Research by London Luton Airport reveals that the storyline of one the UK’s favourite festive films, Home Alone, may not be as far-fetched as previously thought.
Ahead of the airport’s busy festive season when 800,000 passengers will be welcomed through its doors, the stats reveal over a quarter (27 per cent) have done a ‘McAllister’ and had to dash through the airport to their gate.
Nearly a fifth (18 per cent) have been late for the airport and 13 per cent admit to sleeping through their alarm or hitting the snooze button.
And despite over three quarters of those surveyed (78 per cent) making a list and checking it twice ahead of their trip, half (51 per cent) have still managed to leave an essential item at home – with 3 per cent even admitting to (temporarily) leaving someone behind accidentally.
Nearly one in five travellers (18 per cent) admit that they are likely to forget or misplace an essential item whilst travelling during the festive season, with 30 per cent of those surveyed revealing they have even lost something whilst at the airport.
Items most frequently left behind include travel adaptors (15 per cent), sunglasses (14 per cent) and toiletries (11 per cent) – as well as Christmas presents (16 per cent), seasonal snacks (14 per cent) and Christmas cards (14 per cent) during the festive season.
In response to the data, the airport has recreated some iconic scenes from Home Alone to remind passengers to plan, pack – and set that all-important alarm – in advance to make their airport experience as smooth and simple as possible and ensure nothing (or no-one!) is left behind.
The film sees Kevin McCallister lookalike Tyler Stringer playfully make his way through the airport, getting a shock at duty free after applying aftershave on his face, dancing with mannequins in the airport’s retail stores and teasing a member of the Aelia duty free team with a fake tarantula.
Luton Airport is offering a limited number of wake up calls for sleepy travellers, alongside free (often forgotten) travel essentials, available from airport information desks for a limited period in December*.
Forgetful flyers will be able to pick up complimentary items, whilst stocks last, including toothbrushes and combs, as well as sleep masks and wireless phone chargers.
Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport, said: “Following our busiest ever November, everyone at London Luton Airport is ready for an exciting festive period. This is always a special time of year for everyone at the airport, as we welcome so many people who are heading off to spend time with loved ones or in search of sunnier climes.
“Of course, Christmas comes with additional pressures – and additional items to remember – meaning travellers are more likely to forget things. We hope our campaign will offer a simple and friendly reminder to passengers about how to plan ahead, what to pack and, of course, to set that all-important early morning alarm. Should anyone travelling from LLA manage to forget any key travel items, our award-winning guest experience team will be on hand to help with some travel essentials and ensure a simple and friendly passenger experience for all over Christmas and the new year.”
London Luton Airport has pulled together some top festive travel tips to help journeys go as simply and smoothly as possible:
– Festive favourites – Nearly one in four (39 per cent) travellers didn’t know that several popular Christmas items are not allowed in hand luggage, with jams and chutneys (16 per cent) and snow globes (13 per cent) – classed as liquids – among the items that should be packed in your hold luggage. If you are bringing presents, please don’t wrap them in advance because airport security staff might have to unwrap them for you to check what’s inside.
– A list-mas miracle – With 44 per cent of flyers admitting that they are more likely to forget something because there is more to remember when travelling during the festive period, write that all important checklist in advance to ensure your key travel documents, confirmations, medication and gifts are ready to go.
– Silent night – One in five (22 per cent) admit that lack of sleep plays a big part in forgetfulness before travelling abroad, so try to get seven hours of sleep before flying so you are wide eyed and feeling fresh ahead of your trip.
– Present panic – With 16 per cent admitting they have accidentally forgotten to pack Christmas presents before flying, the unthinkable could happen to you too. Do not panic! With over 40 shops and restaurants at LLA you can pick up any last-minute gifts or festive treats to save your holiday.
– Ho Ho Go! – So you can breeze through airport security and commence your festivities, book a slot with LLA’s Prebook Security, which is currently available between peak times, 3am – 3pm, and can be pre-booked up to an hour before you arrive at security.
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