Refusal to carry, Canadian Affair, My Travel Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines

r06f · 7th June 2006, 14:43

My daughters live in Canada. I made arrangements to have them flown to the UK for a visit with www.canadianaffair.com. Although their adult age begins at 15 they have instructed me over the phone in the past to simply book my children over the web putting the eldest in the adult bracket, this has happened four times in the past, and the younger as a child as normal. I did that this time too, and the booking was confirmed. Their mother called to make arangements for pre-booking their seats, explaining that they were 12 and 14 and traveling alone. The airline took her money and pre-booked the seats. When they arrived at the airport to check in they were refused. The company claimed that it was against their policy. I checked the booking conditions. there is nothing about age restrictions there. I called the UK customer service number, while my children were at the airport, and they refused to help, despite having carried the children in the past after booking in this way, explaining that the policy has changed recently. I am now £1500 pounds out of pocket for the new flights I had to purchase plus other expenses and Canadian affair refuse to even refund the original ticket cost. Is this legal? Is there anything I can do to recoup the cost of the tickets that they refused to honour? The flights were with My Travel Airways and Thomas Cook Airlines.

MARTIN3030 · 7th June 2006, 18:02

This is something that has changed recently and Im not so sure if the ruling has come from the Airline regulators.

Have you looked at the booking terms and conditions ?

Have you got anything in writing to support your enquiries?

Maybe theres a case for breach of contract.

First port of call I think is the agent you booked with as this should have been pointed out there.

Anyone else any suggestions ?

MARTIN3030 · 7th June 2006, 18:08

Ive just found this

http://www.aol.handbag.com/travel/ad...rs/kidsflying/

It says that there is NO legislation in force about this.
Looks like its down to individual policy and My travel (Thomas cooks Airline )
have decided its not their policy.

MARTIN3030 · 7th June 2006, 18:17

Hi again I also have a link to an Airline staff forum.

Maybe someone on there could advise you ?

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=227368

sb2675 · 13th June 2006, 10:36

It is down to the airline to decide what their Unaccmpanied Minor policy is, if indeed they decide to carry them at all. You may find that this cost was too dear for the charter airlines you mentioned and that a scheduled airline would be a better bet in future.

Some airlines restrict UM's to 1 per flight.

That being said, they still agreed to your booking and as long as you have proof that you put the ages in the web booking at the time of booking, then you should have a case to put to them.

You might want to copy in the CAA also as all policies are checked by them.

StudentInDebt · 17th June 2006, 16:30

Thomas Cook policy on UMs:

http://thomascooknew.custhelp.com/cg...i=&p_topview=1

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