Split bookings Adult+child Club, Adult+child WT+ Can we swap on plane?
Dec 22, 2008, 10:56 am
#1
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Split bookings Adult+child Club, Adult+child WT+ Can we swap on plane?
In the recent Miles sale, I was forced to book 1 adult 1 child (8) in Club and 1 adult 1 child (11) in WT+ rather than the intended 2 adults Club 2 children WT+ because the web-site wouldn't allow unaccompanied child booking. Have been told verbally that I can swap on the plane, but am a little bit concerned that this might cause a problem...any ideas how I can best manage this booking to ensure (reasonably close) seating, appropriate adult meals in Club etc..? Is there any risk that, despite assurances, one adult may be forced to fly in WT+ for the whole flight (will probably split up for take-off and landing, but then leave them to it)?
Dec 22, 2008, 11:01 am
#2
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http://www.britishairways.com/travel/child/public/en_gb
Yes, if they don't behave themselves:
https://ukprepin.custhelp.com/cgi-bi...=en&country=gb
https://ukprepin.custhelp.com/cgi-bi...=en&country=gb
Dec 22, 2008, 12:09 pm
#3
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As far as I can see there are two problems, one is that you have paid for only one adult and one child seats in club but won't to use the sets for two adults.
Secondly you cannot have two children travelling in a cabin without a adult or child over twelve.
CIHY
Secondly you cannot have two children travelling in a cabin without a adult or child over twelve.
CIHY
Dec 22, 2008, 12:13 pm
#4
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A child must always be accompanied by an adult in the same cabin.
Aside from this, I would consider it a bit irresponsible to leave two children alone in a cabin on an airplane.
Aside from this, I would consider it a bit irresponsible to leave two children alone in a cabin on an airplane.
Dec 22, 2008, 12:17 pm
#5
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I agree with the other sentiments, though - the kids are too young to be left on their own. Why don't you take turns in sitting in club?
Dec 22, 2008, 12:21 pm
#6
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G-BOAC and CIHY have given correct answers. One adult will have to sit with one child in WT+ for the entire flight as that is the requirement for children under the age of 12. And as you've only paid for one adult in CW only one adult can be there with the child at any time.
As for swapping seats mid flight, some crews are, rightly, not happy to see this happen as it can cause disruption to other passengers. Why would you do this anyway? Only one meal per passenger will be served and it still leaves one adult and one child in each cabin - you won't be able to put two adults in CW.
Can't understand why you didn't book what you wanted, as Reservations could have added the unaccompanied minor charge into it very easily (why didn't you ask for supervisor if they didn't know how?). Equally I'm not sure why any parent would wish to sit apart from their children anyway.
As for swapping seats mid flight, some crews are, rightly, not happy to see this happen as it can cause disruption to other passengers. Why would you do this anyway? Only one meal per passenger will be served and it still leaves one adult and one child in each cabin - you won't be able to put two adults in CW.
Can't understand why you didn't book what you wanted, as Reservations could have added the unaccompanied minor charge into it very easily (why didn't you ask for supervisor if they didn't know how?). Equally I'm not sure why any parent would wish to sit apart from their children anyway.
Dec 22, 2008, 12:24 pm
#7
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How does that work for UMs then? Or, indeed, Split Families like the links I posted above on ba.com sunrisegirl and CIHY seem to also suggest that this is not possible but ba.com seems to suggest it is. Unless I'm missing something (I have tried re-reading).
Most confusing!
sunrisegirl and CIHY seem to also suggest that this is not possible but ba.com seems to suggest it is. Unless I'm missing something (I have tried re-reading).Most confusing!
Dec 22, 2008, 12:27 pm
#8
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Manners people! Welcome to FT timodell 
I'd have said the same, until I read the link posted by G-BOAC
So it looks like it is absolutely possible.
I think that's down to the parents (as much as it pains me to say that). Some 8 and 11 year olds are perfectly well behaved, others less so. But that's a whole other thread.
Where I think the issue will come is swapping one adult and one child (as sunrisegirl outlines). The crew might allow it, but they'd be well within their rights not to....
I'd have said the same, until I read the link posted by G-BOAC
Originally Posted by ba.com
Booking a child into a different cabin (Split families)
If you are a parent/guardian travelling with a child/children and you wish to travel in a different cabin, we can organise this.
No special booking procedure is required for children who are 12 years of age or over.
For children under 12 years of age, so that we can take the best care of them, please note the following:
If you are a parent/guardian travelling with a child/children and you wish to travel in a different cabin, we can organise this.
