I've taken on that task a few times in the past. I've had woeful experiences with Iberia as an unaccompanied minor, so there's been a few times I'd got on with Spanish teenagers at the check in queue and told their parents I'd be happy to travel with them.

Best time was from Madrid with about 5 girls going to a boarding school near Cambridge, there was a delay so that we were kept on the tarmac for about an hour and handed free drinks. The girls (aged around 14 & 15) all requested miniatures and mixers and gave me the bottles.

It was a long time ago (I'm not sure if IB would still give liquor to minors), but I remember this being a peculiarly happy flight!

And there was a time more recently when I went to Greece for a weekend so I only had hand luggage. I could see a young family who were obviously moving there and had tons of luggage. I approched them, said I'd be happy to travel with them and offered my 20kgs allowance. They were charming, the little boy was lovely, and while the parents prepared their own seats I held on to the little boy. Naturally everyone avoided my row. Once everyone was clamped in, I handed the boy back and ended up having a fantastic sleep draped over 3 seats on the overnight EZ flight to Athens.


Kids have upsides too.