Berkeley Parents Network: Kids Flying Alone

Berkeley Parents Network

Kids Flying Alone

Berkeley Parents Network > Advice > Going Places > Kids Flying Alone

Eleven Year-Old Flying Alone

July 2003

My 11 year-old daughter wants to go to San Diego in August to visit a friend for a week. This would entail having her fly round-trip on a direct flight via Southwest airlines. Although she has done a lot of flying with our family, she has never travelled solo before. I would be grateful for any tips about this from other parents whose kids who have made this or similar trips around this age. Even though I don't consider myself to be overprotective, my daughter is not the only one who is a little nervous about this trip. I didn't see anything specific to this issue posted on the web-site. Thanks! sarah

I was 6 years old when I would fly alone to my grandparents--- direct flight from Denver to Illnoise. I did that for many years. I have fond memories of being alone with my grandparents--my mother couldn't affort two tickets so she'd send me. And, yes, yes, yes, I felt nervous everytime I'd fly solo for many years but as soon as the plane would take off, I'd feel better. It's ok to be a little nervous...where your child wants to go is not a long flight. Good luck! Amy

Starting at age 6, I travelled quite a lot alone. I loved it. That being said, travelling twenty, even two years ago was quite different than it is now. However, most airlines have very good unaccompanied minor programs. The airlines will usually issue a pass to one adult at each the departing and arriving airports so that your daughter can be escorted to and from the gates by someone she knows. (I picked up a niece at the airport and was pleased to see that the airline was quite strict about checking my ID, etc...) And, while your daughter is outside of your or your friend's ''posession,'' a member of the airline crew is assigned to her. (The only down side is that some crew members are more responsible and attentive than others.) Happy Travels

If your daughter is ok with flying alone and its a non-stop it should be fine. One thing the airlines don't tell you is that because your daughter is flying alone, you can get a pass to go past security and accompany your daughter to the gate. Call the airline ahead of time and ask if they will allow you to do this (I did it with my 15 yr old son last summer). The friend who takes her to the airport to come home should also be able to do the same. Also ask about pick up, you usually cannot go to the gate to pick up but will have to wait at the entrance to security. This will mean her friends parking and waiting for her at the security exit. anon

Well, my child has never flown, since she's not yet born! But, I used to fly alone as a child, from the time I was FOUR years, from California to New York, round trip. I even took flights with transfers, with no problem. And, I LOVED it. So, I think your 11 year-old would be just fine going to San Diego. You just have to make sure there's a reliable adult at the other end who has her flight number and itinerary. Also, let the flight crew know, when you take your daughter on board, that she'll be flying alone. The flight attendants will make sure she gets to where she needs to go. I hope she has a great time! Loved flying alone-

Call Southwest and see what their policy is regarding minors flying solo. I don't know this for fact, but I think most airlines arrange to have an attendant assist a minor throughout the flight - and particularly making sure they meet their party at the other end. I flew solo when I was about 11 - from France to England - and I remember feeling like the belle of the ball with all the special attention I got. I would think an 11-year-old who's done a lot of flying already (as you say she has) will handle this experience just fine. Just call and make sure Southwest knows she's coming and will be ready for her. Have fun, Julie T.

My daughter has travelled by herself on non-stop flights about 3 round trips a year since she was 9. Until the age of 13 most airlines will require you to get their 'unaccompanied child' service where a flight attendant is resposible for your child during the flight and only the people that you indicated will be able to pick him/her up at the gate. After age 13 you can still elect to take the service, but you are not required. The price tag is not cheap, around $60 each trip 3 years ago, but you and your kid know that s/he won't just get lost in the airport. My daughter elected to drop the service as soon as her age allowed her to do so because she didn't like the extra attention from the flight attendants, however your child might feel differently. ghill

Both my kids have flown on their own to visit grandparents...My daughter flew alone at 8 years of age on Southwest last summer from Oakland to Reno and did just fine. She was proud of herself. I thought the airlines did a good job with ''shepherding'' her through and a flight to San Diego just isn't long enough to get overly anxious or bored. Since she has flown quite a bit in the past she will know what to expect. Make sure she has a good book or game boy...some kind of distraction. I would just not have any expectation that the flight attendants will pay much attention to her on the flight itself...probably just the getting on and off the flight and delivered to the right folks. Often there are other kids flying alone on the same flight and that is also reassuring. Pat

My step-daughter regularly flies between Oakland and New York (where her mother lives), and seems to like it pretty well. She's 9 now, and has been doing this since she was 6. You've already received many good tips and advice, but there are a few things I'd like to underscore, particularly for others reading this

The security policies allow for someone to both accompany your daughter to the gate, to see her off (you may be required to do so?), and also for someone to come in through security and meet her at the gate. Ask the airline about this.

Many airlines have a fee for minors, but some don't. JetBlue has no unaccompanied minor fee, and we love them for it. Others, like Northeast, have very high minor fees -- something like $35 on each leg of a journey! For a flight with connections, these fees can really add up.

The airline should brief you on this, but be sure you bring the contact information for the person who is going to pick her up at the airport. She has to be turned over to a particular person, who has been identified ahead of time.

It's a good idea for the person on the other end to know what the child took on the plane with them. We've left sweaters, books, backpacks, etc. behind, and now come to pick her up armed with a list. It's a pain to retrieve these items once you've left the terminal and gone onto baggage claim.

There are different regulations for different ages, and possibly even different fees.

Your attitude counts! If you are tense about your child flying, she will be tense as well.

Best of luck in the air, Merrilee

It seems that just because you pay an airline to ''care for'' your child doesn't mean that the carrier will actually do so. We were flying on Southwest when a young girl wearing large (!) ''paperwork'' around her neck was allowed to wander off the plane by herself upon landing. No one from Southwest was ''escorting'' her anywhere, and we had to hook her up in the terminal with a Southwest employee. In this case the large tag around her neck served only to show whoever cared to notice that she was alone. In fairness, the other few times we've seen children in this situation they were taken care of, but this was a real eye-opener. - Anon

I have no problem myself but when I was a kid my sister flew to my gradma's when she was six or seven and I started when I was six alone I we always did after that. There were never problems. I think it's safe but if you don't feel comfterble it is not worth it. Anon

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