British Airways Stops Unaccompanied Minor Services.

British Airways latest move to cut costs, the airline is ending its “Unaccompanied Minor” (UM) service - angering parents who face flying thousands of miles to pick up or deliver their offspring. 

The airline has not publicised the move widely. Instead, BA told passengers with children booked to fly as UMs that, while existing tickets will be honoured, no new bookings will be accepted.

 “The airline will continue to take bookings for 12 to 18-year-olds who wish to fly independently. However, children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or over.”

 spokeswoman for BA said  “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 per cent in the last year.”

Until this week, the airline charged $125 (£90) for what it called its Skyflyer Solo service on a European or domestic flight, and $150 (£108) for a long-haul trip, on top of the fare.