There are countless airlines to choose from, each offering unique features and services at different prices. But some airlines are simply better than others when catering for family travel. Ideally you want a family friendly airline that gives you the best value. Not to mention able to fly your family safely to your holiday destination for an amazing time. After all, choosing airline correctly is an important ingredient for a memorable family travel experience.
For our recent trips to Nepal and Sri Lanka we had a limited choice of airlines covering the route from Australia.
Like other families, we had so many previous great experiences flying Singapore Airlines. From attentive on board crew, variety choice of food for little passengers and great in-flight entertainment, Singapore Airlines is an outstanding family travel airline in so many ways. However long transit times (about 6 hours) and pricey tickets (more than $1,000! – almost what we usually pay going to Europe) meant that we chose not to fly SQ for these trips.
Air Asia was another option. While we have flown Air Asia many times before as a couple (and very happy with their service) we have yet to fly any budget airlines for our family travels. Budget airlines can provide value for money, but there are disadvantages for travelling families such as inconvenient flight times, smaller seats and extras fees for luggage, seat selection, meals etc.
So that left us with Malindo Air. After much research and recommendations from friends, we decided to give them a try!
Malindo Air is a relative new airline which started operating since 2013 (owned by Lion Air). At first we thought it is just another budget airline but like a regular full service airline, Malindo Air provides:
– Included baggage: 30 kg check in baggage and 7 kg carry-on luggage
– Seat selection: you can select seats at time of booking for additional fee or choose one for free during online check-in
– Online check-in: the mobile app is relatively user friendly
– Priority boarding for travelling families
– New modern planes: we flew on Boeing 737 the whole way.
– Comfortable and spacious seats: The interiors are standard, with plush leather seats and comfortable legroom (more room to move here than Garuda Indonesia!)
– In-flight entertainment system: It has about 50 newish movies, TV programs as well as kids programming. Head phones are provided and there is a USB port on the panel of the entertainment system which is handy for recharging mobile phones.
– Meals and drink selections included: During our route we had a selection of curry or rice. Portion size is comparable to most airlines, but there are no sides. So no bread, cheese crackers and dessert etc. Selections of non alcoholic drinks are available on board.
During our trip to Sri Lanka we were lucky enough to have been upgraded to business class! After many years of travelling, this was our first time ever sitting in business class. We hope our son doesn’t get use to it! While it is not quite your typical full service airline business class experience, it is an upgrade option worth considering for family travellers.
In business class you will get:
- Full leather seats with plenty of legroom (it was like sitting in one of those La-z-boy recliner sofas)
- Three pin power supply socket and USB port to recharge your gadgets
- Large touch screen entertainment system with movies, TV programmes etc
- Welcome drink (non alcoholic)
- Selection of in flight meals
- 40 kg check in baggage
- Extra attentive cabin crew
Notes:
– The on board crew were generally friendly and provide good service
– For parents travelling with young baby, two bassinet seats are available on most flight (upon early request and subject to availability)
– Stroller transfer during our trip went smoothly. It was made available at the end of each flight leg.
– Don’t worry, their planes will not end up in a lesser airport terminal and will have a jet bridge into the airport. With Garuda Indonesia (arriving and departing Bali from Perth) we landed on the tarmac and had to catch the bus to the airport terminal!
– We took connecting flights on both trips and Malindo does have the tendency to experience delays (albeit not for too long). The airline does make sure that passengers don’t miss the connecting flights, but this can make it harder for parents and younger travellers who ideally wants to rest or eat in between flights.
Malindo Air is definitely not a budget airline, and also not a full service airline – so I guess it is a form of no frills full service airline. We certainly feel comfortable throughout the trip and don’t feel the squeeze or limitations of a standard budget airline.
Overall it provide good value for family travellers. In our opinion Malindo Air represents a good value option and we are more than happy to fly them again for our family travels in the future.
We buy most of our travel essentials online via: Ebay
