Travel Tips

I know a lot of people, list airlines they fly and their experiences. I actually enjoy reading other people's experiences on various airlines. Since i am a new mother, here i am listing my flight service experiences as to flying with a baby, when i was pregnant and before that. I hope this gives you a bit more information and what airline to choose and what to expect.

Airline travel is booming in Asia! With air travel becoming more affordable and more markets are opening up, it's becoming quite crowded skies. But even though their is a huge demand, service is tops! After flying in the USA and Europe, nothing compares to being on an Asian airline, obviously there are exceptions to this. Well that's my opinion anyway.

Singapore- this is where i live, so i will highligh these airlines first.
1. Singapore Airlines-what can i say? They are great. I have flown their business, Raffles Class and economy. Both are great. Most airlines can do a good business class, but how many can do a great economy, where you don't mind being stuck in for 12 to 18 hours! Kris World, amazing on demand entertainment system. Very friendly staff, who will help you and not be annoyed with you if you have to go to the bathroom and you want them to watch your baby. The non stop to NYC is great, plus they decorate the cabin during christmas. Tiny lounge at the back of the plane, great for hanging out and chatting to other passengers. Plus they put drinks and snack back there. Seats are very roomy. Traveling with baby, staff is helpful. If you are traveling solo with baby- the airline will help you onto the plane and help you get through customs and get your bags at your destination. For free. After takeoff, they attach the basinette, wall mounted. They provide some diapers, wipes, travel toy and baby food if you want. Also, you can order a child meal. During meal time, they will reserve the entree of your choice if you are feeding/changing baby. Give lap belt for takeoff. Only problem with singapore air, is they charge an arm and leg for a basinette! Must confirm at time of reservation. very popular.

2. Tiger Airways-discount airline co-owned by Singapore airlines. No thrills, but friendly staff that will warm up water for you for baby bottles. Have to buy food on board. Give lap belt for takeoff. No blankets or pillow, very little leg room, bare bones, but cheap flights within Asia and now Australia.Fly A320s

3. Jet Star Asia -discount airline co-owned by Qantas. No thrills, but a bit nicer than tiger. They depart from terminal 1. They sell food on board, a bit nicer than Tiger. Fly A320s.

4. Silk Air-owned by Singapore airlines and flies to regional areas, such as Phuket, Kunming,Siem reap(cambodia)etc. Nice staff. Basic service, nothing special. Flew them before baby.

Malaysian

Malaysian Airlines- flew them to Tokyo. Good service, but we had a Japanese staff. Some friends of mine says that makes a big difference. Individual tvs, not on demand.

Air Asia- discount airline. Flew them from Johur Bahru's Senai airport to Kuching, Malaysia. Very discounted fare. Bare bones, but fine.

Thailand
Thai Airways- for economy, it's basic. Food is good, especially the thai dishes. No tvs(or on the flights that i was on). They give you an orchid at the end of the flight. For business, it's quite nice. If you fly 747, ask for the top cabin. Great space beds,with a bit of massage. Food is good, but a lot of seafood on the menu. I can't eat much seafood, so this was a problem. I flew them while i was pregnant and i have to say that until i told them i was pregnant, i didn't get much service. After that, they wouldn't let me do anything. Entertainment system was on demand, but limited selection in business.
Thai Air Asia- very similiar to Malaysian air asia. Bare bones. Fly them to Bangkok.

China
China Eastern- Flew them from Shanghai to Xi'an with my 8month old son. May 2007. Very helpful staff. They didn't know how to check my stroller at the gate, so they just put my maclaren in the overhead. We didn't have a bulk head, so they moved other passengers so we could have a bulk head and wall mounted bassinette. No tvs, on this route, but short flight. No lap belts, had to use baby bjorn on take off/landing.

Air China- Flew them from Xi'an to Beijing with my 8 month old son, May 2007. Staff were fine. Had real difficulties getting them to put my stroller on the plane at gate. I think this was just a language difference. Wasn't there when we landed, but at baggage claim, but no one could tell us that or wanted to help us. Can't remember if they had lap belts or not.

Japan-
Japan Airlines, Nov 2006. Flew with my 3 month old son to Tokyo. Staff were amazing! very friendly. They had a wall mounted basinette that is like a table comes out of wall. I think it's okay for young infant. individual tvs, no on demand. On the tokyo side, there is a separate check in for families or people who need assistance. You really cut the queues. Also, they told me that when they have someone with a baby, they try to keep the seat next to you open, so you have more space. This was true for us on both flights. Excellent!
All Nippon Airlines- April 2000. Flew from NYC JFK to Tokyo. Okay service.

Indonesia-
Garuda- flew them to Jakarta, Yogakarta. basic service.

Air travel seems to be booming in the states as well,but because of the fierce price wars, even premium airlines are bare bones and cutting corners. I am an American and i have to say that i dislike flying here. It's stressful, staff are usually not helpful to mother's traveling alone or family members.

American Airlines- basic service. No bassinettes on domestic service.

Southwest-excellent! Flew LAX to ABQ (albuquerque)This is one of the few discounts in the states. Friendly staff that is helpful and sincere. They had preboarding for families. Flew them in Decmeber 2006 and bought extra seat so my son could sit in a carseat. No food on board, but you can bring it on the plane.

United Airlines. I used to really like this airline. I have status with them, but i try not to fly them anymore, since they are really unfriendly to mother's traveling alone with children or families. I flew them this past Christmas (2006) and wouldn't offer any preboarding for families. I boarded early due to my mileage status, and when i tried to help a mother who was traveling solo on the plane they became quite hostile to me. A reception staff at Albuquerque even came on the plane after we were seated to yell at us and for not following United protocol. I will only fly this airline if i have to. Not good for families. Service is basic. No individual tvs, even on domestic flights. They have tvs in the ceilings, but charge you a few bucks for headphones. No pillows, blankets and food is now for sale. Better to bring some food on the plane yourself. No basinette. lap belt. We bought seat for baby, so he could sit in car seat.

UsAir- flew them in December 2006, when baby was 4 months old. Suprisingly, staff were helpful. They got me hot water for heating bottles whenever i needed it. They did have preboarding for families. No individual tvs, but because of delay gave everyone free headphones. very little leg room.