Flying as fun

Do Your Homework

1. Online check-in and seat reservations - families of up to six can now check in, reserve seats together and request cots 24 hours before departure at the airline's website (www.ba.com). British Airways provides cots for babies up to 12 months old and kiddie seats for children six months to two years old.

2. Special meals - children's and baby meals must be pre-booked 24 hours before departure. For families with special dietary requirements, for example lactose-free or vegetarian diets, these can be pre-booked as well. All can be requested through "Manage my Booking" at ba.com.

3. Check in time - British Airways provides a shorter check in time for families and boards families first at the departure gate. The less time the passengers have to spend in an airport departure lounge with bored children the better.

To enable you to take your child's buggy or stroller from check-in, through security, to the departure gate and the door of the aircraft, the airline recommends that the small folding "umbrella" type buggies are used when travelling.

Down, Up and Away

4. Take a goody bag for each child - goody bags can be airport lifesavers. Plan them if you can over a few weeks before you travel: pick up small toys, notepads and felt-tip pens, puzzle books, or anything you know your child will enjoy playing with that does not need space or make a lot of noise. Put them into a small bag with his or her name on. Do not mention them until the moment in the queue when everything is about to get really out of hand, and then produce them with a flourish, like a magician with a rabbit. Your kids will fall instantly silent, and families around you will marvel at your foresight.

5. Make friends at the airport - an airport queue under siege conditions is not the moment to keep yourselves to yourselves. Branch out, talk to the families alongside you, and see if you can interest your kids in talking to one another as well (they are a lot more likely to talk to the children if you are already talking to their parents). Encourage your children to share their goody-bag spoils with other youngsters nearby; the combination of a new toy and a new friend can keep a child entertained for hours and hours. Let's just hope you will not need it to work for that long.

6. Let the cabin crew know your situation - on board, a member of the British Airways cabin crew has a special responsibility for the comfort of families. Ask them to point out the location for baby-changing facilities on board and approach them for any general assistance.

7. Entertainment - Time flies when you're having fun, so check the airline's Skyflyers activity packs. A British Airways Skyflyer welcome gift and a new pack of goodies is available during the flight to entertain junior flyers.

8. Video screens - Individual seat-back TV screens are available on all British Airways flights from Singapore, so the children can select in-flight entertainment from the best seats in the house - blockbuster kids movies, Cartoon Network and Disney Channels are all available with special showings during peak holiday seasons. Kids also have the option of listening to the Pop Audio Channel.

9. Meal time - British Airways has a "feed kids first" policy and includes services such as bottle and food warming. If you forget to pre-book your children's meal or if your children prefer more grown-up food, the airline also has family-friendly meals of pasta or similar food as one of the main meal options on the majority of flights.

Shut Eye

11. Jet lag - To reduce jet lag, encourage your children to take regular naps according to the time zone you are travelling to. Avoid sugary soft drinks and ensure your child drinks plenty of water during the flight.

12. Child-friendly accommodation - consider booking a child-friendly apartment as an alternative to staying in a hotel. A self-contained unit offers the freedom of your own cooking facilities combined with a playroom and lounge area. A great selection of family-friendly apartments is available through British Airways Holidays and 40 per cent of all London hotels have a free child place when sharing a room with two adults.

With more than one million children flying with the airline each year, the tips will ensure that families travel safely and comfortably all the way to their final holiday destinations. For more information, visit www.ba.com.