Take to the skies with children, in comfort – and without fear
There's nothing standard about standard class: airlines vary widely when it comes to legroom, quality of food, in-flight entertainment, comfort and service.
Our travel team is here to offer members expert independent advice on planning a flight. We can research the airlines available for the destination, find out which are the best seats, put together ‘travel packs' filled with everything you need for a comfortable flight, and arrange transport to and from the airport.
‘Members often call us for assistance with their flight arrangements, whether it's an upgrade request, help with re-booking their flights or assistance with re-accommodating them on alternative flights due to strikes or adverse weather,' says Zia Bapuji, our travel expert. ‘If the booking was made through us, our team will do everything to assist members with changes to their flights.'
Here are some tips on flying, but call us for more advice or to talk to our travel team about booking holidays.
... in luxury
First and business-class passengers are usually granted access to VIP lounges, but travellers don't need to shell out for a punishingly expensive ticket to enjoy a bit of pre-flight indulgence.
We can book members into lounges at airports across the globe that offer complimentary drinks, comfy seats and entertainment facilities from as little as £20. Ask your lifestyle manager to check what's available at the airports you're travelling from, or to enquire about first-class travel.
‘Complimentary upgrades are a rare occurrence these days and certainly can't be guaranteed, but there are some ways to improve your chances,' Zia says. Here are some tips, but see www.moneysavingexpert.com for more.
Dress smartly
There's no need to wear a tux, but similarly try to avoid torn jeans and t-shirts emblazoned with comic slogans.
Fly solo
Lone travellers and couples are more likely to end up in business class than a family with three kids in tow or - worse - a stag do that managed to fit in a pint or six in the airport bar.
Late or early?
Check in online as soon as possible: the airline knows you're going to be on the plane so it may offer an upgrade to save it the hassle of having to free up room moments before the flight departs. Passengers who check in at the last minute may also be moved up a class if economy is full - but there's the risk of not being allowed on the flight at all if it's overbooked.
... without jet lag
The best way to beat jet lag is to prepare your body for its new timezone before you even board the flight. Get up and go to bed earlier if you're travelling west, or stay up and sleep in if going east.
Once you arrive, try to spend some time outdoors in natural light to regulate your body clock, and don't give in to the temptation of getting an early night - the NHS recommends staying up until 11pm to help set your body clock to local time.
... in peace
Noise-cancelling headphones, scented eye masks, comfortable neck pillows - sleeping in economy class is notoriously difficult, but there are ways to improve your chances of getting some much-needed rest. Talk to your lifestyle manager to put together a sleep pack for your travels, with everything you need to block out the background.
... in comfort
Good seats
Not all seats are created equal. Each aircraft is different and, depending on the model of the plane, some seats will be more comfortable than others. Bulkhead seats (the ones immediately behind partition walls or curtains separating the different sections of the airline) are prized because there are no passengers in front to recline violently just as dinner is served, but they sometimes sacrifice an inch of leg room and are often occupied with small children. Conversely, the emergency row usually has plenty of legroom and, on most airlines, is kept child free.
Zia warns: ‘It's often very difficult to pre-book the bulkhead and emergency exit seats and in some cases, airlines charge a supplement to sit in these seats. We'll always try to request the best seats for members, but there are no guarantees.'
In general, window seats are the best option for passengers who want to sleep, but the aisle offers more legroom and offers easy access for a brisk walk around the cabin - particularly important during long flights.
See www.seatguru.com for floorplans and ratings for every seat on individual aircrafts and airlines.
... with children
Airlines have different policies towards and facilities for children, so ask your lifestyle manager to research child-friendly amenities and services well in advance. We'll also check whether families are automatically seated together and whether the airline charges extra to transport prams, travel cots and car seats.
Pack a selection of favourite toys and books, then bring them out one by one at regular intervals over the course of the flight to stave off boredom. Many long-haul flights will provide in-flight entertainment, and some airlines offer individual TVs and video games for each passenger. Our team can source portable video games consoles and DVD players to help keep kids occupied for shorter journeys, too.
Pack a spare change of clothes, nappies and baby wipes together in a small bag and keep it within easy reach during the flight. Our lifestyle managers can deliver a package of essentials and hard-to-carry items to the hotel reception so members don't have to cram the entire nursery into a holdall.
Finally, try to breast or bottle feed babies during take-off and landing to help counter the ear-popping effect of shifts in pressure. Similarly, offering older children a carton of drink or a hard-boiled sweet during these times can help ease any discomfort.
... without fear
Flying is, statistically, the safest form of transport. You're more likely to hurt yourself walking up the stairs than you are soaring up to 35,000 feet.
But fear of flying is common - several studies, according to the New York Times, have found that up to 40 per cent of people have some degree of anxiety about flying. It's nothing to be embarrassed about, and the best way to start tackling it is to be open about your concerns.
Many major airlines, including Virgin and British Airways, run courses designed to help passengers overcome their fears. The BA programme features presentations and counselling sessions that build up to a 45-minute flight. BA says that more than 45,000 people have taken its course, with a success rate of 98 per cent. Importantly, these programmes also educate attendees about how an airplane actually flies, helping to equip travellers with an arsenal of hard facts to battle their irrational fears.
Call us for more details of programmes, or to make bookings.
Data Protection Act
We can't help members who have booked flights themselves or through an agent. This is because the Data Protection Act prohibits airlines from passing on the personal information of ticketholders to a third party. Similarly, while we are able to research and source the best available flight options from low-cost airlines, we cannot make online ticket purchases on behalf of members because the Act prevents us from handling the personal data required to process the bookings.
