easyJet is handing out complimentary Life360 Tile "Teddy Trackers" at four UK airports this summer, giving parents a way to track children's favourite teddies and comfort toys if they go missing while on holiday.
The free devices attach to a teddy or favourite toy and can be monitored through a smartphone app. The giveaway runs while stocks last and begins on Friday, July 31, at easyJet bag drop desks.
Which airports are taking part?
Teddy Trackers will be available at the following airports:
- London Gatwick
- Manchester
- Edinburgh
- Belfast
The promotion comes as easyJet and easyJet holidays prepare to carry more than 370,000 families during what the company says will be its biggest-ever summer season.
Why is easyJet doing this?
The airline commissioned research that found 87% of parents worry about losing their child's favourite toy while travelling, and 97% said they would feel more relaxed if they could keep track of treasured belongings.
Nearly four in five (78%) parents said their child's favourite toy comes on most or every family holiday, and 65% said they have experienced their child losing a favourite teddy or comforter while away.
What do parents do when a toy goes missing?
Replacing a lost toy is rarely simple. More than half (55%) of parents pack a spare teddy just in case, but 81% of children whose favourite toy went missing quickly spotted the substitute. Parents said children typically took around six weeks to get over losing a treasured companion.
Parents have admitted to going to extraordinary lengths to avoid holiday heartbreak. Almost three in 10 (29%) immediately bought a replacement online hoping their child would not notice, while 26% invented a story to explain the toy's disappearance. More than half (55%) said they would even change their holiday plans to retrieve a missing cuddly companion.
Stuffed rabbits emerged as Britain's most commonly lost holiday toy, followed by traditional teddy bears and dolls or action figures. The most popular names for treasured toys included Bunny, Teddy, Fluffy and Billy.
What does easyJet say?
Stuart Wright, Customer Director at easyJet holidays, said: "We know that it's often the little things that make the biggest difference to a family holiday. For many children, a favourite teddy or comfort toy is an important part of the journey and losing it can be upsetting at what should be an exciting time."
"That's why we've launched Teddy Trackers, giving families extra peace of mind while they're away. Creating brilliant holiday experiences is at the heart of what we do, and we're delighted to be offering another simple way to make family holidays as smooth and stress-free as possible."
easyJet captain Matthew Clutterbuck said he had previously helped reunite a teddy called Shackleton with its owner after it was left on board one of the airline's flights.
He said: "We know that a child's favourite toy is much more than something that can be packed in a suitcase – it's often their constant companion on every adventure, providing comfort, familiarity and reassurance throughout their journey."
"Whether it's a well-loved teddy or another treasured companion, we hope our Teddy Trackers offer parents extra peace of mind, helping ensure these special items can always find their way home."
The reusable trackers are being supplied by Life360 and can continue to be used long after families return from their holidays.
