Accept it or not, managing babies is the hardest and most taxing thing to do. And it can get most intolerable when it’s on a 10-hour long flight, which is why the thoughtful Etihad Airways has introduced the Flying Nanny on board its long haul flights. Now I will not crack a lame joke on how it is a nanny who can fly; the Flying Nanny programme simply means that there will be a nanny to look after your child on your flight. She will not only help the young parents in feeding their child, but also keep the children involved and entertained during long flights, something that’s trying for even an adult.

Who is the Flying Nanny?

Cruising around in an orange apron, she will be the godmother for children on the flight. The Flying Nannies will be receiving a specialized training in child psychology and behaviour from Norland College. For all we know, she might be able to handle a child better than hassled up parents ready to fly off the handle. Three hundred Etihad crew members have already been trained, and by the end of the year, the flights will have around 500 Flying Nannies.

What Will She Do?

The Flying Nanny will be nanny, magician, teacher, playmate—all combined in one. She will assist the parents during meals, serve early meals to children. The Flying Nanny’s kit would include origami, do-it-yourself crafts, magic tricks, and a lil puppet show. Kids will, for example, learn how to make greeting cards, dole out paper hats. The older children too have something to look forward to as the Flying Nanny will be ready with quizzes and puzzles for them. And if all the children promise to be quiet, she might even take them on a tour of the gallery.

The children are sure to come out of the flight not only upbeat and refreshed, but they would also have learned something new.

Do say: Flying nanny, who is your favourite child?

Don’t say: Huh, managing kids is no rocket science; it’s not like you are flying the plane.