Our regular feature, brought to you in association with Strange Nature Gin from New Zealand, celebrates memorable scenes, moments, launches and campaigns related to the global aviation and travel retail sphere.
UK. Our images selection today comes from London Luton Airport and its initiative to give complimentary lounge and fast-track security passes to families travelling with a father figure this Father’s Day weekend.
The generous gesture comes off the back of a recent survey of 2,000 adults by One Poll which highlighted ‘Airport Dad’ characteristics. All respondents were aged 18+, based in the UK, travel by plane to go on holiday and are in contact with their mum or dad.
The results suggest going on holiday can transform even the most mild-mannered fathers into obsessive, no-nonsense timekeepers, as nearly a third (29%) of travellers say their dads like to take charge of getting everyone to the airport when going on holiday and 15% liken their approach to a military operation.
A fifth (20%) confirmed that their dad has a tendency to go into ‘Dad mode’ upon arriving at the airport to ensure everything stays to plan, with 25% of dads constantly checking the clock ahead of their flight departure time.
Other common dad rituals include getting to the airport earlier than necessary (24%), repeatedly checking passports and boarding passes (22%) and obsessively monitoring departure boards (18%).
Additional findings from the survey include respondents being stressed in the lead-up to the holiday (23%), leaving packed bags by the front door the night before (21%) and carrying luggage rather than wheeling it (15%). These are all early warning signs that you may be heading towards ‘Airport Dad’ behaviour, the airport suggested.
In addition to handing out complimentary passes to dads for the newly opened My Lounge and fast-track security, this weekend the airport will also play a selection of tongue-in-cheek tannoy announcements such as ‘Thank you for arriving two hours early’ and ‘Have you checked your passports and boarding passes in the last five minutes?’.
London Luton Airport Head of Guest Experience Clare Armstrong said: “It’s heartwarming to see that a quarter (24%) of holidaymakers acknowledge the pivotal role that dads play in organising family trips and managing airport logistics.
“We’re expecting another bumper weekend at London Luton Airport for Father’s Day and we’re thrilled to offer some exclusive extras to travellers flying with their father figures as part of our commitment to providing a simple and friendly passenger experience.”
According to a forecast from the airport, more than 170,000 passengers are expected to travel through London Luton over Father’s Day weekend. ✈
