Family travel the way we like it-forget the rest if y’áll ! A recent post I wrote sparked a lot of debate on if kids should be “ALLOWED” on business or first class on trains and planes. I am a firm believer that you’re paying for the comfort and service and not silence. Everyone’s entitled to the same level of silence – economy or first class. Besides….what about that business phone call that’s taking up air time or the manic cougher? Here’s the Little Monkey at around the 2 month mark on her first flight from London to Bahrain – first class on Gulf Air with a nanny onboard!
Our flight from London to Bahrain, despite being on Business class was a bit rough as the Little Monkey decided she was going to be cranky. Despite the comfort, great food, nanny on board and booze, we weren’t able to enjoy it as much. Neither could our fellow passengers. Just when she went to sleep and we decided to sleep ourselves, it was time for breakie and to prep for landing! GRRR!! Though this time around I did enjoy a glass of Tia Maria and a good Tawny port. After all I had three bottles of pumped milk for the thirteen hour journey (6 hours to Bahrain, 4 hours layover and 3 hours to Mumbai). Let me tell you, adding a two hour car ride, I was well engorged by the end of it. OUCH!
No jet lag so far either! She sleeps the longest when we swaddle her during the night. I did rely on the pacifier during take-off and landing. I got the Little Monkey sucking on it like a fiend. No blocked ears during any of the three flights. I also highly recommend travelling with two blankets, one to lay on and one to cover with. We didn’t need any change of clothes for her or ourselves (but we had them! After all, the one time you don’t is most likely when you’ll have a disaster on your hands!).
Many have asked us about the nanny onboard and how it worked out. Because Little Monkey was just a baby and because we had family onboard with us (my parents, the hubs, my brother and his girlfriend) we had enough hands to take care of her. Which meant that we didn’t really take up the offer for the nanny to hold her or tend to her. I can definitely see this being a great service for a solo parent traveller or once the kids are a bit older and want some entertainment!
All in all…I think it’s fairly easy traveling with a newborn as long as you take things in stride and accept the generosity of family and strangers.
Ask Ms Recipe
August 14, 2013 at 6:18 pmGreat photos, little ones first flight should go first class so adorable.
Nina
http://askmsrecipe.com/2013/08/13/wordless-wednesday-rolo-cookies/
Lynn M
August 15, 2013 at 8:20 amGreat idea!
Victoria Ess
August 15, 2013 at 10:18 amI totally agree with you that noise is noise, whether it is a teenager or business person yapping on their phone, a person listening to music or a movie too loudly, or a baby/toddler. When I think of the issue, I think it’s more important for a family to be considerate when making the decision of whether they will book first class or not, given their first hand knowledge of how their own children are. This, to me, makes far more sense than an outright stereotypical, discriminatory ban.
SueSueper
August 16, 2013 at 7:24 pmI agree, if you pay for it, then it should be allowed. Why not!
mongupp (@mongupp)
December 10, 2013 at 11:41 amI’ve travelled with babies in economy and it wasn’t too bad. Would love a first-class trip!
DARLENE W
October 4, 2014 at 5:43 pmI have the same opinion as you, if people don’t like it they can move to coach
Faryal
September 8, 2017 at 2:59 amHi Im planning on travelling with 6-8 weeks old baby on on a long haul flight from London to Karachi via Business class. Just looking on tips on how to manage on my own.
Yashy
September 8, 2017 at 9:29 amCongrats!!! That’s going to be an exciting journey for you both. I have not flown solo (my husband always flies with me) but can tell you that it is relatively easy to fly with a newborn. Were you able to book a basinet? It will really help you and is worth the effort to see if you can get one in business class. IF that is not available, I recommend a baby carrier as your baby will hopefully be sleeping for most of the flight. Breastfeeding is easy to do but I also liked to travel with pumped milk bottles.. if you’re using formula, I recommend filling the baby bottles with water as the airline water isn’t safe (unless they have bottled water available – the boiled water for coffee is NOT always the cleanest). Checkout this post for more tips. Do ask me any additional questions you have – happy to answer them! Oh.. you may have thought of this already (I used to live in Karachi).. but getting the 2 month vaccines and ensuring you have access to a good pediatrician in Pakistan prior to travelling is always a great idea.