Since Air Asia announced the suspension of Christchurch route on Monday, I haven't made any decision with regards to the tickets I currently hold. I hold 5 tickets in September, supposedly to bring my parents for vacation as a present.
I certainly can't bring forward the date from September to an earlier one, because my sister-in-law, who is supposed to also join the trip, is currently pregnant. September would be perfect since the baby would have been delivered by then.
Opting for a refund doesn't seem cost effective either. I bought the tickets at quite a very cheap price, at about RM700 per pax return. So if I can move it to another long haul destination, it would be better. But to move the destination will need quite a careful consideration. Am bringing my parents, so location is important to ensure they are not sick and tired. New Zealand was earlier considered because I visited that country before and I know it is kind of comfortable for old people, and campervan is available to give them comfort along the journey.
Am now considering 2 options, either to:
MELBOURNE
The capital city of Victoria in Australia.
(picture credit to foundation of CARI Forum)
I haven't visited Melbourne yet. I haven't done any research yet as to whether Melbourne will be suitable to bring my parents for vacation, guess I have to start doing the research now.
NEW ZEALAND
To stick to the earlier plan, New Zealand. I might re-route the ticket to Melbourne, and then find other flight from Melbourne to Christchurch / Auckland. There are plenty of airlines operating Melbourne - New Zealand.
I still can't take my mind off New Zealand for the vacation this time thinking of how comfortable it will be to move my parents around and am sure they would love New Zealand the way I do - the quietness, the peacefulness and all. And plus, I have already booked a campervan and cancelling it would be a messy business.
So what will my decision be? Am not quite sure yet. But I think I will just re-route the ticket to Melbourne, and think of whether I will take the connecting flight to New Zealand later on.
I thought of writing this after we landed in LCCT back from Langkawi the other day, but never had time to really write it until today. Something happened during the journey that made me thought of writing this. There was a baby with his parents sitting near us, and the baby looks like a happy little baby throughout the journey. But he cried loudly both during ascend and descend, which makes me think, was it because of his uncomfortable ears - painful perhaps?
I think everybody who ever board a plane would know what would normally happen to our ears when an airplane ascend or descend. This does not only happen when we board a plane, but also to those involve in diving. The rapid changes in the air pressure during that process, causes extraneous discomfort in our ears because our eustachian tube does not react as quick. I can imagine how this will impact the tiny ears of a baby or a toddler. So it is important for parents to come prepared when traveling with their kids in an airplane. Don't take this lightly because it is normal for children to develop ear infection post airplane ride.
I don't know how you guys treat your airplane ear problem during ascend or descend, but I do normally have chewing gum or sweets or drinks or whatever in my bag ready for take off and landing. This helps to manage the air pressure and reduce the pain. The act of swallowing is what helps it. So for babies, perhaps parents should be prepared with a bottle of milk or to just breastfeed the baby during take off or landing. That perhaps is the easiest solution, of course there's ear plug that can help managing this as well which can be bought if you want to (though am not sure whether it is suitable for babies).
Take it seriously guys.. pity your poor little baby. If it is painful to our tough big ears, think of what it will do to that little fragile ears of your baby. And plus, it helps other passengers too, an environment free from the sound of baby crying is certainly a better environment.. hehe.
