New study ranks our ten biggest airports on key kiddie criteria.
Edinburgh Airport is the UK’s number one family-friendly airport, according to a new study released today.
The study, conducted ahead of the annual half term break, asked 1,000 families to score the UK’s 10 major airports on several family friendly factors including children’s play areas and facilities, food options for children and the security process.
The busiest airports in Scotland took the top two spots with Glasgow International Airport coming second in the poll, just behind Edinburgh Airport.
At the other end of the scale, the study by Skyscanner, Europe’s leading travel search site, saw Heathrow come bottom of the list of the UK’s top 10 airports. The UK’s busiest airport, carrying more than 69m passengers each year, was criticised for its lack of children’s play areas, its overcrowding and small seating areas.
Airports in the North West fared better with Liverpool and Manchester hitting third and fourth spot respectively.
Gatwick, which rolled out a number of family friendly initiatives last year and is the UK’s second busiest airport carrying more than 33m passengers each year, came fifth in the poll. The airport, which is the highest ranked serving the capital, was noted for its accessibility and healthy eating options
Top 10 Family Friendly Airports
| Ranking | Airport | Overall score (out of 10) |
| 1 | Edinburgh | 7.26 |
| 2 | Glasgow International | 7.18 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 7.13 |
| 4 | Manchester | 6.95 |
| 5 | Gatwick | 6.91 |
| 6 | Luton | 6.76 |
| 7 | Birmingham | 6.76 |
| 8 | Stansted | 6.69 |
| 9 | Bristol | 6.56 |
| 10 | Heathrow | 6.53 |
For further information go to www.skyscanner.net and listen to James Ellis in the following podcast:
