A British-founded travel matchmaking platform is launching in the UK, offering parents and elderly passengers the chance to share their journey with a vetted travel companion – in return for free flights or cash.
Juurnee, created by Sydney-based British mother-of-three Rachel Crampton, pairs travellers needing extra help with companions willing to provide in-flight support. From assisting parents juggling young children to guiding elderly passengers through airport transfers, the service promises to make long-haul travel less stressful.
The concept was inspired by Crampton’s own experience in 2022, when she faced a daunting 24-hour return trip from the UK to Australia with three children under four, including an eight-week-old baby. When her husband had to return home early for work, she posted on Facebook offering to pay towards someone’s flight in exchange for help. The post went viral, attracting over 1,000 offers.
After interviewing candidates over FaceTime, she found Sarah, an Australian living in London who couldn’t afford a flight home. For £500, Sarah joined the trip, staying awake throughout to help feed, settle and entertain the children. “I don’t know how I would have managed without her,” Crampton said.
Realising no similar service existed – and with airlines unable to offer such support – Crampton launched Juurnee. The platform allows people seeking help to post their travel request for free, while would-be companions pay £15 a year to contact travellers directly.
Current listings range from a free Bangkok–London flight to assist an elderly passenger, to £300 for a Glasgow–Melbourne return to support an anxious flyer. Other offers include helping solo parents on flights to the US, India and Europe.
“You don’t need to be a nanny or a nurse – just a decent person willing to lend a hand,” Crampton explained. “Sometimes it’s about baggage or babies, other times it’s simply being there for reassurance.”
Since its soft launch in Australia last October, more than 12,000 people have signed up, and the platform has secured investment to fund its UK expansion.
Users report the service is both practical and rewarding. British mum Sara Kaplan, living in Sydney, said her companion Ella “was there in a flash” during their 25-hour journey, earning £270 for her time. Another parent, Serena Dyer, paid her helper A$1,200 for support on flights between Sydney and Dubai with her two young daughters, describing the experience as “tremendously helpful”.
It’s not just for families: one request sought a kind, patient traveller to guide a passenger with early-stage dementia from Sydney to London. The chosen companion was paid AU$800 (£390) and rated a perfect five by the passenger’s family.
How it works
Travellers in need:
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Post your trip details and the amount you’re willing to pay
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Match with a Juurnee companion
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Enjoy a stress-free journey
Companions:
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Apply to journeys that match your travel plans
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Pay £15 a year to message travellers directly
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Receive a free or discounted flight – and the thanks of someone you’ve helped
Crampton, who still works as a Commercial & Strategy Senior Specialist at Telstra alongside running Juurnee, says the feedback has been “overwhelmingly positive”.
“It’s such a joy to have people email me saying their journey was unbelievable thanks to Juurnee. I’m excited to see how many more people we can help.”