Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 17

Thread: Children flying alone - please read

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Derbyshire........>Taupo
    Posts
    561

    Exclamation Children flying alone - please read

    I have been on the phone most of this evening with ANZ, my Son, my ex and my Dad - because I always talk to my Dad when something is wrong!!!
    The policies adopted by most airlines and airports changed in September.
    If a child is travelling alone, they can only travel on a one leg journey ie, London to Hong Kong, alone, if they are in transit, they need to be accompanied on at least one part of the journey.
    I know that many people have sent or received children flying alone with no problems at all, but the changes are now very strict.
    We have been very lucky, ANZ have arranged for my Son to be accompanied through Hong Kong airport due to the big mix up and misinformation I was given in December when I booked his flight.
    Many of you may already know this, but there may be some, like me, who didn't realise the new policy.

    Cath XX

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37,824

    Default

    Thanks for the information. What is the age-limit for counting as 'a child', do you know?

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Celaya, Mexico
    Posts
    368

    Default

    Thanks for the information Cath. I'm so pleased ANZ were reasonable and have arranged for your son to be accompanied through Hong Kong.
    Here's wishing him a safe trip and a joyful reunion with you. Shona x

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    UK->Whangarei->Auckland
    Posts
    1,016

    Default

    eeek that may cause some issues in the future, i thought most airlines who catered for unaccompanied children had staff whos job it was to accompany the children through a transfer and make sure they got on the correct flight.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Essex, UK
    Posts
    2,235

    Default

    Not happy about this, either!

    But they can go by themselves from the age of 12, and I think if you did Auckland - LA - London, there really isn't a lot that could go wrong (I'm sure the US border patrol would successfully stop them from wandering anywhere...).

    I'd have two to go together anyway, but I guess we'll cross that bridge when/if we get to it..

    Daniela

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Derbyshire........>Taupo
    Posts
    561

    Default

    Now then guys - deep breathe - I was on the phone sorting out this mess until 20 past 1 this morning.
    You cannot send a child through the US without an adult US immigration will not grant them an esta visa.
    I along with my Father and my ex were lead to believe by ANZ that it was now policy for all airlines to refuse passage to all children under 17 flying alone if the flight had a connection such as UK to New Zealand.
    They told me they were going to make an exception and accompany Danny at Hong Kong airport because Hong Kong immigration were happy to allow this. This then chaanged and ANZ staff in Hong Kong were not happy to take responsibility.
    The only other option was for me to pay for my ex to fly to Hong Kong with Danny, get him to his connecting flight and then fly back 3 days later, at a cost of an extra £1155
    So, I decided to check out the other airlines to see if they had any cheaper flights.
    I tried Emirates and saw that they offered the accompanied minors service. I was on the phone to an ANZ staff member at the time, and she admitted that 'maybe other airlines still offered this service'.
    I told her I would not make any firm booking, and would check out the other airlines.
    I called Emirates and got a flight for Danny on Wednesday still, later time and flying through Dubai with a full accompanied service.
    I am so annoyed with ANZ that it would have simply taken them less than a minute to tell me that they did not offer this service anymore, but other airlines did and they would refund my money so that I copuld arrange a flight with another airline.
    I spent 7 hours last night in despair, sobbing on the phone to ANZ, my Dad and even my ex!!
    I have an email from them admitting liability so I am determined to take this further, to get compensation and also to get the difference in price for the new fare as they mis sold a product and gave me misinformation.
    I am sorry about the earlier post, I was simply relaying what ANZ had told me, so if your children are travelling alone, they can go with all airlines except ANZ!!!

    Cath XX

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Christchurch from Scotland
    Posts
    2,226

    Default

    Cathy,

    What a nightmare but I am glad that you managed to get it resolved. I hope that you enjoy seeing your son again soon.

    It is interesting for me as my neice is only 14 and I know wants to come and see us. Mistakenly I had assumed that she would be able to fly by herself so your information is very helpful.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    4,455

    Default

    Found this table Unaccompanied minor age limits which may be of some use here (for Air NZ).

    It is interesting to note that it says for 12-16 year old doing a 2 or more sector flight that they "May travel alone. Cannot travel as an Unaccompanied Minor"

    Not sure how they can travel alone and yet not be an unaccompanied minor, but it does appear that they could travel?

    Ian

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    France - UK - NZ (Auckland)
    Posts
    343

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by IanW99 View Post
    It is interesting to note that it says for 12-16 year old doing a 2 or more sector flight that they "May travel alone. Cannot travel as an Unaccompanied Minor"

    Not sure how they can travel alone and yet not be an unaccompanied minor, but it does appear that they could travel?

    Ian
    The "Unaccompanied Minor" term refers to children travelling alone who require staff supervision (1 sector flights only).

    Children aged 12 to 16 may still travel alone on the 2 or more sector flights, but they won't be supervised by staff even if requested by parents or guardians. This is the change that has come into effect since last September.

    I'm speaking about Air NZ only, as I don't know what other airlines' procedures are.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    37,824

    Default

    I found a whole lot of different airlines' policies on this by Googling. Yes, the child is literally speaking an unaccompanied minor whenever travelling without someone from their family or friends, but they're an Unaccompanied Minor in airline terms when once that airline has signed up to keep an eye on them and escort them.

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •