Need to Know: Flying Gulf Air with a Baby or Toddler

Are you considering flying Gulf Air with a baby or toddler–or any kids under 12? Lucky you!

Most of the airlines featured in this Need-to-Know Airlines series so far are here for very specific reasons–the kind of reasons that might be deal-breakers for the family flying with babies or toddlers. In the case of Gulf Air, however, the reasons are more likely to be deal makers. Let’s take a look.

Say hello to your Gulf Air “Sky Nanny.”

On select flights, families flying Gulf Air with a baby or young child will not only have baby food, diapers, wipes, baby powder, baby lotion, and baby bibs provided in flight, but they will also have the assistance of a Sky Nanny to help with any children under 12 years.

What is a Sky Nanny? She’s a flight attendant with special training in assisting families in flight–imagine that! She’s there to help with the little things, but also with the big ones. Like helping to keep your kids entertained or even bouncing your baby while you…get…sleep. Just imagine how much happier that must make everyone on board (United, please make a note of it).

Need help installing your car seat before the other passengers get onboard? No problem. Ask a Sky Nanny.

Quick! Pin it to your travel board! The feature continues below…

Other Gulf Air perks for families flying with children:

Priority Boarding: As you might imagine, Gulf Air is very thoughtful in other ways that make a big difference for families as well. They give priority check in as well as priority boarding to families with young children.

Airplane Bassinets or Skycots on Gulf Air: Airplane bassinets are available with advanced reservation for children up to 7 months and 10 kilos (22 lbs), or less than 26″ long. And children’s meals are also available when requested in advance.

Lap-held Children on Gulf Air: Plus, lap infants (flying without a paid seats) are entitled to one free checked bag up to 10 kilos (22 lbs), and a stroller or car seat can also be checked for no fee.

Gulf Air’s Child Discounts: Children 2 years up to 12 years may also get a 25% discounted fare on some routes, though some special offers may prove to be a better deal depending on the timing and route. To compare your family’s best overall fare,  check your dates of travel on www.gulfair.com or use one of these sites that factors in the child’s age and available discount by airline (remember, not all do!) and may also have special offers or promo codes for extra discounts:

CheapOair.com          OneTravel.com

Click “More Advanced Options” in the search box to enter the ages of your children and your preferred airline (eg. Gulf Air).

Gulf Air’s Car Seat and Child Seat Policies

As described above, child discounts are available for children 2 to 12 years flying on Gulf Air. Infants from 6 years up to 2 years old may also fly in their own seats at the same discounted rate, though they must be in a forward-facing car seats certified to UK, Canadian, or USA standards (rear-facing car seats are not allowed on Gulf Air).

Don’t be disappointed.

Just be warned, the Sky Nannies and other Gulf Air perks for family travelers are only available on flights operated by Gulf Air. Any segments operated by codeshare partners–Egypt Air or American Airlines, for example–won’t necessarily have the same benefits or helping hands for parents.

More tips for your family’s travels:

Have your choice of airlines? Use the Airlines Comparison Chart in Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide… to compare the family-friendly perks, amenities, and available infant/child discounts between more than 40 airlines.

For more help planning air travel with young children, see chapters 15 – 18 in Travels with Baby, and see more online Flying with Babies and Toddlers tips here.

Flying solo with your child? Don’t forget you’ll need a letter of consent for international air travel with only one parent or guardian (follow link for sample letter).

Traveling with school-age children? Be sure to check out the latest posts for travel advice and inspiration over at our sister site Family Travel 411.

Have you subscribed to Travels with Baby Tips?

More tips and advice are on the way! For help for planning travel of every kind–with babies and children of every temperament–in Travels with Baby: The Ultimate Guide for Planning Travel with Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler.

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Safe journeys,

Shelly Rivoli, author of the award-winning Travels with Baby guidebooks

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What?! Your kids aren’t babies anymore? Head over to Family Travel 411

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