Hellobee Boards

10-13

somewhere in that range

There's a minimum age to fly unaccompanied on most airlines (I think it's usually around the 5-years-old range). So obviously not before then. I know on United and American the unaccompanied minor fee is $150 each way, so it's not always cheaper than buying an adult ticket.

I'd prefer she not fly unaccompanied before 7/8.

Probably 11.

Maybe 10?

I flew around 6 unaccompanied - they had someone from security walk through everything with me, walk me onto the plane and off to the person who was picking me up. It was pretty awesome!

@Mamaof2: same. 10 would be the youngest for a short, no plane change flight. My niece and nephew are 11.5 and I finally feel like they're at the age where they can fly solo to visit us. Even at 10 they didn't feel comfortable yet either.

@mrbee: 3 hours, plus the waiting time at the airport and stuff. I was flying Toronto to Florida to see my grandparents I dislike flying to this day so 2+ hours sucks in my head lol

DH and I were just discussing this on the weekend (but for Train not plane) and we figure 10ish for LOs to ride the train alone up to their aunts house.

I wouldn't want my kids to fly alone until they are teenagers. I would be a nervous wreck if my kids flew alone younger than that! There are so many creeps in this world - I just want to protect them however I can, even though I know they would likely be just fine.

Never!! Like Looch said, if I had to pick, it would be after 12 or 13, but really, blahhhh, I just couldn't.

I am really afraid of flying, so the thought of putting my kid on a plane without me seems inconceivable. Sure, creepy people might be on the plane, but I'd be more worried about it crashing. Irrational mom brain in full force!

I flew with a friend to visit another friend in 6th grade. I remember feeling plenty old! Ha. So I'd say 10-12 depending on the kid.

I went at 9 and when my younger brother made 5 he started coming with me. This was cross country too.

I started flying alone around 6-7? I'm trying to remember if my sister came with me & she's 2 yrs younger....so I might have been a little older but not by much.

Probably 8 or 9.

My sisters would visit my aunt and uncle in Hong Kong in the summer, and we live on the east coast so it's a very long flight. They were 9, 11, and 13 and traveled together. My youngest sister went to visit family in San Antonio, and she was 9 or 10.

I can't think of an occasion where my kids would have to travel unaccompanied. If they had to, I think 10+ might be a good age.

@Miss Ariel: Yes this! @mrbee: Thats good to know.

My mom made sure to send me on a flight before I reached that cut-off so that I could have the assistance. That was also back when you could be at the gates!

My step kids do this to come visit us. They are 12 and 9 currently, and have flown as unaccompanied minors for the past three years. They are total pros now. We do take them all the way to the gate and pick up at the gate as well (and only a designated person/parent can do so). You also have to stay at the gate until the plane successfully takes off. unaccompanied minors are also only allowed on direct flights, so there would never be layover/connection issues. There is a fee, but it is still cheaper (and much easier) than flying a parent back and forth constantly.

Years ago I flew as an unaccompanied minor from Buffalo, NY to Florida to visit my grandparents. There was one layover. I was 11-12. My parents paid to have a chaperon meet me at my layover and watch me until the next flight. But she sucked. Wouldn't take me to get food, basically ignored me and chatted to her airline friend while we waited. My parents were pissed and called the airline to complain and get their money back. Depending on the child I think 11-12 years old would be okay, especially since they have cell phones now so I could be in contact with my child if need be. When I flew I was on my own from saying good bye until I met my grandparents at the gate (back in the good 'ol day when people could meet you at the gate!).

7 or 8. I flew internationally as an unaccompanied minor at 10 and it was not a stretch. You're not really "unaccompanied" so it's not like you have to fend for yourself.