Grandparents denied boarding after missing consent letter: what to check before travelling with minors
A Brampton grandmother was turned away at the gate when she could not produce a parental consent letter for her grandchildren. Here’s what to carry and how to avoid the same mistake.
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By Torontoer Staff
Aveta Gordon of Brampton, Ontario, was denied boarding on a December 2024 flight to Jamaica after she could not produce a parental authorization letter for her grandchildren. Gordon and her husband had planned to travel for a wedding, but airport staff would not let the children board without paperwork proving the parents had authorised the trip.
The family had to buy new tickets the next day on a different airline, and the grandchildren stayed home with relatives. Air Transat declined a refund, citing its conditions of carriage and the requirement that minors travelling without parents or legal guardians carry a parental authorization letter.
How the situation unfolded
Gordon said the issue only emerged at boarding. "They said, 'They can't get on the flight,' so I said, 'What do I do now?,'" she recalled. Her daughter had already flown to Jamaica as part of the wedding party, leaving the grandparents without the signed permission letter that airline staff required.
I don't have one.
Aveta Gordon
Airline rules and legal context
Airlines enforce documentation rules for minors to comply with Canadian and international regulations intended to protect children and prevent unlawful removal from the country. In this case Air Transat confirmed the children were travelling without a parental authorization letter, which it described as a mandatory requirement.
This rule exists to comply with Canadian and international regulations designed to protect minors and prevent child abduction. While we regret the inconvenience experienced, we must adhere strictly to these legal requirements, and unfortunately, boarding cannot be permitted without the appropriate authorization.
Air Transat spokesperson
What documentation you need when travelling with minors
Requirements vary by carrier and destination, but common documents requested when minors travel without their parents or legal guardians include a passport, a birth certificate, and a parental consent letter. Some airlines and border officers may also ask for proof of family relationship or custody documents.
- Child's passport and any required visas
- Original birth certificate or long-form birth record
- Signed parental consent letter that includes travel dates, destinations and contact information for the absent parent or guardian
- Copies of government ID for the accompanying adult
- Custody or court orders if applicable
- Contact information for the parents and other emergency contacts
Travel expert Jennifer Weatherhead recommends having documentation notarized and bringing proof of the relationship, for example a birth certificate showing the parent and child's names.
You need their passport, birth certificate, parental consent and you should have it notarized to make sure it’s OK and proof of your relationship with the child as well as any kind of child custody documentation.
Jennifer Weatherhead, travel expert
Practical steps to avoid problems at the gate
Plan paperwork before you book flights. Check the airline's website and the Government of Canada travel pages for specific requirements well in advance. Confirm what both the departure and arrival countries expect, since border control officers can also request documentation.
- Contact the airline directly to confirm accepted forms of parental authorization
- Obtain a signed letter from the parent or legal guardian including names, passport numbers and travel dates
- Have the consent letter notarized if possible
- Carry both originals and photocopies of key documents
- Save digital copies in secure cloud storage for quick access
If you are denied boarding or need a refund
If documentation issues prevent travel, airlines may refuse boarding and deny refunds under their conditions of carriage. Keep receipts and written records of what happened. If you believe an airline applied rules incorrectly, file a formal complaint with the carrier and, if necessary, escalate to the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Gordon said she is still seeking a refund from Air Transat after the incident. She shared her experience to warn other grandparents to prepare the necessary paperwork before arriving at the airport.
If anyone is travelling with young kids, make sure you get a letter of permission to take your grandchildren or whoever you are taking with you.
Aveta Gordon
Documentation takes time to arrange but it is a small step compared with the cost and disappointment of being refused travel. Review requirements early and confirm them again the week before departure to avoid last-minute surprises.
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