KEY POINTS:
In days gone by, when children were to be seen and not heard, little travelling darlings on boarding a plane would be lucky to get a "Hi, how are you?"
Generally, parents got dirty looks from fellow passengers if their babies so much as squeaked.
One exasperated parent from those days relates how she tried for two hours to get her toddler to stop crying and eventually was handed chocolate by an air hostess. She threw it back in disgust - probably not a good idea.
Other long-haul veterans tell stories of being totally ignored by plane staff despite travelling on their own with children and resorting to brandy when the children finally got to sleep.
How times have changed. Now it is all about special menus, activity packs, endless cartoons and face-painting sessions.
Virgin Blue - parent of Pacific Blue - says it always acknowledges children on its flights with an the announcement: "Welcome on board ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls", to make younger ones feel extra special.
And most airlines now try their best to accommodate the needs of families. People with children can board early, allowing a little extra time for everyone to shake the ants out of their pants and get settled.
Carmel Spark, features editor of Little Kids magazine, says that this time can make all the difference. "Give yourself lots of time at the airport and try to stay relaxed."
German airline Lufthansa goes further, equipping some planes with dedicated mother-and-child rows of seats. Most airlines provide bassinets on long-haul flights, although it is essential to book in advance. Lufthansa can provide a baby-care set complete with food, nappies and bottles.
For rumbling tummies, some airlines have a specific children's menu - remember that you need to order these in advance - that makes you wish you were under 12. Children on Lufthansa are treated with a creative menu listing dishes such as the Tiger Tail - a pancake filled with chicken and vegetables, and Pirate's Hand - fish fingers with savoy cabbage mixed with creamed potatoes.
Air New Zealand provides special children's meals, special cutlery, activity tray mats and a toy.
Keeping the little ones entertained has advanced way beyond the days of finger-puppets and crayons. Most airlines have cartoons and popular movies as well as offering the traditional kids' packs.
For instance, Air NZ always includes at least six classic children's in-flight movies on its 777s and 747s, plus new-release movies, and parents can ask for unsuitable adult content to be locked out.
On all its long-haul aircraft, Air NZ also provides a radio show, Kidstuff, for younger travellers.
Most airlines now provide activity packs for kids on long-haul flights.
Emirates have a pack which includes a natty child-sized backpack, a couple of interesting soft toys, puzzles, pencils and a facemask.
On its long-haul flights, Air NZ has packs specially designed for 1 to 3 years and 7 to 12 years, and will give away the old-style packs on Tasman and Pacific Islands flights until they run out - expected to be about July. And, during school holidays, all children on domestic flights get a special magazine.
These days, cabin crews offer a bit more support than a chocolate.
Virgin Blue stewards say they're happy to help with young children, allowing parents a short break to stretch their legs and they've even been known to get stuck into some serious face-painting.
Helping children to cope well with travel is a worthwhile investment considering that the family holiday - whether flying, driving or cruising - is more popular than ever.
Cathy Wagstaff, editor of Holidays With Kids magazine and website, says that tourism organisations have found that the family market is the strongest growth segment. "Families are far more adventurous than ever before in the destinations they are choosing," Wagstaff says. "Long gone are the days where the annual holiday was to the same camping destination each year.
"With the majority of families having both parents in the workplace there is far more money being spent on family holidays."
Wagstaff cites the United States-based Loews Hotel group as pioneers in this movement. They operate on the motto, "The family that stays together, plays together", and even includes four-legged family members.
For the youngest in the brood, there are lending libraries, children's menus and recreational games. For the hard-to-please teens, Loews gives each a backpack full of things to keep them out of trouble and lends them games players, DVDS and other electronic gadgets.
But, despite the efforts being made by airlines and hotels, it is generally agreed that the key to a successful trip with the kids is preparation.
If you need to organise meals, activities and bassinets do so in plenty of time.
Then be sure you prepare your family for the flying experience. "Before you fly, talk to your child about the experience so they know what to expect," Wagstaff says.
"Discuss how long the flight will take and the behaviour that is expected of them. Let them pack their own backpack with their special things to keep them amused on the flight."
For when it gets chilly, Wagstaff says to "dress your child in layers".
Spark agrees: "Take a few snacks along, take water - not forgetting the security checks on international flights - and pack a showbag of some sort with novel items to keep them occupied. But nothing too messy."
For long-haul flights, Wagstaff recommends night flights and a hotel after landing.
She says it is okay to ask at the airport if there are any spare seats on the flight so children can have a nap.
Finally, make sure the whole troop is involved in the getaway from the start. Involve the whole family in the decisions and select a destination that will have appeal to each family member - even if it means a bit of bribery.
- AAP
