BA leaves 14-year-old daughter stranded at French airport

A 14-year-old girl was left alone at an airport in France after British Airways (BA) changed her flight's departure gate without providing assistance. Despite being checked in and given a boarding pass for gate 54, she was informed that her flight was actually departing from gate 52, which was only 50 meters away. However, BA staff failed to ensure she made it to the correct gate, leaving her distressed and in tears as she attempted to navigate back through security and passport control. The situation escalated as the girl faced shouting from airport staff while trying to return to her flight. Her guardian struggled to reach BA for assistance, only to be told that a new ticket would cost £1,200. This incident highlights a significant gap in the support provided to minors traveling alone, as BA's policies treat children over 12 as adults, requiring them to manage airport navigation independently. Despite the airline's claims that announcements were made regarding the gate change, the lack of proactive measures to check on unaccompanied minors raises serious concerns about child safety in air travel. The absence of a chaperone service for minors is alarming, especially in an era where safeguarding is paramount. Parents and guardians are advised to remain in the terminal until their child's flight departs and to provide them with a checklist for monitoring flight updates. This incident serves as a reminder of the need for better support systems for young travelers in the aviation industry.