Low fares leader, Jetstar has been nominated as an award finalist in the running to be crowned World’s Best Airline for Family Travel.

Jetstar is the only carrier in the Asia Pacific to be nominated in the top six by Kids First Fund – a US based organisation devoted to helping kids in need across the world – for the Family Friendly Airline Award.

Jetstar Group CEO, Bruce Buchanan is thrilled Jetstar has been nominated for this award recognising airlines who dedicate their efforts to families.

‘Since Jetstar began in 2004, we’ve been passionate about providing products and services that not only make travelling for families more affordable but also more entertaining and family friendly. Our aim is to help families connect and holiday together to more places, more often, for less. This nomination is a huge honour for Jetstar, Mr Buchanan said.

‘We know it’s the little things that have made us popular with our customers, like offering to carry prams, pushers and car seats free of charge and having Warner Brothers characters at the airport to entertain children during the busy school holiday periods.

‘We’re also dedicated to our StarKids Program though World Vision which aims to raise money for projects in Australia and South East Asia that positively impact children and families living in poverty,’ he said.

Jetstar is recognised for; its dedicated family website (www.jetstar.com/familytravel), offering theme park tickets for purchase onboard flights, offering ‘Kid’s fly, stay and eat free’ deals, and its future plans to rent iPad’s with kid’s eBooks and games.

When selecting award finalists, judges were asked to rate each airline in providing; an enjoyable flight experience for children, greater comfort and convenience to parents, a better onboard environment for other travellers and exceptional examples of innovation.

Judge and Vice President of Marketing for TravelZoo North America, Lisa Moore said, ‘Judging the nominations provided a global view of the services airlines provide for children and families.

‘These [nominated] airlines are also savvy marketers, because they know a happy child creates a better in-flight experience for all, from weary parents to business travellers seeking peace and quiet,’ she said.

In 2009, Jetstar won the SkyTrax Best Low Cost Airline – Australia and New Zealand award, CAPA Low Cost Carrier of the Year 2007 & 2008 and in 2007, won SkyTrax Best Cabin Crew – Australia and New Zealand and Best Low Cost Carrier – Worldwide.