Which airlines are the most family friendly?

MOST airlines claim to be family friendly, but we have put them to the test to see how true those claims really are.

kid on plane

MOST airlines claim to be family-friendly, but all that marketing hype means nothing when you're trapped in a steel tube at 30,000 feet with a dissatisfied passenger who also happens to be a toddler.

Junk food child meals, zero in-flight entertainment, no baby food: it's enough to make even the most patient parent chuck a tantrum. I know I certainly have.

Kicked off jet: Unruly child causes plane chaos
 
Like many parents, I wanted to know which airline was really the best choice for our family holiday. So I decided to find out. Each time we travelled overseas I began taking note of all the important stuff like whether there was priority boarding and a decent kids' channel. I also made some inquiries about what parents could expect to find onboard.

Just like the man in the fancy red suit (that's Santa we're talking about, not Richard Branson), I've been making a list and checking it twice and now know who's been naughty or nice. Each airline rating below consists of an actual flight experience and nine family-focussed categories, each one rated out of 10.

I once had to play peek-a-boo for nine hours straight because there was no seatback video. The following information will help spare you from a similar fate.

Emirates - Score: 91/100
Flying with Emirates is memorable for all the right reasons thanks to extra touches like giving out hand puppets and taking branded Polaroid snaps of families during the flight. Infants are allowed to take their collapsible chariot onboard as cabin baggage and get a 10 kilogram luggage allowance despite not paying for a seat. Children's meals have been designed to keep kids and their health conscious parents happy. Expect tasty, easy-to-eat choices like bangers and mash or cheesy tomato pasta rather than greasy junk food.
More: emirates.com

Etihad Airways - Score: 89/100
Etihad's swanky bassinettes are enough to make you wish you were travelling with a baby. Hmmm, then again, maybe not. Cabin crew are especially kind to those flying with under 2s, calming frazzled parents as well as their kids. Children's meals arrive quickly and are served with a smile. Older kids will appreciate the activity pack which comes in a brightly coloured knapsack and there's an excellent choice of child-friendly viewing. Hats off for the comfy seats which make it possible for everyone to get some sleep.
More: etihadairways.com

Air New Zealand - Score: 88/100
Air New Zealand offers plenty of interactive on-board fun on long haul flights. There's a colouring competition with the winner announced by the captain and storytelling in the galley after dinner. How well these things come off depends on the crew. Warding off the inevitable cries of 'I'm starving!' is easy thanks to a Jet Cadet Pack filled with healthy treats that's presented prior to take off. Tasman crossings are less lavish with a variable pricing structure that ranges from a basic seat to 'The Works' which even includes lounge access. Snacks can be ordered via a seatback touch screen which is 'kinda cool', even for adults.
More: airnewzealand.com.au

Singapore Airlines - Score: 86/100
Smiling, serene cabin crew help families get settled and ensure cabin bags are within easy reach (a bonus for those travelling with tiny tots). Emergency baby supplies are also available on-board and, perhaps most importantly, arrive promptly when disaster strikes. Seatback entertainment includes some great games, many of them multiple player so you can challenge older kids to an on-line duel.
More: singaporeair.com

Thai Airways - Score: 76/100
Assisted preboarding helps get the journey off to a great start and cabin crew go out of their way to interact with the kids. Special requests like 'Could you please clear away my child's tray as soon as possible so he doesn't knock it over?' are accommodated with a smile. There's an onboard supply of nappies and baby food (and plastic feeding bibs, a nice touch). Older kids who are fussy eaters may not appreciate the Asian meal selection (western fare often runs out first on the food trolley). Remember to pre-order a child's meal and you'll be fine.
More: thaiairways.com

Qantas - Score: 76/100
Qantas earn top marks for their friendly service  after an overseas trip that Aussie accent feels like coming home  and their safety record is second to none. Unfortunately they're also responsible for my peek-a-book marathon. It turns out some international flights  like the long haul journey from Sydney to Honolulu  use 767 aircraft which don't have seatback video, something I learned the hard way. Check out exactly what's available onboard when you book and you should have a great flight.
More: qantas.com.au

Cathay Pacific - Score: 75/100
Flying with Cathay Pacific ranges from good to terrific depending on the crew and the age of the aircraft. Babies are well catered for with an ample supply of bassinettes and other goodies. Older children will appreciate the in-flight entertainment system although some programs tend to be repeated.
More: cathaypacific.com

V Australia - Score: 72/100
From the amusing in-flight safety briefing cartoon to the upbeat crew and trendy cabin fit out, V Australia is a top choice for travelling with teens. Littlies aren't particularly well catered for  there's no baby food, nappy supply or activity pack on board, something which has substantially lowered this overall score  but older children will love the impressive seatback entertainment system and fun in-flight atmosphere.
More: vaustralia.com

Air Pacific - Score: 68/100
Any lack of seatback video is made up for by the cheery Fijian crew who go out of their way to interact with the kids. Babies are cooed over and older children are treated like 'grown ups' (a big hit with under 10s) with lots of friendly banter and questions about what they're planning to do in Fiji. Bring plenty of baby supplies as there's no emergency stash onboard. Air Pacific doesn't offer child meals but the regular menu offers plenty of simple, tasty fare.
More: airpacific.com

Pacific Blue - Score: 52/100
For families on a budget the price is certainly right but don't expect any frills. You'll need to bring your own baby supplies and kid friendly food (no child meals are available for purchase). Seating remains the same on each flight I've taken with my family  right down the back no matter how early we check in. Explanations for this have ranged from 'sorry, it's a full flight' to 'the crew is trained to deal with children being seated down the rear of the aircraft in an emergency' to 'I'm not sure why that would be, I'll have to look into it for you'. I still don't know the answer because the PR representative never got back to me. In-flight entertainment is well-priced and worth every cent.
More: flypacificblue.com

Family friendly flying tips
 - Bring along some games and puzzles just in case
 - Always travel with snacks
 - Bring teddy along for the ride, he'll help your littlie get to sleep
 - Consider breaking your journey half-way
 - Gift wrap some cheap toys as 'presents' to be unwrapped during the flight
 - Pack a change of clothes in your carry-on for everyone , not just the kids
 - Don't forget your sense of humour

YOUR SAY: What are your tips for taking children on planes? Tell us below

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