Nine Year Old Flying Alone????

Not a fan of this especially at his age. Still young. Would be scared w/o someone he trusts if something happens and did you hear about the recent story in the news of the two kids who were sent to the wrong destinations? I think there is plenty of time for this a little later. Hope this helps. Good luck.

I couldn't do it. Never mind how afraid my son would be (he wouldn't) - I'd be scared out of my mind worried he'd get lost or kidnapped. I could just never consider sending him to travel alone anywhere.

If he is mature, you are fine. The airlines will only let them fly direct flights, and you will be required to walk him to the gate, and pay a fee for an Unaccompanied Minor. The person you specify will be required to pick him up at the gate and produce ID to take him and you will both have to sign documents so that the airline can prove that they handed him off to the right person. On the way back, it will reverse. You will not be allowed to leave the gate area until his plane has taken off, just in case there is an issue, and you will get him back in your care while they find another flight or fix the issue with the old one. My children have done this for years, flying to Arizona, and they have developmental issues, so yours should do fine. Southwest is pretty good at this.

M.

You pay an extra fee, you get a "blank" boarding pass that enables you to go to the gate with him until he gets on the plane and at pick up, you have a "blank" pass to be at the gate when he gets off the plane. Whomever is picking him up will also be able to get the pass so he can be escorted with family or someone he knows. The last time we did it our daughter was 11, she is now 15.

It is great that he is so smart and tests so well, but he needs to have some common sense about him as well.

My Aunt had an extremely high IQ, was in Mensa and extremely gifted as far as any testing went but she did not have one ounce of common sense or ability to comprehend how to do some of the most simple things in life. You need a balance.

He should be fine and it sounds like a wonderful opportunity for him to explore a new location and learn.

I flew alone many times as a kid and liked it just fine! The first time I was only about 6. He won't really be alone, they have a steward/ess escorting them and that usually get all kinds of treats. Honestly, I loved it. My mom alwasy packed fun stuff like crayons, coloring books, toys for me to do in flight and I loved having the stewards attention. They also escorted me on and off the flight to whoever the gaurdian was. I think its fine =)

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So, I know there was just that issue on Delta, but DO NOT BE AFRAID. My daughter has flown by herself to see her dad 2x each year for 5 years and LOVES it. She is just now turning 10, so she was flying at 5. She takes a DVD player, her DS and some snacks and is totally fine for a 2 hour flight. You do pay quite a hefty fee, but I think you'll have a direct flight, right? Luckily, my daughter's flights are direct, which makes me worry MUCH less.

Besides, you will take your son and wait with him at the gate (he gets on last). His god mother will get a boarding pass to pick him up and meet him at the gate in Arizona (he gets off last) so the odds of a mix-up are almost non-existent.

Have a good vacation yourself! Do something fun while he's having fun!

I don't have a problem with it, if he is repsonsible enough that he won't be running up and down the aisles, jumping in and out of his seat and he will listen to the stewardess. Many kids travel alone all the time, the airlines will put him up where the stewardesses will keep an eye on him. The flight to AZ is fairly short too. My 10 year old may be flying home from AZ this summer by himself too depends on if my sister can bring him home or not.

My stepson has been flying alone since he was 8. He has always done fine. Depending on the airline, they sometimes charge additional fees and have restrictions as to changing planes and which flights they can be on. If you have any questions, feel free to message me.

I'm 31 and was flying solo when I was 8 from the Bay Area to LA. I never had any problems. I would just make sure that the flight you choose is a non-stop flight so that he doesn't have to change planes or anything like that. And if it isn't non-stop, that it's the type that he simply stays on the plane for the stop. I say this because just last week a couple of kids got put on the wrong plane when they had a layover because their paperwork got mixed up.

I remember flying when I was around 12, my sister was 10. I think it could work out ok if it's a direct flight; check with the airlines re. their policies, and go over the procedure of dealing with strangers with him, etc.

He should have an aisle seat for his own safety - the people around him will be able to see him and keep an extra eye, and it'll be easier for the flight attendants to see him/keep an eye out as well.

We sent our son when he was just 5 or 6 (now almost 20) to spend time with cousins in Utah.
Most airlines will charge extra for an "unaccompanied minor." I personally would only fly him on a direct flight if possible, no changing planes. You have to stay at the airport until the plane is in the air and the person on the other side has to show ID to get him.
If he's excited and everyone is in agreement, let him go.

Well, I flew alone from age 5 on up. I would not let my 5 year old do it at this point, but I would let my 10 year old daughter. Has he ever flown before? It helps to have some experience with airports. The biggest issue is that new laws generally don't allow non ticket holders to the gate, so he may have to find his waiting area on his own. (There may be exceptions for parents, but i know they are made...grudgingly) I would allow my child to fly alone by age 9 or 10 myself, but I am an advocate of adventure, spent a great deal of my childhood flying, and never had any difficulty. The flight attendants are always really nice and attentive to kids flying alone, and the USED to make sure you found your adult on the other side. i am not sure how it works these days, i am sure there is some web research that can help discover how airports manage lone kids. Well, good luck in your decision, and I am in favor of letting him fly, it's good to see granmas as often as we can!

My children have been flying for years. I am very comfortable with it. I have family across the country. I have always booked non-stop flights for them, so there is no chance of a layover mishap. They are under constant suprevision. I have never been unhappy with the service, and my children were always dazzled by the attention they got!

check with the airlines and see what their policies are. My brother and I used to fly alone starting when he was 5 and I was 8. The first time we had to fly with an adult. The second time the airline staff kept close watch on us, escorted us to a day care facility during change over, then back to our plane. By the time he was 8 and I was 11, we were making plane changes in Stapelton Airport (Denver) by ourselves.
I would think that if it is a direct flight that would be fine. My 8 year old nephew will be making a solo flight from MT to ID unless he can catch a ride with migrating family members.

My stepdaughter has been flying alone for years. I still go up to get her at the gate and she is 15. You just have to go to the check in desk and ask. You are able to go up with anyone up to 18 years of age. I always have my other kids with me and that has never been a problem taking them up with me. My kids after 10+ years are pros at this. I have even gotton a pass to go up and help my mom when she was traveling alone with my neice and nephew. You just have to ask.
Also the stewardess are great with the kids. I am sure he would enjoy it.

I flew alone at age 6 to see my grandparents and I am told I did fine. I have no memory of being scarred by the event. I have a few vague happy memories of being spoiled by my grandparents. As long as he is excited and wants to go I don't see any problem with it.

My stepkids flew alone to see us 4-5 times a year beginning at age 5. They are now 19 and 20. We never had a single problem with it. You pay an extra unaccompanied minor fee and you are allowed to accompany them to the gate. The person picking them up at their destination gets to go to the gate too. The flight attendants were always helpful and make sure the child is picked up by the right person. Good luck!

I think it's actually safer for a kid to fly alone these days, as the airlines are strict about the child being dropped off and picked up by responsible adults who have to show identification. They let the parents dropping off or picking up wait in the gate area with the child so there is no fear of the child being harmed in the airport while waiting for departure or arrival.

My sister and I flew when she was 7 and I was 9, of course this was back in the 70s, lol. We still have fun remembering that trip, and I think it was valuable in teaching us about being in the world and taking care of ourselves, even though we were being supervised by flight attendants the whole flight. If your son isn't afraid, I think it will be a fun and exciting thing for him to do.

I am now 36 years old, but I flew on my own when I was 5 years old. That is still the age when a child is allowed to fly on their own. I also flew to Arizona! I would just make sure you put him on a non-stop flight, but there shouldn't be any problems! It's fun for a child, and very exciting to do!