Photo: Stock.Xchng. Illustration: Joss Hutton.
'Aloha Denied' For Minors Flying Alone
Hawaiian Airlines have said that they'll no longer carry unaccompanied minors who are aged under 15-years-old.
'Junior don't surf' seems to be the underlying message given out by Hawaiian Airlines' rather surprising announcement that unaccompanied minors under 15-years-old - commonly referred to as UMMR by the world's airlines - are no longer permitted on their flights.
Hawaiian Airlines hold a record 36 consecutive months as the most punctual airline in the US and were placed top for on-schedule performance and the fewest misplaced pieces of luggage by the US Department of Transportation for 2005 and 2006. Therefore, it does seem a mite odd that the carrier - which flies to nine US gateway cities, more than any other airline, and offers services to Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti - has in effect said 'Aloha denied' to unaccompanied children!
This news comes just in time for the summer period, which is traditionally the busiest time for unaccompanied children taking flights. Happily, most major airlines make a special effort for kids travelling alone, giving them extra attention, snacks and goodie bags, but you may need to inform them when purchasing tickets, and a surcharge is usually made. Some airlines let children over 12-years-old accompany a sibling who is aged between five and 11-years-old. Kids aged 12 and older can normally travel as unaccompanied minors on most airlines, but it is always wise to inform the carrier when booking tickets.
Hawaiian Airlines hold a record 36 consecutive months as the most punctual airline in the US and were placed top for on-schedule performance and the fewest misplaced pieces of luggage by the US Department of Transportation for 2005 and 2006. Therefore, it does seem a mite odd that the carrier - which flies to nine US gateway cities, more than any other airline, and offers services to Australia, American Samoa and Tahiti - has in effect said 'Aloha denied' to unaccompanied children!
This news comes just in time for the summer period, which is traditionally the busiest time for unaccompanied children taking flights. Happily, most major airlines make a special effort for kids travelling alone, giving them extra attention, snacks and goodie bags, but you may need to inform them when purchasing tickets, and a surcharge is usually made. Some airlines let children over 12-years-old accompany a sibling who is aged between five and 11-years-old. Kids aged 12 and older can normally travel as unaccompanied minors on most airlines, but it is always wise to inform the carrier when booking tickets.




