Unacompanied minor on flight
Mar 23rd 2015, 5:56 pm
#1
"In cruce vincam"
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Unacompanied minor on flight
Hi All
Do any of you have one of those letters of authorisation for a kid travelling unaccompanied to and from the UK that I could have a peek at please. Our eldest (12) is flying back to spend the summer with my mum and then mother in law and grand dad and cousins etc. She'll be chaperoned on the flights but she's never flown alone. I'm not sure what the letters authorising hand-overs need to contain. She's only ever flown with the rest of the family before.
Thanks for any info.
Do any of you have one of those letters of authorisation for a kid travelling unaccompanied to and from the UK that I could have a peek at please. Our eldest (12) is flying back to spend the summer with my mum and then mother in law and grand dad and cousins etc. She'll be chaperoned on the flights but she's never flown alone. I'm not sure what the letters authorising hand-overs need to contain. She's only ever flown with the rest of the family before.
Thanks for any info.
Mar 23rd 2015, 6:00 pm
#2
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
Airline takes care of that. If traveling as a UM, they will require details of person picking the child up at London and also picking them up in Canada when they return. Airline will ask for ID from the person picking them up and not hand them over to anyone else. That's what you pay your $100 for.
No need for an authorisation letter. This is when traveling with a lone parent.
No need for an authorisation letter. This is when traveling with a lone parent.
Mar 23rd 2015, 6:01 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,378
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
Hi All
Do any of you have one of those letters of authorisation for a kid travelling unaccompanied to and from the UK that I could have a peek at please. Our eldest (12) is flying back to spend the summer with my mum and then mother in law and grand dad and cousins etc. She'll be chaperoned on the flights but she's never flown alone. I'm not sure what the letters authorising hand-overs need to contain. She's only ever flown with the rest of the family before.
Thanks for any info.
Do any of you have one of those letters of authorisation for a kid travelling unaccompanied to and from the UK that I could have a peek at please. Our eldest (12) is flying back to spend the summer with my mum and then mother in law and grand dad and cousins etc. She'll be chaperoned on the flights but she's never flown alone. I'm not sure what the letters authorising hand-overs need to contain. She's only ever flown with the rest of the family before.
Thanks for any info.
Mar 23rd 2015, 6:02 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 9,708
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
Hi
1. Here is what Air Canada requires for UMs. Note 12 years UM is considered optional.
"At the airport
When you arrive at the airport, head for the Air Canada counter to begin check-in formalities.
You will first be asked to provide identification for your child. Only original documents are accepted (no photocopies)
For travel within Canada, children under 18 years of age must present a birth certificate, health card, passport or other government-issued identification.
For flights to and from the United-States as well as international flights, a passport is required.
See our travel documents and travelling with an infant or child pages for more information.
You will then be asked to complete a "Request for Carriage" form, which is attached to an envelope bearing the letters "UM." The form contains:
Your child's identification and flight number,
The name(s) and contact information of the person(s) who will meet your child at his/her destination, and
The authorizing signature of your child's parent or guardian.
The envelope will remain in the care of an Air Canada agent, and serves as a document holder for your child's passport, airline ticket, emergency numbers, and Customs documentation.
Even after an Air Canada agent has taken your child into their care, you must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.
2. Google the airline that the child is going to fly on to determine their policies.
Hi All
Do any of you have one of those letters of authorisation for a kid travelling unaccompanied to and from the UK that I could have a peek at please. Our eldest (12) is flying back to spend the summer with my mum and then mother in law and grand dad and cousins etc. She'll be chaperoned on the flights but she's never flown alone. I'm not sure what the letters authorising hand-overs need to contain. She's only ever flown with the rest of the family before.
Thanks for any info.
Do any of you have one of those letters of authorisation for a kid travelling unaccompanied to and from the UK that I could have a peek at please. Our eldest (12) is flying back to spend the summer with my mum and then mother in law and grand dad and cousins etc. She'll be chaperoned on the flights but she's never flown alone. I'm not sure what the letters authorising hand-overs need to contain. She's only ever flown with the rest of the family before.
Thanks for any info.
"At the airport
When you arrive at the airport, head for the Air Canada counter to begin check-in formalities.
You will first be asked to provide identification for your child. Only original documents are accepted (no photocopies)
For travel within Canada, children under 18 years of age must present a birth certificate, health card, passport or other government-issued identification.
