International Airline Bliss

Okay, this post has been a long time in coming.......I have to rave on the amazingness of international air travel. There are three main reasons that I prefer international airlines to domestic, American flights. Here's a snapshot as to why:

1. There are so many charges that domestic flights impose upon us. These days we are even charged for ANY checked baggage and food as well. No more free peanuts, and it is even rare anymore to find an airline that will host a free beverage service on their flights. On our way to Switzerland, we carried all that we needed for our trip (including pack-n-play, two car seats and our double stroller) with no charge whatsoever. I was fed a full dinner, with the option of free beer or wine (which I did not partake of, but it was still a gracious gesture), a continental breakfast package and as much juice and water as I could drink in between. My children were given snacks for free even when it wasn't time to eat yet. I have even been on international flights where a free children's toy package is given out (where such things as stickers, games, an activity book, crayons and little puzzles are contained inside) as well as bibs and jarred baby food that you can keep.

2. The actual airplanes flown on international flights are much more clean and up to date than American planes. Not to mention the fact that the flight attendants are much more professional and courteous on all international flights I have been on.

3. As a mother of small children who has travelled to more than one international country with them, I really appreciate the fact that on every international flight I have flown on (ones that travel between international country to international country, not from the U.S. overseas), I have been offered a lap "extension belt" that is attached to my seatbelt and then goes around the baby sitting on my lap and tightens to fit them.

Thank you Lufthansa and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for such pleasant experiences with my children flying me to Africa and to Europe! You have made it so much more pleasant to travel even when I am struggling to feed, to help sleep and to try and keep entertained two small children.