bobajob

My 2 sons are not coming to Australia with me when i first move, They're coming over about 5 months later when the house is set up. I'm wondering if anyone has experience of sending them over as unaccompanied children with an airline. They are 17 and 10. It's not as though I don't trust the elder one, he's cool and doesn't stress too much. It's more for peace of mind for my partner and myself.

What happens when they come over that way?
Are they left on there own at any time?
Or is a member of the airline with them at all times?

Can someone help?

Thanks

wargod

British airways do a service called sky flyers (my sister actually does the job) which you have to pay for and they have a person who accompanies the child right up getting on the plane (if there are a number of children who are on the same flight using the service, they accompany during the flight as well).

The same applies when they land, and when they are greeted the person who greets them has to prove their identity. If I was sending my children I would use this service (probably not for the 17 year old but the 10 year old).

I dont know if other airlines do the same service.

Regards

Karen

Sandra

Depends on the airline but most have an assistance program - the 17 year old will still be able to request assistance. Each airline will have ages for the unaccompanied minor program they offer and there is usually an extra charge. Most programs I know offer the unaccompanied minor route up to age of about 12/14 after that you need to request assistance.

I send my kids unaccompanied quite often, two most recent flights were with Gulf Air (14 year old boy - he refused assistance but regretted it once he got to Bahrain!) Cathay Pacific last week with my daughter 13, we requested assistance and they took her through security and passport control and on to the plane, alerted the stewardesses she was there. At Hong Kong they let her use a special lounge but she could also leave the lounge if she chose. They checked her back on the flight to London and she was escorted through arrivals and emigration when she arrived and was taken through to my sister.

The assisted route might be a good idea as although the 17 year old is in charge at least he and you know someone else is checking up.

Ask your travel agents or contact the airlines you are considering yourself.

Cheers

NickyP

I have a 16 year old who wants to go back to Belgium for a holiday so I will look into this myself, thanks.
Nicky

bobajob

Hi Sandra

Thanks for that. We were starting to think we were the only people who have ever considered flying children long-haul unaccompanied!! We are booking flights soon, so your help is much appreciated.

Regards
Kat

Sandra

No worries I can bore for Ireland on the subject

We have had some people making comments about letting the children fly alone but with the cost of flights for a family of four it works out better to let them go back individually in their holidays (they have more time off than us ) to see the family in the UK. They have become quiet proficient travellers. They also have to fly on to Spain to see my mother once they have seen the rellies in the UK, but that is an easier flight (for me to worry about) as there are no stop overs .

This is the first time we have used Cathay and will be needing our daughters advice when we all fly as a family this July for a month in Spain. My son scoped out Bahrain for me and when I flew through a few months after him I was all ready with my stuff to use the showers and rest area.

Silly tips but they work for us - we make sure they have a decent amount of snacks and water bottles (they can refil from water fountains/plane etc) so they don't get flustered trying to buy stuff in the airports. We arm them with books and pens and walkmans/ipods and ensure they only have one lightweight backpack with lots of pockets. The one bag is important as they never manage to remember two! We insist on old baggy clothes (for comfort) and no expensive jackets as they can easily be forgotton.

Travel agents can help you also with the exit cards needed in different countries - here in Aus they give us them with the tickets or at the airport so we can fill them in and discuss what they mean with the kids. Though remind them to ask if in doubt the stewardesses as they obviously most helpful if asked.

Most airports websites supply online maps which can also give your kids a confidence boost if you print them off before hand then they have their own personal map to mark off where they need to go. Also Depending on the ticket type they get I ensure they have a couple of iternaries with Flight details on them so they can check easily without using tickets each time.

Usually with all my precautions - overdone! they lose something but I have never lost them and they have enjoyed the experience.

Don't worry too much

Cheers