What age would you let your child fly alone?

[Mouse House Mama]

At 9 I would not let my children fly alone. I did however fly from California to NY when I was 16 with one of my friends. It was fine but 16 is a lot different than 9. YMMV.

 

[Magpie]

I flew alone from the time I was 9, from Canada to the US to spend part of each summer with family.

I really enjoyed the special attention I got from the stewardesses when I was younger, and they often had me sitting with some other child who was unaccompanied. I remember some were quite a bit younger than me.

It really depends on you and your child's comfort levels, however. And I'd always pick a direct flight, as there's less chance of misplacing the child.

Also, if you DO put your child on a plane, make sure you hang around the airport until you can confirm that your child's plane is actually *in the air.*

My mom once put me on a plane and then went home. My plane taxied out to the runway and then sat there for two hours before taxiing back. And because I was a tall mature-looking 12 year old, the staff weren't treating me like a real unaccompanied minor. So I got off the plane alone, and had to go find myself a pay phone and call my mother to come and pick me up all by myself. She was furious!

Me, I was just annoyed that my plane hadn't taken off.

 

[sms]

When they are old enough to work and buy their own ticket!

I am just too paranoid! I would worry myself to death!

 

[AKL_Megs]

As a flight attendant, I can tell you that your child will be well taken care of, and spoiled rotten!

The youngest Unaccompanied Minor I ever had was 5-years-old. A little boy.

He was probably the best passenger I have ever had!

He was with someone the entire time from the time mom saw him off (an agent hand delivered him onto the aircraft first), and dad picked him up (I handed him off to dad myself).

Once on board, he got a seat right up front, got situated with a cup of juice and some cookies, and played his DS during boarding.

During the whole flight, he got juice and cookies and special "First Class" snacks, and even a Coke in a wine glass (which he thought was just awesome!), along with a bunch of stickers, some wings, and a LOT of attention.

He played that DS for most of the (3 hour) flight, and "read" books the rest of the time.

Not trying to pursuade you in any way, but your child will be taken care of.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Have you ever thought about going with your DD to WV? I am assuming this is to visit the grandparents... maybe your DH would want to see his parents. At least she could get more accustomed to the flight for potential future solo trips to WV.

 

[MichelleVW]

My girls have been flying alone (but together) since they were about 8 and 10 years old due to custody arrangements. They love it, and this past summer flew from Dallas to Frankfort and had to change planes in the Netherlands all by themselves. It was nerve wrecking for me, but since they were so used to flying and airports they were fine.

Honestly I think a properly prepared 9 year old would be fine, my girls loved flying as unaccompanied minors.