**easyJet Unveils ‘Airplane Mode’ Initiative to Encourage Family Connections This Summer**
As millions of families across the UK prepare for their summer getaways, easyJet has announced a new campaign designed to bring them closer together during their travel. Partnering with writer and activist Katie Piper, as well as child development specialist Tanith Carey, the airline is launching ‘Airplane Mode’—an initiative aimed at helping families disconnect from screens and reconnect with each other from the very start of their holiday.
The move comes in response to findings from a recent easyJet-commissioned survey, which captures the mounting concern among parents about the role of mobile devices and social media in family life. The research, involving 2,000 parents and children aged 11 to 17, revealed that nearly 70% of parents worry about the impact of screen time on their children, while a similar number admitted to spending too much time on their own mobiles. Over half conceded to excessive use of social media themselves, highlighting that the challenge of digital distraction is a shared family issue.
The ‘Airplane Mode’ initiative centres around a bespoke card game that will be distributed for free to families flying from select UK airports throughout the summer, while supplies last. This interactive game, filled with thought-provoking questions and playful charades, is intended to spark conversation among family members—on everything from school and friendships to bigger life topics.
easyJet say their research shows that holidays have emerged as one of the most important occasions for families to reconnect, with nearly 70% of parents identifying travel as their prime opportunity for meaningful engagement with their children. Notably, almost half of those surveyed plan to take more family holidays this year than last, with quality time, wellbeing, and a desire to reconnect cited as the key motivators.
Kenton Jarvis, CEO of easyJet, said, “The summer holidays offer families a rare chance to set aside their daily distractions and truly enjoy each other’s company. Our hope is that the Airplane Mode card game encourages families to switch off their phones and make lasting memories—right from take-off.”
Katie Piper, involved in developing the game, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the summer break offers an ideal window for families to ‘press pause’ on screens and ‘press play’ on real conversations. She commented, “Embracing genuine connections and taking a reflective approach as a family is not always easy in our busy lives. The card game is a light-hearted tool to jump-start conversations—not only about day-to-day things, but also about topics that might otherwise get overlooked.”
Child development expert Tanith Carey, who supported the creation of the initiative, advises that parents use holidays as a springboard for building deeper connections. “Giving children a phone has become standard by secondary school age, but it’s vital to make deliberate space for proper conversation and shared experiences. Games like this can strengthen bonds and foster vital social skills,” she explained. Carey recommends parents embrace the chance to ask new questions, share their own stories, and prioritise face-to-face interaction at the beginning of the trip to set the tone for the holiday.
The research also unearthed that a significant proportion of children feel disconnected from their families—45% of young respondents expressed a desire to be more present with their loved ones, and over two-thirds said family time positively benefits their mood and wellbeing. There is an evident appetite, among both adults and children, for stronger familial ties—a sentiment that the ‘Airplane Mode’ project hopes to nurture.
Beyond just the card game, the campaign also features a series of voice notes from influencers and easyJet crew, including Katie Piper, wellness advocates Jaycie Fry and Will Ainslie, sharing their reflections on the importance of open discussion and self-worth. These audio messages address issues such as positive body image and healthy masculinity—topics parents often wish they could talk about more.
With over 6,000 sets of the card game being made available at airports like London Gatwick, Manchester, and Edinburgh, easyJet is making a sizable commitment to this campaign. The initiative reflects a growing recognition—both within families and among companies—of the need to reshape the relationship with technology and reclaim the value of togetherness.
For many, holidays remain a treasured time to create memories, but as the easyJet survey underscores, these moments are increasingly threatened by a digital world that never switches off. The ‘Airplane Mode’ card game may be a modest step, but it is one that symbolises a broader push to ensure holidays can once again be a time of real connection, conversation and family fun—no Wi-Fi required.