Flying families ‘aware of others’

For most people, going on holiday is a chance to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

People with young children are no exception, although the logistics of packing up the family and travelling to a destination may add to their pre-holiday stress.

A survey conducted by Gatwick Airport looked into the experiences of parents when travelling with their children, and found that many are conscientious of the feelings of their fellow passengers.

Out of the 1,000 parents questioned, 30% felt concern over disturbing other holidaymakers on their trip, with 54% feeling guilty if their child misbehaves or cries loudly. 

One in five parents are so aware of disturbing other passengers that they even choose to avoid busy areas at the airport.

The plane journey offers passengers an opportunity for quiet time before they land at their holiday destination, so it is no surprise that 62% of parents feel concern over their child misbehaving or crying while up in the air. 

Some 32% of respondents worry about their offspring acting up at airport check-in and security, while 24% are aware of their child’s behaviour at meal times.

But for families flying from Gatwick, the process of travelling through the airport has been made easier.

Gatwick Airport’s chief executive, Stewart Wingate, said security assistance lanes for families have been launched which allow people to travel through security at their own pace. 

And through providing push chairs and creating “kid zones” in both Gatwick terminals, the airport has helped to ensure that parents set-off on holiday as free from stress as possible. 

Copyright © Press Association 2011