Children Flying Alone?

[bangbuathongben]

Hello all I was wondering if anyone had any info on children travelling alone?

Here is my situation........

Me and my wife are both travelling to thailand on the 24th Feb, and staying for 2 weeks. My wife is 5 months pregnant so this near the cut off line as to flying when carrying a baby. My stepdaughter has all her documents ready to apply for her settlement visa on Tues 14 Feb. Ideally she will have everything squared away in the 2 week holiday and she can return on the same flight as my wife and I. But if for any reason it goes pair shaped (which knowing the brittish embassy could well do) could my stepdaughter return on a flight on her own? She is 13 years of age and although this is not ideal, I had heard that if you contact the airline they will be able to take care of her right up to them handing her over to me. Does anyone have any experiences or sound information on this topic?

Cheers......

Bang.................

[phuketsiam]

I used fly alone and the air crew would take care of me, but I was younger (up to 9 years old), I believe the cut of age is 11 or 12 now, older than that she would have manage by herself, best bet is to contact the airline and they will advise you

[marshbags]

Hello all I was wondering if anyone had any info on children travelling alone?

Here is my situation........

Me and my wife are both travelling to thailand on the 24th Feb, and staying for 2 weeks. My wife is 5 months pregnant so this near the cut off line as to flying when carrying a baby. My stepdaughter has all her documents ready to apply for her settlement visa on Tues 14 Feb. Ideally she will have everything squared away in the 2 week holiday and she can return on the same flight as my wife and I. But if for any reason it goes pair shaped (which knowing the brittish embassy could well do) could my stepdaughter return on a flight on her own? She is 13 years of age and although this is not ideal, I had heard that if you contact the airline they will be able to take care of her right up to them handing her over to me. Does anyone have any experiences or sound information on this topic?

Cheers......

Bang.................

Hiya Bang

Most airlines provide escort services free of charge and take good care of the children.

Check with the airline you favour and they should give you first hand information.

I,m not to sure on the P.P.control arrangements but i escorted my mates wife over before and stayed with here through P.P. control and his family where waiting in the arrivals area for her.

Her English was limited but she slept most of the time anyway and we communicated by signals.

No problems.

Where are you in the U.K

I,m due there in mid May and if there is any way i can assit you, should she still be here around at that time and ready to travel we could maybe sort it out if it becomes a problem for you.

marshbags

[Levent]

In general, children travelling alone till the age of 15 are seen as unaccompanied minors and have to be taken care of by the airline. They will guide the child from check-in all the way till handing over to the parent or guardian at arrival.

Some airlines don't provide this service, such as Ryanair, but virtually all major carriers do. Check with your airline for details.

[Mobi]

I agree with all previous advice. I have flown my daughter to Thaiuland and back several times and the airlines do a good job. Shouldn't be any problems, assuming its a direct flight.

[gburns57au]

If she is flying with Thai Airways you will need to make all the arrangements yourself and inform them of who is dropping her off and and who will be picking her up at the other end. She will need a letter from her Mum and possibly also her biological father in order to proceed through Thai immigration.

My mates wives sister got knocked back at immigration one time at aged 18, She had to go and get a letter from her Mum in Pak Chong and rebook her flight...

[bangbuathongben]

Cheers for all the advise!

I am planning to get her back on Thai Airways and have looked at there website, but there is no information on the matter. I will contact the airline when I get there..

Where are you in the U.K

I,m due there in mid May and if there is any way i can assit you, should she still be here around at that time and ready to travel we could maybe sort it out if it becomes a problem for you.

Thanks Marshbags, but I am hoping that the visa process will not take this long!

Thanks again..........

Bang............

[gburns57au]

Cheers for all the advise!

I am planning to get her back on Thai Airways and have looked at there website, but there is no information on the matter. I will contact the airline when I get there..

Bang............

From the Thai Airways website..........

What if my child must travel alone?

THAI aids Unaccompanied Minors (UM) between 5 and 11 years of age, provided they comply with our rules. The parent must go to THAI office in person to complete a form providing details of the parent or guardian who will see the child off and will meet the child on arrival. When the child arrives at check-in, ground staff will help him/her complete formalities. They will accompany the child to the aircraft and introduce him/her to the cabin attendants who will care for the child during the flight. At the destination, ground staff will escort the child to meet the parent or guardian designated on the form.

When you go to the website....go to the "travel and destination" dropdown...select "before you fly FAQ's"...this will give you a list of situations including "what if my child must travel alone"

Edited February 13, 2006 by gburns57au

[flightcrew1]

All good advice.

As a cabin crew member with 20 plus years experience I can safely assure you, your child will not have a problem. From check-in to arrival she will be with cabin crew who trained for this. I have been a child escort many times and the child is made to feel safe, comfortable and happy for the duration of the trip. She will not be left alone on the aircraft and will be in eyesite at all times.

For cabin crew it's always a good assignment as you can be generally assured of a good trip as children are not as demanding at the adult passengers. Non just any cabin crew can do this so it needs to be done in advance as they will make sure that a designated child minder is on board the aircraft.

[Tarragona]

It costs about 1,300 baht / flight with Thai.

[bangbuathongben]

Flightcrew1,

As my daughter is 13 does this mean she will have trouble getting this service as on the thai airways website its says upto 11?

Bang.............