Has anyone had experience of the Etihad "flying nanny" service?

[Wenchelda]

I've just read about the "flying nanny" service on Etihad... Has anyone used it? From what can gather from the website, it's someone on board who is there to help keep the children entertained when flying long haul (it mentions arts & crafts, hand puppets, paper hats & face paints).

We will be flying UK to Sydney in 2019 and my DCs (who will be 9 & 7 when we go) have never flown before, plus I've developed a fear of flying since becoming a mum so anything to make the journey less stressful sounds good to me. I just wondered if anyone has experienced the flying nanny?

I have on several occasions but it's not exactly a nanny service. One or two (on long haul ) of the crew are the designated kid specialists and their job is to take care of the little passengers as well as being part of the usual crew tending to the adults. They introduce themselves, dish out the plastic tac and explain how to work kids stuff on the entertainment system. I think on one flight they brought extra snacks and drinks. They were friendly but I'd probably choose Emirates over Etihad of my only specific was provision for kids. Their inflight entertainment is great.

I honestly wouldn't worry flying with kids of that age. They'll have a great time.

I've done the same trip once or twice a year with DCs from birth. Our eldest is now 9, he's loved the last few trips for all the films and games on the inflight entertainment.

You’re probably right - my DCs will be in their element as they can sit staring at a screen for hours on end without me constantly nagging at them to turn it off I am very anxious about the flight anyway and adding DCs into the mix just makes me come out in a cold sweat!

I’m also getting mixed opinions about which airline might be best with DCs .... I’ve had Qatar recommended, then a travel agent mentioned about the flying nanny on Etihad. I’ve flown with Emirates before and been impressed but didn’t have children then so can’t comment on how child friendly they are. Or maybe all long haul airlines are very similar in what they provide?

I've flown the route with various airlines. Honestly, when I book I look at optimal timings and stopover length as the priority. Having multiple stops, long changeovers, changeovers in crap airports etc. is always more of an issue for us than what it's like on board the plane.

Emirates and Etihad are great, but you have a very long leg between Dubai and wherever you are going in Australia. We've booked our Christmas trip on Singapore this time specifically to get a more even spread of time across the two flights and a better length of stop over (3.5hrs instead of only 1.5/2 so we can eat and properly run the legs off the toddler )

I suggested a stopover at Singapore on your other thread or Dubai if you can sleep on the longer leg. You just need to look at routes and see what would suit you best and what flight times are available. Obviously the best times will be more expensive but it’s all about juggling routes, stopovers, flight times and prices. Try and make it easy on yourself and do the best route and times you can afford.

I find it works well jet lag wise to arrive into Australia in the evening. So we've time to eat and then all sleep.
We live in the ME and I agree that stopping off here is unbalanced in terms of flight lengths but the service and planes, whether Qatar,Emirates or Etihad are much better.

At that age a flying nanny is known as an IPad. Probably cheaper too...

Thank all - some really good advice. I think I’m probably worrying unecessarily about keeping the kids occupied on the flight. They will probably love it. (Although the anxiousness inside me is worrying about them being terrified / completely bored / playing up for the entire journey).

As pp had said, the best thing is probably to check out flight times / connections etc and base airline choice on that rather than any sort of “nanny” service.

Qantas now fly direct to Perth from Heathrow, we are going to try that next year, normally fly Qatar who are very good. Second iPad reccomendations.