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Original poster

Airplane travel 13 years old on her own

27 replies

newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 19:09

My daughter needs to travel from India to UK on the aeroplane by herself and there's a changing aeroplanes point in Middle East

could anyone let me know how to arrange the consent form that she can travel by herself

OP posts:
CatsOnTheChair · 14/06/2023 19:25

You need to read the guidance for whichever airline she is flying with.
On Emirates, I believe she would just be on an adult fare, (unless you pay for UM for her)
I think Qatar will require her to be UM status.

Basically, follow the rules of the airline you are travelling with.

FinallyHere · 14/06/2023 19:25

Whose consent do you expect to obtain?

Original poster
newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 19:27

Our consent as parents that she can travel herself as a minor

OP posts:
ChocoChocoLatte · 14/06/2023 19:28

You just need to book her on as an unaccompanied minor and they airline should look after her right through her travels.

Original poster
newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 19:29

I think there is a person from within the airline that they will look after her, but the problem is that in the mid point in the aeroplane and it's a different are playing so different company so there is noone to "collect " in Middle east

OP posts:
ermmm · 14/06/2023 19:41

My daughter was 15 and traveled via emirates / with a stop over in Dubai. We paid full fare and at check in lots of forms were printed out and her passport and both boarding passes were held by the air host/ hostess. She was one of the last ones in the flight and right from checkin desk she was collected and taken through security. Ib Dubai she was again accompanied by the same hostess and was placed in a lovely room suitable for children was introduced to the one who would take her onto the next flight and then left there ( was a late night one and she was one of three children )think she was 💝at the consoles that were there for them.
At her destination she was handed over at the plane door to an airport worker for that country who took her to through all the immigration/ he held all her paperwork. She was then seated in a room whilst they contacted her dad who she was meeting on that side. she was taken to the luggage hall and her items were collected and brfore taken out to her dad who’s passport id was checked. She apparently broke down crying when she saw her dad ( he flew out two days before her so not from missing him as such) more so from relief as she said she was fine with UK side but the language barrier on that side made her scared( they did speak English more so a culture shock).

contact the airline and make sure you have full details of the person meeting her on the other side.

Original poster
newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 19:43

Was the 2 ticket booked by yhe same airline?

OP posts:
parietal · 14/06/2023 19:51

I would not book a child travelling alone on a long haul flight with two different airlines. If the first plane is delays, the second will not wait.

you should book her all through with one airline so that they are obliged to look after her for the change over and in case of any delays.

has she travelled this route often before? I was v experienced as a UM traveller by age 13 but still would not have wanted to do an unfamiliar route.

Fluffycloudsblusky · 14/06/2023 19:59

You need to look and see what the airline policies are.
If their are two different companies - for the two flights this could be a problem.
Unfortunately for your specific situation I’m not sure Mumsnet can be helpful - we don’t know the airlines, airports etc

Alittlebitolderandeeperindebt · 14/06/2023 20:01

Is she a British citizen?
You need to consider immigration as well if not

L3ThirtySeven · 14/06/2023 20:03

newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 19:29

I think there is a person from within the airline that they will look after her, but the problem is that in the mid point in the aeroplane and it's a different are playing so different company so there is noone to "collect " in Middle east

Most airlines only allow unaccompanied minors for direct flights- as in same airline the entire trip if there are connecting flights.

CatsOnTheChair · 14/06/2023 20:13

I'd be astounded if you could do this with 2 different airlines.
Is there any routing that will allow one airline the whole journey?

Frankly: I wouldnt travel a route involving 2 different tickets. I would always buy it as one ticket with a transfer, whatever extra cost that involved.

Original poster
newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 20:15

Ah so if i buy eith lastminute.com
As1 journey but 2 airlines it eould be better?

OP posts:
CatsOnTheChair · 14/06/2023 20:18

No, don't buy at lastminute.com
Buy with Emirates or Qatar or Etihad (judging from your comment about transiting in the ME - or other airline as appropriate) - you will probably need to book with them directly to get a child flying on a adult ticket anyway.
Has your daughter flown internationally before?

Prettypaisleyslippers · 14/06/2023 20:24

You can buy a ticket from India to here that requires a change. Don’t buy separate ticket. Call first airline and ask to arrange an unaccompanied minor, several forms to complete.

Original poster
newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 20:24

Yes, She used to, international travel

OP posts:
Alittlebitolderandeeperindebt · 14/06/2023 20:26

newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 20:24

Yes, She used to, international travel

And is she a British Citizen with a UK passport

Original poster
newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 20:26

Yes

OP posts:
Alittlebitolderandeeperindebt · 14/06/2023 20:28

You need to buy direct from the airline by phone and explain

Where are you in India that she cant fly direct (or take an internal flight to Chennai. Delhi or Mumbai and then fly direct)

StillWantingADog · 14/06/2023 20:29

I think you need to find an airline that can dk both sectors, call them up and take it from there

fwiw I went on planes by myself from age 12ish, no special permissions. All fine. But I didn’t transit in the ME and certainly didn’t switch airlines. As pp said, if first flight was late and she missed the second she’s be stuck.

if one ticket on same airline then if there was an issue the airline would be responsible for sorting her out

BarelyLiterate · 14/06/2023 20:36

It would be much better if both legs were on the same airline and her through ticket was booked directly with the airline, not via a third party / middleman. She should also be booked as an Unaccompanied Minor. The airline will then accept responsibility for looking after the UM during her connection and make sure she gets on the correct flight.
If, for example, she is booked Mumbai to Dubai on Air India & Dubai to U.K. with Emirates, she becomes nobody’s responsibility at DXB.

afain · 14/06/2023 20:40

As others have said. You need the whole journey to be with ONE carrier so that they are responsible from when you drop her at the departure airport until someone collects her at the destination airport.

ticketstickets · 14/06/2023 21:16

You should definitely try and book with one airline.

Many airlines allow children over 12 to travel alone - you just need to fill out a form when checking her in. But I would be worried about a 13 year old navigating a change and what if there are delays?

Our kids have travelled alone and we also (in addition to the UM forms) give a letter saying we allow our child to travel alone etc.

Original poster
newtothis15 · 14/06/2023 21:46

Thank you all for this amazing advice, so much wisdom and logical thinking

OP posts:
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