LONDON–(Marketwire – October 19, 2010) –  The UK’s leading flight price comparison site has researched airline offerings to keep kids amused en-route to holiday destinations. Visit the website’s tips page on Travelling with Children, covering everything from pushchairs and facilities to food options for tiny travellers, and turn what can often be a trying time into a triumph. 

“Half term breaks can drum up a combination of excitement and dread, but creating a family friendly environment both prior to as well as in-flight, can drop the dread and make for a stress free getaway,” says Nadine Hallak, Travel Expert for Cheapflights.co.uk  

“Parent-tested tips on how to plan in advance for keeping kids entertained both in-flight and at the airport equals a turbulent free ride,” adds Hallak. 

Given the rise in popularity of child friendly travel, the industry as a whole is doing its utmost to accommodate in the way of specialised airport lounges and increased in-flight activities to keep both kids and parents happy. 

Airlines facilitating playful plane rides are plentiful starting with Virgin Atlantic, which offers kids a backpack full of goodies, seat back entertainment including kids TV, movies, and Nintendo video games. Even mealtime is fun with the airline’s ‘Grub’ menu serving up pizza, among its other kid friendly foods.

British Airways tailored its kiddie entertainment to coincide with the famous Paddington Bear’s 50^th Anniversary, launching a Skyflyers activity pack suited to two different age groups; 3-5 and 6-12. The pack is designed to resemble the well travelled bear’s suitcase for the younger lot, which includes a range of goodies such as an activity book with finger puppets and crayons. The older group receive a Paddington Bear pencil case, pen, Skyflyers activity magazine, and a pack of playing cards. On long-haul flights, seatback entertainment is available and includes dedicated children’s shows, movies, and games.

Emirates Airlines give out special headphones for kids, which are smaller for a snugger fit while watching children’s programs, movies, and playing games. The airline also gives out a coloured rucksack that comes in a range of colours, and includes a soft toy, activity book, and games. With advanced notice, Emirates will make your child feel extra special if travelling on his or her birthday by serving up an in-flight celebration complete with birthday cake. It also provides special meal options for kids. 

Low cost airlines tend to have very limited child-friendly facilities, so pack plenty of snacks, activity books and gadgets to keep them amused during flights.

Airports are also doing their bit to create some family fun prior to take off. Gatwick has a play area kitted out with baby-landings, soft play and finger-box play tables (interactive/educational games consoles) and has recently introduced a family lounge, which requires pre-booking. 

Heathrow also offers a wealth of family fun in the shape of a supervised family lounge for kids aged five through to 14, which is equipped with a TV, DVD player, reading material, toys, non-electronic as well as computer games. 

More parent tested tips for both the journey and the holiday itself at http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/travelling-with-children/

About Cheapflights Media
The trusted partner in flights, Cheapflights Media is a global Internet media network that has been delivering great deals since 1996. Headquartered in London with offices in Boston and Toronto, Cheapflights Media serves advertisers and consumers through its vast portfolio of Web sites and services. Packed with travel guides, tips and the latest news and information, the Cheapflights sites are online shopping comparison engines that make it easy for consumers in local markets to research, compare and save on domestic and international trips. With brand-name deals on airline tickets from more than 250 partners and 600 airlines and a team of travel experts hand picking the best offerings, Cheapflights offers visitors a mix of deals they can’t find anywhere else. Zugu, the newest brand in the Cheapflights Media portfolio, is a powerful and simple travel search engine that makes it easy to compare and select the lowest available fares online. By organizing flight options by date, airline and time, Zugu helps consumers find the best fares based on their travel terms. There are currently Cheapflights-branded sites for the U.K., U.S., Canada, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, France and Spain. Zugu is available in the U.K., U.S. and Germany.

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