Flight comparison site Skyscanner surveyed over 1000 travellers and revealed that most airports lack adequate facilities to cater for the needs of families.

Almost two thirds of those surveyed said that airports did not provide services that those travelling with children need, and 73 per cent said this lack of facilities caused stress which affected the overall quality of their holiday experience. Long queues were by far the biggest gripe; 51 per cent of families claimed it was the worst thing about the airport experience.

This was followed by lack of entertainment (29 per cent), the long walk to the departure gate (10 per cent) and a lack of suitable food options (six per cent).

Almost 60 per cent wanted to see the introduction of soft play areas at airports while more than half of all respondents wanted areas where kids TV or cinema could be offered.

Mary Porter, Skyscanner PR Manager and mother of one, commented: “Travelling with children can be a stressful experience, but improved airport facilities could vastly improve this. I am not surprised that young children who have already endured delays, long queues and little entertainment are prone to having meltdowns by the time they actually board the aircraft. By catering better for them at the airport, the on board experience could be far less stressful for parents and more enjoyable for all passengers.”

Services that families would most like to see offered in order of popularity:

1. Soft play areas
2. Kids TV/cinema area
3. Play area with toys and books for under-fives
4. Dedicated security queue for adults travelling with children
5. ‘Kids café and bar’ with complimentary refreshments
6. Bottle-warming facilities
7. Video game zone
8. Staffed crèche
9. Ball pool
10. Pram rental
11. Pre-order baby food ser- vice
12. Storytelling