The Aéroports de Paris announced last month that it has opened a new free service for families. I hope other airports follow this lead!
Offered in the West terminal for children under 10 years old, the airport provides them a little piece of heaven. In a space of nearly 100 m2 (1076 sq ft), children are entertained with an interactive touch wall consisting of four screens to color or draw, and a TV corner for movies and playing games. There is also a dining area with furniture appropriate for their little bodies, place to warm bottles, nursery area, and area for breastfeeding. For parents… well, you get a large monitor for viewing flight information and some breathing time.
In July and August parents receive a taste of vacation. For passengers waiting in the pier of 2E at the Charles de Gaulle and Orly International South wing, you will find “Costa Brava. A lifeguard will be helping children make sand castles with buckets, shovels and surfboards; while parents relax in lounge chairs to soothing sounds of the surf. Or, if you find yourself at the satellite 3 of Terminal 2E, you will stumble across “Rio Carnival.” A dancer will start dancing the samba and invite passengers to join in the fun, but most kids end up making Brazilian masks. Finally, if you make your way to Terminal 1, you can relax to the “Ha Long Bay.” This is aimed more towards the parents, where you will learn about the ancestral Asian massage with a professional masseur. You can even get a fish pedicure by a professional.
The Aéroports de Paris also offers a program called “Access Famille,” which allows you to pass security areas peacefully. Security offers are trained by early childhood specialists, and work to reassure and explain to children the process. Children receive a 42-page booklet, available in French and English, that includes comics, games, coloring pages, and a travel diary. Play areas are situated in departure lounges and feature Playstation 3s, projection area with interactive fish on the ground, and places for changing diapers. You can even borrow strollers.
I have only traveled by plane with Juliana one time from Paris to Florida. She was six weeks old, so she was easy. On the way to Florida she slept most of the time in my Moby wrap, snuggling close to me. When we returned four weeks later, we had a stroller and wheeled her around in that. Stills he laughed and was a good little munchkin. I have a feeling that my next trip out, now that she is older, will be a challenge. She always needs to be entertained and doing something.
When you have kids, it is especially important to arrive at the airport early because you never know when something may happen that could delay you. However, if you arrive too early then you risk having a very bored and feisty kid. I saw a family with twins and I was tired just watching them. They looked exhausted while waiting in the security line, so I could not imagine keeping them entertained before, during, and after the flight.
It is nice that parents can have a little pause to catch their breathes – a little calm before the storm.
Leave a Reply