Airlines know that their future for the next several decades lies in the travel habits of the largest traveling demographic – millennials. And 54% of those millennial travelers have children (a number that is growing.)
What’s more, nearly 40 percent of the $270 billion in leisure travel is multigenerational – grandparents, children and grandkids. This number is also expected to grow as Baby Boomers downsize their homes and look to travel destinations as a way to host holidays and vacations.
The FAA forecasts continued growth in Air Travel. So, what are airlines and airports doing to increase loyalty and deliver a positive experience?
Travel by air has become more of a priority as families spread out across the country and travel is more highly valued. As mentioned, millennials are the most active of travelers, and their travel plans are most likely to include kids. (More than previous generations.) However, this isn’t true for many of our Variety KC parents. They felt flying was impossible, “what if their kids acted out or became scared?”
Experience tells us that including our kids in travel plans just takes some adaptations and extra planning. In Variety’s drive to make KC the most inclusive city in the country, when plans for a new airport were announced…we knew it was the next challenge in our #inclusionrevolution.
We are thrilled to announce the new KCI Terminal will have the world’s first Variety KC Inclusive play zone. The Variety KC Family Play Zone will be in the new terminal as an area for all kids to play, relax, explore, and enjoy before or after flights. It will be located in the domestic flight area and is the first of its kind.
Parents can plug in while kids play and release energy, dream of landing a plane at the airport all while making friends, getting exercise and feel included.
All kids – able bodied or those with medical equipment like wheelchairs and walkers, will be able to utilize the entire play area. Helping to support inclusion, diversity, tolerance, and acceptance. It is equipped with sensory panels, has a flight tower with the real sounds of the KCI tower landing planes, TVs in the tower play Variety KC exercise videos, and there is an airplane for kids to dream of being a pilot or passenger.
It is the world’s first and includes a KC skyline to show all our inclusive partners that are helping to make KC the Most inclusive city in the world. There will also be a universal changing station in a nearby restroom for all families to change their child with dignity and ease.
This play area will be seen by almost 14 million visitors each year. Our hope is others will follow our lead to make their cities inclusive for ALL kiddos. We are hoping KC becomes a destination for travel for all families with special needs to explore all we have to offer for all family members to play and vacation together with many offerings.
Visit https://varietykc.org/kci/ to support our inclusive efforts
