kt74

...and I had a several hour delay to EGC/Bergerac the other Saturday. The previous week's LCY-EGC was cancelled

As c-w-s says, it's crews that are lacking at BACF. Plenty of spare planes hanging around LCY, but my EGC needed a crew to fly back from DUS to operate. For some reason, they chose to delay EGC heavily, and send out NCE, IBZ, JMK, FLR etc bang on time

The suggestion of a train to/from London isn't too bad, strikes permitting. Also, have you looked at SOU-EGC?

Confus

It’s amazing how short people’s memories are. Not very long ago, it was not possible to book a Young Adult at all, it was either 12+ as an adult, or U12 as a child. Then the government came along and offered an exemption from APD for teenagers, and almost overnight airlines had to come up with a fudge to allow a new category. But literally nothing else changed… it’s still an adult fare, it’s still the same underlying ticket, it’s still the same systems handling the itinerary, it just that the ticket doesn’t have APD attached to it. And it’s totally optional.

In any case, your point would only apply up to and until the point of check-in. As soon as the passport is swiped, they’re fully aware of the passenger’s DOB.

South London Bon Viveur

If everything is running smoothly it's a fine plan, but unfortunately the only way to fly these days is to generally assume the worst, so the OP should have a backup plan. Although LCY/BACF seem to have escaped the worst of the European aviation meltdown (for now) they are not immune. I have had an LCY-AMS morning rotation cancelled in a a couple of weeks from now- though I imagine this is to with the Schiphol traffic flow regulation rather than any BACF staff shortages.

Bullswood

Just to clarify my comment. I'm fully aware of the APD change and I don't disagree with any of your post except the last sentence, if you are suggesting to book online with a false age.
BA online res will not accept an under 16 booking without an adult - try it and you get:

"There must be at least one adult per booking for online bookings. To book for young adults travelling alone, please contact us."

I agree with your logic, I don't know why this restriction applies (I'd guess it has something to do with preventing teen runaways?) and I have no idea what additional procedure necessitates a call, but on the other hand, why enter into a contract from which a claim might arise with a false statement, just to avoid a phone call?

lwildernorva

Does it make any sense to do the first part of the trip by train? Both of you? I realize that's a significant investment of time, but it could be a great adventure with an overnight for the two of you in London.

Not in the same league, but apropos for my time, I took a similar trip when I was 13 except it was bus instead of plane. But in 1967, how many flew the way we all do now? My parents took me to a bus station downtown, put me on an early morning bus to Raleigh, North Carolina, and then I had to make a connecting bus to Chapel Hill so that I could attend an astronomy conference at the University of North Carolina. The conference was great, and after that experience, I was bound and determined to pursue a higher education and travel at a level that would exceed my humble 200-mile bus trip.

I'm happy to say that I succeeded on both counts. May your son find his trip just as inspiring. . .

LCY8737

I recall doing something similar when I was 12, but on trains. The only stressful moments on that trip happened in my mothers head - I think she was close to a nervous breakdown. I am still grateful that she said yes, despite clearly not wanting to. In the end I convinced her that I could call her from a phone booth in case things went terribly wrong.

Horacetweed

Thanks you for all the comments and advice.

Quick update for those that are interested.

The call centre isn't even taking calls this morning or yesterday evening - "please try again later". I've taken a punt and booked the tickets as an adult, leaving this Sunday back the Sunday after. I was able to add his date of birth and passport details with no issues and attached his exec club number to the booking. I'll keep trying to get through or failing that we'll get to EDI early and speak to the BA desk if we can. BA's permission paperwork is available on-line.

As for plan B, we have extended family on the right side of Kent for LCY so I'll put them on stand by. Timings of the Sunday flights mean long transfer times. Best case he's a bit bored, worst case he gets a night in Rochester instead of a week in France.

If outbound EDI to LCY gets cancelled before Sunday, I'll take him down on the train on Saturday and we'll just have to react to anything else, I guess.

corporate-wage-slave

What I've picked up over the years in this forum is that a lot of those here, who now travel extensively, started young. At 14 years old I was going to New Zealand and back on my own. So best wishes for the trip ahead, but it may not be the last such adventure.

South London Bon Viveur

Indeed! And I still vividly recall my first ever solo flight without an escort and large orange UM wallet. It was a British Midland 737 to Amsterdam, and my mother took me to the airport and helped me check in . The reverse is true these days

DazMan

EDI/LCY/FLR

First sector was late so had 25 minutes to connect (as said above - Out past baggage up escalator thru security to next gate)

We made it! Bags didn’t and still haven’t after 10 days.

Connection should have been 45 minutes

I think for your son go for a longer connection.

Good luck!

mgiarc

Looks like you've already booked, but on the shorter connection if EDI-LCY is delayed such that the connection doesn't work, couldn't he just offload himself at EDI and travel the next day?

1Aturnleft

Remember to also complete the parental consent form in its entirety and have your son travel with this on all parts of his travel with BA. You can download this on the BA website here.

The page linked also covers off some of your concerns such as BA's stance in the event things don't go according to plan.