Hi Mamas - my son turned 6 in May and has been on probably 6 or 8 flights in his life, starting at 6 months. He's well-travelled and enjoys it. My in-laws have offered to host him for a week between camp and the start of the new school year. My husband and I would fly with our son from NJ to FL and then we'd leave after 3 days and he'd stay another 5 and fly back alone.
I've read the airline's unaccompanied minors policies and we've explained it all to him. It helps that we just flew down last weekend so the flying experience is fresh in his mind. He's all for it but I'm nervous. What if he gets scared or if he's too shy to ask for assistance or if he feels uncomfortable with his seatmates? Will he hear/understand the crew announcements to know when he can use his DSi and what the remaining flight time is? What if the flight attendant assigned to him isn't attentive enough?
I'd like to hear stories of successful solo flights, and tips for making us all feel at ease.
Thanks! F. A.
when my daughter flew from Belgium to Philadelphia by herself - she was 7. They didn't have DS's!! :)
They took WONDERFUL care of her and she was completely at ease!! And had a blast!!!
The air crew is usually FANTASTIC for unaccompanied minors and really do watch out for them!! YOU GO MAMA!! He'll be fine!!
I flew from Guatemala to California by myself when I was 9 years old. I only knew Spanish and had never been out of the country.
The flight attendants were great and kept an eye on me the whole time. I had someone escort me to get my luggage and made sure my mom picked me up. So I was never alone.
Call the airline and see what they will do exactly. Can you give him a cellphone to use so you can either call him or he can call you?
One of my granddaughters has been flying solo for many years to and from NJ to Germany for visits with Dad. She began at a young age as well, and the attendants assigned to her have been wonderful. She has never had any problems on any flights, never scared, and loves it!
Prepare your son to ask questions if he doesn't understand something, and encourage him to make his needs known, possibly with some role playing between the two of you, and he should be fine. And, if he's like most kids nowadays, he'll be so absorbed in his DSI the flight will be a breeze ; )
I am a flying expert and would have no problem letting my 6 or 7 y.o. fly alone. I have been on many of flights where there are children flying to/from mom's/dad's/grandparents/family members houses. Unless your child is super shy then he should be just fine.
My niece started flying alone at about age 5 (custody reasons) and my nephew started flying alone to visit us when he was 7. The airlines do a great job, the kids do fine, they feel quite proud and grown up!
It's a wonderful life skill for your little guy, being on his own for a little bit (though technically he won't be of course) builds confidence :)
I believe that your parents are allowed to be with him at the bording gate where is handed off to a flight attendant. Then you meet him at the arriving gate. So his 'alone' time is just the flight time.
My niece started flying alone around 5 too and she has done great! The flight attendants are very attentive and I think they will clue him in as to when he can use his device, etc. They also supply them with extra snacks and would probably move him if they felt his seatmates were an issue. I know that when my niece was really little they let my brother on the plane with her to buckle her in and then he had to leave. I think that may have changed now, but I'm not sure. If he's fine with it, I'd do it! I understand your nerves about it, but if he's fine, let him go, I'm sure he'll do great! Just pack him with lots of activities and snacks and don't worry!
My 5 year old daycare child was put on plane with no parents and coming home with no parents in my opinion WRONG. The step father took her to the Military Base to get a ID card and when they found out why they would not issue it,, even the Military said they don't want children flying alone. I see no reason for it. J.
Im a travel agent, every airline has its own rules, including various fees - some are required based on age. This can cost you about $100 each way. Once you book the flight you have to call the airline and provide them with who is dropping him off and who is picking him up at the other end. The names have to match the drivers license and I believe the person bringing him to the airport will have to bring his birth certificate. You should be able to pick him up directly at the gate once he gets of the plane, they will verify your ID before releasing him to you. Certain ages require direct flights no connection flights, they also have rules on the flight times he can fly alone.
With that said, the flight attendant is assigned to him for the whole flight. If he is a PRO flyer like my daughter is he should be great! When I was younger about 12 my mother did this for us and the attendant stayed with us for the whole flight at 12 it was kinda annoying but rules have changed over the years. lol
Good Luck.
I've flown over half a million miles in the course of my business travels. I've seen lots of solo minor kids flying. I've NEVER seen one that wasn't watched over by a kind and attentive stewardess.
Don't worry he will be well care for. The only time he will be alone is when he asks to go to the air plane's bathroom.
Good luck to you and yours.
My daughter was 14 when she did her first flight alone and they watched her like a hawk. THey even took her to the kid's room to wait as I was not at the gate to pick her up. She was NEVER out of their sights and when I did finally get to her, they wouldn't let her come with me because I had put my hubby's name on the release form. He was in the car driving around the airport. They finally released her because I had a militry ID with his social and they called him to ask where he was.
Your little one will be fine, but I would be a mess and I don't think I would let a 6 yo go alone. jmo
Not sure if this will make you feel better or worse. I was a flight attendant that was taking care of an unaccompanied minor on the last flight into Birmingham, AL one night. The person that was to meet her (the Dad) didn't show up. Not sure what really went on there. I called the Mom and told her. Since there were no more flights that night, she came to my hotel room for the night. The next a.m. I brought her back to the airport to go back to her Mom. It all ended up okay but things happen sometimes, weather, rerouting etc. Just know that if something unusual happens, someone from the airline will take extra good care of him.
