Children Can Fly Alone
Ideally, your child (or children), should have flown previously so they’re somewhat familiar with planes, airports, etc. They will have gone through security and other checkpoints in the past, which will assist them with their first solo trip.
Whenever possible try to make the flight a non-stop, direct flight. Also, consider the maturity of the child who is traveling. Two children, both eight years old, might not have the maturity to travel alone comfortably.
When making the reservation, be sure to indicate the child will be flying alone and request an escort to assist them. Some airlines will charge a fee for this service. For flights over five or six hours you may incur an extra fee. You will usually pay a full adult fare for an unaccompanied minor.
Unless special arrangements are make, since 9/11 you will not be able to accompany your youngster onto the plane, or even, to the boarding area. An airline employee will be provided to escort your child through security and onto the plane. Another employee will escort him/her off the plane and into the care of your designated and identified adult.
Make sure emergency information is included with your child. IE: instructions on how to handle flight delays or cancellations, emergency contact information and enough money to pay for meals and possible overnight accommodations. Also provide your son or daughter with enough money for possible phone calls, food and other expenses. They will also need a list of names and phone numbers to call in an emergency. Be sure they know how to place a collect call from a pay phone; you may also provide them with a cell phone if they’re old enough to know how to use one. (They still need to know how to place a collect call if the cell phone doesn’t work or gets lost.)
Explain the plane ticket and other travel documentation and teach him/her to keep it in a safe place. Be certain your son or daughter knows to retain the ticket for a return flight or receipt. Try to use e-tickets if possible so this data will be stored on the airline’s computer system.
Book your flight as early in the day as possible so, in the event of a delay or cancellation, you have most of the day to make other plans.
Check the bags yourself and double check the claim stubs to be certain they are the correct ones going to the proper final destination. Remember to put something (ribbon, etc.) on the suitcase for easy identification. Also, be sure to put identifying information inside the suitcase also.
Pack your child’s favorite snacks and a book(s) or small games for them to amuse themselves with. Alert the airline to any pertinent allergies or medical conditions.
If possible, send along a picture of the person meeting them with full name and contact information for that person. This data also needs to be given to the proper airline folks. It’s also a good idea to have information on a back up person to meet them in the event of an emergency with the initial person meeting them.
Remind the person picking up your child to have photo identification and be a little early to the airport. Ask them to go to the gate, if possible, or as close to the gate as security will allow.
This trip will be a great learning experience for your child and will help him to enjoy travel and become more independent.
