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A Cromwell mother is warning users of airline websites to be careful when booking tickets for children, after her toddler was barred from flying home with her teenage son on Sunday.
Anna Grace bought tickets on a Qantas flight for Hamish, 14, and two-year-old Montana-Rose so they could return to Queenstown from Christchurch, where they were visiting their grandparents, the Southland Times reported.
However, airline officials stopped Montana-Rose from flying on Sunday because Hamish was not over 15-years-old.
Mrs Grace said she had assumed Hamish could act as a caregiver for her daughter as he had to travel on an adult fare.
"They want him to pay to be an adult, but they don't treat him as an adult."
The booking window on the Qantas website asks users to select the number of adults and "children (2-11 yrs)" flying, with an adjacent link asking "Children travelling alone?" .
Mrs Grace said she ignored this link because Montana-Rose, in the children category, was flying with Hamish, who was booked in the adult category.
A Qantas spokesperson said the company's rules were simple.
"A 14-year-old is an unaccompanied minor and they can't accompany another unaccompanied minor.
"It's all listed on the website."
- NZPA
