From Viral Plea to Global Travel Service: The Story Behind Juurnee

What began as a desperate social media post has grown into an innovative travel platform. Rachel Crampton, a Briton living in Sydney, faced the daunting task of flying 23 hours from London to Sydney with three children under five and no one to assist her. She offered A$1,000 (about £560 at the time) to anyone willing to accompany her. The post went viral, and she soon connected with “an amazing Aussie girl” in London who was homesick and unable to afford the trip home. 

That experience inspired Crampton to launch Juurnee, a website that matches travellers who need assistance with those willing to help. After finding success in Australia, the platform has now launched in the United Kingdom. 

People who may need help on flights include solo parents, elderly passengers, travellers with disabilities, unaccompanied minors, or nervous flyers. They post their request for free of charge, detailing the route, dates, and the payment they are offering, often between 50% and 100% of the companion’s airfare. 

Companions sign up for free, browse offers and pay a £15 annual subscription to message travellers directly. They purchase their own tickets, meaning those seeking help are not responsible for their flights. More than 12,000 companions are registered, many with childcare, medical or disability-support qualifications, but Crampton says all that’s required is being “a decent person willing to lend a hand.” 

Recent listings include a return journey from London to Switzerland with full flight costs covered for helping an older wheelchair user, and a London to Sydney trip offering half the airfare for assisting a mother with her one-year-old child. 

Juurnee recommends using Escrow.com to hold payments until 48 hours after arrival, protecting both parties. While the platform does not provide formal contracts, it offers a guide for setting expectations, and users can create their own agreements. 

If a companion fails to show up, they forfeit payment, and Juurnee steps in to help find a replacement. “We haven’t had that happen yet,” says Crampton, who believes the growing community is built on trust and mutual benefit. 

From a single Facebook post to a global matching service, Juurnee is turning strangers into travel partners, making long flights a little less daunting for those who need support and a little more affordable for those willing to offer it.