Please note we are talking on this thread about experiences in the terminal rather than on flights or regarding holiday reps or tour operators.
Heathrow have been working on the facilities and services they offer families at the airport and would like to find out from you how they are doing and what could still be improved. They say "We want your holiday to start the moment you arrive at Heathrow. Travelling with children can be stressful and we want to try and reduce the stress and make family journeys through Heathrow more enjoyable. So, this summer there are new dedicated family security lanes, children's play areas, kids' meal deals, giveaways and much more.
Even if you haven't been through Heathrow you can still take part...The team at Heathrow are also interested in your impressions of the family facilities at other airports and would like to know about any shining examples of great family friendly facilities or staff (anywhere in the world). In addition please do share your tips for coping with children in airports - your tips will be used by Mumsnet for future work.
So, if you've already experienced the more family friendly Heathrow - that is you've been through the airport with children since 11 July 2011...then please take a look at the website and then answer the following questions (these are just to start you off - please add any other comments you have too):
a) When did you visit the airport? Which terminal did you use? And who did you travel with?
b) How well does what's offered on the website match up with your experience of the airport? Did you use/notice the services and facilities they offer on the website? e.g. play areas and kids eat free offers. What did they do well and what was missing?
c) Was there anything at the airport that you thought was particularly family friendly that isn't mentioned on the website?
d) What do you think could be improved at the airport to make your experience of travelling through as a family easier/better?
If you haven't been to Heathrow Airport with your family since 11 July 2011...they'd still like to hear what you think of the facilities, services and offers on the website as well as your previous experiences at Heathrow and any other airports around the world. Please answer the following questions (and also add any other comments you have):
a) Which (if any) of the things highlighted on the website as being for families do you think you would find useful if you visited the airport? Which (if any) would you be unlikely to use when with your family?
b) What would you say is the most important thing airports could do to make them more family friendly?
In addition, everyone is welcome to tell us about any bad experiences of travelling through any airport with your family or indeed any particularly brilliant family friendly experiences. Please also share any tips you have for travelling through airports with children - how do you cope with the queues, security, etc?
Everyone who adds comments to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five £100 vouchers - winners can choose between a £100 Heathrow and a £100 Amazon voucher. The Heathrow voucher can be spent in any Heathrow shop or restaurant within the next year (if you're not planning to fly, you're welcome to pass them onto a friend/relation with your shopping list!)
Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