Gulf Air introduces Sky Nannies to Lounge at Bahrain International Airport

Gulf Air’s Sky Nanny service is being extended from the air to the ground, with a nanny now available in the airline’s First and Business Class Lounge at Bahrain International Airport.

Available from 08.00 to 14.00 each day, the Sky Nanny will provide a wide range of on-the-ground services to complement the much heralded on-board service.

“The nanny’s first task will be to welcome families with children into the lounge and introduce them to the family area and its facilities. Putting parents and children at ease even before they board the plane can significantly reduce travel stress.” said Gulf Air Vice President Marketing and Sales Danny Barranger. 

Gulf Air’s lounge at Bahrain International Airport was specifically designed for a full range of passenger requirements, from the businessman to families and as such it has a number of designated areas and unique features such as the family room, extensive shower facilities, Apple-Mac business centre as well as a Microsoft games room and a quiet room.

The family room is set off the main area of the lounge to afford families privacy. The children’s games and toys are on hand as well as a dedicated channel for children on a Plasma TV in addition to games and an internet arcade.

Once children are settled the nanny will advise parents of the facilities available to them in the lounge and in the air, on their flight and of the entertainment options available.

If there is more than one family travelling at the same time, the nanny will also set up groups of children to interact and play board games.

Furthermore, depending on their ages, older children will be introduced to the exclusive Games room.

Gulf Air Sky Chefs are also on hand in the First Class lounge for late night departures to offer an a la carte pre-flight dining experience option so adults and children can get to sleep straight away once on board.

At the time of boarding the Sky Nanny will accompany the family to the gate, ensure priority boarding and hand over to the on-board Sky Nanny for the seamless integration of the onward journey.

Development of this and the on-board childcare service was undertaken with the world famous Norland College, one of the foremost establishments in the world for childcare and education. A specially tailored childcare training course was developed for members of Gulf Air Flight Attendants selected as Sky Nannies.

Special focus is placed on learning about children’s physical, cognitive, language, emotional and social development, how to manage children’s behaviour in a positive manner and how to provide suitable activities for young children when travelling.

More than 100 Sky Nannies are now in service at Gulf Air, each of whom is a fully qualified member of the in-flight service team. They are dedicated to delivering specialist care for children up to the age of 12 travelling with their parents or as unaccompanied minors.

The main on-board duties of the all-female complement of Sky Nannies are to provide qualified professional attention and care from the moment of boarding the flight to the end of the journey. This includes keeping children entertained and fed and giving parents a breather.

“Our Sky Nanny service has been a huge hit with passengers from the minute we launched it on our inaugural Sydney flight,” said Barranger.

“We now offer this unique service to all passengers traveling long-haul to Asia and Australia and Europe, whatever class they travel in.”

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