Child traveling alone on the flight

Consider the age of your child and their level of independence. All children are different so there's no hard and fast rule about when a child is ready to fly alone. Nervousness is normal, but children should have some desire to fly alone and be able to keep themselves occupied for a length of time.

Before even booking a flight, make sure that the airline offers unaccompanied minor service. This means that for a fee, the airline will ensure that your child is boarded on the aircraft, offer chaperoned service during the flight, and escorted from the flight and into the hands of the appropriate parent or guardian prearranged with the airline upon reaching the destination. This person must show proper identification before the UM can be released to him or her. There is usually a fee of around $100 added to the cost of the ticket when you send a child unaccompanied on an airline.

Find out what the rules are pertaining to the handling of unaccompanied minors (UM) on the airline you choose. Airlines are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration for everything, including passenger handling. It is mandatory that a child between the ages of 5 and 11 be handled as a UM. In most cases, it is optional when the child is between 12 and 17.

Rules regarding whether or not your child can connect to a different flight are usually based on your child's age and vary between airlines. In cases where this is allowed and the child has to transfer to a different airplane to continue the trip, he or she is escorted from one plane to the next. There are also rules governing which flights your child can take alone depending on his or her age.

Ask for a gate pass from the airlines so you can go through security with your child and sit with them at the gate until the plane arrives when they must fly alone. You can also request a gate pass for the person who will be picking the child up at their destination so your child doesn't have to navigate a strange airport alone.

Please know that airlines do not employ babysitters. Customer Service Agents, Gate Agents and Flight Crews will all come in contact with your child, however, none of them will tend only to your child's needs. They have jobs to do and will normally provide a safe escort service from personnel to personnel to ensure your child get where he or she needs to be. Your child will have alone time during the flight so pack activities to occupy him or her in anticipation or this.

Pack a carry-on bag for your child including a variety of snacks. Airlines offer small snacks if any at all and flying always runs the risk of delays. Having food and drinks for your child will ensure they don't go hungry and wander off to find food. Toys, a portable DVD with movies and anything else your child enjoys are also essential to keep their little hands busy.

Give your child a copy of their itinerary and thoroughly go over it with them. They should know where they are going and exactly who is picking them up. If possible, have them memorize their airline and flight number and teach them to listen to the pilot's welcome announcement and destination.

Make sure they have a cell phone that is fully charged. They should have several numbers stored in case they only have a minute or two to call someone. The phone will also allow you to contact the child to make sure they have landed and were picked up successfully, easing your worries of them being alone.

Check the flight schedule to ensure there are no unexpected stop-overs or delays due to weather. Call the airline if there are. Messages can be sent from the ground to the flight crew if need be.