EASYJET LAUNCHES ‘AIRPLANE MODE’ TO HELP FAMILIES RECONNECT THIS SUMMER
Airline easyJet has launched a new initiative to help families reconnect this summer after a new survey shows over two thirds (68%) of parents say finding quality time together as a family is becoming harder due to time spent on personal devices, social media and busy schedules.
easyJet has joined forces with writer, activist, presenter and mum Katie Piper and child development expert Tanith Carey to launch ‘Airplane Mode’ – a new initiative which includes a holiday card game to get families talking from the moment they start their holiday and help combat the issues that matter to young people and parents today.
The survey of 2,000 British parents and children aged 11 to 17 commissioned by easyJet found nearly three quarters of parents (69%) say they are concerned about the effects of social media and phone screen time on their children – with 71% of parents admitting they probably also spend too much time on their phone and 60% too much time on social media themselves.
The research also revealed nearly a quarter (24%) of children admit to knowing more about their favourite influencers than their parents.
However, nearly seven in ten (69%) parents say holidays are the number one opportunity to connect with their children
Holidays emerged as an increasing priority for parents when it comes to family wellbeing. Families average 13 holidays in a lifetime together when children are between the ages of 6 – 18 and nearly half (48%) plan to take more family holidays this year than last, citing spending quality time together (52%), wellbeing (42%) and reconnecting with family and friends (40%) as the top drivers for doing so.
As part of the Airplane Mode initiative, the airline has launched a family card game packed full of conversation-sparking questions spanning categories such as people, places, work and school, as well as charade-style challenges and prompts to share advice and meaningful experiences with each other.
The card game will be available for free for families jetting off over the summer holidays, with thousands being handed out at airports across the UK from 9 July (while stocks last).
The research also revealed 85% of families admit that being less connected means they worry they’re not having enough conversations around the important issues facing young people today together.
More than two in five (45%) children say they want to be more present with their families, and 68% say that spending more time with their family helps their mood and wellbeing.
As part of the campaign, Katie Piper, popular wellness advocates and content creators Jaycie Fry and Will Ainslie and easyJet pilots and cabin crew have released a series of voice notes reflecting on their own experiences of tackling the challenge of disconnection. They also provide advice on some of the issues that affect young people today, like self-worth, positive body image and positive masculinity – topics that parents say they are anxious to support them in.
Kenton Jarvis, easyJet’s CEO, said: “At easyJet, we’re passionate about creating family-friendly initiatives that make flying with us both fun and easier for parents.
“Our research shows the summer holidays are one of the few times in the year when families are together without the usual distractions, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy some well-earned quality time and put down tablets or phones.
“With our Airplane Mode game, we hope the thousands of families flying with us can take a moment to relax, reconnect and make meaningful memories from the moment they board.”
