Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
more than one airline. (With the new
airline alliances, your child may end
up on a Northwest aircraft, even
though you booked the flight through
Continental.) If so, make sure you
know each airline's policy for unac-
companied minors. Once you receive
the ticket, review it yourself to make
sure the city of origin and the destina-
tion are accurate. Review the ticket
carefully with your child and explain
simply how it works.
If you're booking a flight for your
child, the airlines will request your
name, telephone number, and
address—along with the name, num-
ber, and address of the guardian who
will meet your child at the destination
city. An adult guardian must accom-
pany the child to the gate or plane,
furnish reasonable proof that another
adult will meet the child at the final
destination, and remain at the airport
until the plane is in the air. The
accompanying adult at the destination
will have to sign a release form and
furnish government-issued photo
identification, such as a license or
passport. If a child is unusually big or
small, it's wise to bring a birth certifi-
cate to the airport as proof of age.
Solo Minors on International
Flights
Major carriers' policies for minors
traveling alone are basically the same
for both domestic and international
travel, although fees are higher on
international flights. Children may be
prohibited from boarding an interna-
tional flight under poor weather con-
ditions that could require that the
plane be rerouted.
Parents should seriously consider
using European airlines for interna-
tional trips because of the extra serv-
ices they provide for kids. British
Airways has a toy chest on its planes,
and Virgin Atlantic treats kids like
royalty, with special entertainment
channels, toys, and treats.
If you're booking a ticket for a
minor on an international flight, you
should call the consulate of the desti-
nation country to find out about visas
and other special entry requirements.
Minor Orientation
With stricter security measures at air-
ports, parents must now get a pass
from the ticket agent for permission to
escort their children to the departure
gate. (Adults picking up unaccompa-
nied minors at arrival gates also need
this permission slip.) If your child has
never flown before, it makes sense to
show up at the airport a little early to
wander around, watch other planes
take off and land, and prepare your
child in advance for how flight is going
to feel. Be sure to discuss the danger of
talking to strangers—even if you have
had the same discussion before. You
will be allowed to escort your child to
the gate, but not onto the plane.
Some airlines allow unaccompanied
minors to board first, so the flight
crew has more time to meet the child,
orient the child to the location of
bathrooms and emergency exits, store
carry-ons, review safety procedures,
and—kids love this part—introduce
the child to the cockpit crew. Make
sure minors understand that they
should contact an attendant in case of
any type of problem—from sickness
to a malfunctioning headset to a both-
ersome neighbor. If you can't make it
all the way on to the plane, be sure to
introduce your child to the gate atten-
dant and ensure the child will receive
help boarding if necessary.
Some airlines offer special meals for
children, such as hamburgers, hot
dogs, or peanut butter sandwiches,
which must be ordered in advance,
when you make the reservation. It's
still wise to send your child off with a
bagged lunch, snack, and drinks. Also
pack topics and other entertainment
in a carry-on and make sure your child
knows how to get at them onboard the
plane.
