Answers to Everyday Questions : what age is set for children for them to travel alone on air crafts to european destinations?

what age is set for children for them to travel alone on air crafts to european destinations?

9 Responses to “what age is set for children for them to travel alone on air crafts to european destinations?”

1. Sunny on the inside said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 1:19 am

   Different airlines have different age policies. you’d need to check with whoever you want to fly with.
2. Carrie S said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 1:46 am

   He can travel as an unaccompanied minor. As long as the child is able to walk and talk and understand instructions they will be allowed to do this. At 13 he will be fine. The air stewards look after them and they are signed in and out. I travelled from Abu Dhabi to Aberdeen on my own when I was 10 including a change of planes at Heathrow and managed fine. They tend to put you in first class so they can keep a better eye on you – I thought it was great! Budget airlines don’t normally accept unacompanied minors such as Ryanair or EasyJet. Probably best stick with British Airways if you can.
3. Boiled Egg said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 2:44 am

   I thought it was 14, and the child must be escorted to and collected from airports. Contact the airline directly and ask what their policy is.
4. Frank said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 3:12 am

   As already stated some airlines in the uk wont without an adult sitting with them and they must be a friend or relative and the airline advised. Whereas some other worldwide airlines will at an extra charge,,,

   Some budget airlines wont at all, always check with the airline and get it in writing…
5. ArsY said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 3:13 am

   15 is ok…
   but 13 is fine too if he knows about everything and had traveled before.
6. SS said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 3:16 am

   It all depends on an airline.
   but when you book then you specify that the child is travelling alone , the air stewards will take care of the rest.
   at 13 he will be fine
7. javber26 said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 3:44 am

   It varies from airline to airline – check with the one your grandson is flying with.

   Easyjet:
   easyJet does not accept unaccompanied minors under the age of 14 for travel. Children under 14 years of age cannot travel unless accompanied by a person aged 16 years or older who will take responsibility for the minor.

   http://www.easyjet.com/EN/Book/regulations.html#infants
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   Ryanair:
   Ryanair does not carry unaccompanied minors (under 14 years). Escort and special facilities are NOT available. Ryanair will carry unaccompanied minors aged 14 or 15 years ONLY upon completion and signature of a form OF indemnity at check-in of EACH departure airport, by a parent or guardian.

   Children under the age of 14 years must always be accompanied on the same reservation by a passenger over 16 years.

   Unaccompanied minors aged 14 or 15 years travelling must present the required valid photo-id at check-in. The parent or guardian of the unaccompanied minors, are required to remain in the airport until the flight has departed.

   http://www.ryanair.com/site/EN/faqs.php?sect=chd&quest=uam

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   British Airways:
   Children travelling alone

   We offer a special service for children travelling alone called Skyflyer Solo. This means that we take special care of your child throughout their journey to make sure they have a safe and fun flight.

   For children under 12 years, travelling alone, the Skyflyer Solo service must be booked in advance, otherwise it will not be possible for your child to travel.

   We do charge for this service, which must be booked and paid for together with your child’s flight. At present the flight and service cannot be booked online.

   http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_gb
   ————————————————————-

   The Unaccompanied Minor – When Children Travel Alone

   The end of the summer travel period, and holiday periods are peak times for children traveling solo on the airlines. For many children, returning to school can mean a cross-country trek. The frequency of children traveling by themselves has led airlines to set up programs that address the specific needs of children traveling alone. The common term that is used to describe children who fly alone is unaccompanied minors (also known as UMs). Particular rules apply to these young travelers, and there are travel tips to help make the experience easier.

   What is an unaccompanied minor? The short answer is a child traveling without a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult that the child knows. The age requirements that are generally used by the airlines to define the unaccompanied minor are children between the ages of five and eleven years old (and sometimes up to 15 – it is always advisable to contact the airline to make sure that they accept unaccompanied minors as passengers). Let the airline know that a child is traveling unaccompanied in advance – many airlines require this information at the time of booking.

   Some airlines will permit a child who is over twelve to accompany a child who is between five to eleven years old without requiring the younger child to travel as an unaccompanied minor. For a short journey this may not be a huge problem, but for a long journey involving connections it may not be worth the anxiety for both the children traveling and the parent or guardian waiting to hear that the children have made it to their destination safely. Children who are twelve and older can be accepted as unaccompanied minors as long as the fees are paid and the proper documentation is completed.

   Almost all airlines will charge for their unaccompanied minor services, usually assessed per direction. It is important to note that if a child will be traveling on more than one airline there is the potential that you may be paying more than one fee. Further, not all airlines employ the same rules for their unaccompanied minors. Some permit all unaccompanied minors to have connecting flights if needed; some will allow unaccompanied minors that are eight years old or older to have connections; and some will not permit connecting flights at all. If more than one airline is required, you will need to follow the rules of the airline that imposes the most restrictions. If two or more children are traveling together, most airlines will assess only one fee, and not charge per child.

   http://airtravel.about.com/cs/safetysecurity/a/Unaccompanied.htm

   All the best!
8. friSbee said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 4:33 am

   Depends on the airline, BA and Airfrance cater very well for kiddies. Remember to take some I.D. when you go to collect them
9. Hoeksteen said :
   May 25th, 2010 at 5:31 am

   BA will take him

   with them it’s 12 and over But you MUST book the service

   have a look at this link for more information

   http://www.britishairways.com/travel/childinfo/public/en_gb