ATTENTION, AIRPORT DADS REPORTING FOR HOLIDAY DUTY
*** FREE FOR EDITORIAL USE *** Fathers and their children pictured travelling through London Luton Airport (LLA) ahead of Father’s Day, where a heart-warming gesture awaits. New research found nearly a third (29%) of travellers say their dads take charge of getting everyone to the airport when going on holiday, and 15% liken their approach to a 'military operation'. In response, the simple and friendly airport will be offering a limited number of fast-track security and complimentary lounge passes to the newly-opened My Lounge for those jetting away with a father figure this weekend (15th-16th June), to help dads relax and take a break from their travel duties.
It seems 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.
With a fifth (20%) confirming that their dad has a tendency to go into ‘Dad mode’ upon arriving at the airport to ensure ‘everything stays to plan, it’s little wonder that 25% of dads will constantly check the clock ahead of their flight departure time.
Other common ‘Airport Dad’ rituals include getting to the airport earlier than necessary (24%), repeatedly checking passports and boarding passes (22%) and obsessively monitoring departure boards (18%).
And while some may find ‘Airport Dads’ annoying and possibly even a little amusing, almost half (44%) of travellers believe they share some of the characteristics – regardless of whether they’re actually a dad.
For those travelling with an ‘Airport Dad’ figure this weekend, London Luton Airport is offering a limited number of complimentary passes for the newly-opened My Lounge and fast-track security passes to help dads relax and take a break from their travel duties.
The airport will also play a selection of tongue-in-cheek tannoy announcements, from choruses of “Thank you for arriving two hours early”, to “Have you checked your passports and boarding passes in the last five minutes?’, to ensure no passengers miss out on those ever-friendly dad reminders.
London Luton Airport shares how to identify whether you have the characteristics of an ‘Airport Dad’:
Passport, tickets and departure day itinerary ready at least one week before the holiday
Bonus point if everything is in a plastic wallet
Showing unusual signs of stress in the lead-up to the holiday
Double/Triple-checking that all packed bags are under the weight limit
Packing luggage in the car/or leaving it by the front door the night before
Allowing at least four hours travel time to the airport regardless of distance
Holding on to everyone’s travel documents e.g., passports/boarding passes, to ensure ‘everyone stays together’
Regularly checking the clock ahead of the flight’s departure time
Repeatedly checking everyone’s passports and boarding passes
Obsessively watching the departures board “just in case” anything changes
Finding a window to see the planes
Secretly relishing the opportunity to take charge of travel arrangements
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%), are all early warning signs that you may be heading towards ‘Airport Dad’ behaviour.
Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport says, “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 weekend and we’re thrilled to offer some exclusive extras to travellers flying with their father figures this weekend as part of our commitment to providing a simple and friendly passenger experience. This will include fast-track security and complimentary passes to one of our executive lounges, all of which we hope will help their ‘Airport Dads’ to relax ahead of their journeys.”
With almost 170,000 passengers expected to travel through London Luton Airport over Father’s Day weekend, city break destinations including Amsterdam, Budapest, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris and Prague are proving to be among the most popular destinations.
All is not lost for those holidaymakers whose dads insist on being at the airport hours earlier than needed, as LLA boasts over 40 shops and restaurants to choose from such as Nolito, Yo!, Chopstix and Benito’s. There are also two elegant new lounges and an upgraded children’s play area – meaning there’s something for everyone passing through the airport.
