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Original poster

Unaccompanied ds (12) flying to Australia for 1st time

20 replies

Buddy2go · 21/04/2014 13:14

DH is Australian but for various reasons mostly financial has never been back in 20 years. Our ds is now desperate to go and my in laws have agreed that he can stay so the only thing left to do is get him there- help!

I've never flown long haul before let alone him, so am feeling a bit stressed to put it mildly. I know you can arrange for an "unaccompanied child" with certain airlines by contacting them direct - is there any way we can compare prices without spending hours on premier rate numbers?

Any general help or info you can give me ? We can be flexible on dates . Thank you !

OP posts:

chelsbells · 21/04/2014 13:27

No advice on flight packages or anything but I do have experience of being 12years old and flying to Australia alone.

I went with Japan airlines as an 'unaccompanied minor' from when you check in they give you a time to meet them at the security gates, they then escort you through all security and I was taken to the business class lounge, suppose it's their way to keep you safe, then they come back for you to take you onto the flight, then pass you to the air hostess and she will sit you in your seat, check you've got everything - if there are other unaccompanied minors on the flight you tend to all be sat together and to be fair they check on you regularly through the flight,

Then it's a stop down for fuel wherever planned, mine was japan, this time you are the first to be taken off the plane and again escorted to a special lounge and they then come back for you to re-board.

Once you land in Oz, again you are the first off the plane and they take you through security, baggage claim(bags are put on first drop too) and then pass you to whoever is collecting, sign you over to them and that's it!

I did it numerous times and was always very comfortable with it all, at no time felt nervous or anxious because there is always someone there if you need something, however I had done the flight with parents prior to this so it wasn't my fight long haul flight ever.

This was 10 years ago now so I imagine things have changed a bit but probably not too much.

If you think your DS is mature enough for it then I'd say let him go, but he will need to listen to those in charge of him and be able to entertain himself for the flight.

Would recommend Japan and Emirates airlines.

Good luck!

Original poster

Buddy2go · 21/04/2014 14:48

Thank you cheisbells! That's reassured me. I know it's really common in certain circles , just not mine.

I have complete faith in his maturity and behaviour -way more than his big brother actually who's refusing point blank to even consider going, I'm just full of '"what ifs".

Did you ever have a flight cancelled? Did you need money to buy food ( anything) at the airport? Did you have a credit card? I know he's going to have a ball when he goes , I just need to get a grip.

I've looked at Emirates and will look at Japan now

Thanks again, I really appreciate your response.

OP posts:

AttilaTheMeerkat · 21/04/2014 15:11

I would also look at BA as well but you will need to use their contact centre to make such an arrangement (0844 493 0787) rather than use their website.

Onlyhereforthecraic · 21/04/2014 15:14

Emirates provided a great service for two children of a friend of mine. More expensive but great connections and they do care.

And nope. I don't work for them!

chelsbells · 21/04/2014 15:15

No worries, it's a big journey to do!

I had some cash for the airports but they feed you up on flights so I had a little bit for drinks/games! but didn't have a credit card and I was fortunate that no flights were ever delayed/cancelled - not entirely sure what they would do then?! But all the staff of the airline really were brilliant with me - certainly hold you as priority when it comes to boarding, landing, meals etc.

I did have a mobile which I used to text to say I'd landed at each time!

I did the journey maybe 4/5 times in total alone and each time was as easy as the last, they'll also help out for internal transfers, I did from Sydney to Canberra and they litterally carry on looking after you until you have been signed over to your guardian. Amazing service really when I think back.

There's always lots of tears at the airport though - I'll warn you now! :)

Original poster

Buddy2go · 21/04/2014 15:23

Did you ever have a flight cancelled? Did you need money to buy food ( anything) at the airport? Did you have a credit card? I know he's going to have a ball when he goes , I just need to get a grip.

I've looked at Emirates and will look at Japan now

Thanks again, I really appreciate your response.

OP posts:

intheenddotcom · 22/04/2014 00:20

If the flight is delayed or cancelled, he will be taken back to/told to stay in the lounge, and they will supervise and rebook him on another flight. He will then be escorted on that flight.

AuditAngel · 22/04/2014 00:27

I know there is no comparison in the length of journey, but 3 years ago DS flew to Spain as an unaccompanied minor, we flew back together. He was 6 (almost 7) at the time.

We used BA, the cost was the normal flight price plus £30 for the one way unaccompanied, but the pp above was correct you need to book by phone.

SavoyCabbage · 22/04/2014 01:33

I live in Australia and as it's full of immigrants like us I know a few children who have flown to various places as unaccompanied minors. I've never heard any horror stories. It seems to always go quite smoothly.

