FRANKFURT (dpa) – The days are gone when children were just given a colouring book to keep them occupied during a long flight.
Today airlines are coming up with all manner of innovations aimed at keeping children entertained aloft.Special attention is paid to children’s menus. “We can’t offer children juicy steaks and choice wine,” said Barbara Zieme of South African Airways (SAA) in Frankfurt.“So we offer our young passengers extra light menus, fresh fruit juices and healthy desserts. And we try to present it in a way children will find appealing.” That means pasta and French fries are served up in the shape of popular comic figures such as Mickey Mouse, or as the letters of the alphabet.British Airways combines comfort with practicality. Child menus are served in “Skyflyer picnic boxes”. After they have eaten the contents – mini-pizzas, fruit and apple cake – the junior passengers can take home their lunch box.“If necessary we can also provide special diet menus for sick children,” said Stefanie Schroeder of British Airways (BA) in Frankfurt. “But these meals as well as the Skyflyer box should be booked in advance, at least 24 hours before the flight.” This tip that applies to all airlines.German carrier Lufthansa also makes a special effort to tempt the palate of younger travellers and a new on-board service concept pays closer attention to the needs of children. “It all revolves around a cuddly toy called Lu the crane,” said Katrin Hassenstein of Lufthansa in Frankfurt.“We hope the friendly bird with its big beak and funny tuft of hair will stimulate their appetites.” Menus include quark sesame balls with vanilla and raspberry sauce, or carrot lasagne, and raw vegetables shaped like a butterfly. The body is made of carrots and lettuce, the wings are of cheese and turkey.The fun doesn’t stop either when the plates are taken away. Children today expect more than a colouring book and crayons. Special audio and video children’s channels are now standard fare on many airlines, especially on long haul flights.“We entertain our younger guests with music or amusing stories,” said Jutta Rasche-Reichter of Austrian Airlines. “We also have a selection of computer games on our A330 and A340 Airbuses.” Air France even distributes Gameboy computers on its long haul flights.Another highlight, especially for older children, is a peek into the cockpit, although for safety reasons airlines no longer generally allow passengers to enter the cockpit area itself. “Basically it is possible to visit the captain if you arrange it beforehand. But do not be disappointed if it turns out to be not possible during the flight,” said Cecile Marchal of Air France.Nearly all airlines offer a selection of toys for different age groups, ranging from cuddly animals, puzzles, games and stickers. “The time passes much more quickly for our younger guests when they can draw, make models or read,” said Nicole Boehm, a Lufthansa air stewardess for the last 10 years.She currently works on long haul flights between Frankfurt and cities in North and South America. These are huge distances for restless young passengers. “Children hardly ever suffer from fear of flying, their biggest problem is boredom,” she said.Stewardesses can thankfully nearly always find some chocolate or a toy to keep the kids occupied for a while. “Some children even give us the drawings they have made as a thank-you present,” she added.
