Logistics: airline escorts for children
Discussion
British Airways do a scheme for kids aged 5-12 called Skyflier Solo.
For a 4 year old, I'm not sure you'll find an airline to do it.
Actually, here's a handy site. Seem Qatar do that age group but I've no idea if they fly to Miami.
http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/unaccomp...
For a 4 year old, I'm not sure you'll find an airline to do it.
Actually, here's a handy site. Seem Qatar do that age group but I've no idea if they fly to Miami.
http://www.cheapflights.co.uk/travel-tips/unaccomp...
Edited by Manicminer on Wednesday 30th May 22:15
I had the same airline escort when I was circa 9 years old.
I was dumped off at the airport (s
tting myself) into some random closed 'kids' room (made matters worse tbh) met by some surly airline hostesses who simply went through the motions until i was parked on the plane.
Where I sat on my tod, stting myself. Again, only more so.
My first flight, I don't thank my parents much for putting me through that experience on my own.
For a 4 year old I'd seriously be looking at what the escorts provide as opposed to whether it's possible
I was dumped off at the airport (s
tting myself) into some random closed 'kids' room (made matters worse tbh) met by some surly airline hostesses who simply went through the motions until i was parked on the plane.Where I sat on my tod, s
tting myself. Again, only more so.My first flight, I don't thank my parents much for putting me through that experience on my own.
For a 4 year old I'd seriously be looking at what the escorts provide as opposed to whether it's possible
Step-son flew like this to canaries when he was 6 to see his dad.
BA were great and other than the nerves for the first time he had a great time. I think he was sat beside a non English speaking chap on one flight, which meant he could not talk about Bristol City so they moved him.
I think he flew when a little older with one of the charter airlines and they were crap. He was on the plane and in his seat before the escort realised she had lost him or the on board staff realised that they had a unaccompanied minor on board.
4 sounds very young though.
BA were great and other than the nerves for the first time he had a great time. I think he was sat beside a non English speaking chap on one flight, which meant he could not talk about Bristol City so they moved him.
I think he flew when a little older with one of the charter airlines and they were crap. He was on the plane and in his seat before the escort realised she had lost him or the on board staff realised that they had a unaccompanied minor on board.
4 sounds very young though.
I work in aviation.
Airlines carry Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) all the time, so we are well practised at it and only rarely do we lose them
. The UM services are for children aged 5-12, so 4 is too young, unfortunately. Below is the relevant info, pasted from BA.com. The main tip I would offer is that if you want to book an UM on a flight at the beginning or end of the school holidays, book as early as possible as very limited numbers of UMs can be carried on on each flight.
Skyflyer Solo service booking information
When you book your child to travel on a flight by themselves, we know you want to make sure they’re safe and have a fun flight. We offer a special service for children travelling alone called Skyflyer Solo for just that reason.
Things you need to know before booking
All children travelling alone, between the ages of 5 and 12 years old must be booked with the Skyflyer Solo service.
Children between their 12th and 18th birthdays requesting assistance can also be registered as unaccompanied minors by following the same booking process.
We charge for the Skyflyer Solo service, which must be booked and paid for together with your child’s flight. If not, cancellation and re-issue fees will be charged.
The Skyflyer Solo service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of the flight’s departure, otherwise it will not be possible for your child to travel.
All flights must be confirmed at the time of booking.
Children from age five upwards can travel alone on a single sector, direct, non-stop flight only.
Children from the age of six can travel alone on any British Airways flight.
If you are booking through your travel agent, please take your child’s passport with you, as you will need to show this to make the booking.
Check that all visas and other formalities have been completed.
Additional documentation is needed for some countries when your child is travelling alone.
Please note that we cannot accept:
children travelling on any journeys which include a transfer between London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports
children on any journeys which involve a night-stop, transfer or stopover exceeding six hours, unless you have arranged for your child to be met and cared for at the transfer point. Full contact details must be provided before the child can be accepted for their first flight
How to make a booking
You can book your child’s flight and the Skyflyer Solo service by contacting your local British Airways office or your travel agent.
Contact us to make a booking
The Skyflyer Solo service cannot be booked on ba.com.
Cost of the service
In most cases we will charge the adult fare for children travelling alone. In addition to the flight price, the Skyflyer Solo service fee per child, per sector, is approximately:
US $50 ($100 return trip) for shorthaul flights and flights within the UK
US $75 ($150 return trip) for longhaul flights
Exchange rates fluctuate, so the price may vary.
Airlines carry Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) all the time, so we are well practised at it and only rarely do we lose them
. The UM services are for children aged 5-12, so 4 is too young, unfortunately. Below is the relevant info, pasted from BA.com. The main tip I would offer is that if you want to book an UM on a flight at the beginning or end of the school holidays, book as early as possible as very limited numbers of UMs can be carried on on each flight. Skyflyer Solo service booking information
When you book your child to travel on a flight by themselves, we know you want to make sure they’re safe and have a fun flight. We offer a special service for children travelling alone called Skyflyer Solo for just that reason.
Things you need to know before booking
All children travelling alone, between the ages of 5 and 12 years old must be booked with the Skyflyer Solo service.
Children between their 12th and 18th birthdays requesting assistance can also be registered as unaccompanied minors by following the same booking process.
We charge for the Skyflyer Solo service, which must be booked and paid for together with your child’s flight. If not, cancellation and re-issue fees will be charged.
The Skyflyer Solo service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of the flight’s departure, otherwise it will not be possible for your child to travel.
All flights must be confirmed at the time of booking.
Children from age five upwards can travel alone on a single sector, direct, non-stop flight only.
Children from the age of six can travel alone on any British Airways flight.
If you are booking through your travel agent, please take your child’s passport with you, as you will need to show this to make the booking.
Check that all visas and other formalities have been completed.
Additional documentation is needed for some countries when your child is travelling alone.
Please note that we cannot accept:
children travelling on any journeys which include a transfer between London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports
children on any journeys which involve a night-stop, transfer or stopover exceeding six hours, unless you have arranged for your child to be met and cared for at the transfer point. Full contact details must be provided before the child can be accepted for their first flight
How to make a booking
You can book your child’s flight and the Skyflyer Solo service by contacting your local British Airways office or your travel agent.
Contact us to make a booking
The Skyflyer Solo service cannot be booked on ba.com.
Cost of the service
In most cases we will charge the adult fare for children travelling alone. In addition to the flight price, the Skyflyer Solo service fee per child, per sector, is approximately:
US $50 ($100 return trip) for shorthaul flights and flights within the UK
US $75 ($150 return trip) for longhaul flights
Exchange rates fluctuate, so the price may vary.
Edited by Bradgate on Saturday 2nd June 01:16
4 is far too young, if the travel is that important you should go with them.
I often see children who are fine at check in reduced to tears at the gate and refuse to fly, there is no question then, they are offloaded straight away.
Most airlines pay for the airport assistance service to take UMs to the gate, some don't even to do this, and rely on the check in / gate staff to collect / deliver.
I often see children who are fine at check in reduced to tears at the gate and refuse to fly, there is no question then, they are offloaded straight away.
Most airlines pay for the airport assistance service to take UMs to the gate, some don't even to do this, and rely on the check in / gate staff to collect / deliver.
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