My own dc are happy as larry on the flight. All that TV and food. If he has an apple device he will be able to iMessage you. As well as play games for 20 hours!

eightandthreequarters · 22/04/2014 01:35

No advice on flying as an UM, but I think your DS is brilliant to want to go on this adventure!

kickassangel · 22/04/2014 01:58

I looked into similar for dd and found all the info on airline websites.

I was NOT impressed by what they offer, but these were in the US.

Cost was $100 per flight. They meet the dc at the gate as the flight boards, so you go to the gate with them. At the end of the flight they get the dc to walk off the plane then sit them by the gate unaccompanied until another person picks them up to walk to the exit. I've seen some kids sitting there for 20 mins waiting to be collected with no-one watching them. There is no extra are or attention on the plane.

Also, airlines won't take them overnight until a certain age or for flights lasting more than a certain number of hours, or if there are connections!

I do know someone in dd's class who went alone to Australia at age 9 but she went first class all the way with a chauffeur and nanny to drop her at the airport.

Sorry if that sounds so negative, but I was hoping to send dd to an aunt only 3 hour direct flight away and when I looked into it I thought it sounded totally unsafe and $100 for almost no care given to dd. we fly quite often and I am more than willing to send dd off on adventures without me, but I absolutely would not do this, even for a short flight within the US.

Flights out of the UK may be better, but the airlines in the US wouldn't even allow it without charging many hundreds if dollars, possibly doubling the cost of the ticket.

MooseBeTimeForSpring · 22/04/2014 02:04

I'd look at Singapore Airlines too. Their flight crew are usually flawless. The inflight entertainment on their planes and those of Emirates is usually excellent.

I distinctly remember kit kats and ice cream being handed out as mid flight snacks ;)

MrsDavidBowie · 22/04/2014 07:48

Great thread .
D's is going to Australia next June for a month flying alone ..he will just be 16. He is so excited.

Original poster

Buddy2go · 22/04/2014 11:24

Thank you for all the positive ( and not so positive) replies

DS2 is fab, always up for an adventure and though he'd prefer to go with us as a group if it means he can see sharks on the barrier reef he'll do whatever he has to ...DS1 though also fab will spend his holidays playing computer games

Thanks for recommending Singapore airlines too, have had a quick look , they all seem much of a muchness looking at flexible returns online. Will sit down later after I get some dates back from his primary school ( visits to high school that I really want him to go on ) and get calling...

OP posts:

CMOTDibbler · 22/04/2014 11:37

I fly a lot (the BA website tells me I've spent 6 weeks in the air with them) and see a lot of UMs. BA really look after them - you check into the Skyflyers desk then they are accompanied through security and put into the skyflyers lounge till they are collected to go to the gate. Their host then waits till they are boarded (first on) and signs them over to the member of crew responsible for UMs. At the other end, they are signed from crew to host in the plane and then escorted right through till the nominated adult (who needs ID) signs for them.

saffronwblue · 22/04/2014 11:41

My dc have done lots of unaccompanied internal flights on Qantas. They look after them until the adult is there to pick them up, including checking the adult's id and having multiple back up phone numbers etc.

DorothySays · 22/04/2014 11:50

DD traveled as a UM with BA, the flight had engine trouble just before take off so they had to disembark, they called me to make sure I stayed in the Airport and DD was taken on a tour airside and fed, and when it was clear the flight was delayed until the morning, they put us both up in a hotel with meals and transfer paid for

DD was 7 at the time and loved every minute of it

Original poster

Buddy2go · 30/04/2014 19:57

Many thanks for all the replies, that's the flights booked (Emirates in the end) so the count down begins! DS is SO excited! I'm dreading the airport ...

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HowsTheSerenity · 10/05/2014 05:02

I know lots of children who do it (ex boarding school mistress).
Fly emirats or Singapore.
Give him spending money.
Pack spare clothes, books, travel toiletries for the flight.
There is free internet at Singapore and heaps of things to see and do in the airport.

Isthiscorrect · 11/05/2014 15:01

DS who is now 18(crikey how did that happen?) has flown firstly as a UM in the Uk, then UM across Europe and then by himself from the middle east. The hostesses were always lovely and we never had a problem. DO NOT FORGET ID!!! dh I'm talking to you.
Emirates are fab, loads of food, hundreds of movies and games and tv, special stuff for kids including an instant photo, so cool to tell others you went by yourself. Children get served first and adults aren't allowed to sit next to them. Seats are comfy as can be expected for economy and better than short haul.
As previous pp says be prepared for many many tears, it will be the longest 24 hours of your life. If he doesn't have a mobile make sure he has one and that he know how to switch it on and off and that it has roaming so he can read texts from you and keep in touch when he lands each time.
Take extra clothes, wipes, chargers for phone, ipad etc and money. He might get the chance to buy something all by himself at the airport in Singapore.
He will have an amazing time you will be a nervous but very proud wreck

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