British Airways has announced that it will end its longtime "Skyflyer Solo" program for unaccompanied minors (UMs) on its flights. The move, which was part of a bigger cost-cutting initiative from the brand, also reflected the reality that the program had become less popular recently. "Despite the overall growth in our customer numbers over the last decade," a rep for BA told The Independent (UK), "demand for our unaccompanied minor service has declined by two thirds, falling by 21 percent in the last year." Jamie Bowden, a former customer service manager for BA's Heathrow Airport hub, also cited shrinking expat numbers as a factor: "There are no longer the huge numbers of UMs flying between London and the traditional ‘expat’ communities such as Hong Kong, Kenya, or the Caribbean that there used to be 30–40 years ago."
But BA isn't the only airline to eliminate or drastically change its program for young people flying alone. Last year, United announced a required $150 fee on top of ticket prices for all solo passengers ages five to 15, and would only allow UMs on direct flights. That change was likely a response to a 2012 gaffe where a ten-year-old girl traveling alone was "lost" in an airport during her connection. There have also been issues with teenagers traveling solo when delays pop up: One young woman who was snowed in at a connecting airport was unable to stay at a hotel because they didn't permit guests under the age of 21.
Although its program is officially finished, BA said it will honor all existing reservations for unaccompanied minors but will not permit any new bookings. Its main rival, Virgin, does currently allow UMs, while EasyJet doesn't permit any solo passengers under the age of 14.