Information for Tweens Flying Alone
Making a Plane Trip Safer When Traveling
Of course, there is almost always a certain sense of uneasiness as you watch your child walk down the runway until the time he is out of your sight. The fact that millions of children fly safely alone each year is of some comfort. Just make sure you do everything you can to assure your tween's safety when sending him off into the wild blue yonder.
The Rules for Unaccompanied Minors
Children can legally fly alone when they are between the ages of 5 to 17. Children in this age group are referred to as "unaccompanied minors" (UMs). The following generally accepted guidelines are in existence for these travelers:
- Children ages 5 to 7 may travel to a single destination and cannot switch planes at all.
- Children ages 8 to 11 may use connecting flights, where necessary. Children in this age group will reach their connecting flight with the assistance of a flight attendant. There is an extra fee that is charged for this service. Some airlines will not allow any children in this age group to catch connecting flights under any circumstance.
- Children ages 12 to 17 may use connecting flights, where necessary. Children in this age group do not need assistance to catch a connecting flight, but the service can be requested by the parent/guardian for a fee. There are a few airlines that do not allow children 15 and under to making connecting flights under any circumstance.
Be sure you check with an airline regarding their specific UM rules before trying to make any flying arrangements. In any of the above situations, the child must have a parent or responsible adult waiting to meet them at the airport when the child reaches his final destination.
Safety Measures
There are safety measures that can make your tween's flying time better, and help make you feel more secure. Most of them may seem like common sense, but still worth mentioning.
Alert the airlines that your child will be flying alone. Once the flight reservations have been made, call a few days ahead of time to be sure your child is in the system, and proper care will be taken to look out for him on the flight.
Make good booking choices. Sometimes emergencies cannot be helped, but if at all possible, do not call to book your child on a flight at the last minute. Some airlines will not allow you to do this anyway. There is always a risk that something could go wrong at your child's destination, leaving him stranded in the airport.
Read the airline's policies thoroughly. Being prepared when it comes to understanding how delays are handled is good know. You can always know where your child's flight is once it takes off by visiting FlightArrivals.com.
Be early to the airport (generally 90 minutes) on the date of departure. Most airlines will board UMs first. This gives your tween time to get accustomed to the plane before everyone else boards.
Comfort Measures
Make sure your child knows the rules for UMs, so he is aware of what is expected of him. Most airlines have children who are flying alone get off the plane last, as a way to keep track of them. Your child should know this to avoid confusion.
Give your tween some carry-on items that might make him feel more comfortable, such as games, a favorite stuffed animal, and a calling card that he can use to contact you, if the need arises.
There are varying reasons for letting your child fly alone, and it is a rather common practice these days. As long as you take the necessary precautions to make sure your tween arrives safely to his destination, things should go smoothly. Follow guidelines closely, and you should have peace of mind when allowing your child to fly alone.
Find more Parenting Tweens articles on Suite101.
Tween Flying Alone
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