Taking the Kids: On a long-haul flight

The best part: Kids get all the same amenities and attention whether they are flying coach, business or first class. It also seemed to me on the A380, the largest aircraft flying, the legroom in coach was akin to what you find in many economy plus sections. "Quite spacious," agreed Archana Mathur, traveling with her husband and two young sons in economy.

Certainly, other international carriers pay attention to the littlest passengers with bassinets for babies (reserve in advance!), kids' entertainment and meals (also reserve in advance). "It's just as important as knowing the kind of seat and environment on the plane," said Jack Ezon, president of Ovation Vacations, one of NYC's largest travel agencies. Check what the airline will offer your family before you book:

Norwegian Air offers in-flight kids' entertainment, including video games and kids meals. Even better, kids 2 to 11 can fly for 75 percent of the adult fare. (Ask if children's discounts are available the next time you book flights internationally!)

British Air, has a "Feed Kids First Policy," which families appreciate, and a Skyflyers activity pack.

Lufthansa has new family counters, complete with Lufthansa mascots Lu and Cosmo, who greet kids at Frankfurt and Munich airports, diaper changing stations in restrooms, as well as a kids' menu designed with the help of a jury of children.

On flights between Belgrade and New York, Air Serbia has just introduced the Sky Au Pair, cabin crew with additional child care training and ready to lend parents a helping hand.

Air New Zealand touts its Skycouch, a seating option which combines three seats into a flexible space that is ideal for families. And those kids traveling solo get a special Airband that provides parents notifications of each step of their flight.

Etihad Airways has gotten a lot of traction for its flying nannies, trained flight attendants who might do face-painting or magic tricks, though there is likely just one on board.

But "Emirates is certainly among the best at catering to kids -- there's no doubt about that," said Skift's Brian Sumers.

Emirates, Quantas and other airlines now have added kids' areas to their business- and first-class lounges, as more families are opting for that class of service. Before kids zones, said Australian blogger Penny Reidy, creator of Itchy Feet Family, "families were always on edge making sure not to disturb the business travelers."

Until I flew Emirates, it has been my experience that it is up to the parent to think ahead for everything they might need and then entertain the kids on board.

"It's hard enough to get people to discipline their children and keep them from terrorizing other passengers," said American Airlines flight attendant Steffanie Rivers, who has written a book about traveling with kids and pets. "If they expect us to provide diapers and toys what's next, nanny service while they get drunk in first class?"

These days on many airlines, if you want to guarantee seats together, it is often necessary to pay extra.

Samar Habayeb was flying home to Dubai with her mom and two-week-old son, Sammy. She said her two young daughters are as big Emirates fans as she is, though now with the ban on electronics other than cellphones on flights from Dubai and other predominantly Muslim cities, she may have to find other routes because she and her husband count on flights to work, especially because the kids are so well entertained. (For more about Emirates and Dubai, read my trip diaries.)

The baby slept most of the way home.

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