Traveling internationally with children can feel like a daunting task for any parent. The thought of keeping your little one entertained, comfortable, and well-fed for hours on end can feel overwhelming. As a mother of an energetic and curious five-year-old, I’ve had my share of travel anxieties. However, our recent trip to Bangkok with Thai Airways was a complete game-changer.
In this article, I want to share our experience on flight TG683 from Haneda to Bangkok, focusing on what makes this airline an incredible choice for family travel. With a little pre-planning and the airline’s excellent service, we found that flying with kids doesn’t have to be a stressful experience—it can actually be an enjoyable part of the journey.
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Pros and Cons of Flying Thai Airways with Kids
To start, here’s a summary of the pros and cons we experienced on our family trip with Thai Airways.
Pros:
- Child-Friendly Service: The quality of the child’s meal was excellent, and our daughter happily ate it. The cabin crew was also incredibly kind to children, which made us feel at ease during the flight.
- Advance Seat Selection: We were able to choose our seats in advance, ensuring our family could sit together and feel comfortable throughout the flight.
- In-flight Entertainment: The extensive selection of kid-friendly content kept our daughter entertained for hours, even on a longer flight.
- Airport Facilities: The small kids’ park near the boarding gate at Haneda Airport was a huge advantage, allowing our daughter to get some wiggles out before boarding.
Cons:
- Spicy Snack: The chicken filling in the small bun served as a snack was a bit spicy. This is something to be aware of if you have a child. I’d recommend asking if it’s spicy or bringing your own snacks as a backup.
- Outdated Movies: While the selection of kid-friendly movies was good, it didn’t include the latest releases. If you want to watch the newest films, it’s a good idea to download them to a tablet beforehand.
Booking and Seat Selection: A Parent’s Best Friend
The success of any family trip starts long before you even step onto the plane. For us, that meant making a few key decisions during the booking process to ensure a smooth journey for both our daughter and ourselves. First and foremost, we made sure to pre-book our seats. This is an absolute must when you’re traveling with children.
Our flight, TG683, was on an Airbus A330-300, which has a 2-4-2 seating configuration in economy class. By selecting our seats in advance, we were able to secure a pair of window seats, giving my daughter her own space and a great view to keep her occupied. This simple step eliminated the stress of hoping to be seated together and ensured we had a comfortable setup for the flight.
Another crucial step we took was to pre-order a child’s meal. I cannot emphasize enough how much this helps. Airline meals can be hit or miss, and a standard adult meal may not appeal to a picky young eater. The ability to request a special child’s meal is a wonderful feature that ensures your little one has something they will actually eat. The process was straightforward and could be done easily online after booking our tickets. This forward-thinking step meant one less thing to worry about at mealtime.
What to Do at Haneda Airport: The Last Chance to Play and Shop
After completing international check-in, you might worry about your child getting bored during the wait before the flight. However, Haneda Airport’s international terminal is incredibly child-friendly in this regard. Near our boarding gate, there was a small kids’ park where children could burn off some energy before getting on the plane. With a slide and a tunnel, my daughter had a blast playing right up until the last minute.
Additionally, there were vending machines, cafes, and shops selling snacks near the boarding gate, which made it super convenient to buy drinks and treats before the flight. We didn’t have to rush around looking for things we might need on the plane, allowing us to relax and enjoy the wait.
Onboard Comforts: A Smooth Takeoff for the Whole Family
As soon as we boarded the Airbus A330-300, I was impressed by the spaciousness of the cabin. The aircraft felt modern and well-maintained, with a layout that seemed perfect for family travel. Thanks to the 2-4-2 seating configuration, we had plenty of room and didn’t feel cramped. The seats themselves were comfortable, with adequate legroom, which is a true blessing on any long flight.
The in-flight entertainment system was another highlight. Each seat had its own personal screen with a wide array of options, including movies, TV shows, music, and games. Most importantly, the selection of kid-friendly content was excellent. While there weren’t the very latest movies, my daughter was thrilled to find classics like Monsters, Inc. and Minions, which kept her happily entertained for a large part of the flight. The user interface was intuitive and easy for her to navigate on her own, giving me a moment to relax and enjoy a movie of my own. We were also provided with headphones and a small amenity kit for each passenger, which was a thoughtful touch.
The Star of the Show: Our Delicious In-flight Meals
This section deserves a special mention because the meals truly stood out. When meal service began, my daughter’s child’s meal was brought out first, which was perfect since she was starting to get a bit antsy. The presentation was excellent, with a colorful tray and compartments filled with various food items. Her meal included rice, a fried egg, a hamburger patty, mixed vegetables, hash browns, fruit, grape jelly, and a gluten-free bread roll with butter.
The food was well-prepared and genuinely appetizing, a significant improvement from some of the child’s meals we’ve seen on other airlines. My daughter happily ate her rice and hamburger and enjoyed the small desserts. The quality and variety of the meal made me feel confident that she was getting a nutritious and enjoyable meal.
The adult meal was also better than we expected. We could choose between chicken and beef. I chose the chicken, which was prepared with a Japanese-style sauce and came with a side of vegetables like broccoli. It was delicious. In addition to the main dish, our tray included soba noodles and a berry-flavored cake for dessert. (Please excuse the photo; I had already started eating!)
A few hours before landing, a light meal was served. It was a bun with a chicken filling. My daughter was also given the same bun, but it was a bit spicy, so parents should be careful with small children. This thoughtful attention to detail greatly enhanced our overall experience. It’s clear that Thai Airways understands the importance of keeping young travelers happy and well-fed.
The Attentive Crew: Making Every Family Feel Welcome
What truly elevates an airline experience, especially with children, is the level of service provided by the cabin crew. The Thai Airways flight attendants were the unsung heroes of our journey. They were incredibly patient, kind, and attentive to all passengers, and particularly so with the families on board.
From the moment we boarded, they greeted my daughter with warm smiles and made sure she was comfortable. Throughout the flight, they checked on us regularly, offering extra drinks and ensuring we had everything we needed. They were very understanding of the typical fidgeting and restlessness that comes with flying with kids. One flight attendant even took the time to chat with my daughter and gave her a small souvenir, which made her feel incredibly special. Their genuine care and professional demeanor transformed what could have been a challenging journey into a truly pleasant and memorable one. Their service was a perfect example of what makes Thai Airways a top choice for family travel.
Conclusion
Our flight with Thai Airways on the TG683 route was a truly wonderful experience from start to finish. The combination of easy pre-flight arrangements, the child-friendly airport environment, a comfortable aircraft, delicious child’s meals and adult meals, and the exceptional service from the cabin crew made our journey incredibly smooth. The airline demonstrated a clear understanding of the needs of families with children, and every detail seemed to be designed to minimize travel stress.
Based on our experience, I would absolutely choose to fly with Thai Airways again for a family trip. Their commitment to excellent service and their kid-friendly approach make them a top contender for any parent planning a trip to Bangkok or beyond. For anyone feeling anxious about traveling with children, I can highly recommend Thai Airways as an airline that will make your journey a joyful part of your adventure.
