mad city fan

Has anyone sent there children back to the U.K alone, we have read that Quantas do a unaccompanied minors service has anyone on here used this, if so I would love to hear, (my boys are age 12 and 14) any advice would be greatly appreciated Thankyou

Hebe

I don't have children but a friend of mine sends her two back each year with Qantas (they are now 14 and 16) and is more than happy with the service.

I know many who have also done this in the past between the USA and uk and no problems at all

John_R

My 14 year old daughter flew back alone at Christmas, with Cathay Pacific. She loved it and had no worries. They boarded her fist along with the AOP's lol. Upon landing at the Hong Kong, staff greeted her as she walked off the plane and escorted her to her next gate for boarding. They didn't stay with her, but we knew that and she was happy with that.


John

quoll

Yup, one of mine went back on his own at 9 and was treated royally and had a great time. He went with Qantas and had already made many domestic UM flights with them beforehand (since he was 5 give or take a few days LOL). The other was a little older when he went on his own. I think it is a fabulous experience of adventure for kids whilst well monitored.

jothefw

9!!

Wow! We've always discussed this as being an option but not until our boys are perhaps 12 & 13 ish.

Pleased to hear such positive experiences.

Buzzy--Bee

A good friend of mine lived with his parents in Malawi, Africa, but was sent to a UK boarding school. He flew unaccompanied between Africa and the UK from the age of 8!

BB

NickyC

But most likely along with half a plane-load of other unaccompanied kids all supervised by an airline 'auntie'.

I used to work for BCAL back in the 70's who had many routes into Africa in those days. I did a few flights to and from Lusaka in Zambia before and after school holidays. Those flights were full of kids coming and going to boarding schools.

They were invariably great kids - really well-behaved, and knew what was what, having done it six times a year, alone, for years. I remember being gob-smacked when a small child calmly got out his syringe after a meal and gave himself his insulin jab.

I think the rule back then was that kids 8 and over could travel alone but as official 'unaccompanied minors' (they had a label on them!) and they were never left anywhere unsupervised and officially 'handed over' to the next person who was then responsible for them.

Younger kids, under 8, had to travel with an airline 'auntie' if they were unaccompanied. Parents had to pay for a ticket for these people but they were often shared by lots of kids.

IvanM

I flew age 14 on own a lot. No probs. Quite enjoyed it. The kids will be fine. I remember letting airline know I was on unaccompanied ticket to ensure good service when flight was cancelled. They would do anything to be rid of a little &&it like me.

mad city fan

Feeling more confident and assured after reading just those few replies thanks guys