So you’ve enjoyed a memorable holiday or weekend getaway in Gibraltar and you’re on your way home to the UK on an EasyJet flight. What is it you most dread about your return? According to new research by the low-cost airline… an empty fridge!
More than two-thirds of British passengers returning from a trip away named this as their number one post-holiday annoyance (69 per cent). Not far behind in the list of gripes were arriving with a mountain of post-holiday washing (67 per cent) and unpacking suitcases (62 per cent).
Nevertheless, 93 per cent of Brits still believe that an annual holiday is important “as it gives us a chance to relax”, while 78 per cent say it is the thing they most look forward to all year long. They note that the main benefits of going on holiday are being able to spend time with family (53 per cent), enjoy better weather (48 per cent), experience different cultures (36 per cent), and have time away from work and responsibilities (31 per cent).
Over two-thirds (71 per cent) also admit to feeling like they need another holiday as soon as they return from sunnier climes. To ease those feelings and “stay in holiday mode for as long as possible”, 80 per cent scroll through photo memories on their return, 55 per cent eat traditional food and drink from their holiday destination, and 39 per cent play international music hits.
The research was commissioned in conjunction with the launch of a new food delivery partnership with Uber Eats. As part of this partnership, EasyJet and Uber have created a special “Post-holiday Fridge Filler” Menu from Sainsbury’s, “which means weary post-holiday passengers can order the top post-holiday cupboard and fridge essentials with zero stress”.
The findings also revealed that the most important food item UK travellers need to stock up on when they return from holiday is milk (78 per cent), closely followed by bread (69 per cent) and butter (38 per cent). As for cravings on their return, the classic cup of tea is the first priority (35 per cent).
All these products are available on EasyJet’s curated “Restock the Fridge” menu on Uber Eats. “However, it turns out that European holidays do rub off on us with three-quarters (72 per cent) admitting to developing an appetite for the local cuisine when abroad, which we then try to recreate back at home.”
Referring to the study, EasyJet chief commercial officer Sophie Dekkers said, “With many of us returning from summer travels in the coming weeks we wanted to try and ease the burden of our post-holiday chores. We’re delighted to have partnered with Uber Eats and curate this special menu from Sainsbury’s to ensure our customers can return home to unpack the suitcase and leave it to us to pack their fridge.
“We know that an annual holiday is incredibly important, this year more than ever, with 93 per cent of those surveyed agreeing, so we hope this partnership makes it easier for our customers when they return and are hopefully inspired to recreate their holiday cuisine when home.”
Added Uber Eats general manager Sunjiv Shah, “Us Brits love our food, so it’s no surprise that arriving home to an empty fridge after your holiday is our biggest post-holiday annoyance. Thankfully Uber Eats customers can now take advantage of this amazing offer with EasyJet to get their hands on delicious food in as little as 20 minutes.”
The partnership is due to continue throughout September, with EasyJet customers landing at London Gatwick or London Luton (both airports serviced on the airline’s Gibraltar routes) offered 50 per cent off when they spend up to £20.
Top 10 Post-Holiday Bugbears
- Returning to an empty fridge with no food in it (69%)
- Having to tackle a mountain of post-holiday washing (67%)
- Unpacking your suitcase (62%)
- Catching up on lots of emails (51%)
- Opening and going through the post (50%)
- Adjusting to the British weather (43%)
- Dusting around the house (31%)
- Jet lag (27%)
- Bringing dead house plants back to life (21%)
- Watering plants in the garden (20%)