Etihad Airways celebrates graduation of 1000th flying nanny

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, now has more than 1000 trained Flying Nannies helping families on flights across its network.
Elpida Tsatsaronis, from the United States, is the 1000th Flying Nanny to complete her training, delivered in part by Norland College, at the Etihad Airways Innovation Training Academy in Abu Dhabi.
Aubrey Tiedt, Etihad Airways’ Vice President Guest Services, said, "The Flying Nanny has become one of the most recognisable members of Etihad Airways cabin crew aboard our long haul flights and we’re delighted to celebrate the graduation of our 1,000th member to wear the orange apron.
"When we introduced the Flying Nanny last year our aim was to provide a helping hand to families flying and since then the positive feedback from customers has been overwhelming. We now often have two Flying Nannies on our most popular flights especially to London and destinations in the United States." Since its launch in 2013 the Flying Nanny has become a key feature on Etihad Airways’ long haul flights providing support to families and children and creating fun and memorable moments with games and activities.
Elpida Tsatsaronis said, "I am thrilled to be the 1,000th Etihad Airways Flying Nanny and to receive my orange apron. My first flight as a Flying Nanny is later this week to London and I’m looking forward to using my training to assist parents and their children in-flight." Notes: The course includes training, from the world renowned Norland College, enabling the Flying Nannies to identify different types of behaviour and developmental stages that children go through and how to appreciate the perspective and needs of travelling families.
The Flying Nanny role is an extension of the current childcare provision offered by all cabin crew. All cabin crew are trained from a safety and service perspective on the basics of family and child care.
The course also incorporates a variety of creativity in all elements of training, providing opportunities for the Nannies to take ordinary on board service items along with their Flying Nanny Kit and their knowledge of children to create inspired moments in the classroom and on board for guests.
Where possible, the Flying Nanny meets her children at the gate before their flight, co-ordinates the children’s meal times with families and provides more fun in flight with the introduction of the Etihad characters; Zoe the Bee, Boo the Panda, Jamool the Camel and Kundai the Lion.