Travelling with infants can be a stressful and challenging experience for both parents and airline staff. However, there are some ways to make it easier and more enjoyable for everyone involved. In this article, you will learn some tips and best practices to improve the customer experience for passengers traveling with infants.
One of the most important steps to ensure a smooth and comfortable flight with an infant is to prepare well in advance. This includes checking the airline's policies and regulations regarding infant tickets, baggage, seat selection, and safety equipment. You should also pack wisely and bring enough essentials, such as diapers, wipes, formula, snacks, toys, and medication, to last the entire trip. Additionally, you should plan your itinerary and schedule around your infant's sleep and feeding patterns, and avoid peak travel times and long layovers if possible.
Every passenger finds comprehensive pre-flight information useful and this is arguably even more valuable for families. Having specifically tailored for passengers traveling with infants could include details on what to expect during the flight, amenities available for families such as the location of play areas at the airport, and any special procedures or policies related to traveling with infants.
I think it’s a CIP procedure for infants traveling because they would have taken more time and personel to do its job Although it could cause older Customers relying on services of CIP to get a better experience of traveling
Aviation Operations. Pilot. Aviation Safety Mishap Consulting, Plans, and Program Management.
-Provide dedicated assistance for passengers traveling with infants from booking through end of journey -Offer pre-boarding options for families with infants -Provide amenities specifically designed for infants -Designate family seating areas where passengers traveling with infants can sit together -Offer in-flight entertainment options suitable for infants/young children -Provide complimentary toys, books, or coloring activities -Provide child-friendly meal options -Ensure cabin crew members are trained to assist passengers with infants -Ensure easy access to lavatories and other facilities -Provide clear and concise communications -Establish a feedback mechanism for passengers traveling with infants to provide input on their experience
Another way to make the customer experience better for passengers traveling with infants is to take advantage of the check-in and boarding options available for families. Many airlines offer online check-in, mobile boarding passes, and priority boarding for passengers with infants, which can save you time and hassle at the airport. You should also arrive early and allow yourself enough time to go through security, customs, and immigration. Furthermore, you should ask the airline staff for any assistance or special services you may need, such as a bassinet, a stroller, or a changing table.
During our family travels, I fondly recall a time when my younger sister's age granted us the privilege of expedited queues, excluding immigration. The cabin crew were extremely supportive, particular when traveling with an infant. They thoughtfully allocated front-row seats, facilitating the use of a bassinet, and efficiently attended to every detail. My mother, owing to their commendable service, encountered no issues throughout the journey. Kudos to the crew for their outstanding job.
Falando como profissional da avia??o e m?e, é primordial chegar o mais cedo no aeroporto, pois mesmo sendo prioridade o bebê demanda aten??o e pode atrasar tendo que ir ao banheiro trocar fraldas ou coisas do tipo. Mesmo o check-in e o processo de raio-X sendo rápidos, por serem prioridades os pais podem demorar a chegar ao avi?o. No avi?o o bebê até 11 meses e 29 dias é colo, após 2 anos completos já é assento ent?o n?o pode de forma alguma o bebê maior de 2 anos ir no colo durante decolagem, turbulência e pouso. A tripula??o avisa e os pais devem seguir todas as orienta??o pela seguran?a da crian?a. A tripula??o deve explicar aos pais/responsáveis que existe trocador no banheiro do avi?o e ber?o em voos longos.
Offering dedicated check-in counters and boarding lanes for families traveling with infants to expedite the process and reduce stress is fundamental to ease the stress of traveling with small children. Not all airlines include priority boarding for families with young children but this should be made an industry standard.
During the flight, you should try to make your infant as comfortable and safe as possible. This means following the airline's instructions and recommendations for securing your infant in a seat or a lap belt, and using an approved car seat or harness if you have one. You should also dress your infant in layers, as the cabin temperature may vary, and keep them hydrated and fed. Moreover, you should soothe your infant's ears during takeoff and landing by offering them a pacifier, a bottle, or a breastfeed. Additionally, you should walk around the cabin with your infant occasionally, if permitted, to stretch their legs and prevent blood clots.
Passenger comfort is something which airlines need to aspire for. Try to provide customer with infant comfortable seat . Always ask for milk or water or anything which his/her mother requires. Infants cry during landing and take off so bear it . Try to make there onboard experience memorable. These things helps your airline to grow and develop soft corner .
As a flight crew, it is difficult to help make a parent traveling with a parent feel more comfortable. Compassion and empathy are usually the most comforting. Kind words mean everything when you feel the judgement of the entire airplane when you fail to comfort a crying baby. For the pilots, I would always offer up management of the pressurization system in the airplane should always be a priority to aid in the comfort of babies, children, even adults with sinus issues on your flights.
Starting from the boarding airlines must ensure both mother feels safe & comfortable with the surroundings & know the safety procedures. Periodic patrolling & conversations by the crew inflight helps a ton.
While demand for family travel tends to be higher for charter flights, scheduled airlines would do well to have designated family seating areas on the aircraft equipped with features such as extra legroom, bassinets, and easily accessible diaper changing tables. Families are willing to pay a premium for seats offering additional space. Another revenue stream or product differentiator could be the offer of in-flight amenities tailored for families traveling with infants, such as complimentary diapers, wipes, or formula, infant meals, and entertainment options suitable for young children such as a tabelt with preloaded child-friendly games and movies, blankets, pillows, and infant-friendly headphones to make the flight more comfortable.
Keeping your infant entertained and distracted during the flight can also enhance the customer experience for passengers traveling with infants. This can help prevent boredom, frustration, and crying, which can affect not only your infant, but also yourself and other passengers. You should bring some familiar and new toys, books, games, and music for your infant, and rotate them throughout the flight. You should also interact with your infant and talk to them about what they see and hear. Furthermore, you should be respectful and courteous to other passengers, and apologize if your infant causes any inconvenience or disturbance.
For long flights, airlines can contribute to children entertainment by providing a small booklet with activities and a drawing pen/pencil. A child is a responsibility of a whole society, and other passengers must be understanding of normal child behavior and avoid harassing parents to apologize or try to over control their kids. Public spaces must be respectful towards all citizens, including children and their typical normal behavior should be more tolerated and respected during flights.
Maintaining your infant's health and hygiene during the flight is also essential to improve the customer experience for passengers traveling with infants. This can prevent illness, infection, and discomfort for your infant, as well as protect yourself and other passengers from germs and viruses. You should wash your hands and your infant's hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer or wipes if needed. You should also change your infant's diaper regularly, and dispose of it properly in the designated bins. Additionally, you should monitor your infant's temperature and symptoms, and seek medical attention if they show any signs of sickness or distress.
Finally, you should help your infant recover from the flight and adjust to the new environment. This can reduce the effects of jet lag, fatigue, and stress for your infant, and make them happier and more relaxed. You should maintain your infant's routine and schedule as much as possible, and avoid any drastic changes in their sleep and feeding patterns. You should also expose your infant to natural light and darkness, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Moreover, you should give your infant some extra attention and affection, and reassure them that they are safe and loved.
Planning family holidays can be particularly challenging. I would recommend airlines to implement compassionate policies for families traveling with infants, such as flexible rebooking options in case of flight delays or cancellations, to reduce stress and inconvenience.