Unaccompanied minor on Thai Airways - Please share your experience

[Chaam local]

I'm thinking of sending my 7 yo to his second homecountry for a one month holiday, flying as an unaccompanied minor on Thai Airways (so it is a direct flight and the hostess can speak Thai with him). He's been there several times before and he loves it, but it would be the first time he would go alone, as he usually travels with some friends of mine or his grand-parents.

Anyone ever sent a child as a UM on Thai Airways? I would love to hear about your experience, feedback, any issue, etc. Thanks a lot!

[Maybole]

Its a long time ago, but my daughter travelled alone from the age of 8. All respectable airlines have at least 1 cabin crew member on each flight trained in escorting minors.She enjoyed the assumption that she was capable of looking after herself. Your son will probably be able to boast to his pals that he can travel alone. '

[phuketrichard]

my daughter travelled alone a few times from age 7 Phuket to usa,

she loved it and felt so grown up 2 times they upgraded her to Business class as well for no charge

Make sure you arrange in advance who is to meet him as they ask for that info

[Chaam local]

Thanks for your replies. I'm just a bit worried because the little guy usually hates to be alone, whatever he does.

Do you know who the child sits next to, typically? I'm guessing they sit the kids together if there are several of them, but what if he is the only one? I wouldn't want him next to a random passenger, man or woman. I will phone Thai Airways to inquire about that, but other people's experience is always good to hear.

Edited August 8, 2013 by Chaam local

[ToddWeston]

I believe the airlines in general are extremely careful who they will sit your little one beside no single males etc. I've seen the air hostess on TG move UM's to be closer to them near the galley. We fly LHR-BKK a few times a year in business and as another poster said they will often UG them, I think to keep a closer eye on them.

It's been some years since we flew our nephew UM to Europe to join us on holiday but I can tell you you'll be on pins and needles - but it works and the joy seeing the little one arrive is a great feeling. Have your ID ready for arrival procedures with copies - It took them ages to photocopy our ID.

They are never out of site and escorted at all times by TG staff, we bought the little guy a suit and he felt like a grown up. The one mistake we made outbound was ordering a child's meal he hated it, so on the return we ordered grown up food.

Double check what papers are needed if they need to being signed by both parents some country's are very strict. Make sure the phone is fully charged and line is working so you can see him on board. Lots of folks don't like TG for many reasons this is not one of them IMHO - they are great with kids.

Lucky kid, I hope he enjoys the trip.

[roamer]

Thanks for your replies. I'm just a bit worried because the little guy usually hates to be alone, whatever he does.

Do you know who the child sits next to, typically? I'm guessing they sit the kids together if there are several of them, but what if he is the only one? I wouldn't want him next to a random passenger, man or woman. I will phone Thai Airways to inquire about that, but other people's experience is always good to hear.

Can't say for Thai but I know on Australian airlines a UM can not be seated next to a male passenger. Incidentally on my flight from BKK-LHR on EVA earlier this week there was a young Thai girl behind us, she had the row to herself but then again there were quite a few spare seats on the flight. The cabin crew were quite good with her as several Thai speakers on board, though admittedly I did have to call the flight attendant at one point when the seat belt light had come on and she was sleeping across the row with no seat belt. There was an expression of shock on the flight attendants face when she saw that and after waking the girl and securing the seat belt she marched off back to the galley with a very set expression on her face, no doubt to have words with her colleague. I think that kind of incident is very rare as I have seen UM's on many flights and they have always been shown great care.

[Baerboxer]

My daughter made several unaccompanied trips when similar age. She loved it. They get escorted onto the plane and very often are upgraded. My daughter often finished in first class seats eating ice cream and chocolate with the crew! Even if the plane is full and no UG available they really look after them well. They will escort the child from the plane, through immigration, baggage collection, customs and hand over to the person officially meeting them.

Bear in mind to make arrangements for the meeting people to have identification and authorization, especially if not mum or dad. Check with the airline on their procedures and also the procedures at the destination airport. Different airlines and different countries do things differently so double check to make sure nothing missed and no problems,

[Chaam local]

Thanks a lot for your replies!

I called Thai Airways and found out I can't book the ticket online for a UM, they said I have to go to their office in Bangkok. So eventually we may choose Air France. I would have flown Aeroflot myself or whatever is cheap, and the little rascal will be on AF, maybe even UG, haha...

[MrHammer]

Am I the only one finding the idea that airlines will not put a minor travelling alone (which I don't think they should) next to a (single) male offensive? Are we all now just deemed predators or what? How many males are actually dangerous for a child, it can't be more than 1 in 10.000 at most. Can you imagine the outcry if something similar had been said about a woman.

[Chaam local]

Am I the only one finding the idea that airlines will not put a minor travelling alone (which I don't think they should) next to a (single) male offensive? Are we all now just deemed predators or what? How many males are actually dangerous for a child, it can't be more than 1 in 10.000 at most. Can you imagine the outcry if something similar had been said about a woman.

I tend to agree, that's why I said "man or woman". I'm not particularly concerned about a predator, the risk exists but it is very low, there is no need to be paranoid about it (the plane could also crash, right?). I'm more concerned that the kid would sit with someone not nice. We all had our share of annoying fellow passengers... the fat one, the one who snores on your shoulder, the one who speaks too much, the one who smells bad... It's already hard to manage this kind of situation sometimes when you are an adult, so for a kid on his own I imagine it would be a pretty bad experience. On the other hand, a kid on his own may not the best company either. Mine is rather well behaved, or I hope so, but kids are kids, they can be sick, they can get restless, etc. Bottom line is that we have to rely on the hostesses judgment so that everyone has a pleasant flight.

Why do you think a minor should not travel on his own?

[stevenl]

Am I the only one finding the idea that airlines will not put a minor travelling alone (which I don't think they should) next to a (single) male offensive? Are we all now just deemed predators or what? How many males are actually dangerous for a child, it can't be more than 1 in 10.000 at most. Can you imagine the outcry if something similar had been said about a woman.

<snip>

Why do you think a minor should not travel on his own?

Why do you ask that question, did he claim something like that here?

[Chaam local]

Why do you ask that question, did he claim something like that here?

That's how I understood "a minor travelling alone... which I don"t think they should". Sorry if I got it wrong (English is not my mother tongue).

[tingtong]

unfortunately we cant really choose anything more than our own seat on the airplane...who sits next to you, is sheer luck? if you travel by yourself.

a kid has no less rights than an adult...but also no more rights than an adult!

if you want to be 100% sure, someone nice sits next to the kid, make sure you travel with him/her! that is the only sure way to know when you sit next to.

anyway, this is double edge sword, because lots of ppl dont want to sit next to a kid neither, really. not all that little angels, with or without parents.

equal rights, remember

Edited August 18, 2013 by tingtong

[MrHammer]

Why do you think a minor should not travel on his own?

Because it is a long trip and young children should not be abandoned or left alone for long periods of time. Just my perspective.,

[stevenl]

Why do you ask that question, did he claim something like that here?

That's how I understood "a minor travelling alone... which I don"t think they should". Sorry if I got it wrong (English is not my mother tongue).

Thanks, I overlooked his 'which I don't think they should'.