Whether it’s teddy, Elmo or Barbie, for little travellers a holiday’s not a holiday without their favourite companion – which is why we’ve introduced the VIB – Very Important Buddy – scheme.
We know how attached our young customers are to their teddies and toys, so in a bid to reduce the number of cuddly companions lost in airports around the UK, we’re giving them the chance to check them in before they jet off on holiday.
Pint-sized passengers will be given a themed boarding pass for their toy at the check-in desk. When they get to the boarding gate, staff will exchange it for a special VIB tag, which the young traveller can then have as a holiday keepsake.
With Gatwick Airport alone seeing as many as 30 lost toys handed in each month, hopefully the VIB check-in service will help to make sure much-loved companions aren’t accidentally forgotten on the plane, or left twirling around the luggage carousel.
The service is available for kids travelling with Thomson Airways from all UK airports to destinations in Spain, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, the Algarve, Tunisia, Bulgaria, Mexico and Florida.
Here’s what Carl Gissing, Thomson Airways’ Director of Customer Service had to say about the scheme…
“As a family-friendly tour operator, we like to make a fuss of children travelling on our holidays, both in resort and on their flight, and we are always looking for new ways to enhance our customers’ holiday experiences. We know that kids will love checking their toys in and taking home the VIB tag as a souvenir!”
What do you think of the VIB scheme? Do your little ones have a special travelling companion that they’ll be checking in? Let us know in the box below.
Is this service still going to be available throughout July 2013?
I would love for my daughter to take her “baby bunnie” on the flight with her but always stuff it in her back pack in the morning as we stay in a hotel at the airport the night before.
I think she would absolutely love it
Hi Marcus, that will be wonderful for her to take her little travel buddy. We do have the option available on selected routes where we can print off a themed boarding card for your daughter and her little buddy. She’ll be able to carry her ‘baby bunnie’ with her.
I love this idea … I’m 48 and Merryweather goes with me on all my holidays. He was a 21st birthday gift from my late partner. He has his own passport (the old blue type) and i always try to get it stamped whenever he goes outside the EU. The VIB service would be great if he could benefit from this.
Hi Andi, We’re glad you like the idea. The VIB service is aimed at the little ones, however you can always ask at check-in and see whether you can take advantage of our VIB service, and get a boarding pass for Merryweather.
I think this is a great idea but is it only available to the destinations that are listed? we are going to the dominican republic in 4 weeks and my son would love this. thank you
Hi Gillian, Unfortunately it’s only available for those airports mentioned. I’m sorry for any disappointment this has caused.
in the blog it says all uk airports? so do you mean only the destinations mentioned? and if so yes this is very disapponting
Hi Gillian, Yes it’s only currently available at the Resort airports that are mentioned. Sorry for any confusion.
In the summer of 2013 I will be flying with you but I will be 12 so can I still do this
Hi Adam, It’s available for all kids travelling with us, so don’t worry, you’ll get your VIB Boarding Pass too.
I have read about this previously & my daughter took her bear when flying out to bodrum on the 3rd september, unfortunately this didn’t happen and she was so disappointed as I had told her it would!
It’s disappointing to hear this, Charlotte. Did the check-in staff give you a reason why this wasn’t available?
great idea, I left my teddy on the bus to the Gran Tinerfe in Tenerife when i was 5, and 40 years later I am still traumatised by it! Wish they had had that system then! Mind you his replacement always wore a luggage label round his neck from then on, whenever he flew!
Elly
regarding VIB my daughter and myself are travelling to Tunsia on 02/09/2012 and although my daughter is 20 she has always taken @blue Bear@ on holiday with her, her world would come to an end if she lost him, would be be possible for the to have a boarding pass for him. He has travelled everywhere with, he has even been into hospital and in the operating room with her.
Hi Rosemarie, The VIB service is aimed at the little ones, however your daughter can always ask at check-in and see whether she can take advantage of our VIB service, and get a boarding pass for Blue Bear. ^Amarita
I still take my teddy on holiday and i’m nearly 22! I love this idea! ha!
We’re glad you like our teddy bear check-in, Apryl. What’s yours called?
This is a brill idea. We recently travelled with Thomsons to Mainland Spain and must admit I was really disappointed that the kids didn’t even get a colouring paper on board the aircraft. At 2 and 5 travelling on an aeroplane is a big deal but none of the staff made it feel that way.
We are having a family holiday to Cyprus in August and I know my Grandson would be thrilled with this idea !! Still not clear how to put it into action though ????
Hi Mrs Dennis, It’s great to hear that your grandson is looking forward to taking his favourite teddy onboard with him when you travel to Cyprus. You’ll just need to take your dedicated ‘VIB’ with you to the airport and the boarding pass for the toy will be given to you by the check-in staff. And then when you get to the boarding gate, staff will exchange it for the special VIB tag.
I hope that helps and you all have a great holiday in Cyprus.
thanks so much !
What a fantastic idea! No children of my own just yet but this would be a great novelty when travelling with my niece for example
Great idea, shame we werent told about this before or during check in, then we wouldn’t have left the Bratz Doll on the plane. Hopefully it’ll be found….
I’m sorry to hear about the Bratz doll, Rachel. This is brand new but will hopefully prevent your little ones teddy or doll from going walkabouts onboard.
Fantastic idea, My kids will love this. Well done Thomson
How do you go about this~????? we off 2 menorca nxt june and would love to do this 4 my daughter
Hi Summara, You’ll just need to tell the check-in staff that you’ve got a VIB travelling with you and they’ll be able to help.