I'm going to be traveling from Vietnam to the US next week, and I have a few questions to ask?
I'm traveling with All Nippon Airways, which allows me to accompany my 9 year old brother without any charges, but our last connecting flight is with united and they do require children 12 and under to pay a $150 fee for some service. I've been trying to book this service but haven't been able to contact any offices at all. All the numbers I call are invalid and I have no idea who to talk to. My question is, do airlines verify your age before boarding, and if not, could I just board with my brother? I'm 16, and turning 17 in September.
You are flying next week and are just now trying to figure this out? Where are your parents in all of this? As being under 18 YOU can't book any travel on your own, your parents MUST contact the airline to book. Your parents can contact the main reservation number of ANA or United to get this worked out. If they still can't get someone on the phone you should also be able to go to a local travel agency to get it arranged.
Of course airlines verify your age and because you are flying internationally that is easily done because both of you are required to have a Passport. If your brother requires UM service on United you are NOT flying because you are arriving on a Codeshare and will not have a parent/guardian who is 18 years or older to check you in for the connecting United flight. Because of this alone you will probably be denied boarding with ANA.
I don't think OC1999 is right. The service charge is for unaccompanied minors- children under 12 traveling without someone older. The airlines generally consider a 17 year old as an adult. You should have with you a letter from your parents giving you permission to travel with your brother. When you arrive at your first stop in the US, you will go through immigration and show your passports. Then you'll pick up your luggage and walk it through customs. Then you hand it over to the airline employees who recheck it to your final destination. Then you go to the gate to board your plane. All the airline looks at is your boarding pass- not your passport. Teens travel by themselves all the time in the US- they shuttle between parents a lot. It's unlikely that anyone will question you traveling with your brother.
CHILDREN do not get to wander the world at their will.
YOU are not an adult.
Being able to be on the plane is just one part of this.
You can fly with your brother.
AN ADULT your parents must arrange the travel and be at Airport to check you in.
They also arrange for an ADULT to meet you in USA at your Airport of entrance to USA.
IF US border officials do not like what they see they can refuse you entry and send you home.
UNITED Airlines
Reservations
84-24-3934-7233
84-24-3577-2357 (Fax)
Office Address
4th Floor, Dao Duy Anh Tower
9 Dao Duy Anh, Dong Da
Hanoi City
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Sunday and holidays, closed
Reservations
84-28-3930-6613
84-28-3930-5008 (Fax)
Office Address
4th Floor Travel House
170-172 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street
Ward 6 District 3 Ho Chi Minh City
Hours
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sunday/public holidays, closed
Try the above phone numbers.
Just contact the nearest travel agent office instead of calling by phone
you are a kid (16) and your brother is a kid (9) so you will need
parental permission to fly
definitely the airline is going to check your age
It's very unlikely that a 16 year old can fly internationally without any input from his parents! Where are they? Who bought your ticket? Have your parents spoken to the airline? Why is a 16 year old dealing with all this alone?
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