insideKENT Magazine Issue 82 - January 2019 | Page 112

TRAVEL
START PLANNING FOR THE SUNSHINE! CONT.
2. Plan your flight times and your airport arrival 3. Make use of the airport
Where possible, seek out flight times that work with your family routine; an 8am
flight may sound great for arriving at the resort early, but factor in a 5am flight
check-in for some destinations and you are in the realms of sleep-deprived hell.
If travelling long haul, look for evening flights where the children will hopefully
settle into a comfortable night’s sleep. Most airports have recognised that little people get bored easily and now offer
a range of child play areas from soft play to game consoles. Let them run around,
burn off some energy and have some fun; it will make having to sit down for
hours a little less daunting.
Can’t avoid an early flight or need to make the most of a short trip? Then rather
than making the mad airport dash with tired children, motorway roadworks
or the morning rush hour, arrive the night before. By staying at an airport
hotel such as those offered by Holiday Extras, you can sleep soundly knowing
that your main journey is complete with just a short shuttle bus direct to the
departure terminal.
If your flight times do not warrant an overnight stay or you prefer your car to
be at the terminal, then meet and greet parking is a great choice. You pull up,
unload, hand over your keys and enjoy your trip safe in the knowledge your car
will be ready for you as soon as you land. www.holidayextras.co.uk
Also, check out the merits of a lounge. Some bank accounts, airline loyalty
schemes and of course class of flights will provide you with complimentary access
to the airline lounges, but there are also family-friendly airport lounges available
where you can while away an hour or more with food, drink and in some cases
play areas available.
If you have a toddler or baby, invest in a travel pushchair. One that is lightweight
and ultra compact when folded means it’s easy to steer around the chaos of the
terminal, and if it meets cabin dimensions, can even be carried on the plane as
hand luggage, allowing you to use it as soon as you land rather than having to
struggle to baggage claim.
“STOP FOCUSING ON JUST ‘NEEDING TO GET THERE’ AND INSTEAD TREAT THE JOURNEY AS DAY ONE
OF YOUR HOLIDAY. TREAT THE WHOLE DAY AS AN ADVENTURE...”
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