long haul unaccompanied minor

[Newhere2]

Hi,

I'm wondering what your thoughts are on sending your children as unaccompanied minors a long haul flight to Oz? I'd be flying business and they would be in economy on the same flight.

I'm not sure i'm comfortable with it at all, but for medical reasons I can't sit up in those small seats for so long without having aches for days into our holiday at the least.

I'm trying to decide if P economy would be any better, though it doesn't sound like the seats make that much of a difference really in how much comfort is provided. P economy I could have the children with me though.

Any thoughts?

Are you Sinitta?

:) as I had to look up who that was, no.

its not to for pleasure that I am asking :).

I've done that flight plenty of times economy, but never p economy.

How old is child. Sounds a bit odd.

8 & 11

they won't count as unaccompanied minors if you're on the flight, will they? You'd have to be nipping up and down to check on them pretty regulalry I'd have thought, because they're not going to be allowed into your cabin.
Would a better solution be that you get a doctor's letter and get a bulkhead seat?

My sister is an expat and she and her friends do this frequently. The kids love it as they feel all grown up not having their parents overseeing them.
The difficult part of travel is the airports and you'll be with them for that so I don't see any issues.

Agree with Fanjolina - friends of mine do this and the kids are fine. They won't need checking on much at that age.

My parents used to do this with us all the time. They'd be in First and we'd be in Bog Economy.

We loved it and the stewardesses were always awesome.

Also, the kids can always come up and say hello to you - or you them. It's not like you are unable to move around an airplane.

Enb - they don't actually let non-business / 1st move thro' the curtain - has to be all the other way to prevent gawping at the fancy people in the expensive seats!

thanks for the comments.

Yes they do count as unaccompanied minors as I won't be with them during the flight at all times. I'd never do it if they weren't as I would need the hostess to know if they ring the buzzer they need to check them. Also seating for unaccompanied minors will be nearer the hostess and also with other children etc determined by the airlines policy.

I'm gld to hear that others do it as I have been stressing about it no end and am yet to book for that reason.

I would definitely be checking on them and come and help them at meal times etc

Really? That never used to be the case.

God, flying used to be so much more fun - I even have a little log book that the pilots used to sign.

yes! Junior Jet Club! allowed INTO THE COCKPIT to get them to sign it.

Fanjolina and Peripathetic, is there anything that they do to prepare the kids before hand? Are they as young as mine. Have they said how the hostesses are to the kids during the flights?

Mine children have said fine, as long as they get a very special gift!

My worst fear would be that I would do this and then they freak out and I have to spend the flight in economy anyway.

The youngest I'm aware doing it is around 6.

Honestly, they'll be fine. Movies galore, spoilt rotten (the airline staff apparently fuss over them a lot), feeling very grown up.

And no need for you to help them out at mealtimes. Not even sure you could as would be too cramped to have someone in the aisle stooping over them.

I too was in the junior jet club!!!

thanks fanjolina, its reassuring to hear other experience.

The airline will not necessarily fuss over them and they will not also be regarded as unaccompanied minors as you will be on the same aircraft as them. They will also not be readily allowed to come up to the front of the aircraft to see you.

Also sitting in Business class does not guarantee you not experiencing potential problems with circulation in the legs in the coming days.

thanks Attilla,

they have to be classed as unaccompanied as I won't be actually with them, airline policy. Its not a circulation issue I have but with anything there are no guarantees I understand.