Family on Holiday
Topping the poll of things to do before the family jets away, is the all-important ‘to do’ list with 65 per cent of people surveyed insisting on drafting one to ensure everything is planned with military precision.
And it’s the small things, like remembering boiled sweets to suck during take-off to stop ears ‘popping’ and putting the kids by the window, that add up to making a stress-free family holiday according to the findings.
We advise parents to do what they can in advance to start ticking that list off. So, pre-order the kids’ meals at ba.com, check-in online and print your boarding pass if you have a printer handy
Worrying that kids will be bored is also a major concern for 62 per cent of parents so pre-planning entertainment is a critical element of that ‘to do’ list.
The survey of 2,000 people from around the UK conducted by OnePoll on behalf of British Airways, found that although the traditional items of books, toys and crayons remain at the top of the list for keeping kids entertained (45 per cent, 41 per cent and 31 per cent respectively), technology is catching up fast, with PSPs also at 31 per cent, followed by iPods at 25 per cent.
Abigail Comber, head of brands at British Airways, said: “We know that families have enough to worry about before they head off on holiday, from ensuring they’ve packed everything to remembering everyone’s passports. And often parents are working on a tight budget so they don’t want any nasty surprises at the airport.
“We advise parents to do what they can in advance to start ticking that list off. So, pre-order the kids’ meals at ba.com, check-in online and print your boarding pass if you have a printer handy. No problem if not, we’ll just issue it at the airport, at no extra charge of course," she said.
Friendly cabin crew who are used to working with children was vital to 49 per cent of people asked and having food on board at no extra cost made a real difference to 47 per cent of families flying.
A baggage allowance specifically for kids was vital to a third of respondents, a quarter liked to take their buggy to the aircraft side and 64 per cent wanted to know in advance that they’d be seated together.
Abigail added: “We’ll pre-allocate seats for your family three days before you travel and we’ll invite you to board the plane first. If it helps, you can take your buggy to the door of the plane and we’ll drop it down into the hold for you. That may also make it easier to carry all the kids’ bags as well as your own given that they have the same allowance as an adult. Obviously, that’s all part of the price too.
“And once on board, our crew will do everything they can to make your flight as relaxing as possible so hopefully you should be able to get all the way to your holiday destination before you hear the immortal words: “Are we there yet?” And that’s got to be priceless, hasn’t it?!”
FemaleFirst @FemaleFirst_UK
Tagged in Travel Family Family Holidays