British Airways

[SoupDragon]

For the first time I'll be flying BA to America - we've always used Virgin before. Do BA hand out bags for children like Virgin do? If so, what are they like and what's in them? I need to plan my "entertain the children" packs for the flight.

[GillW]

I think last time we went it was actually a box not a bag, but there was an activity/colouring book, some crayons, a plastic puzzle. I'm sure there was something else too, but I've forgotten exactly what.

[GillW]

I think last time we went it was actually a box not a bag, but there was an activity/colouring book, some crayons, a plastic puzzle. I'm sure there was something else too, but I've forgotten exactly what.

[GillW]

I think last time we went it was actually a box not a bag, but there was an activity/colouring book, some crayons, a plastic puzzle. I'm sure there was something else too, but I've forgotten exactly what.

[GillW]

I think last time we went it was actually a box not a bag, but there was an activity/colouring book, some crayons, a plastic puzzle. I'm sure there was something else too, but I've forgotten exactly what.

[GillW]

What Happened? I definately only hit "post Message" once....

[SoupDragon]

Bah! Boxes are rubbish. I'll have to take their Virgin back packs

Thanks (x 4)

[princesspeahead]

their boxes are useless. their children's meals are even worse - full of e numbers and sugar and can't even give proper juice - give Um Bongo or some crap.

let them eat the adult meals and bring some extra snacks.

[SofiaAmes]

I have flown on United, American, Virgin and BA to America and BA won hands done on everything!!! As soon as they spotted the kids, they ushered us straight out of the checkout line to the first class check in. We were able to reliably book the bulkhead in advance (if you have under two's make sure you call and request it). They let us bring our umbrella stroller on board so we didn't have to wait for it at the other end. They gave the kids a great backpack (not box) filled with toys. They were friendly and helpful throughout the flight. I never order kids meals, so I have no idea what they are like. The adult meals were pretty good by airplane standards. And they managed to come up with extra snacks for my ds whenever I asked. Hope your experience is as good as mine were.

[bloss]

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[SoupDragon]

I wasn't going to rely on it for entertainment really, I was more curious as to whether they'd get a useable bag or not The Virgin ones were great even though they contained rubbish.

[quackers]

HEY bLOSS I was Cabin Crew with jal for 4 years!! You're right, they are great!!! I then went onto BA and they now offer Hamleys toys - no less and a satchel food box. JAL didn't have lots to entertain them but yes the service is impeccable - we were well trained!! As a mum I would still go for BA as they have the TVs for each seat with kids channel as with most airlines these days and like I say, toys etc... As for the food, depends which airport u go from. Remember at all outstations - away from from the UK the food is generally prepared by the same company for all airlines, ost of the time anyway! I used to eat the kids food if there waas any left not the main meals!!

[quackers]

Oh soupy , in answer to your question BA don't give a bag anymore but do give fab toys from hamleys and a colouring pack. Take your virgin ones and get some goody's on board - btw you can take the satchel boxes off! have a great trip!!

[zebra]

We got bags of goodies flying on BA to/from San Diego in April & May this year. I think DS got more entertainment out of playing with all the video channels, though. DD kept making goo-goo eyes at all the babies, that kept her happy. I usually keep electronic toys packed away and bring them out for just such travelling occasions.

[zebra]

Oh, and yes Soupdragon: the bags are very re-useable. My kids take them to childminders with spare clothes & lunch boxes inside.

[SofiaAmes]

On our trip to the usa our flight attendant on BA was particularly helpful and when I asked whether he had children he said yes, 5 of them. Turns out, at the ripe age of 16 he and his childhood sweetheart had triplets and then 9 months (!!!!!!) later had twins. Wow. I felt kind of guilty feeling overwhelmed by my 2 under 2.

[bloss]

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[newgirl]

we had a bad experience with BA, probably down to our lack of experience though. we have a large pushchair, not an umbrella one as my baby still sleeps in it during the day and i thought she could do that while we were away hopefully enjoying long lunches outside. i asked at check in whether i could take it on the plane and they said no problem, when i got to the plane door they said it was too big. they made lots of fuss about finding somewhere for it and i was so embarassed; i wouldn't have minded checking it in if it was to be a problem. when we left i had to carry it right through the plane and down the stairs as well as with baby in arms. i hadn't flown with baby before so i was pretty clueless, but they were less than helpful and made me feel really embarrassed. i'll get a smaller one for next time!

[Meid]

I have flown long haul twice since having DD. Once with Virgin and once with BA. Virgin was awful - I will never fly with them again. The staff were rude, grumpy and unhelpful. With BA, however, it was a different story. The cabin crew and ground staff couldn't do enough to help us - they allowed us to jump queues, kept making sure we had enough to drink, kept offering to help with DD and even let me change her in the first class loo when the queue was too long in economy. I definitely recommend flying BA.

[alibubbles]

We flew Upper Class with Virgin and I think it is dreadful. British Airways were brilliant (especially in Club Class) they gave us a bottle of champagne as we left and huge goody bags of sweets, mini coke cans etc for the children as we got off, as they " were so beautifully behaved'that was when they were a lot younger.

When we flew at Christmas, they asked DS to change his seat to the one with the bulkhead to a family could sit together, DS didn't mind as it gave him more room for his legs, and they gave him a bottle of champagne again for doing so. I don't think they realised he was only 15!!

[quackers]

Bloss, yes it was hard work, the passengers were treated like royalty and it was how flying always was in the good old days, the cabin crew wrap you in your blanket and clean the toilets ( i know but they were always spotless) we did origami to make the toilets look lovely and the passeneger always came first. They did reward us well too. I enjoyed BA though, it was great fun and I still think the vast majority of people recieve a genuine good service. Now I've 'retired' - (at 28!!) I do miss it and will always try and behonest on here if poeple ask for stuff about flying. LOLx

[quackers]

Oh forgot to say my little sis was crew for Virgin, she loved it but thought the passengers wern't very well treated really. I myself flew to NY and when I asked for headphones cos I had none I got the reponse 'for F sake', needless to say, I didn't fly with them again!

[SoupDragon]

I'd just like to say that we've never had a bad experience with Virgin and we've flown with them over 10 times I think.

[louli]

We have had good and bad experiences on BA and Virgin. It normally comes down to a good or bad crew.