Airline’s specially designed seats will make flying with small children much, much easier

Taking your small child on an aircraft isn't always the most enjoyable experience of parenthood.

From the looks and audible tuts of disapproving fellow passengers as your kid screams their head off from takeoff to landing, to the challenges posed by changing a shitty nappy in a cramped toilet compartment, most who've been through it will tell you it's extremely stressful. Thankfully, however, it could be about to get a little easier. While many of us on these shores probably won't be using Air New Zealand's planes in the coming years, it's to be hoped that the changes they're bringing in start to catch on in this hemisphere, too. Earlier this month, they revealed changes to its innovative Skycouch - a row of three economy seats that can be transformed into a flat surface after takeoff, allowing passengers to stretch out for their flight. Having first rolled out the Skycouch seven years ago, the airline has now made available a complimentary new harness and belt, allowing infants to lie next to their parents for the entirety of a flight - a much better option than trying to get them to sleep while on their guardian's lap, as was previously the case when the seatbelt sign was switched on. The changes, which have come as a result of customer feedback, are set to come in later this year. It's to be hoped more airlines follow Air New Zealand's example.