Travelling by plane can be quite hectic and the fact has become more apparent this week - as Glasgow and Edinburgh airports have seen massive queues resulting in passenger delays during half term.
This development is especially stressful for those travelling with children, which can be chaotic even at the best of times.
Luckily, a new study has revealed the most child-friendly airlines.
Conducted by baby brand Micralite, the study analysed fifty airlines on a range of factors to determine which are the most child-friendly, with Air France, Virgin Atlantic, South African Airways and British Airways coming out on top.
Such factors included priority boarding for families, children’s entertainment, child and infant food options, baby change facilities, baggage allowances, seat selection, and child and infant ticket costs.
The study also factored in how many items can be taken on a flight for free.
Zero points were awarded to the airline if they didn’t include the factor, one half point if they do but with limitations and one if they do, without limitations.
There were also two factors which could be awarded 1.5 as they went above and beyond.
What airline is your favourite? Let us know in the comments section.
The most child-friendly airlines
Findings concluded that the following airports are the best for travelling with children - ranked from highest to lowest.
01. Air France
02. Virgin Atlantic
03. South African Airways
04. British Airways
05. Gulf Air
06. Air Canada
07. Emirates
08. Etihad Airways
09. Turkish Airlines
10. Thai Airways International
Out of a possible sixteen points, the top four airlines all scored fourteen, offering every ranked factor, only losing points on limitations.
Air France lost points as their seat selection comes at a cost and the infant checked baggage allowance is lower than adults, whereas the other airlines offered the same allowance as adults.
Virgin Atlantic lost points due to their infant hand baggage allowance as it’s lower than adults, and they state they usually have changing facilities onboard, rather than always.
The Least child friendly airlines
In contrast, the following airlines came in as ones that are the least child-friendly, ranked from highest to lowest.
01. Flydubai
02. Ryanair
03. Eastern Airways
04. Vueling
05. Jet2
06. Flybe
07. Norwegian Air International
08. EasyJet
Flydubai scored just five points out of a possible 16, making it the least accommodating airline for child passengers.
The airline was closely followed by Ryanair and Eastern Airways, both scoring six points.
Riccardo Baldoni, Head of Micralite commented: “Having children shouldn’t stop you from jetting abroad and family holidays create excellent memories.
"Whilst flying with a baby or child may seem daunting for parents, airlines do make adjustments and offer extras which can help the trip go smoother, with some offering more than others.
"As well as factors provided by the airline, there are many other considerations parents can make such as choosing a flight which is during their child’s bedtime - packing their favourite toys and snacks for the flight and using a compact pushchair that is suitable to fit in the overhead compartment - which can help flying with children a lot easier.”
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