Originally Posted by BAAZ
AFAIK at LHR at least, it's a licensing restriction - it's illegal for her to be admitted on her own because of the help-yourself alcohol. Because it's a legal issue it won't be something over which BA would be able to exercise any discretion.
And it's actually a licensing matter. The terms of the licence which BA hold to enable them to serve alcohol will likely include the provision that no under 18s are allowed. If BA break that licence condition and get caught, it may mean the local council will revoke BA's licence meaning BA will no longer be able to serve alcohol in the lounge - that's a big thing to ask BA to risk simply for the sake of one child whose parent doesn't want to go down the designated route that BA have for handling children travelling alone.
While I can see why a child might not want to be treated like a child (especially one who is being brought upto be independent), asking BA to risk their licence for the sake of that child is going a little bit too far.
And the OP's name would be mud on here if he did cause BA to lose their licence
