Gulf Air’s highly acclaimed and world exclusive Sky Nanny service is being extended from the air to the ground, with a nanny now available in the airline’s award winning 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.
“This is yet another world first for Gulf Air and further demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the smoothest and hassle free journey for all our passengers,” said Gulf Air Vice President Marketing and Sales Danny Barranger
“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.”
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.”
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The airline’s network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 34 aircraft.
The airline, in the last year of a three-year strategic recovery programme, headed by President and Chief Executive James Hogan, is making rapid strides towards regaining profitability in 2005 and aims to further evolve by taking its renowned cultural strengths, which have been gained over more than half a century, into a global environment.
The dramatic turnaround in Gulf Air’s fortunes has won international recognition. In January 2004, The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, recognising the airline’s commitment to service excellence.
Winner - Middle East and North African Platinum Best Airline Travel Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best Business Class Check-in Category 2004
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2005
