Rachel Crampton, a Briton residing in Sydney, has launched a new website called Juurnee that connects travelers needing assistance on flights with willing companions. Their innovative platform takes some of the anxiety out of traveling alone. It particularly serves families and individuals who may require additional help along their path to success.
Crampton had a huge challenge ahead of her—a 23-hour flight from London to Sydney with three kids under five. It was this experience that led to the creation of Juurnee. She turned to social media for assistance. To gather more media attention, she promised A$1,000 to whoever was ready to accompany her during the journey. This experience led Crampton to develop a service that could help make those human connections for other people in similar situations.
After seeing great success in Australia, Juurnee has officially launched in the UK. It has proven to be hugely popular already, drawing the interest of more than 12,000 people who want to work as travel buddies. Most of these neophyte pals are talented musicians. That’s right – these are teachers, nurses, midwives and childcare workers – all of whom have undergone clearances to work with children or support people with disabilities.
Crampton emphasizes that anyone can apply to be a companion on Juurnee, stating, “You don’t need to be a nanny or nurse – just a decent person willing to lend a hand.” This more inclusive approach helps us welcome a greater variety of people who want to share their skills and make a difference while on the road.
Companions register for free on the app and can search thousands of offers of assistance. For those who want to be able to engage directly with travelers, there is a £15 per year subscription fee. After a companion applies for an offer, the traveler has 14 days to accept and match with him or her. Currently, there are 30 active requests for assistance on Juurnee.
Crampton’s preferred solution would have companions be paid only after the trip. In order to keep both people feeling safe and secure with their financial transaction, she recommends you use an escrow service. “At the moment we are recommending our matched travellers use Escrow.com,” Crampton noted, highlighting the importance of safeguarding both parties’ interests.
Juurnee serves the diverse travel experience. This would help solo parents traveling with toddlers, elderly travelers needing a little extra help, people with disabilities, unaccompanied minors and nervous flyers who want a little extra support throughout their journey. Their inclusive website is helping to create a more supportive, accessible travel community. It wants to improve travel for people who can’t easily make journeys unaccompanied.
As the platform continues to expand, Crampton is hopeful that it will help produce more meaningful experiences for travelers around the globe. “We haven’t had this situation crop up just yet,” she commented regarding any challenges or mishaps that might arise from the service. Nevertheless, her vision for Juurnee remains clear: to provide a trustworthy avenue for travelers seeking companionship and assistance on their flights.