iflymykid Preview
YA
1. AS "YOUNG ADULT"
with no chaperone service
PROS
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No hefty chaperone fees
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Any published flight is allowed (incl. connecting, red-eye)
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Parent are typically allowed to accompany child to/from gate
CONS
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No chaperon supervision provided
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Minor responsible for changing planes (if any).
TWO WAYS TO FLY A 12 Y.0.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
No Unaccompanied minor chaperone service will be provided by the airline and no UM fee charged. Any published flight is allowed. This is a cheaper but less safe option recommended for responsible kids traveling on simple (preferably nonstop itineraries). In many cases the airline will grant guardians a cortesy gate passes to accompany the minor traveling as YA throught the security on departure and arrival. During the connection the airline personel will be available to direct the YA to the connecting gate, it is up to the minor however to follow those directions. It's recommended that the YA carries a cell phone to connect with parents.
UM
2. AS "UNACCOMPANIED MINOR"
with mandatory chaperone service
PROS
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Safe: child is never alone. Parents required to accompany minor to/from gate, airline's chaperone available during flight and connectinon.
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Airline takes care of child in case of flight changes or delays.
CONS
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Only limited eligible flights are allowed
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A chaperone fee applies each way
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Special booking proceedure required
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Full Unaccompanied minor chaperone service will be provided by the airline for a fee. Guardians will be required to accompany the child through the security to the gate where they will meet the chaperone. UMs are typically seated in the last row of the aircraft where the crew can easily look after them. During layovers the minor will be accompanied by a chaperone untill boarded on the connecting flight. Most major airports have the designated areas for UMs. The airline will make accompodations for the minor in case of flight delays / changes. Only "eligible flighs" are allowed e.g. no last connection of the day, no red-eyes on some airles etc. For more details see individual airlines rules (upgrade to Full version required).