More than half of holidaymakers admit the stress of preparing for a trip – including packing, and potentially forgetting something at home – takes the glow off what should be a dream trip. The study of 2,000 holidaymakers found getting to the airport on time (57 percent), and carrying heavy luggage (26 percent), are among the main causes of stress.
And the prospect of misplacing important travel documents also fills 23 percent with angst.
The average traveller takes an average 27.6kg of luggage away with them, across checked and hand luggage – but 33 percent admit they usually regret over-filling their cases.
And 25 percent have even questioned booking a holiday, when they thought about how much luggage they’d need.
More than three in five (62 percent) have squabbled with loved ones about overpacking, because they know they’ll end up carrying it for them.
And 41 percent would feel less stressed if someone carried their luggage to the airport.
The research was commissioned by London Luton Airport, to mark the launch of its new connection between Central London and London Luton Airport, via the Luton Airport Express.
A spokesman for the airport, which has also teamed up with American football team, London Blitz, to help passengers make journeys on the service easier, said: “We know that carrying heavy suitcases and bags can make the beginning of a holiday feel like hard work.
“And our research shows that luggage is one of the main causes of contention for travellers before embarking on their next adventure.
“That’s why we’ve teamed up with London Blitz, to literally take the weight off their holidaymakers’ shoulders this weekend.”
The research went on to find one in eight holidaymakers (12 percent) have even been brought to the verge of tears of frustration over having to lug their bags to the airport.
On average, those who travel start the process of packing their suitcases five days ahead of their trip – though some will start two weeks early.
And this takes the typical traveller a whopping 2.8 hours in total – with a tenth of respondents (11 percent) doing the packing for themselves, their partner, and the kids, according to the OnePoll.com data.
The spokesman from London Luton Airport, which is offering complimentary luggage-carrying service for passengers on the Luton Airport Express train from London St. Pancras on Saturday 10th June, added: “With our research finding just how much luggage passengers are carrying – as well as how long it takes to get everything packed – we want our passengers to be able to start their holiday as soon as they board.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
