Unaccompanied minors not allowed in Virgin Domestic J

[MichaelD]

Just discovered this little gotcha with Virgin - unaccompanied minors go economy, back of the plane, or not at all. This contrasts to Qantas, where the response was "if you want her to go Business, she can go Business" - so long as the appropriate paperwork was completed.

Miss D needs 40 SCs for Virgin Plat requalify and 30 SCs for Qantas Plat requalify - made sense to me to do MEL-SYD return with Qantas JASA one way and paid Virgin J seat the other, but...denied.

 

[lazybones1987]

Nothing new, it's been like this for a long time (even when they had Premium Economy).

 

[Noob]

As annoying as it is for a status run, different airlines have different policies. I'd think it is safe to assume both airlines have policies & procedures which they feel are best for the safety and comfort of the minor(s).

 

[leemin]

I would hazard a guess and say its probably a policy that originates from a desire to minimise the attention any UM gets from other passengers.

Far from the when I flew as an UM when QF attached massive stickers all over me, airlines now like to keep a low profile for minors. I would say that a young kid sitting in J with their own flight attendant would draw some attention... hell, I get weird looks as a 22 y.o. when I fly J on DJ..!

 

[serfty]

As annoying as it is for a status run, different airlines have different policies. I'd think it is safe to assume both airlines have policies & procedures which they feel are best for the safety and comfort of the minor(s).

Seems that DJ seem to feel (in contrast to Qantas) that UM's are at more risk when seated in Business. Maybe it 'cause the front galley is frequently unoccupied during a flight.

 

[MichaelD]

both airlines have policies & procedures which they feel are best for the safety and comfort of the minor(s).

In Miss D's firm opinion, she is quite sure that J is best for her comfort, with parents seated as far away as possible.

Just an annoyance, not mentioned at all anywhere on the Virgin website, which I got caught with after booking everything else. Means I need to use up some Virgin points for me to accompany her (much to her disgust).

 

[flyingfan]

In Miss D's firm opinion, she is quite sure that J is best for her comfort, with parents seated as far away as possible.

What impresses me is her platinum with DJ which is no easy feat unlike the JASA runs possible with QF - and I'm guessing she probably doesn't do QF runs off her own bat either Sounds like another entrant to the small club of young LTGs... I hope she joints AFF in due course and starts sharing her experiences and tips!

 

[brad330]

I would hazard a guess and say its probably a policy that originates from a desire to minimise the attention any UM gets from other passengers.

Far from the when I flew as an UM when QF attached massive stickers all over me, airlines now like to keep a low profile for minors. I would say that a young kid sitting in J with their own flight attendant would draw some attention... hell, I get weird looks as a 22 y.o. when I fly J on DJ..!

think about the looks when people see the front row of J occupide by a 16 yo boy and 10, 12, 14 yo girls

 

[MichaelD]

Far from the when I flew as an UM when QF attached massive stickers all over me.

I remember seeing kids like that from not all that long ago...ah, memories.

her platinum with DJ which is no easy feat

That's family pooling + double status credits worked to best advantage by yours truly. 0 - 760 SCs in a little over one month, but just can't make it quite over the line on my own before she resets.

DJ Platinum x 3 in the family = 12 free flexi -> business upgrades for our personal use which is an immensely valuable perk.

 

[MichaelD]

think about the looks when people see the front row of J occupide by a 16 yo boy and 10, 12, 14 yo girls

Good on ya! I say. Enjoy watching the DYKWIAs slink past you to the back of the plane.

 

[carpenteria]

Far from the when I flew as an UM when QF attached massive stickers all over me, airlines now like to keep a low profile for minors. I would say that a young kid sitting in J with their own flight attendant would draw some attention... hell, I get weird looks as a 22 y.o. when I fly J on DJ..!

Know that feeling, used to do UM QF back and forth from CNS and TSV many years back... first on the plane, right up the front, all the attention from the FA's, first off... no wonder I miss the feeling of being privileged these days!

But yes I have noticed with DJ when circumstances has forced me towards the back that they usually aim to put the young ones at the back of the bus. I also noticed even families with young kids seem to mostly gravitate towards the back, could be conincidence I guess.

 

[RickyT84]

Far from the when I flew as an UM when QF attached massive stickers all over me, airlines now like to keep a low profile for minors. I would say that a young kid sitting in J with their own flight attendant would draw some attention... hell, I get weird looks as a 22 y.o. when I fly J on DJ..!

think about the looks when people see the front row of J occupide by a 16 yo boy and 10, 12, 14 yo girls

I haven't had people giving me weird looks when I sat in J (admittedly I look younger than my age). I guess J on the A330 is good in this respect as people tend to continue past you straight away without needing to stop.

More importantly, the crew treats me just like other passengers.

 

[MichaelD]

Just as a brief follow-up on this - Miss D is now set up as an unaccompanied minor on the Qantas leg of her status run. Interestingly, she has been pre-allocated the back row of Business, and unlike all of her other bookings, this seat cannot be changed.

 

[opusman]

Just as a brief follow-up on this - Miss D is now set up as an unaccompanied minor on the Qantas leg of her status run. Interestingly, she has been pre-allocated the back row of Business, and unlike all of her other bookings, this seat cannot be changed.

They've probably found her a seat next to a female pax and won't let her move in case she ends up next to a scary male person.

 

[MichaelD]

They've probably found her a seat next to a female pax and won't let her move in case she ends up next to a scary male person.

Not actually the case - currently ExpertFlyer is showing her in an aisle seat, back of Business, with no one sitting next to her. It will be interesting to see if she does get someone (presumably female) sitting next to her in due course.

 

[Flashback]

Not actually the case - currently ExpertFlyer is showing her in an aisle seat, back of Business, with no one sitting next to her. It will be interesting to see if she does get someone (presumably female) sitting next to her in due course.

What was the end result, or is the flight still to happen?

 

[MichaelD]

What was the end result, or is the flight still to happen?

MEL-SYD on Qantas in J as an unaccompanied minor. Last row of J, no one sitting next to her. Boarded last. Disembarked last. Enjoyed the mushroom soup.

SYD-MEL on Virgin in J. I flew MEL-SYD-MEL for the sole reason of sitting next to her on the Virgin leg.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

In Miss D's firm opinion, she is quite sure that J is best for her comfort, with parents seated as far away as possible.

Just an annoyance, not mentioned at all anywhere on the Virgin website, which I got caught with after booking everything else. Means I need to use up some Virgin points for me to accompany her (much to her disgust).

You could always book an extra seat for personal comfort so that way your daughter would accrue ff points & SC for both the seats.