Hellobee Boards Topic: Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)

Hellobee Boards Topic: Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone) https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 13 May 2026 23:10:55 +0000 HabesBabe on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127556 Tue, 31 Mar 2015 01:06:24 +0000 HabesBabe 2127556@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I flew by myself every summer starting at 5. My parents are divorced (my mom and I live in CA and my dad in DC). The only thing I didn't like about it was having to spend so much time on the plane... they make you board first and you're the last to get off the plane. This was pre-9/11, so my dad always met me at the gate and my mom actually came on the plane with me once or twice while I boarded. erinpye on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127166 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:56:33 +0000 erinpye 2127166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Considering it's different now and more difficult/ impossible to have someone meet the child at the gate once they land, I wouldn't let my kids do that until at least 12 years old, and even then I feel that is quite young. travelgirl1 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127164 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:50:01 +0000 travelgirl1 2127164@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I honestly don't think I could face doing this until they were 16. But maybe that's because I didn't even fly for the first time until I was 17, that was without my parents though. I am scared of flying now so I would have major anxiety thinking of my kids on a plane without me or DH. ScarletBegonia on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127160 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:45:57 +0000 ScarletBegonia 2127160@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Wow i'm kind of surprised by the answers! I was flying unaccompanied with my sister from the age of 5 (France --> Canada) and I loved it!! I live in Australia and my family lives in Canada, and I know I will want to send him home to visit his grandparents and aunts and uncles when he has school holidays in June/July, but for the whole family to go we'd be looking at $10000+ and too much time off work. Qantas and Air Canada have great UM programs so I'm guessing I'll start sending him when he's school aged, 6 or 7? Torchwood on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127133 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:11:21 +0000 Torchwood 2127133@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I flew by myself the first time when I was 9, and it was totally fine. Though at that time my parents could accompany me all the way to the gate and I was met at the gate. Pretty sure you can't do that anymore (though honestly you would think with a young child you would). I would have to take into consideration LO's maturity, etc, but I think maybe 7 or 8? Miss Ariel on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127129 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 16:05:15 +0000 Miss Ariel 2127129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @mrbee: maybe, but one of my last flights I was stuck behind a woman who was upset to find out there was no way the airline would watch her 13-year-old son. woodentulip on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127070 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 15:08:34 +0000 woodentulip 2127070@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I wish that I could say around 8, but I feel like I would want them to be closer to 10 and 12. I flew unaccompanied a few times around that age and felt totally fine. But it was easy--direct flights, accompanied by my parents to the gate, and then picked up at the other end. I also went on an exchange to Ecuador when I was 16. This blows my MIND that I did that. I read my diary from that year a while back and at one point I brag about not having talked to my parents for 9 weeks. IMAGINE. Good lord. anonysquire on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127059 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 15:01:17 +0000 anonysquire 2127059@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Never ever. There isn't anyone out of this state who they woukd need to fly to to see. Ever. jedeve on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127053 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:59:21 +0000 jedeve 2127053@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I would love my kids to be able to visit my parents unaccompanied, but it's three flights to get there which is a bit much. I think the minimum age is 9? I remember sitting beside a girl who was flying solo for the first time at Christmas to visit her dad. She told me allll about it. Jess1483 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127041 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:51:03 +0000 Jess1483 2127041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Anagram: I got stuck once overnight coming back from Paris at 16. My dad called the airline, so instead of getting to be put up in a hotel, they stuck me in their kid's room (a glorified playroom in the back of their workspace.) It was super awkward. I'd have preferred the airport floor. My next flight wasn't until the middle of the day the next day, and finally I had my dad call and "release" me from the room. Great contingency plan for a 10 year-old. A particularly sucky one for a 16 year-old. cmomma17 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone/page/2#post-2127032 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:41:29 +0000 cmomma17 2127032@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @blackbird: I can't imagine what a nightmare it would be for the airlines if kids were allowed to run solo through airports :silly: picturing my wild stepson in particular high jacking a plane or riding the luggage carts Orchid on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2127024 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 14:37:06 +0000 Orchid 2127024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. blackbird on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126972 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:57:26 +0000 blackbird 2126972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @cmomma17: Ah that's different, then. I read "no chaperone" as just....totally on their own, through the airport, etc. alphagam84 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126966 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:54:43 +0000 alphagam84 2126966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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!). cmomma17 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126941 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:41:52 +0000 cmomma17 2126941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @blackbird: not just allowed, but required. And that person is designated at the time you purchase tickets. You have to prove identity, etc. some airlines go as far as only allowing one person to the gate. cmomma17 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126936 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:35:54 +0000 cmomma17 2126936@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. SugarplumsMom on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126921 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:18:46 +0000 SugarplumsMom 2126921@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Honestly, I'd avoid it if I can. So 16? T.H.O.U. on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126919 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:17:36 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2126919@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @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! mrbee on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126912 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 13:06:48 +0000 mrbee 2126912@https://boards.hellobee.com/ @Miss Ariel: Some airlines will let you pay for the unaccompanied minor program even if your kids are bit older than their mandatory cutoff age! yin on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126872 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:41:31 +0000 yin 2126872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126865 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:38:09 +0000 Miss Ariel 2126865@https://boards.hellobee.com/ One thing to is at 13 you're no longer an unaccompanied minor and the airline won't watch you. So in some ways I'd be more comfortable with an 8-year-old flying as an unaccompanied minor, then at 13 completely on their own. stiletto_mom on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126860 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:33:51 +0000 stiletto_mom 2126860@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Probably 8 or 9. catlady on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126837 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 12:09:21 +0000 catlady 2126837@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I could see a high school kid doing this. So I guess 14+. sera_87 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126814 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:48:47 +0000 sera_87 2126814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. HLK208 on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126801 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:41:07 +0000 HLK208 2126801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ Probably 14+ 2littlepumpkins on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126789 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:32:11 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2126789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I went at 9 and when my younger brother made 5 he started coming with me. This was cross country too. jhd on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126787 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:31:51 +0000 jhd 2126787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I flew as an unaccompanied minor at ten by myself and again at twelve with two of my siblings. We even had a connecting flight and we waited in a special waiting room. But that was also more than 20 years ago. Not sure if I would be brave enough to let my own LO do it. birdofafeather on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126782 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:26:10 +0000 birdofafeather 2126782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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. My Only Sunshine on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126742 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 10:52:51 +0000 My Only Sunshine 2126742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ I flew as an unaccompanied minor from Arizona to Washington DC at age 9. Such a cool experience! Someone from the airline is with you the whole time you're 'unattended' so it's not like you're wandering the airport alone. And I got to go in the cockpit before the plane took off! (Not sure if they would let a kid do that now...) A lot of kids of divorce do this all the time from a young age. If it was a just for fun trip to see family, I'd probably send a late elementary school kid, like 8 or 9. littlejoy on "Putting kids on a flight by themselves (with no chaperone)" https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/putting-kids-on-a-flight-by-themselves-with-no-chaperone#post-2126739 Mon, 30 Mar 2015 10:51:02 +0000 littlejoy 2126739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ 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!