What do I need to do if my child is traveling alone?
What type of flight is the best to book if my child is traveling alone?
How will I know if my child will be safe?
How else can I help prepare my child so they are safe and comfortable on the trip alone?
What will my child need to carry with them if they are traveling alone?
How can I make sure my child makes it safely on board the plane?
How can I find information on my child's destination's airport so they'll know where to go when they get there?

What do I need to do if my child is traveling alone?

• Inquire about the Airline's policies about children traveling alone.

• Find out what kind of special paperwork and identification your child will need.

• Find out the minimum age restriction for children traveling alone.

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What type of flight is the best to book if my child is traveling alone?

• If your child is traveling alone, try to book a nonstop flight. Direct or connecting flights both have stops and will only slow down and complicate your child's trip, which will increase the chance for problems.

• Avoid the last flight of the day. Many Airlines ban children from taking the last flight of the day or connecting onto the last flight of the day. This is a good idea because a problem with the flight would result in a complicated overnight stay.

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How will I know if my child will be safe?

Start by asking the questions listed below as well as those for any other relevant issues.

• What special precautions does the Airline take to guarantee your child's safety?

• Are the plane's personnel informed that your child is traveling alone?

• Do they escort the child between flights?

• Is there a separate and secure waiting area for your child?

• Be sure to notify the airline of any special issues about your child such as medical conditions.

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How else can I help prepare my child so they are safe and comfortable on the trip alone?

• Taking time to discuss and role-play the whole flight process will be much more important if your child is traveling alone.

• Read them some books with traveling themes. They'll be more interested and at ease with the whole process.

• Make sure your child knows about the attendants, how they need to follow their instructions, as well as, being there in case they need help.

• Tell them to keep their seatbelt on during the entire flight.

• Make sure your child understands the whole process. Make sure they know who they are meeting, and where and when they are meeting them.

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What will my child need to carry with them if they are traveling alone?

• A valid ticket, identification and any other paperwork the airline requires.

• Written contact names, phone numbers, and address at home.

• Written contact names, phone number and address at their destination.

• Complete written itineraries with flight numbers, flight times and gate information if available.

• Include information on whom, when and where they are meeting at their destination.

• Some cash.

• A calling card or instructions on how to call collect.

• On plane entertainment.

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How can I make sure my child makes it safely on board the plane?

For security reasons, they probably won't allow an un-ticketed passenger on board even if you are just going to get your child settled. You could request a flight attendant to come up to the gate so you can introduce them to the child. You also don't want to leave until a few minutes after the plane has left the ground in case the plane has a problem and ends up returning to the gate.

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How can I find information on my child's destination's airport so they'll know where to go when they get there?

Go To:  US Airport Links & Foreign Links

This page contains web links to many major U.S. and foreign airports. Although, each airport's site is different many contain airport terminal layouts and features, parking information, flight delays and other items that could save you time and help make your visit a safe one. This links page also lists many airport codes that can be helpful when making Airline reservations so you and your luggage will be heading to the right airport.

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