Teens travelling alone for holidays

Valli

I have searched holiday sites but cannot find the answer. DD and her friends will be 16 and 17 this summer and fancy a short break abroad.

While they come under 'child' on websites as they will be travelling together I would assume they need to book as adults BUT cannot find a minimum age on the sites I've checked so far.

Would any companies accept bookings for them?

Would they be allowed to fly?

BillyB

I thought it was 14 but found this on BA:
Important notice when booking children travelling alone

• On British Airways operated flights, children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by a person of 16 years of age or above.
• On flights operated by our codeshare partner Meridiana, children under the age of 12 years must be accompanied by a person of 18 years of age or above.
• The person accompanying the child can be a family member, guardian or other appointed person.

Also found this:

Children from the age of six can travel alone on any British Airways flight.

They offer a Sky Flyer solo service for children travelling alone, may vary from company to company though.

Valli

Thank you for that; that's as far as we have got but the chances are the flights won't be BA; also there's the hotel issue. So far I've had no luck finding anything in T&Cs for Travel Agents.

Doshwaster

You must be a very trusting parent. When I was 16 or 17 I wasn't allowed to go to the next town for a night out never mind abroad.

If a travel agent refused to accept the booking then you may be able to book directly with the hotel but it would depend upon the local laws where they are going and the policy of the hotel itself - both of which can vary widely. Many hotels require a credit card to cover any additional costs and damages incurred during the stay.

thegirlintheattic

Most travel agents will want an over-18 to be present when the booking is made and take responsibility. Some companies insist on an over 18 on the booking (for package holidays).

BillyB

It looks like most airlines have the same policy, where children can fly alone after 6 if documents are completed and older ones (15 - 17) can fly unaccompanied. Might be worth going in to a travel agents branch or phone them and ask them directly.

poet123

I flew at 17 with a group of friends to Spain, we were all around the same age and I don't recall there being any issues.

mumps

My daughter and some friends went to Crete, I think, after A levels. They booked a few months earlier so my daughter was the only one who was 18 at the time, her birthday is early in academic year. She had to be the lead traveller and sign for everything. When her older brother had his first holiday with a group of friends he was 17 and his age wasn't a problem, he is 20 years older than her and rules seem to have changed. His problem was it was an all male group and lots of places wouldn't have an all male group. It's never easy is it.

As for flying alone one of mine flew off behind the iron curtain when he was still at primary school but he was visiting friends so no hotel to worry about.

pleasedelete

My daughter has flown jet2 alone since 15 but she only books flights not holidays. I think it is the accommodation (which they might wreck) which is the issue not the airlines. Even if you prepay the room they will probably need a credit card when checking in.

Dunroamin

Valli wrote: »

Thank you for that; that's as far as we have got but the chances are the flights won't be BA; also there's the hotel issue. So far I've had no luck finding anything in T&Cs for Travel Agents.

Depending on where they want to go, staying in Youth Hostels could be an economic alternative to staying in hotels and a slightly more sheltered environment.

Dragonista

All hotels I've stayed at want an over-18. Some it's 21. As for flights, as PP have mentioned, you can fly alone under 18. Some are as low as 12.