(11 Nov 2008)
Air travel can be fraught with stress for all of us but parents travelling with children need all the help they can get. The DAA is investing €2 billion in new and improved facilities. Here are some family-friendly suggestions for improvements.
Compared to many other countries we have few family friendly facilities in our airports. Frankly just providing a baby changing facility does not make you family friendly. There has not been enough focus on the needs of families in the facilities provided to date and we would like to see Dublin airport and all national airports really think about what they can do to make air travel easier for families. There are huge investments and improvements planned over the next few years and we hope that the needs of the customer and in particular families are put first and well considered. We have enough juice bars and retail opportunities and now is the time to really think about what can be done to improve existing facilities and plan new facilities so that families find it easier to travel through Irish airports. Here we make some suggestions many of which would not involve a huge capital outlay.
Top 12 suggestions for family friendly airport improvements
1. Family friendly security lanes would take the pressure off families who often feel pressurised by the frequent flyer with his laptop chomping at the bit behind them as they spill their milk and lose a favourite toy. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the USA has introduced a programme to enable travellers to select a lane customized to their pace. The green lane is for families travelling with children or people who need special assistance. The black lane is for those who know the procedures well and have limited carry-on luggage. The security standard is the same no matter what lane you choose but efficiency is increased by allowing passengers to proceed at their own pace.
2. If dedicated security lanes are not possible then at the very least dedicated lanes or expedited screening at peak family travel times would be a huge help.
3. Child-friendly screening in security areas would be a real help as children often get frightened when they are approached by strangers or see Mummy or Daddy being searched. The International Airport in Denver, Colorado (one of the busiest airports in the world) is using puppets, good behaviour badges and stuffed animal covers for hand wands make children being searched by strangers a little less scary. For parents who are already loaded down with car seats and luggage not having to calm an upset child is a big relief.
4. Play areas after security for children to let off steam before they board the plane are a godsend for parents. They could be educational or themed to foster imaginative play. Examples could be a mock airplane and control tower, climbing structures, a baggage-claim slide or an interactive play area where kids can explore structures, "fly" planes, "handle" baggage and "direct" air traffic themselves. Younger children would need a padded baby and toddler area. A good example of such play areas can be found at Imaginosity in Sandyford.
5. Freestanding models or wall maps of the terrain that they are likely to fly over with points of interest such as islands, rivers, mountains or stadiums which will be a great distraction for children just after takeoff and will give them something to look forward to.
6. Child friendly and accessible art installations along corridors and unused space could be a great distraction and is inexpensive and educational.
7. Interactive exhibits about Ireland with monitors, maps, photos and even some stories and legends in the baggage area or the departure gate areas would be a good distraction. For visitors from abroad what better way to imprint a positive message about the great things we have to offer here in Ireland than entertaining their children in an educational and fun way when they arrive or before they leave? Of all the millions we spend on marketing surely the first and final message is one we should invest in.
8. To distract older children and teenagers a play station area, Xbox gaming area or free internet access for teens would be well received.
9. For mums who are nursing children a quieter dedicated area for nursing away from the glare and buzz of the airport would be very helpful. Currently seating is at busy gates or in retail thorough fares and a central seating area where families can sit and play games or eat together would be important.
10. An observation gallery with appropriate seating and child eye level viewing. At the moment to view the planes at many of the gates children have to stand on seats or be lifted up to see all the fun outside. This is one of the best free assets of the airport and is a super way to distract children.
11. Boarding for families is fraught with difficulties that range from the collapsing the buggy to the stress of wondering if they can we sit together. Many airlines charge extra for the privilege of sitting together. Airports who value families should however have a positive policy of insisting that airlines allow families to sit together either at check in or by giving them mandatory priority boarding if they want to avail of this and if seats are unallocated.
12. Before families even start their journey airports could entertain the children by featuring on their websites downloadable colouring with pictures of airplanes and airports, instructions for making paper airplanes, aviation-themed games, easy-to-digest information about airplanes, space exploration and aviation history so that children are engaged and excited by the prospect of flying.
Examples of family friendly facilities in other countries
Orlando International Airport
The airport features an open airy design, indoor trees, large aquariums and calming classical music. It also has shops that represent most of the local theme parks and attractions, life-size sculptures of sleeping tourists and Disney characters.
San Francisco International Airport
San Francisco International airport has an aviation museum which children will find fascinating. It also features an aquarium and a Kids Spot play area which has a crawling frame and a plasma wall for kids to burn off some energy before boarding a flight.
Boston Logan Airport
Boston Logan Airport has interactive exhibits which encourage a child to think and play and at the same time have fun. They include a baggage claim slide, an infant a toddler play area, a "whats outside the window display" and an airplane-climbing sculpture.
Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore airport has a wide range of family friendly facilities including napping centres, a full size swimming pool, exercise and play areas for children, bamboo/ cactus/sunflower and orchid gardens, an explorer's lounge which features entertainment programmes from the Discovery Channel and National Geographic, a 24 hour movie theatre and a gaming station featuring Xbox games.
Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
Paris Charles de Gaulle airport has play areas with mazes and ball pits to keep children entertained for hours. Older children can use pool tables, video games and have access to the arcades. There are also play areas with interactive world maps, hopscotch, mini tunnels and TV rooms with beanbags for children to relax in.
We are parents who have travelled with kids and have had the highs and the lows (mostly highs). To help you plan your own travel with kids this section is full of articles of all sorts on family travel, travelling with the kids and top tips for a family friendly holiday.
The sections include
Travel by age
Where to stay
How to go
What to pack
When to go/school holidays
Leaving Certificate Examination and Junior Certificate Examination dates
Entertaining the kids
Travel services for parents
Tops tips including family travel medical issues, family travel documents, family security on holidays, how to choose a summer camp, family travel insurance, how to deal with delays at the airport.