No special booking procedure is required for children who are 12 years of age or over.
For children under 12 years of age, so that we can take the best care of them, please note the following:
- minimum age of the child is 5 years old
- child can be booked into any cabin once the parent/guardian is travelling on the same flight
- child must be checked in at the parent/guardian's check-in desk and remain with them until they are handed over at the gate to our British Airways staff
- Silver/Gold cardholders may take the child as a guest into the lounge. However non cardholders on a Club/First class ticket are only entitled to use the lounge for themselves only
- Ground staff will complete the hand-over form at the gate, or where appropriate, and pass it to the Cabin Crew when they escort the child onto the aircraft. Whilst we retain overall Duty of Care after the child has checked in, the parent/guardian are requested to remain responsible for the child's health, well being and behaviour both on the ground and on-board.
Where I think the issue will come is swapping one adult and one child (as sunrisegirl outlines). The crew might allow it, but they'd be well within their rights not to....
Dec 22, 2008, 12:28 pm
#9
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With UMs, the cabin crew are briefed in advance and can ensure the children are OK at all times. The UM will also of course be chauffeured from arrival at the airport to the aircraft gate (better than F class passengers 
).
If an adult and child are on the same booking, then it's a bit bizarre to have the adult in one cabin and the child in another where the adult is not possibly able to look after the child properly.
).If an adult and child are on the same booking, then it's a bit bizarre to have the adult in one cabin and the child in another where the adult is not possibly able to look after the child properly.
Dec 22, 2008, 12:30 pm
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I must admit, I had the same thing in the back of my mind from past thread(s) maybe which is why I had a scoot around ba.com. Maybe this is new/has changed. Frankly, though, I'm more inclined to believe CIHY and sunrisegirl than ba.com
Dec 22, 2008, 12:33 pm
#11
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We have done this split in F and J a few times. I have never thought to try to get two adults in F for the reasons set out above: it would mean an adult benefitting from a child's booking, and it would mean leaving the kids unaccompanied (in our case the problem us that they would keep trying to come to visit us).
What we do, and we have had no problems with this (although we always clear it with the crew on boarding) is to swap for one leg, so the adult and child hding the booking in the lower cabin get a sector in the higher cabin.
What we do, and we have had no problems with this (although we always clear it with the crew on boarding) is to swap for one leg, so the adult and child hding the booking in the lower cabin get a sector in the higher cabin.
Dec 22, 2008, 12:35 pm
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Dec 22, 2008, 12:36 pm
#13
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What is the official policy to all this? We're off to Oz next year for a family do... I'm booked in F with the missus from the miles sale....my parents paying in cash for eco...I'll probably stump up the cash to get them WT+, but that's it at the most! Anyone who thinks I'm a bad person for this cabin selection - it was the last 2 remaining seats free for the month in F, during the sale - had I called them to see if suited their itinery & waited for their reply, would no doubt have been none left.And the miles are 3/4ths in my wife's name!
In any other walk of life, or mode of transport, it wouldn't be a crime surely for me to go have a chat, on a 20hr journey with one of my parents, and the other, out of necessity, takes my seat temporarily?
In any other walk of life, or mode of transport, it wouldn't be a crime surely for me to go have a chat, on a 20hr journey with one of my parents, and the other, out of necessity, takes my seat temporarily?
Dec 22, 2008, 12:38 pm
#14
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I suggest the OP explains to the purser in club that they would like to change over mid-flight and the change over is caried out in W/T plus which will cause less disruption. I would not be happy to see all four passengers in club at the same time.
CIHY
CIHY
Dec 22, 2008, 12:39 pm
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How does that work for UMs then? Or, indeed, Split Families like the links I posted above on ba.com sunrisegirl and CIHY seem to also suggest that this is not possible but ba.com seems to suggest it is. Unless I'm missing something (I have tried re-reading).
Most confusing!
sunrisegirl and CIHY seem to also suggest that this is not possible but ba.com seems to suggest it is. Unless I'm missing something (I have tried re-reading).Most confusing!
Ground staff will complete the hand-over form at the gate, or where appropriate, and pass it to the Cabin Crew when they escort the child onto the aircraft. Whilst we retain overall Duty of Care after the child has checked in, the parent/guardian are requested to remain responsible for the child's health, well being and behaviour both on the ground and on-board.
BA retain the overall Duty of Care, hence why a UM fee must be paid. Failure to pay this means that BA are not responsible, and as such any child/children under 12 must remain the responsibility of their parents.
I agree it's confusing but hope that helps