How much do you spend before boarding?
Brits spend an estimated £395 million a year on last-minute "essentials" for their flight before they board, according to a new study.
The research, commissioned by Virgin Atlantic's 747 In-Flight Entertainment Development Team to mark the launch of the airline's newly refurbished fleet, found that 90 per cent of Brits travelling abroad go into buying mode as soon as they arrive in the departures lounge.
The average number of panic-bought purchases is 12 items - from food and drink supplies to gadgets for children.
The study revealed that keeping the family entertained was the element of a flight that parents were most concerned with, as 32 per cent of recipients disclosed that the most important items to have for a flight were books and magazines.
However, traditional forms of entertainment weren't the only useful in-flight distraction tools, as almost a third of adults revealed that they had resorted to buying gadgets such as mp3 players and games consoles for their children before a flight.
We all know how it feels to worry at the last minute that you might not have everything you need in order to have a really comfortable journey..."
Comfort items also appeared in departures lounge shopping bags, as a quarter of passengers surveyed revealed that travel pillows, socks and back support cushions were all items they had previously bought ahead of a flight.
Janine Doy at Virgin Atlantic said: "We all know how it feels to worry at the last minute that you might not have everything you need in order to have a really comfortable journey, and it seems that families automatically feel they have to arm themselves with all the essentials before they board.
Panic buying is a thing of the past for families travelling on Virgin Atlantic's newly renovated 747s, as all the comfort and entertainment they need is provided in the recently refitted cabin with its brand new, supremely comfortable seats.
Pre-flight entertainment purchases can become a thing of the past, as Virgin Atlantic's revolutionary new touch-screen in flight entertainment system, JAM, provides up to 300 hours of movies, award-winning TV shows, music and games in an exciting and child-friendly format. Passengers could be on a plane for an impressive 12 days before they run out of something to do.
Janine added: "However, on Virgin Atlantic's newly re-fitted fleet of 747s, parents can relax as everything they need is provided in-flight. With our new entertainment system, JAM, youngsters have to be coaxed off the plane once they arrive at their holiday destination - with so many games, movies and music at their fingertips, they don't want to leave their seats!"
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