Booking BA "Young Adult" flying alone

[chrissw]

We need to book a ticket for a 15-year old on BA (within Europe) and today I find that the BA web site is no longer allowing me to do that, instead telling me that I have to call them to make the booking. Previously, it was always possible to make this booking online, because everyone of 12 or above was an "adult."

This seems to be a consequence of the change to remove Air Passenger Duty from passengers up to 16 years of age, consequently requiring airlines to treat children up to and including 15 as a different type of passenger.

However, my suspicion, which I'm quite ready to have proved wrong, is that BA can now charge me extra for making a telephone booking. I can't think of any technical reason why I shouldn't be able to do this online.

I realise that this is a bit of a rant but if anyone has any information or just a reaction, then please go ahead and share it!

[KelvinD]

Is this to do with BA scrapping the unaccompanied minor scheme, perhaps?

[chrissw]

That crossed my mind as well, and I did think of replying to the existing thread on that subject, but after a moment of reflection it seemed clear that it probably isn't related. Previously, everyone of 12 years of age and more was classed as an "adult" with BA. That is no longer the case.

It's just that I think I've heard that BA charge more for bookings made over the telephone, and I suspect they are using the removal of APD for 12-15 year olds as an "opportunity" to force people to book over the phone. There is no explanation as to why you have to do this; the web site just tells you that you must do it this way.

[BKS Air Transport]

Last year I tried to make a booking which the website would not let me do. When I rang I mentioned this to the agent, who then said there would be no additional fee.

[Hotel Tango]

It has always been my experience with any legacy airline that if a booking cannot be made online due to system constraints they do not charge for a telephone booking.

[Ancient Observer]

I agree with Hotel Tango.

I have called BA to make bookings when their useless website will not do what a reasonable customer wants, and I have not been charged.

[wiggy]

The reason is explained on ba.com....Google is your friend

British Airways - Young adults

[WHBM]

What an excellent euphemism for BA's IT development team having not got the job complete.

Due to the changes we have made to ba.com to stop charging APD for young adults, you are currently unable to make online bookings for young adults to travel alone.

Our colleagues over on Flyertalk have got a 28 page (and building) thread, including contributions and indeed some proposed fixes by a number of notable IT pros, on errors and omissions on the BA website, which you will see is read by the BA IT management !

Issues, bugs and glitches on ba.com website [Please keep thread clutter-free!] - FlyerTalk Forums

[chrissw]

Thank you for holding

So I've taken the plunge and called BA sales. I've been on hold for 20 minutes already...do they actually want to sell me a ticket or not and this is costing me 7p/minute as well...