing than the end product, if you get my drift. Personally I would not mind and take the approach of "I'll have what she's having". Lol

i am pretty sure you can bring an infant onboard SQ F

 

[ermen]

I would understand the disappointment if a couple paid tens of thousands of dollars for their honeymoon trip to be special, in J, and the entire flight was a nightmare of a screaming baby.

maybe after that they will decide not to make babies on their honeymoon

 

[LadyC]

i am pretty sure you can bring an infant onboard SQ F

You definitely can. I have done it multiple times.

 

[sparoz]

The good old foam ear plugs works better than noise cancelling headphones supplied on the plane. Much more comfortable too . If you travel a lot, then a custom set of sleeping plugs would be ideal.

 

[Mattg]

i am pretty sure you can bring an infant onboard SQ F

I believe MH ban babies from F.

 

[amaroo]

I believe MH ban babies from F.

Probably One of many policies that now has that airline on its knees.

 

[klavdy]

Some kids just cannot be settled , doesn't matter how much the parents try.
They make drugs for children too, they can be tranquilised.
A potion every once in a while isn't going to harm them, nor turn them in to raving drug fiends.

 

[Moody]

Started my cherubs with short international flights from 10 weeks old, long-haul at 2 years old. Only had one bad flight at the end of the first big holiday with little-miss-2. Otherwise the kids have been fine because we prepared for the journeys.

This starts with talking to them about what to expect on the trip (OK - maybe not at 10 weeks), getting them to help pack their carry-on, taking extra snacks/clothes/activities, planning sleep times, etc.

If you do all this and still experience a melt-down then at least you tried, and only the most VACUOUS PEOPLE will give you the Julie Bishop death-stare.

 

[Natalie_B]

They make drugs for children too, they can be tranquilised.
A potion every once in a while isn't going to harm them, nor turn them in to raving drug fiends.

"Tranquilised"? That seems a little extreme. A potion every once in a while can hurt then, it has the potential to lead to respiratory failure in little people who are under two, which the OPs child is. Unless you're suggesting a dose of panadol which probably doesn't have the tranquilising effect you are after.

 

[Pele]

Probably One of many policies that now has that airline on its knees.

Gday

Mate I got a hunch it has more to do with one of their planes vanishing without a trace and another one being blown out of the sky by the russian military....

Pele.

 

[mannej]

Gday

Mate I got a hunch it has more to do with one of their planes vanishing without a trace and another one being blown out of the sky by the russian military....

Pele.

I think MH's financial woes were well in place before those two occurrences. As such I think they are the tip of the iceberg IMHO.

 

[RAM]

I think MH's financial woes were well in place before those two occurrences. As such I think they are the tip of the iceberg IMHO.

Never had a bad flight with MH on SYD/LHR or KUL/LHR for the 5 of us in the few years leading up to the lost flights.

Staff always polite, food more than edible and flights on time (or early) with IFE working perfectly.

Q or LH on the other hand...

But back OnT - MH always appeared to do double duty on parents/families with young children to ensure the best outcome for the family & cabin as a whole. Enviously looked on at some of the give-aways they provided and thought back to the LONG, LONG first SYD/LHR/SYD with our 3 on Q where the IFE did not work on 3 of the 4 legs and the cabin crew were not interested (nothing we can do, didn't load any kid's packs - you get the picture - and yes it was pre-iPod touch, vn 1 even!).

Lightening did not strike twice and started the sampling of EBQ out of Australia for the next 6 or 7 years.

Standout was JAL, two stewardesses took a huge liking to our youngest and when they heard him asking how long we were going to be at Tokyo (on the way back, going over we had an over-night stay where we learned first hand that Japan DOES have snakes and right near the airport).

One asked what flight we were connecting on (about a 2 hour layover) and said she'd be back. Very curious - what's she up to?

She came back with two unopened cartons of their snacks (nuts, mixed nuts, chips, pretzels, biscuits and more) and said "Take these so your children won't be bored while you wait."

She then helped pack them into each of their carry-on bags with the remainder shoved into mine (YES!).

So, travelling with young children (behaving well) can be a very positive experience.

 

[mannej]

Never had a bad flight with MH on SYD/LHR or KUL/LHR for the 5 of us in the few years leading up to the lost flights.

Staff always polite, food more than edible and flights on time (or early) with IFE working perfectly.

Q or LH on the other hand...

But back OnT - MH always appeared to do double duty on parents/families with young children to ensure the best outcome for the family & cabin as a whole. Enviously looked on at some of the give-aways they provided and thought back to the LONG, LONG first SYD/LHR/SYD with our 3 on Q where the IFE did not work on 3 of the 4 legs and the cabin crew were not interested (nothing we can do, didn't load any kid's packs - you get the picture - and yes it was pre-iPod touch, vn 1 even!).

Lightening did not strike twice and started the sampling of EBQ out of Australia for the next 6 or 7 years.

Standout was JAL, two stewardesses took a huge liking to our youngest and when they heard him asking how long we were going to be at Tokyo (on the way back, going over we had an over-night stay where we learned first hand that Japan DOES have snakes and right near the airport).

One asked what flight we were connecting on (about a 2 hour layover) and said she'd be back. Very curious - what's she up to?

She came back with two unopened cartons of their snacks (nuts, mixed nuts, chips, pretzels, biscuits and more) and said "Take these so your children won't be bored while you wait."

She then helped pack them into each of their carry-on bags with the remainder shoved into mine (YES!).

So, travelling with young children (behaving well) can be a very positive experience.

What does that have to do with my post about MH hemorrhaging money prior to any of the events of 2014?

 

[RAM]

What does that have to do with my post about MH hemorrhaging money prior to any of the events of 2014?

Getting OT as thread is "Infants in premium cabins."

You referenced MH and I responded with topic in mind to clarify that while they may have been losing money (like Q had been) the service on MH to families with children was exemplary.

 

[amaroo]

Gday

Mate I got a hunch it has more to do with one of their planes vanishing without a trace and another one being blown out of the sky by the russian military....

Pele.

Headlines don't make up for years of poor management and balance sheets.

http://www.bloomberg.com/bw/article...irlines-was-in-trouble-long-before-flight-370

 

[Pele]

Gday

I'm not saying they were ever a consistently profitable airline but without the two incidents of 2014 they would be no where near the position they are in today. I have spent a fair bit of time in Malaysia and basically no government run businesses there are lauded as efficient well run enterprises. MAS was no different. Bumi's are not known for their business acumen.

Pele.