For flights to and from the United-States as well as international flights, a passport is required.
See our travel documents and travelling with an infant or child pages for more information.
You will then be asked to complete a "Request for Carriage" form, which is attached to an envelope bearing the letters "UM." The form contains:
Your child's identification and flight number,
The name(s) and contact information of the person(s) who will meet your child at his/her destination, and
The authorizing signature of your child's parent or guardian.
The envelope will remain in the care of an Air Canada agent, and serves as a document holder for your child's passport, airline ticket, emergency numbers, and Customs documentation.
Even after an Air Canada agent has taken your child into their care, you must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.
2. Google the airline that the child is going to fly on to determine their policies.
Mar 23rd 2015, 6:11 pm
#5
"In cruce vincam"
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
Thanks for the info guys. I just found the same link too. It seems pretty straightforward.
Mar 23rd 2015, 7:20 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,363
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
Our son is 14 and we are planning to have him go to Ireland this summer for a week to see his uncle/aunt/cousin. We were quoted the $100 each way fare for the unaccompanied minor program. The airline we are using indicated that for over age 12 it is an optional fee. It seems like a bit expensive for what you get. I'll just go with the letter and have his uncle pick him up at Dublin airport.
Mar 23rd 2015, 7:26 pm
#7
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
Our son is 14 and we are planning to have him go to Ireland this summer for a week to see his uncle/aunt/cousin. We were quoted the $100 each way fare for the unaccompanied minor program. The airline we are using indicated that for over age 12 it is an optional fee. It seems like a bit expensive for what you get. I'll just go with the letter and have his uncle pick him up at Dublin airport.
The carrier are assuming some level of responsibility for the child, they are taken right through to the gate, when disembarking, to the arrivals gate and closer monitoring on the flight. A 10 hour journey, more from the west coast, $10 an hour to have your kid looked after.
Mar 23rd 2015, 7:29 pm
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2011
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 333
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
This and remember the carrier also takes the responsibility of the child in the event of cancellations/delays etc mid route.
Mar 23rd 2015, 7:51 pm
#9
"In cruce vincam"
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
We're paying the $100 each way. They get preferential boarding, headphones etc too. At only 12 years old it's an essential service as far as I'm concerned. She's super excited!
Mar 23rd 2015, 8:48 pm
#10
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,363
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
I always thought a child's well being and peace of mind was worth the $100.
The carrier are assuming some level of responsibility for the child, they are taken right through to the gate, when disembarking, to the arrivals gate and closer monitoring on the flight. A 10 hour journey, more from the west coast, $10 an hour to have your kid looked after.
The carrier are assuming some level of responsibility for the child, they are taken right through to the gate, when disembarking, to the arrivals gate and closer monitoring on the flight. A 10 hour journey, more from the west coast, $10 an hour to have your kid looked after.
Maybe its just me but it seems like overkill for a 14/15 year old. I flew across the Atlantic at age 11 with my 9 year old brother and we were met at one end by a relative who was never asked who he was. We didn't pay any extra and I think all we got was a flight attendant who made sure we got our luggage.
Mar 23rd 2015, 8:55 pm
#11
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
Mine got spoiled, got too used to sitting up front, now they have to pay for themselves it is a whole different thing!
Mar 24th 2015, 12:44 pm
#12
Proudly Scarberian
Joined: Aug 2014
Location: Scarberia
Posts: 2,196
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
I'd consider $100 a bargain, hell I'd consider flying with them myself and just getting the same plane back once they were delivered safely.
Mar 25th 2015, 1:39 am
#13
"In cruce vincam"
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Mar 25th 2015, 1:46 am
#14
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,035
Re: Unacompanied minor on flight
I always thought a child's well being and peace of mind was worth the $100.
The carrier are assuming some level of responsibility for the child, they are taken right through to the gate, when disembarking, to the arrivals gate and closer monitoring on the flight. A 10 hour journey, more from the west coast, $10 an hour to have your kid looked after.
The carrier are assuming some level of responsibility for the child, they are taken right through to the gate, when disembarking, to the arrivals gate and closer monitoring on the flight. A 10 hour journey, more from the west coast, $10 an hour to have your kid looked after.
When my daughter was 12 she flew from the US to Manchester with BA. It was a night flight and she was seated in an empty row of 3 seats. During the flight an adult moved into one of the seats...he was promptly told to move.