Unaccompanied minors on budget airlines

[Gertrude the Wombat]

Not allowed. Not at all not nohow.

Not on Ryanair or Easyjet anyway, being the ones relevant to the route our kid needs to take.

So the choices appear to be:

(a) buy the kid a ticket on a full price airline for EUR 600, or:

(b) one of us flies out and accompanies the kid home, being three tickets on the budget airline, total lots less than EUR 600 but a hell of a lot of hassle.

Are those really the only options? We're talking about a reasonably bright 13yo here, with the airlines' limit being 14.

[PAXboy]

Yesterday, I collected my niece (almost 13) from a full fare carrier, after long haul (SAA into LHR). She said that they did look after her at both ends and all the way through to airside. Although I did not notice the person, she said that they were right behind her as she came through the doors.

OK, this was long haul but I would be very anxious with anything less than being accompanied by the carrier.

If you cannot make the return trip, perhaps, get a trusted member of your family to spend a day reading a book whilst making the journey? As you say, still cheaper than paying full carrier cost.

I think my concern is for when things go wrong. If the flight is delayed or re-routed. Someone who can wield a credit card and make awkward decisions? If they are with a full service airline then you will get all of that and relays of information on the delay. If you are a small family, or they live far away, perhaps a 'god parent' of the child would like to help out as in loco parentis for 24 hours?

Out of interest and feed back to the rest of the forum, please let us know your decision and the outcome, as this is a subject that we have not had here for (I think) the last two years, at least. Thanks.

[Hartington]

Can I suggest that before asking someone who is NOT the legal parent or guardian to accompany the child you check the documentation requirements at both ends of the route.

Also the person accompanying cannot fly out and back on the same plane (or at least I don't think it's feasible). The turnaround time of a low cost is often less than the check in time. Go one flight early!

[under_exposed]

Strikes me that there is a gap in the market here for anyone who likes flying.

[Gaza]

The cost of providing UM service is very high therefore it doesn't fit with the low cost strategy.

She may just be a year short of being allowed to travel on her own but she is just that - a year short. With any age restriction there is always someone who falls just short.

BA have recently introduced a charge for the UM service. Press release below.

Effective and selling from 01 August 2003, British Airways is introducing a charge for the carriage of Unaccompanied Minors (UMs). This is being implemented in order to contribute to the costs of running the UM service (Skyflyer Solo) which is used by around 150,000 youngsters each year.

From 01 August 2003, bookings for an Unaccompanied Minor to fly with British Airways will be charged a fare supplement of:

NUC50.00/USD50.00 or approximately £32 or Euro47, for a single journey.

NUC100.00/USD100.00 or approximately £64 or Euro94, for a return journey.

The supplement is expressed in neutral units of construction (NUCs) to facilitate the use of a Q surcharge on tickets in different currencies.

Notes:
a) e-Ticket must be used for UMs where it can be applied.
b) Tickets issued for UMs before 01 August 2003 are not subject to the supplement.
c) The supplement is refundable if the booking is cancelled at least 7 days before travel

[Jordan D]

It seems this is an issue that is set to run ... maybe an organistation could be set up (and make a quick buck whilst there at it!)

Jordan

[PAXboy]

I suspect that there isn't a market to opened up.

Even if there are 150,000 UMs per year with BA, you would have to cover all the major routes and pay for the seat and the time of an experienced and competent child minder. Approvals and vetting would be a nightmare - especially across multiple countries.

Whilst one might be able to approach this rather like the old fashioned courier business, I think that trying to field staff across a wide network - when you only want them to work piece meal - would be difficult. Would you get agreement from families that you can look after children from multiple families at the same time, for a lower fee?

Two simple thoughts. Your company receives a request to escort two children on a flight and their parent's say - We've booked them in Club as usual. Will they pay another club fare?

Or, they are booked in Y but the flight is fully booked. They will not even accept an overbooking and early check-in, then you cannot get the business.

Long haul is another problem: Your escort is going to need to snooze at some point, whereas cabin crew have always got someone on lookout.

