Emirates recently announced it will launch the (new) world’s longest non-stop flight with service between Dubai (DXB) and Panama City (PTY), which has a flight time of 17 hours and 35 minutes. Most likely, you won’t be taking that flight, but imagine taking a long journey with child? That could be quite taxing on you and the passengers around you, but you’re flying Emirates. So no worries. Young travelers receive special attention, extra amenities, and other services to assure everyone’s flight—especially the little one’s—is enjoyable.
Entertaining the little ones
Emirates entertains with children’s favorite shows, like Disney movies, popular cartoons, and other top-rated programming, all viewable from the young traveler’s personal seatback TV screens, plus children can enjoy brightly colored headsets, on board just for them. Interactive games are also available with Tetris, computer backgammon, or the Trivia Challenge, and e-kids, Emirates exclusive children’s magazine, has challenges, stories, jokes, and more for them to enjoy. Plus, with the Flying Camera channel, children get a pilot’s-eye view of the take-off, landing, and flight skies.
Like this!
But that’s not all. Children can meet with their new buddy on board with Fly with Me Monster. This includes blanket buddies that attach to the seat belt or cuddle up with your little one during a flight nap. Buddies come with the Fly with Me Monster magazine with coloring pages, a set of colored pencils, and more.
Quiksilver, the famed sports lifestyle brand, also has a backpack with a travel jotter, a surfer-style Quiksilver wallet, and fun fact game cards, and on longer flights, children also receive a Dr. Seuss book (perhaps Oh, The Places You’ll Go!) and fun eye mask in this pack.
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Serving the passenger delicious meals
Emirates prides itself on serving all passengers with delicious meals that exceed expectations. These include religious meals with Hindu, Muslim, Kosher, and Asian Vegetarian, plus gluten-free meals, low calorie meals, low sodium, and even nut-free and peanut-free. In fact, Emirates has a meal for almost need, and this includes children and baby dishes. The child meal, which can be ordered for passengers two to 12 years of age, includes one or more of the following: chicken, fish, fries, pasta, chocolate, crisps, crackers, milk and dairy products, and more. A vegetarian child meal is also available.
The baby meal offers a range of proprietary brands of baby food, but Emirates does urge parents to carry the foods familiar and preferred by their baby, which can be warmed by the flight crew.
Please note: Special meals, including the child meal, need to be ordered at least 24 hours in advance.
Related: How to Survive the Longest Flight in the World
Infant on board
Caring for an infant (any passenger under two) on a long flight can difficult, but Emirates makes it easy. Every Emirates plan is equipped with pillows and blankets, changing tables in the bathrooms, and large overhead storage lockers. Bassinets are also available, but they are on a first come, first serve basis, and do not fit all children. So if you’d like one for your flight, contact your travel agent, who give you all the details.
So why we don’t suggest taking the 17-hour, 35-minute flight with your child, Emirates does offer premier amenities for children to assure everyone has an enjoyable, relaxing flight, including the young passengers.
