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Sometimes they may be a need to put your child on a plane all by himself. Maybe it's a custody agreement and your ex lives in another city or a grandparent wants them to come for a visit. Whatever the reason, it's a nerve wracking experience for a parent to put your precious child on a plane all on their own.
Airlines do however have a service for unaccompanied minors. You hand your child over to a qualified child-minder who then stays with your child for the entirety of the flight and hands them over to the adult responsible for collection at his destination.
We asked our Facebook fans at what age would they feel comfortable with sending their kids on a plane alone. Here's what they had to say:
At the age of 20. With guards. - Catherine Jenkin
When they are old enough to pay for their ticket. .. and mine! - Amanda Boshoff
What plane? Where to? Why? Who's going with?.......my feelings about my child on a plane alone.....and he's already twelve years old. Maybe when he's old enough to have a licence to drive and an ID. Silly me? - Tania Horne
Well, I work for an airline and the children travelling alone are very well looked after, so I would be happy to send my son or daughter alone from 5 years or so as that's the youngest they will be allowed to travel unaccompanied. My daughter is now 5 and I would be okay with sending her if really necessary. - Brigitta Ellis-Nel
Never - Martie Swart
21 - Jacqueline J-Jay Nel
I did from age 2 and she was fine and well looked after. At age 10 she still goes alone. - Lesedi Amore
My parents sent me out alone when I was 18, I had a connecting flight & a lay over of 5 hours! I'd say simple & quick flights, younger - Anastasiya A. Meintjes
When they are 25 years old at least. - Phelo Makachulunososo Dywili
Seven, depending on the child though. - Jennifer Crocker
I sent my child on a plane supervised by a flight attendant designated solely for him at the age of 8. He was fine and they were wonderful! - Shanna Vd Ham
20? - Nadia Gamieldien
Seriously though, at age 14 - Imelda Neate
When they are mature enough I guess, maybe 12 but I'll be comfortable at 16. - Zosti Emmanuella Mnisi
Never! I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing something like that. - Nicolene Jonas
At what age would you feel comfortable sending your child on a plane alone?
Sometimes they may be a need to put your child on a plane all by himself. Maybe it's a custody agreement and your ex lives in another city or a grandparent wants them to come for a visit. Whatever the reason, it's a nerve wracking experience for a parent to put your precious child on a plane all on their own.
Airlines do however have a service for unaccompanied minors. You hand your child over to a qualified child-minder who then stays with your child for the entirety of the flight and hands them over to the adult responsible for collection at his destination.
We asked our Facebook fans at what age would they feel comfortable with sending their kids on a plane alone. Here's what they had to say:
At the age of 20. With guards. - Catherine Jenkin
When they are old enough to pay for their ticket. .. and mine! - Amanda Boshoff
What plane? Where to? Why? Who's going with?.......my feelings about my child on a plane alone.....and he's already twelve years old. Maybe when he's old enough to have a licence to drive and an ID. Silly me? - Tania Horne
Well, I work for an airline and the children travelling alone are very well looked after, so I would be happy to send my son or daughter alone from 5 years or so as that's the youngest they will be allowed to travel unaccompanied. My daughter is now 5 and I would be okay with sending her if really necessary. - Brigitta Ellis-Nel
Never - Martie Swart
21 - Jacqueline J-Jay Nel
I did from age 2 and she was fine and well looked after. At age 10 she still goes alone. - Lesedi Amore
My parents sent me out alone when I was 18, I had a connecting flight & a lay over of 5 hours! I'd say simple & quick flights, younger - Anastasiya A. Meintjes
When they are 25 years old at least. - Phelo Makachulunososo Dywili
Seven, depending on the child though. - Jennifer Crocker
I sent my child on a plane supervised by a flight attendant designated solely for him at the age of 8. He was fine and they were wonderful! - Shanna Vd Ham
20? - Nadia Gamieldien
Seriously though, at age 14 - Imelda Neate
When they are mature enough I guess, maybe 12 but I'll be comfortable at 16. - Zosti Emmanuella Mnisi
Never! I just wouldn't feel comfortable doing something like that. - Nicolene Jonas
At what age would you feel comfortable sending your child on a plane alone?
