British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy

British Airways Unaccompined Minor Policy

Increased work pressure and demanding job and business schedules have been forcing people to stay away from their families these days. Even couples are living in different cities separately due to work. For most people nowadays, vacations with families are a luxury. But they need not be so for children who need their parent’s or grandparent’s company and love. To help children travel alone and meet their parents and families living in other cities, airlines today have full-fledged policies that deal with British Airways must stay caught up. The legacy carrier has a policy for children travelling alone to ensure that their solo journeys are safe and smooth. 

In this blog, we’ll discuss the British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy, its rules and guidelines, and the related processes. Read the blog thoroughly if you’re planning to send your child on an unaccompanied flight to your spouse or parents. 

What is the Policy for Unaccompanied Children on British Airways?

British Airways has a separate policy for children travelling on its flights without their parents. The policy is known as the British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy, and its terms and conditions are purposefully designed to ensure that solo travel becomes a pleasant experience for the unaccompanied child. Here’s what the policy is all about.

1. The policy allows children of 14 years and older to travel alone on domestic and international flights on this website: britishairways.com
2. According to the policy rules, children below the age of 14 can’t travel on a British Airways flight alone. They must be accompanied by an older child who’s at least 16 years of age, or their bookings must be linked to adults travelling on the same flights. 
3. As per the policy rules, unaccompanied children must be booked for travel like an adult. However, they can’t be booked online like regular flight reservations. Parents need to contact British Airways via phone calls or chat to book tickets for their unaccompanied children.
4. British Airways doesn’t provide any boarding or de-boarding assistance to unaccompanied child travellers. The airline makes it clear through its unaccompanied minor policy that it can’t take parental responsibility for children travelling alone. Booked children must board their flights and make their way to the departure gates alone without any assistance.
5. As per the British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy rules, parents or guardians aren’t issued any gate passes to go past the security gates. The children had to walk from the security gate to the plane, totally alone. The same rule applies at the time of departure.
6. Parents are required to fill out and sign a British Airways Consent Form, which the child needs to carry with him throughout his unassisted journey. 
7. Parents or guardians are required by the policy rules to wait at the terminal until the flights carrying their children depart. 

Can my Child Fly Alone with British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy?

Yes, they can. The British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Age rules allow your child to fly alone with British Airways on both domestic and international flights, provided he is at least 14 years of age. If your child’s age is below this specified age limit, he can’t fly alone on a British Airways Cheapest Flight.    

How do I Book a Flight for my Child to Travel Alone on British Airways?

According to the British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy rules, you must book your child as an adult to send him alone on a journey with British Airways. However, you can’t book unaccompanied travel for him online in the same way as a regular flight booking. To book unaccompanied travel for your child, you have to contact British Airways via phone or chat. You can get the contact details on the “Contact Us” page.  

What Documents does my Child need to Travel Alone on British Airways?

Your child must carry the following documents with him on a British Airways flight if he is travelling alone, as per the British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy rules.

1. A British Airways Consent Form duly filled up and signed by you or a guardian
2. Your photo identification that includes your signature, such as your passport or driving license
3. Travel documents of your child, such as his valid passport and visa and proof of his return travel

Conclusion

Unlike other airlines, British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy rules don’t allow small children under ten years old to travel alone without their parents or an older child who is at least 16 years old. It only allows 14 and 15-year-olds to travel alone without anyone accompanying them. The policy is fairly strict and unaccommodating. The airline even goes to the extent of declaring that it can’t accept parental responsibility for the children travelling alone on its planes, meaning it can’t supervise or handhold the children at every stage. Moreover, it only issues gate passes to parents or guardians to accompany their children beyond the security gates. All said and done, book unaccompanied travel for your child on British Airways if you’re okay with these strict terms and conditions.

FAQ

Ques: What is the minimum age for flying alone on British Airways?

Ans: As per the British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy rules, the minimum age to fly alone with British Airways is 14. 

Ques: Does my child need a visa to travel alone on British Airways?

Ans: Yes, your child needs a Visa to travel alone to international destinations on British Airways. Since he is booked like an adult, the travel documents he requires are the same as those of an adult.

Ques: How early does my child need to arrive at the airport for a flight?

Ans: As per EU rules, a passenger must arrive at the airport at least 1 hour before departure for domestic flights and flights within Europe, 90 minutes for mid-haul flights, and 2 hours for a long-haul flight. However, there are additional formalities for a child travelling alone. So, consider arriving at the airport earlier than the time limits specified above. 

Ques: What happens if the flight is delayed and my child arrives late?

Ans: Suppose your child’s flight is significantly delayed, and he arrives late. In that case, you have to assist British Airways in arranging accommodations for him if required as per the rules and personally collect the child at the airport. 

Ques: What happens if my child’s flight is delayed or cancelled?

Ans: The British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy clearly states that it will contact you or the guardian who signed his consent form in case his flight is significantly delayed or cancelled due to adverse circumstances. If his flight needs an emergency stopover or his connecting flight is cancelled, you’ll be required to assist British Airways in finding overnight accommodation for the child, as most hotels and transport companies won’t accept unaccompanied minors as guests. 

Ques: Does British Airways have a policy for children with medical conditions?

Ans: British Airways doesn’t prescribe and offer medications to unaccompanied children with medical conditions. The airline advises parents to make sure that their children carry all required medications and doctor’s certificates with them during travel. Also, the British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy requires parents to be always available on call and to give children devices for emergency communication.