At what age do airlines allow children to fly alone (without an adult)? I'm not talking about a young child of course, I mean children between 12 and 18 years old. If this is even allowed anymore.
My husband and I will be moving several states away soon and my grand daughter (age 14) would like to visit us often, during vacations, winter breaks etc. Her parents have just started their own business and are very busy trying to get it up and running so they may not be able to accompany her though. And due to finances I would not be able to come get her or take her home.
Will the airlines assist her in changing planes if necessary? Also, does anyone know if there are any extra charges for this service? She is a very responsible 14 year old, but I would still be so worried if she had to walk around a strange airport alone.
Thank you to everyone for your answers. You have really helped so much. Since my grand daughter has never flown before I think we will try to get direct flights for her or pay the extra fees to help her the first couple times (her parents and I will split the fees). Once she has done it a couple times and knows what to do I'm sure she will be okay flying by herself unassisted. She is so excited and can't wait for Spring Break to come visit us (she will be 15 by then). And I feel so much better about moving so far away knowing I will still get to see her often.
She can fly alone on most major airlines. You need to call them and ask their policy of minors flying alone. Often there is an extra charge, but it's perfectly do-able! You will get a gate pass to escort her to the gate and the person picking her up will need photo id and will also have a gate pass to meet her at the gate.
I was looking at this the other day. Go to the website for the airline you would use and they will have their rules for unacompanied minors. I traveled like this a lot when I was a teen, and they did help me change planes. Granted, that was in the early 90's, so things might have changed since then. I was looking at the American airlines website yesterday and their rules for unacompanied minor was under the frequently asked questions portion. Hope this helps.
Both my husband & I work for 1 of the major airlines. It's called the UNAM program. It's usually $100 & it's mandatory for under 16. The person dropping them off MUST stay @ the gate untill the plane as physically taken off just ensure that if there is a gate return you are still there. Now the program is technically until 16 years old but if you are willing to pay they'll do it till 18. I've worked for them 10 years & my bubby going on 16 years & have seen MANY 16-18 year olds being UAM passengers. *s a rule when you make a UNAM reservation it must be on nonstop flights. Only unless the ONLY way to get there is by having to make a plane change. . HTH!
Updated
1 more thing I forgot to mention - when making her reservation ask the airline if they take cash onboard the plane for meals. All the airlines charge for food now!! & most only accept credit cards...what I have done w/ my 13 year old is given him one of those disposable credit cards that they have @ CVS & Shoprite next to the gift cards. They will say visa or mastercard. I put $25-40 & he buys his food on the plane!
I think if you are under 12 you have to have to pay to have a chaperone in the airport that will get you on and off the plane and deliver you to the next gate if there are any changes. The airlines do charge if they have to escort you and pay attention to where you are, but I don't know how much.
Now if she is comfortable asking they will help point you in the direction of the next gate and there is no charge for asking for help. Most of the airports now have really good signs and tvs all over with gate information. If there is ever a question you can ask anyone that works for that airline and they will help get you to your next gate.
I know many years ago when I was 11 I flew by myself and had to have someone with me. For my connection flight once they got me to the new gate, they just told the people there checking in that I was there and had me sit where they could keep an eye on me. My aunt also had to show id and sign for me when she picked me up.
If it is a direct flight she shouldn't have any problems. Also check with the airline, she may be able to have a parent wait at the departing gate with her.
Hi G.,
Over fifty years ago, I remember my mom pinning a note to the front of my dress and putting me on an airplane to my grandparents' state. They were at the airport to see me get off the plane. I was nine. Have times changed? I don't know. But I think your granddaughter will do just fine.
"Grams"
from the Pocono Mts. of PA
You need to check with the airlines to see if the child can be an unaccompanied minor, and what fees might be involved. Some airlines allow minors but you have to pay a handling fee, so to speak, to a certain age. Some also do not permit flight changes. The minors must fly direct flights only. My stepdaughter flew last summer to visit her aunt so I know it can be done. She was 15.
Each airline has their own 'unaccompanied minor' fees and chaperone surcharges, similar to one another but not the same. And they are helpful in walking you through the process at pick up and drop off.
At 14 she is definitely capable of flying alone and tending to herself. But the airline might still tack on a charge.
Safe Travels!
My daughter started flying solo from Los Angeles to Boston when she was 13 but we flew quite frequently prior to that. She met her best friend at Sea World camp and they have both made this journey many times. She is only 17 now so she legally doesn't need ID although she has been able to show her driver's license for about a year and a half. My daughter feels totally comfortable changing planes (usually in Chicago), she just checks the kiosks for gate information but I'm sure she could ask an associate if needed. I walk her up as far as I can and she texts me when she is on the plane and when she transfers. She knows all the TSA rules and packs properly. The only thing that makes me nervous is when she texts me photos from the plane of the Chicago blizzards. Good luck!!
