Travel with small children - bassinet on Emirates and Singapore A380 (F/Suites/J)

[adelee]

Hi all

Looking for some advice / feedback from parents of small children who have travelled in Emirates and / or Singapore J and F. Myself, husband and toddler are seasoned travellers (and toddler has travelled extensively in J cabin, both with own seat and as lap infant in CX, but no other carriers).

I am looking at Award redemptions into Europe and out with husband, 3 year old and 6 month lap infant for early next year. Currently we have the following options: 3 x J seats on Emirates A380 AUK - DXB - BCN, or 2 x J seats for husband and toddler, plus 1 x F seat for me and lap infant. On way back, we have the same options (but this time with Singapore A380 / 777 flying ZHR - SIN - SYD).

3 questions:

• Any thoughts on whether it would be better to travel with the 3 x J seats vs 2 x J and 1 F (with F being myself and 6 month old)? I'm really keen to experience both Emirates F (shower!) and Singapore suites (Krug + Dom!), and like the idea of a more private pod with the baby, but similarly, acknowledge it might make more practical sense to have us all travel in the same area (specifically, would be helpful to have husband close by to help).
• Can anyone advise what the bassinet situation is like on Emirates A380 and Singapore A380 and 777? How well configured are these in suites / F?
• With Emirates Chauffeur drive, can you request baby car seats (we'll require 2)? And is there an additional cost for these?

Would appreciate any feedback from those who have travelled with these hard products with children. I know that travelling with small children in premium class cabins is a polarising topic for many people, but just after some practical advice on this one. Cheers

 

[LadyC]

I have traveled with my now 2.5 year old son in both Emirates F 777 and Singapore F and regional J, A380, 777 and A330.

We only used the bassinet at 6 months. They tend to be pretty small. If I recall correctly, the bassinet was placed up in the front left corner in both EK and SQ.

I would always travel together as the first preference. It means you can help each other as required, with both your toddler and your baby.

Didn't use chaffeur drive so can't answer about that.

 

[flying_double]

So you'll compromise and sit in J with your husband so he can help with the infant, that's nice! I bet he feels special.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

adelee on a recent flt PVG-SIN in F on 77W I did indeed discuss at length the SQ bassinet situation with a senior FA.

I have only ever actually witnessed bassinets in use in Y cabins - never R/F/J cabins. The bassinets that SQ employ in premium cabins are in fact quite different to the bassinets used in Y. Y bassinets are suspended from bulkheads in front row of seats in each Y cabin - R/F/J bassinets are indeed 'pods' or 'boxes' which sit on bed where adult lays - they are not suspended from bulkheads.

FA in fact advised me that very few R/F/J pax who require bassinets don't indeed use them when they see them - rather they just lay the baby/infant beside them and use 'infant' seat belt. FA indicated she thought SQ's pr cab bassinets very ordinary and that the infant seat belt decision was much better.

As for 'bassinet' seats in pr cabs - both 380 and 777s do indicate designated 'bassinet seat' on seat maps but these are 'suggested' only in that they attempt to lessen any possible impact a baby/infant in that cabin may have on other pax. In fact any seat can be selected and utilised by a parent with an infant.

Again I must point out I have never tried to use a bassinet on any flight but FA I spoke to has had 12yrs exp on SQ and was extremely well versed on SQ in air protocols. I hope this helps some.

 

[vnaz]

Emirates j - they have a bassinet in business. The seating configuration is weird though. You will need to have all 3 of you on the same row, because if you have a stranger sitting next to you in the middle section they are actually in very easy reach of your baby. I found it uncomfortable to have my husband on the other side of the aisle (eg A and D combo and a stranger in G). If your child was in G, you need to have your husband sit in K because you won't be able to reach them from your seat. From memory there might also be a bassinet in front of A, but I can't see it on the maps.

For what it's worth, if you can fly on Qantas A380 planes it is much better as you can leave the baby in the bassinet during turbulence. The Qantas F bassinet on the a380 is a nook in the plane and is fantastic because they are behind your head.