Accompanied children flying with airline

[Dry wretched thunder]

Hi

wonder if anybody can advise with my querey i have. Im now based in Houston and work sees me less able to travel to see my children in the UK (3 off between 6 and 11 yrs) an option i have is accompanied and escorted flights for them via the airline (BA or KLM) from UK to Houston. I have done little research on this as an option and to be honest launching this post will likely give me the most useful feedback.
So my questions or thoughts are, is it viable ?. What would the associated costs be ?. How much of a bind will it be for them going through American immigration without me having flown with them ?. What else should i consider that i may not be just now ?

Thanks in advance

[ExXB]

You might want to change the subject of your post to 'Unaccompanied Minors', the industry term for what you describe.

I think both BA and KL have 'clubs', ie specialist teams who deal with these type of clients. Searching for Unaccompanied Minors or UM on their websites will give you an idea of what they have on offer. Have never used this service myself, but hundreds of UMs are travelling every day.

Edited to add: forget about searching the BA site, their search box pops down but doesn't get 'focus', so you can't enter any text there. (Swiss site, at least).

KLM has a lot of stuff here. https://www.klm.com/travel/us_en/prepare_for_travel/travel_planning/children/umnr_yp_framed.htm

[Tableview]

Most airlines carry UMs and the procedures are broadly similar but differ in detail. The service has to be requested as an SSR (special service request) as they will only carry a certain number of UMs per flight as an attendant has to be assigned to look after them both in the air and on the ground.

The airline will require full details of EOD and EOA (escort on departure and escort on arrival) and the latter is the only person to whom they will be handed over, and ID is required. The EOD is required to stay at the airport at least until the aircraft is airborne.

UMs are generally accepted between ages 5-14 but again that differs widely. Charges differ too, so the only way to get an accurate quote is to contact the specific airline direct.

Don't know about US carriers but despite my dislike for BA I have to say they are excellent in this regard. Have also used LH, LX and SA and been happy.

[radeng]

A couple of years back, there was a horror story here from a father whose 14 year old daughter was a UM on KLM. IIRC, there was a missed flight, kid left unaccompanied until eventually she was expected to share a hotel room with some boy she had never met, and the airline couldn't or wouldn't tell the father where she was.

I think it was around Christmas time two years back but it might have been more.....search the archives for more details.

[wiggy]

BA's scheme here:

British Airways - Children travelling alone (http://www.britishairways.com/travel/childinfo/public/en_gb)

[PAXboy]

Having once met my niece was travelling UM, I would to know that the carrier will escort the child to the person meeing them and to ensure that the child goes to them willingly.

Ideally, I would want the carrier to have asked in advance for a photograph of the 'meeter' and for the escort to have that photo for cross ref. But then, I might be over the top - as has been said - many UMs travel every day.

[Heathrow Harry]

The small Harry's and their friends used to travel as UM's for years - Qantas, SQ, BA, Cathay Specific, MAS etc etc

they loved it - they are spoilt rotten and the airlines are very very careful about looking after them and handing them over to the right person - we 've been asked to submit passport pages etc BEFORE they fly in some cases

[radeng]

I know BA are very careful with UMs.

[Dry wretched thunder]

All, this is excellent info, thanks so much...change made to the title too

Regards