Many moons ago, BOAC had some 'aunty's that rode with the children who were travelling out/back to colonial homes/schools but that has gone. Now they are charging a supplement to look after them and it will work.

Whilst there might be room for a specialised agency, within a circle of friends and business associates, I doubt that it could work more widely. But I sit to be corrected.

[under_exposed]

Paxboy, I was looking at the high end only and rather a network of escorts it would be just me as I would rather sit on an aircraft for 8 hours than sit at this computer for 8 hours.
Obviously I would only take children travelling in buisness or higher and the parants would pay for my ticket and other expenses as well as my high chargeout rate.
No I do not believe it would really work - but it would be great if it were possible.

[You want it when?]

I'm uncomfortable with the idea of pawning my children off to travel somewhere without me or an adult they know. If for some reason I was in the position where I would do it then I would only choose a major airline and not a budget one for the service.

Sorry but it stinks of bad parenting, and then to moan that you cannot do it for a £19 EJ ticket makes me wonder even more.

[MarkD]

sorry if this offends, but sending a sub-14 year old off, no matter how "mature" in a world where Neil Robertson exists without proper accompaniment from check in to arrivals is crackers. As has been pointed out in previous threads on this subject, the cost and more pertinently legal exposure of night stops and diversions (and relative no-show at arrival) have forced companies like EI to discontinue after many years of UM carriage.

[newswatcher]

I think this was on one of the "Airline" TV programs during the past few days.

Covered period just after GO had been absorbed by Easyjet.

Child had previously been allowed unaccompanied on GO, to visit father in Spain. Mother thought that the same applied to Easyjet, and booked without reading the "small print". On arrival at airport (Bristol?) was advised child could not travel. Went away and came back with a "friend" she had "discovered" was on same flight. Check-in supervisor thorught she was "pulling a fast one", and refused to accept this arrangement.

At end of program, commentary said that supervisor was correct, and that the "friendship" had been manufactured.

[FastJet Wannabe]

The kind hearted soles at Air Berlin accept UM's.

I think the minimum age is 6 if I remember correctly, although I've seen all ages. I dispatched one last night with a 16 year old "UM" on board which made myself and the crew laugh!

Have seen some very young UMs too. At Air Berlin they will have a Servisair employee escort them and stay with them all the way from check-in to the aircraft door, where they'll be introduced to the number 1. On the return journey the same procedure happens in reverse, and the parent or guardian will need to show ID before the child is handed over.

Seems to work for Air Berlin as we have many UM's through STN daily, I once saw 10 on one flight!

[Bubbette]

I can't imagine why anyone would have to send a 6 year old by himself! My nephew is 7 and travels 7000 miles to visit relatives. Either a relative or a very close trusted friend takes him. You know there have been cases of molestation on long haul flights--and the FAs can't watch them all the time!

[ohitsmonday]

UMs should not be allowed FULLSTOP My children are either with me and/or their mother or family or very, very close friends. I would never leave them in the care of people I had not met.

Take responsibility for your own lives and the people that depend on you.

[bmibaby.com]

I have to disagree extremely strongly with the fact that UMs should not be allowed to fy unaccompanied.

Lots of my uncles and aunts live in Spain & Greece and so from the age of 6 I used to fly with British Airways, Iberia or Olympic from Heathrow to visit my family.

At bmibaby we used to accept unaccompanied minors from thw age of 11, however we gave them no assistance, I do not agree with letting 11 year olds running around an airport by themselves cause they'll get lost easily!

Now its 15, but I dont think you should not let UMS not fly.

[RatherBeFlying]

UM service is important to separated families who almost by definition are financially constrained.

As an SLF in Canada, I have commonly seen UMs and they seem to be conscientiously looked after.

One of my most delightful flights was YHM-YYC on West Jet, an economy carrier, with 3 sisters in the row behind me on the way to their grandparents who took turns talking my ears off and showing off their various toys, fuzzy animals and coloring books.

And yes, the cabin crew kept an appropriate eye out at all times.