From this Friday children will be able to travel free on the Heathrow Express.

The airport train service has run its ‘Kids go free’ offer in the past for limited periods of time.

But from Friday March 27th, as the Easter holidays begin, it becomes a permanent fixture.

This is part of the company’s plan to increase the number of leisure travellers using the 15-minute service.

The Kids go free offer applies to children under 16 accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Fraser Brown, director of Heathrow Express said: “As many parents know only too well, some travel organisations tend to charge families with children more, not less, in the school holidays.

“We are doing the opposite.

“Two thirds of the people who use our service are travelling on business.

“We want to encourage more leisure passengers, families in particular, to use our service.

“Allowing children to travel free at all times from now on is a key part of doing this.

“As well as making things easier for hard-working families heading abroad for a break, we also want to welcome more families visiting Britain from overseas.”

Heathrow Express topped the autumn National Rail Passenger Survey, published in January by Consumer Focus, with 94 per cent for ‘overall satisfaction.’ 

It is a non-stop train service between Paddington station and Heathrow.

With its electric trains taking 15 minutes, every 15 minutes, it is the fastest, most reliable and most sustainable way to travel to and from Britain’s hub airport.

Gordon Innes, chief executive of London & Partners, the official promotional organisation for the capital, said: “London is the most visited city in the world and plays hosts to millions of families each year.

“It’s great news that Heathrow Express are making visiting the capital even more affordable for families travelling with children.”