LONDON, 2015-3-25 — /Travel PR News/ — The 2015 Easter getaway will start next week, with British Airways expecting to see almost 700,000 people travel around the world on its flights in the first five days.
The exodus will start on Thursday April 2, as many families flock to the sun to take advantage of the long Easter weekend and the school holidays.
The single busiest day for travel is Monday, April 6, with 142,000 people set to fly with the airline.
Families will be looking to make the most of their time away, with many children not due to return to school until Monday, April 13. More than 135,000 people are expected to travel the day before, on Sunday, April 12, to return home.
Stephen Humphreys, British Airways’ head of UK&I sales, said: “Like many parents, I’d like a break away with the children to shake off the last of the winter weather and recharge by soaking up some much needed sun before the onset of spring.
“Fortunately there are some brilliant deals still on offer from British Airways Holidays to exciting city destinations like New York, Paris and Milan.”
The top long-haul destinations for travellers this Easter are mainly to the US, with New York in the lead, followed by Los Angeles and Miami, with strong bookings to Hong Kong and Boston. Other popular destinations include Johannesburg, San Francisco, Cape Town, Dubai and Tel Aviv.
Edinburgh proves to be the top spot for short-haul travellers, followed by Barcelona, Amsterdam, Glasgow and Rome. Other favourites include Geneva, Manchester, Nice, Madrid and Berlin.
British Airways offers priority boarding for those travelling with children to make it easier for families to fly. Buggies can also be wheeled right up to the gate before being packed.
On long-haul flights, children can settle down and watch the airline’s in-flight entertainment system as soon as they sit in their seats. British Airways was the first UK airline to offer this service, giving customers more time to watch their favourite TV programmes and movies.
Child meals can be pre-ordered and British Airways’ “feed families first” policy means children are always first to tuck into their meals. Skyflyer activity packs are also on hand to keep them entertained and fire their imaginations.
Family focused information, with advice and handy travel tips, can be found on ba.com at: www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/family-travel
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For further information, please contact the British Airways press office on 020 8738 5100.
Research with TV personality Robert Winston and a team of educational psychologists by British Airways into the best toys for children, aged two to 10, to keep them entertained on a flight can be seen here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs7NxqhOCPQ
New York – British Airways offers three nights at the 4* Doubletree by Hilton Metropolitan – New York City, from £899 per person, travelling on April 3. Includes World Traveller return flights from London Heathrow and accommodation. Book by April 14. For reservations visit ba.com/new-york or call 0844 493 0758.
Paris – British Airways Holidays offers two nights at 4* Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile from £229 per person, for travel between March 28 and April 12, 2015. Includes Euro Traveller flights from Heathrow and accommodation. For reservations visit ba.com/paris or call 0844 493 0758.
Dublin – British Airways Holidays offers two nights at 3* Aspect Hotel Parkwest from £119 per person, for travel between March 27 and April 30, 2015. Includes Euro Traveller flights from Heathrow and accommodation. For reservations visit ba.com/dublin or call 0844 493 0758.
Berlin – British Airways Holidays offers two nights at 4* Innside Berlin from £159 per person, for travel between March 27 and April 30, 2015. Includes Euro Traveller flights from Heathrow and accommodation. For reservations visit ba.com/milan or call 0844 493 0758.
Milan – British Airways Holidays offers two nights at 4* Raffaello from £149 per person, for travel between March 27 and April 30, 2015. Includes Euro Traveller flights from Heathrow and accommodation. For reservations visit ba.com/milan or call 0844 493 0758.