British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy

About British Airways

British Airways is a top airline of the United Kingdom and one of the largest operating airlines in Europe. The airline constantly works on improving their policies and also cares about all its passengers. However, rules for carriage of unaccompanied minors in Europe differs from that of America, hence it’s crucial that you read the British Airways unaccompanied minor policy before planning to book a reservation for your kid. Also, keep an eye on the restrictions and what is allowed with the airline. 

British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Rules

Letting a little kid fly all alone can make every parent worrisome. But it shouldn’t be a cause of worry at all as British Airways offers an enjoyable and safe journey for children. You must however, take a look at British Airways Unaccompanied Minor guidelines, to avoid any chances of hassles in making reservations for your child and safe onboarding and deboarding of your kid. 

• A child who is at least 14 years old is allowed to fly alone as Unaccompanied Minor without any adult passenger’s company on British Airways. 
• The airline will however allow unaccompanied minors to also travel if they are accompanied by an adult passenger aged 16 years or older on the same or a linked reservation.
• For all children aged 14-16 years traveling alone, a parental / guardian consent form must be filled out and provided to British Airways, regardless of when the reservation was made.
• Along with the form, a copy of the parent / guardian’s current passport (or any other form of photographic identification showing a signature) should also be compulsorily attached.
• If you would like to make a booking for a person under the age of 16 who is traveling on their own, this cannot be made on the official website of British Airways. You will have to contact the customer support to make the booking. 
• Age limits, charges and regulations on partner airlines may be different, so you will have to check with them directly.

Children traveling alone on SUN-AIR flights

• As a British Airways franchise partner, SUN-AIR allows young children between the ages of 5-11 years to travel without a parent or legal guardian, provided the reservation is made in advance. 
• Children over the age of 12, can travel as young adults on SUN-AIR operated flights, although young flyers between 12-16 years can also use the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service if requested.
• There is a service fee for the Unaccompanied Minor service. 
• This cannot be booked online. The reservation must be booked over call at (+45)76500100 and paid for in advance. 

Legal Requirements by Different Countries 

• The immigration departments in some countries have additional documentation requirements for young flyers traveling to or through the countries. 
• They may even have additional requirements for children traveling alone, with another person, or with only one parent or guardian. 
• Before finalizing your child’s travel plans, check with the destination country’s authorities to ensure that all your documentation is in order, as per British Airways unaccompanied minor policy.

British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Travel Guide

Before planning the travel itinerary of your child with British Airways, it’s best to check the guidelines and important key pointers of the policy. Here are some crucial points to remember: 

How to book 

• You cannot make a reservation for British Airways unaccompanied minors online. You can make one by contacting the customer support or at the British Airways ticket office. After the booking is processed, you will be asked to pay the unaccompanied minor fee, which will depend on the flight’s destination. 
• Do remember that British Airways partner airlines may have different age limits, charges and regulations for unaccompanied minor booking. You will therefore need to check with the partner airlines directly before booking flights for your child.

Boarding and general guidelines 

• It may be noted that though British Airways allows eligible children to travel alone as unaccompanied minors but doesn’t provide an escort service. The airline clearly states that it can’t accept parental responsibility for the minor child. 
• The airline also strongly recommends that the parent or legal guardian accompanying the child for drop-off should wait at the airport till the time the flight has departed and is airborne.

• The child / young flyer must be able to: 
  • Communicate with the parent / guardian meeting the unaccompanied minor at the destination. 
  • Pay for any expenses such as refreshments via debit / credit cards or Avios. 

• If the child fails to carry the unaccompanied minor consent form at all times, or present it to British Airways representatives when requested may result in denial of boarding the flight. The consent form should be carried either in paper or digital format.

Required Documents 

The parent or legal guardian must also ensure that the unaccompanied minor on British Airways flights, should carry important documents with them always during the entire duration of their journey. The following are

• Necessary travel documents such as valid passport, visa and proof of return travel (as required).
• A signed unaccompanied minor consent form along with an attached copy of parent/guardian’s passport or other form of photographic identification.
• Fully charged phones with sufficient credit and activated roaming for communication.
• Health certificates and/or any required medication.
• A debit card or credit card for payment of any necessary expenses on board the flight. 

Note: 

*A drink service and refreshments from Marks & Spencer is offered by British Airways on short-haul flights which are payable only by credit card or debit card or Avios

*For international travel, the immigration departments of some countries may require additional documentation for all children regardless of age. Check the destination’s travel guidelines for the same.

British Airways Unaccompanied Minor Fees 

• In accordance with British Airways unaccompanied minor policy, the parent or legal guardian is required to pay the levied fee in addition to the flight’s fare, for all children traveling alone. 
• The Skyflyer Solo service is provided for unaccompanied minors and is subject to a fee. 
• The fee per child, per sector is EUR 47 for short-haul flights and domestic flights within the UK, and EUR 71 for long-haul flights. 
• The parent or legal guardian must book and pay charges for the Skyflyer Solo service together with the child’s flight reservation. If this is not done then British Airways will charge cancellation and reissue fees. It is also mandatory to book Skyflyer Solo service at least 48 hours prior to scheduled departure.

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