Etihad Airways introduces the Flying Nanny, a dedicated in-flight child care assistance programme for families on board long haul flights. The Flying Nanny is dressed in a bright orange apron and helps families and unaccompanied minors. New collectible Etihad Airways characters will be introduced for children including Zoe the bee, Jamool the camel, Kundai the lion and Boo the panda.
Etihad Airways is the second airline that we know of to launch a nanny on-board flights service after Gulf Air’s Sky Nanny service. In Asia Pacific, Flying Nanny service will be extended to flights from Abu Dhabi to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in Australia
Etihad Airways Trains the Flying Nanny
Prior to the launch of the Flying Nanny, Etihad Airways trained some 300 cabin crew members for the role. Another 60 will be trained this month and 500 Flying Nannies will be working on the airline’s long haul flights by the end of the year. The training from world renowned Norland College focuses on child psychology and sociology. Flying Nannies were also trained with different creative ways to entertain and engage with the children during flights.
FLYING NANNY Entertains Kids
The Flying Nanny is equipped with a special kit which contains straws, stickers, cardboard and other items. The Flying Nanny uses these items to teach simple arts and crafts such as creating special greeting cards for friends and family. Inflight service items such as paper cups can often be used as well to make into hats and the Japanese art of origami to fold paper into sculptures. The Flying Nanny can leave the children to produce and complete on their own, keeping them entertained during the flight.
One of the onboard highlights is set to be the creation of sock puppets which use stickers from the Flying Nanny kit as eyes and the socks from the guest’s travel pack. Flying Nannies are also trained to teach children simple magic tricks.
Simple quizzes and challenges are available for the older kids. Tours of the galley during the quieter moments of the flight can also be arranged.
Etihad Airways Understands Parents
Towards the end of the flight the Flying Nanny will help parents by replenishing milk bottles, and offering items such as water, fruit and other snacks especially if the family is transiting to another flight. The Flying Nanny will also inform families transiting at Abu Dhabi about the various baby changing and child facilities at the airport, as well as advising them of the children’s play area in the premium lounges and at Gate 32 in Terminal 3.
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