Etihad Airways Celebrates Graduation of 1,000th Flying Nanny

Etihad Airways now has more than 1,000 trained Flying Nannies helping families on flights across its network.

Elpida Tsatsaronis, from the United States, became the 1,000th Flying Nanny to complete her training, delivered in part by Norland College, at the Etihad Airways Innovation Training Academy in Abu Dhabi.

Aubrey Tiedt, Etihad Airways’ Vice President Guest Services, said, “The Flying Nanny has become one of the most recognisable members of Etihad Airways cabin crew aboard our long haul flights and we’re delighted to celebrate the graduation of our 1,000th member to wear the orange apron. When we introduced the Flying Nanny last year our aim was to provide a helping hand to families flying and since then the positive feedback from customers has been overwhelming. We now often have two Flying Nannies on our most popular flights especially to London and destinations in the United States.”

Being a Flying Nanny

The course, which includes training from Norland College, enables the Flying Nannies to identify different types of behaviour and developmental stages that children go through and how to appreciate the perspective and needs of travelling families.

The course also incorporates a variety of creativity in all elements of training, providing opportunities for the Nannies to take ordinary on board service items along with their Flying Nanny Kit and their knowledge of children to create inspired moments in the classroom and on board for guests.

Where possible, the Flying Nanny meets her children at the gate before their flight, co-ordinates the children’s meal times with families and provides more fun inflight with the introduction of the Etihad characters; Zoe the Bee, Boo the Panda, Jamool the Camel and Kundai the Lion.