Little Helpers bring festive cheer for travellers at Heathrow

Heathrow has enlisted hundreds of ‘Little Helpers’ to kick off the festive season for passengers by giving away 10,000 Christmas gifts.

The gifts from the airport’s shops, bars and restaurants range from teddy bears, perfumes and Pret breakfasts to free flights and lounge access, and will be given out across all four terminals in the run up to New Year in a bid spread Christmas cheer.

This December will be the biggest Christmas getaway in three years and it will be needed as over three million passengers are expected to travel through Heathrow in the last two weeks of the month for festive breaks at home and abroad – double that of the same period last year.

Holidaymakers are split in what they look for in a winter trip, with the most popular destinations set to be chilly New York and sunny Dubai.

To further add to passengers’ Christmas spirit, Heathrow has launched an advent calendar on its website and app, containing offers for those travelling through the airport until December 25. Behind the windows lie discounts from Heathrow shops, bonus points from Heathrow Rewards, exclusive World Duty Free promotions and deals on festive-inspired food and beverage menus.

Heathrow’s director of services, Tonia Fielding, said:  “After three years of restricted travel, we are looking forward to welcoming millions of passengers who will be passing through Heathrow this December to go on festive breaks with family and friends.

“We have been working closely with all our partners across the airport to recruit more colleagues to provide a great airport experience.

“We want to ensure passengers can depart as they mean to go on and enjoy the holiday season from the moment they arrive at Heathrow. We hope our Little Helpers will spread a bit of festive spirit this Christmas.”

Heathrow’s Little Helpers are staffed from the airport’s Here to Help programme, which is now in its twelfth year and forms part of Heathrow’s efforts to ensure the very best airport experience for passengers.

Over 750 Heathrow colleagues from non-operational and office-based roles took to the airport this summer to contribute 10,000 hours’ worth of additional customer support and help manage the pressures in the airport.

The Little Helpers will be easily recognisable, donning purple Santa hats and located near one of the 25 Christmas trees spread across the terminals.