These systems are typically for 5 to 15 year olds and include things such as having an escort at the airport, priority boarding, help with passport control and baggage claim and general supervision until they are picked up at the other side. Children younger than 5 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
‘Unaccompanied minor’ systems cost extra and are sometimes not compulsory to book for a child depending on their age and the airline. So while it is worth the peace of mind they offer, you may choose to forgo the whole thing if your child is mature enough to travel safely on their own.
If you are not using an airlines unaccompanied children programme you need to make sure your child is prepared for any of the usual travel problems that might come up, such us airline security issues, flight delays and cancelations, lost, stolen, or damaged baggage and personal safety in general. Talk about some of the things that have happened to you during flights, make it funny and informative so it doesn’t scare your child but they learn what to do if a similar thing happens to them.
Actually, even if you do use the unaccompanied minor program, things can still go wrong, so make sure you cover all potential eventualities with your child in advance regardless. I speak from painful experience!
How to prepare your child for the flight
In this age of mobile devices make sure that phones are fully charged, topped up with credit and unlocked for use in the destination country. Also ensure that all pertinent phone numbers for yourself, the destination location, local and international police services and the airline helpdesk are saved on it and easy to find.
If possible, you should go with your child through security and preferably all the way to their seat in the aircraft although these days you may not be allowed past security, so check in advance. Make sure the plane staff know that your child is unaccompanied and point out the cabin crew to your child so they know who to go to if there is a problem. Even if you are not using their programme most cabin crew are very considerate of children travelling alone and will keep an extra special eye on them whenever possible. Also, the person picking up the child on the other side may be able to get an escort pass so they can be at the gate at the arrival airport and help with baggage claim.
