Heathrow airport staff trained to deal with child passengers’ ‘imaginary friends’

Heathrow airport have taken a new approach in how to make younger passengers feel more welcome

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by Fiona Day |
Published on

Many children have imaginary friends, but very rarely are they acknowledge by anyone outside their immediate family.

But Heathrow Airport have recognised how important these ‘imaginary friends’ are to their younger passengers and sought to cater to their ‘special’ demands.

The UK’s busiest airport has trained staff to move around children’s imaginary friends and how to interact with ‘made up people’.

Bridesmaids actor Chris O’Dowd has voiced the video, which the airport hopes will improve relations between airport staff and members of the public.

‘Imaginary friends’ will now be acknowledged at check-in, on the Heathrow Express and when they pass through security.

Imaginary people will now have a more pleasant flying experience!

According to the Mail Online, management took action when they discovered that up to a third of children seek comfort with a ‘made up’ pal.

Heathrow’s Chief Operating Officer Normand Boivin said: “We're dedicated to continuously training our staff and investing in skills so that they can always provide the best passenger service.

“Whether that's free restaurant meals for kids or simply acknowledging that a child has an imaginary friend, at Heathrow we have an ambition to become the friendliest family airport and to give all our passengers the best airport service.”

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