unaccompanied minors

Great site guys
I have been a long time lurker and have enjoyed all the shared experiences and advise that is posted.Now for some help please.
We live in Tokyo and eldest son (14) has started to board back in England. His first SOLO trip back here is later this month and it is all proving to be a bit of a hassle with Virgin.
Has anyone had experience of this service and if so is there any flexibility to the process? Also does anyone know if Virgin are planning to change their policy for unaccompanied minors to come more in line with other airlines?

[Darren Wheeler]

Welcome to V-Flyer [y]

Can you expand on how VS are being a 'hassle' as it all looks pretty straight forward?

http://www.virginatlantic.com/en/gb/pas ... /index.jsp

Sorry not enough info
anyone under the age of 16 cannot check in without a guardian, the guardian must then wait until the flight has left. The child must then be collected by a guardian. A flexible ticket must be purchased.All this adds up to extra expense and time. I fully understand that some younger children would want this service but it appears that quite a few other airlines let over 12s fly solo

[HighFlyer]

Welcome to V-Flyer [y]

Its a difficult one. I can understand your frustrations but also see VS's point of view on some of this.

I have seen reports where BA have been criticised for their policy regarding unaccompanied minors being too loose. Once instance where a parent complained that their lone Son was seated next to an adult male also flying solo for instance, so airlines are probably right to be strict with rules for UM's. I think the part about having a guardian wait at the airport is quite sensible. What is a child to do if their flight is cancelled or delayed? Many wouldnt know what to do, especially if their parents are in another country and the reassurance of having a guardian or family friend be there until the aircraft doors are shut is probably wise for VS and parents alike. The flexible ticket part i do agree is a little unfair.

I am not sure that V-flyer can help with regards to whether VS intend to change their rules so unless any crew can advise, I'd suggest writing to customer services to express your views.

Thanks,
Sarah

[Darren Wheeler]

I didn't realise that a flexible ticket is required. As for the departure and arrival processes, BA seems to be pretty much the same.
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/ch ... blic/en_gb

Can't find much on either JAL or ANA though.

The one bit about this I think unfair is the requirement to book a flexible ticket - quite punative for one way fares.

With regard to guardians etc. - seems sensible to me, what if a plane goes tech. at the last minute and the flight is cancelled, what should the airline do? On landing, should an airline simply let a UM to their own devices on arrival? Can you imagine what could happen and the furore and publicity that would result.

At my last airline, it was a requirement that the guardian waited until the aircraft was airborne for 20 minutes in case of a delay/cancellation/return etc.

[Scrooge]

Except for the unrestricted ticket I am behind VS on this one 100% of the way.

UA managed to lose a minor last month, all hell broke lose, airlines, the ground staff and flight crew all go out of their way in general to take care of kids when they are traveling alone.

One thing to remember (doesn't really count for a 14 year old) but while a child may put up a brave face the whole thing can be terrifying to a small child, most crew go above and beyond from what I have seen in making the child comfortable.

This is one part of the airline business that they really do well at.

Hi There,

I myself, used this service many times before my 16th last year. I can not fault the service with it at all. All the staff where constanlty checking on me, making sure I was ok, I got first meal chocie, lots of additional attention. We skipped all the ques, and where first off the aircraft.

I fly out to EWR solo on the August 10th 2006 when all those plots where unfolded. I mean, the day was hell, but the virgin staff (even though we had 3 differnt cabin crews before we even took off) where all amazing.

I never had to purchase a full fare though, don't know if that is new or not. My parents where required to wait until 30 mins after departure incase of a turn around. I had to be collected by a gaurdian, who had a vailid photo ID on them, and that it matched the info my parents had given VS.

VS usually are quite flexible, well they were everytime I used the serive.

There are reasons why VS age limit isnt 12, I was told by flybe when I flew solo with them, that for long haul is almost always 16 years, not 12.

Originally posted by G-VFLY
There are reasons why VS age limit isnt 12, I was told by flybe when I flew solo with them, that for long haul is almost always 16 years, not 12.

I'd be gobsmacked if it was 12 anywhere [:0]

[RichardMannion]

I flew before I was 16 unaccompanied on BA, I was more than capable of checking myself in and getting to the gate (with a detour to the lounge for my packet of crisps and diet coke).

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by RichardMannion
I flew before I was 16 unaccompanied on BA, I was more than capable of checking myself in and getting to the gate (with a detour to the lounge for my packet of crisps and diet coke).

This is wrong I know....but...LRoM, you weren't cute enough as a child to have to worry about anything 'happening' to you....

Also of course, back in those days, the UK was a little more liberal with things...Play grounds for instance did not have to covered in foam padding in case little Simon scraped a knee.

Hi.

I think you will find that Virgin require unaccompanied minor's to purchase a PUBLISHED FARE ticket...and not a NETT ticket. That's all....it does not have to be a flexible ticket, the ticket can be a non changable,non-refundable ticket as long as it is a PUBLISHED FARE.

Many other airlines charge a fee per sector for their unaccompanied minor service...somaybe if Virgin change the rules on the age limit for children travelling alone, they may also start charging for the service as well.

Thanks

Hi.

Just to to add to my earlier post, that a NETT ticket is one purchased through a travel agent/tour operator etc and will have a tour code on. These are dicounted fares and in order to have the discount applied, have stricter rules on,such as no upgrades allowed and no unaccompanied minor bookings allowed.

PUBLISED FARES can be purchased direct through Virgin and a travel agent, but do not have a tour code on and are more flexible in the respect of upgrades/date changes being allowed for an upgrade/date change fee. Unaccompanied children are also allowed.

Thanks

[HighFlyer]

Thanks Office Worker. From reading the page on the VS website it does say a published adult fare.

Thanks,
Sarah

Dragonbaby (my dearest) has previously been an UM x3 in PE with VS on quoted fares (also aged 14) .The service has been exemplary (my sincere thanks to both ground staff on various continents and cabin crew for their contributions).I have absolutely no issue with a guardian being responsible for my daughter 'at both ends'. Why should I? My cherished child is worth the 'extra expense and time'.VS and other major airlines IMHO have a responsible approach to UMs. 30+ years ago (when I was at boarding school) the scenario was sometimes very different.Often with unhappy consequences.
DL

I flew unaccompanied to the States so many times before I was 16... including one overnight in Heathrow! I was just 15. I slept on the chairs in the terminal. Of course they don't let you do that now. I booked, paid for, and organised everything myself. I would have been horrified if I'd had to have a guardian at either end because, well, it wouldn't have been possible! I got the bus down there and it arrived at midnight or something. I think maybe for 14+ the service should be optional.

I think i should have highlighted FLEXIBILITY in my earlier post. Of course safety is paramount, however i know of many 18 year olds that should not be allowed to fly unaccompanied and many 13 year olds that can complete the task with ease.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by enjoyingit
...... however i know of many 18 year olds that should not be allowed to fly unaccompanied ......

I know of many in their 30's, 40's and beyond to whom this applies, but that is a whole different debate. [:D][;)][}:)]

Nick

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick

Originally posted by enjoyingit
...... however i know of many 18 year olds that should not be allowed to fly unaccompanied ......

I know of many in their 30's, 40's and beyond to whom this applies, but that is a whole different debate. [:D][;)][}:)]

Nick

Ding, GJ and I (both in our 30s note [;)]) have been caught out once again [:#].

[Darren Wheeler]

Here's a small business opportunity - 'flying nanny'. Escorting little cherubs around the world.

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Here's a small business opportunity - 'flying nanny'. Escorting little cherubs around the world.

Gulf Air already have them [:D]

Seems like BA has some issues with their service.