CircleBumpCheckedFilledMedicalBookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxCheckBoxFilled

‘Flying Nannies’: Would You Use One?

save article
profile picture of Kylie McConville
Updated March 2, 2017
Hero Image
Image: Shutterstock

Your airline experience is about to get a sky-high makeover. Etihad Airways , the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, is now offering “Flying Nannies” to passengers on-board.

The nannies are specifically trained to entertain children on long-haul flights. Aubrey Tiedt, Etihad Airways’ Vice President of Guest Services, said, "The Flying Nanny will liaise with parents and use their experience and knowledge to make the travel experience easier. This includes helping serve children’s meals early in the flight and offering activities and challenges to help entertain and occupy younger guests.’

According to the company’s website, Etihad Airways has trained more than 300 cabin crew members for the role as Flying Nanny. This month, they’ll train 60 more, adding more on the roaster each month so that by the end of 2013, a total of 500 Flying Nannies will be working across Etihad Airways flights. The training course includes in-depth training from the Norland College with a focus on child psychology and sociology, which will help enable the nannies to recognize different times of behavior and developmental stages that each child goes through to better care for the needs of traveling families. In addition to the training, they’ve also learned different and creative ways to entertain and engage with children during these flights.

The nannies — who are all female — wear bright orange aprons and aim to “provide a helping hand to families and unaccompanied minors.” Younger passengers will also be introduced to Zoe the bee, Jamool the camel, Kundai the lion and Boo the panda (all traditional Etihad characters) on their flight.

As far as games go, the nannies will have a special kit to play with, including straws, stickers and cardboard cutouts so that the children can learn simple arts and crafts. They’ll also have paper cups at their disposal, which can be made into hats. Children will also learn the Japanese art of origami to fold paper into sculpture. All of the activities, the website says, are designed so that the Flying Nanny can leave the children to produce and complete on their own. They’ll also have sock puppets, simple magic tricks and even quizzes and challenges for older passengers.

Related Video

When appropriate, children will be taken on tours of the gallery during the flight. Towards the end of the flight, nannies will help parents by replenishing their milk bottles and offering them water, fruit and other snacks (in case the family is headed on to another flight). For passengers whose final destination is Abu Dhabi, Flying Nannies will be a source of education, advising them on the various changing and child facilities at the airport, as well as the children’s play areas.

Do you think this type of service would be helpful for parents on flights?

save article
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

Lindsay Lohan attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 10, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.
Lindsay Lohan Jokes She Has Bald Spots From Son's Hair Pulling Phase
By Wyndi Kappes
Emma Stone accepts the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for "Poor Things" at the 96th Annual Oscars held at Dolby Theatre on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California
Emma Stone Gives Sweet Shout Out to Her Toddler in Oscar Speech
By Wyndi Kappes
baby baptism shoes and gold cross necklace
15 Baby Baptism Gifts That Bring the Blessings
By Martina Garvey
ADVERTISEMENT
Blake Lively attends the Michael Kors A/W 2024 fashion show during New York Fashion Week in Chelsea on February 13, 2024 in New York City.
Blake Lively Says Having Kids “Electrified” Her Nervous System
By Wyndi Kappes
celebrity actress, Viola Davis with her adopted daughter, Genesis
Viola Davis Recounts Accidentally Locking Her Baby in a Car
By Wyndi Kappes
child's 5th birthday party with friends
Amid Birthday Party Fatigue One Mom Shares Her Three-Party Policy
By Wyndi Kappes
Taylor Swift and Blake Lively react prior to Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Blake Lively Says Super Bowl Was Her First Time Out Without Her Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Tyler Perry on The Kelly Clarkson Show - Season 5 February 2024
Tyler Perry Shares His Secret to Being a Great Father to His Son
By Wyndi Kappes
baby feet wrapped in pink blanket with heart
NICU Nurses Capture Baby’s First Valentine’s Day
By Wyndi Kappes
Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger attend Cleobella x Katherine Schwarzenegger event at The Coast Lounge at Palisades Villages on November 04, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California
Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt Reveals How She Combats Mom Burnout
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
donna kelce and family
Baby Doesn’t Get a Free Pass for Super Bowl, Donna Kelce Explains
By Wyndi Kappes
dad talking to young daughter
Viral Post Praises the Magic of "Role Play" Parenting
By Wyndi Kappes
mother holding newborn baby
Viral Video Speaks to the Power of a Postpartum Village
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
30 First Birthday Gift Ideas Worth Celebrating
30 First Birthday Gift Ideas Worth Celebrating
By Martina Garvey
pregnant mom with child and husband
Viral Post Addresses Drop in Second Pregnancy Support and Celebration
By Wyndi Kappes
grandpa holding grandson
The Internet Debates How Often Grandparents Need to See Baby to Bond
By Wyndi Kappes
mom and baby celebrating birthday
Study Explores Why Mom Is Likely to Share a Birthday Month With Baby
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
mother holding newborn baby during christmas time at home
Viral TikTok Helps New Moms Set Boundaries This Holiday Season
By Wyndi Kappes
mother playing with toddler daughters at home
This Year's Top Trending Parenting Styles, According to Google Search
By Wyndi Kappes
bluey season 3 on disney+
Bluey Goes on a Break: Final 10 Episodes of Season 3 Arrive Next Month
By Wyndi Kappes
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List