Rules of the Air

Whether it is because a parent that has moved across the country or to visit grandparents, it may be necessary for you to have your child fly alone.

Children between the ages of 5 – 14 who fly alone are referred to as “unaccompanied minors. Most airlines will not let children fly unaccompanied under the age of 5. Requirements vary between the different airlines so make sure you check the requirements of the airline you are using. There will be an extra fee for children flying alone, which is usually 75 -100 per child.Confused? Here ‘s a little help .

It is best to try to get a direct flight if you are sending a child on a plane by themselves. Some airlines will not allow children under the age of 7 to make connections. And some sill now allow ages 5 – 11 to change planes.

If a child is flying unaccompanied, there is a form you need to fill out with the child’s name, age, any medical conditions and other information. Before departure you will also need to provide the name of the adult that will be meeting the child at their final destination. A flight attendant will escort the children off the airplane and ensure they connect with the person picking them up.