I am heading over to the UK in a couple of weeks and we have booked with Emirates because I hear good things about them. Etihad are also very good (have friends who have travelled with them and got excellent service - one of the air stewardesses took their baby for 2 hours so they could have a sleep!!!!!!!).

There is also Singapore airlines who are excellent but they can be slightly more expensive. Are you just booking one way tickets?

We fly long haul a lot (being from the UK) and I have to say that Emirates and Singapore are my favourites. Although this will be the first time I have travelled long haul with little one, I don't recall ever being on a flight where I've heard babies crying or anything like that which suggests to me how well they are looked after on the flights (does that make sense?).

I hope you get something that suits you!
Sue xxxx

ps, sorry I wasn't able to answer some of your other questions, I too would like to hear the experiences of others! x