I started flying alone when I was 9, there should be no problem with her flying alone. a few states away should be no plane changes, but if she needs to she should be able to ask any person that works there for assistance for finding the right plane. It's really not that difficult to do.
My brother and I used to go visit our dad when we were little, younger than 14 and they just had a airline employee help us past the gate. Back then they let my mom take us through security with a temporary pass but I don't know if they allow that anymore. But I do know that they can fly alone, someone from the airline takes them through everything and makes sure they get onboard safely. Same thing with switching planes.
Hi G. T,
At 13 (at least on American Airlines) the parents have the OPTION of paying the unaccompanied minor fee - which is required for kids age 5 - 12 who fly without an adult aged 18+, but optional for kids 13-17.
As far as 'helping' - they will provide the level of assistance they would provide for any other traveler - but I wouldn't expect them to go above and beyond without you paying the unaccompanied minor fee.... we pay that so the airlines will ENSURE that my daughter gets from point A to point B safely and without chaos. If you aren't paying the fee, you may encounter some "bumps" until your grand daughter gets comfortable.... but I would think that would depend on the airline employee you encounter. I've heard there are some out there that are actually nice and helpful without being told to be that way!!!!!!
I don't know about all airlines - we chose for my daughter to fly American Airlines only (for a variety of reasons). Their unaccompanied minor fee is $100 EACH WAY.
I would think - but I don't know, you'll have to check - that even if you aren't paying the unaccompanied minor fee you would still be able to get a "fake" boarding pass and walk with your her through security and wait with her at the gate until she boards - you can't go on the plane with her, though. So, she'll have to handle her luggage, find her seat etc on her own.
As far as changing planes - you'll have to ask if they will help her (again, they will help her as far as they would help any other adult who asked questions) without you paying the fee. When you pay the fee there is an agent who is ASSIGNED to stay with her until she gets on the new plane to the correct destination.
I don't know your granddaughter - I am happy to pay the $200 (well, OK we split it so it's 100 from me and 100 from her dad) even though I can't really afford it because it gives me HUGE peace of mind that she will have a bad experience (best case) or end up in Toledo (no offense Ohioans) instead of Chicago.
Good luck.
MY daughter flew form Minneapolis to Harford with the babysitting service two summers ago. She was 14.
Her older brother was 5'11" at 15 so he went by himself and did fine about 5 years before.
My foreign exchange student changed planes twice getting to NY from NC without the babysitting service and did fine also.
If your grandaughtter has traveled a lot on planes she will most likely do fine. Since she is a minor, you can go to the gate to get her in most airports, Raleigh, OHare, Hartford, Minneapolis, Atlanta. I assume NY is the same. Just get a gate pass.
Babysitting services cost about $100 per trip, so $200 for a round trip ticket. THey allow the kids to get on first and let them off last. You must put both yours; and Grandpa's name on the card if their is any chance one of you is driving around the airport while the other is running inside to get her. Minn almost didn't let me have my daughter because we had put Daddys' name on the card, not mine. He was circling the airport.
I sent my daughter 15 to Arizona last year, I booked the flight online, and there was only one airline, that allowed a teenager to fly without an adult.
I forgot what airline it was....maybe things are different, if you go to a travel agency.I'm sure they will help her out on the flight.I don't think there will be an extra charge.
I remember, my mom put my brother on the plaine at age 5 and I was 7...I can't even imagine....I need to talk to my mom !!!!! :)
Yes it does vary by airline, my understanding was that it was 15 though. If your granddaughter has flown often and/or has the wherewithal to maneuver herself through the airport I would say don't tell anyone and just book her a flight so you don't have to pay the extra. That's what we did when I was younger, but alas, that was many years ago and much before 9-11, etc. She would also have to have a state issued ID to do that, not sure if she has one yet or not. My niece often flies under the unaccompanied minor policy and she never has to show an ID which I think is NUTS (especially when the rest of us have to undergo body scans, but that's a whole other post!;), but a responsible party has to sign her in and out with the airlines.
it might depend on the airline and if it's non-stop or with stops, but i know that 5 is the age for most airlines, assuming it's domestic, the unaccompanied minor fee is paid and it's a non-stop flight.
It depends on the airline, but it is usually age 5 or 6. My friend uses Delta, and her son started flying between parents for visitation at age 6. There is an unaccompanied minor fee of about $100 each way, and they assign a flight attendant to supervise him on the flight.
My stepsons flew out to visit us last year when they were 15 and 16. I think they had to be at least 16 to fly alone, under 16 they needed an escort and it cost an extra $100 on top of the plane ticket. I would just call the different airlines and check with them.
