A Bulgarian ambassador to the United States faced an unexpected hurdle when Lufthansa reportedly declined to provide onboard assistance for his 12-year-old son. The embassy copy of the release notes that the incident occurred during a Christmas connection from Washington to Sofia, with a stop in Frankfurt planned for the transfer.
Sources indicate that the ambassador was arranging an onboard escort for his child to ensure a safe and supervised journey on the connecting Lufthansa leg. The family maintains the child never traveled alone and relied on the airline’s support for a minor during international travel.
According to the ambassador, a message arrived on the departure day stating that the requested assistance was canceled. The airline allegedly attributed the cancellation to a policy interpretation linking Bulgaria with Russia. In response, airline staff reportedly assisted the boy onto the flight to Sofia, but the embassy official emphasized that no compensation was sought while calling for a formal explanation of the incident.
Meanwhile, comments from Evgeny Ivanov, the Deputy Head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, were reported in Moscow. Ivanov argued against imposing mirror restrictions in retaliation for Western entry bans on Russian citizens, suggesting that such tit-for-tat measures would not yield a productive outcome and would hurt multiple parties involved in international travel and diplomacy.
As this incident unfolds, observers in North America are examining airline policies around unaccompanied minors, particularly on international routes with layovers. The event highlights how airline customer-service standards for minors can become a focal point for diplomatic relations, media scrutiny, and traveler safety discussions. Stakeholders in the United States and Canada are watching for clarifications from Lufthansa and other carriers regarding how they interpret eligibility for onboard escort services and the consistency of their policies across countries. Restoring confidence in international kid-travel procedures remains a priority for families who rely on airline support to navigate complex itineraries with care and oversight. The dialogue also touches on broader questions about how airlines balance safety, policy compliance, and the needs of travelers who depend on assistance for minors during multi-leg journeys. The evolving conversation underscores the importance of transparent, consistent practices that reassure travelers while aligning with international travel norms. (Source: Novinite)