British Airways to End Unaccompanied Minor Service

In an effort to cut back on expenses, British Airways has decided to eliminate its “Unaccompanied Minor” service, The Independent reported.

For years, the airline has provided “flying nannies” for children under age 12 who are flying solo to various locations around the world, The Independent said.

British Airways contacted parents of children who have tickets to fly with the program to tell them that there will be no new bookings accepted, according to The Independent.

In a message to parents, which was obtained by The Independent, the airline said it will continue to allow 12- to 18-year-olds to fly on their own, but children under age 12 will need to be accompanied by someone at least 16 years old.

“Despite the overall growth in our customer numbers over the last decade, demand for our unaccompanied minor service has declined by two thirds, falling by 21 percent in the last year,” a BA spokeswoman told The Independent.

Of the children ages 5 to 11 years old who currently fly with the airline, more than 98 percent fly with an adult, The Independent reported.

“We have concluded with regret that we can no longer offer this service,” the BA spokeswoman told The Independent.

Source: Travel Pulse