Just thinking out loud 13,15 &17 years olds fly alone - no stop over ?

[Newbrummie]

Literally put on the plane in uk, picked up at the other end ?

[FeckinCrutches]

What's the problem?

[EllyOlly]

Me and DS & DB flew longhaul younger. Go for it.

[HerodZackHunt]

Presumably the 17 year old can be relied upon to watch for gate calls and hold passports?
If so then no problem.

[NannyR]

I can't see any problem with that at all.

[Foldedtshirt]

No problem at all

[Pestilence13610]

Should be no problem. You will need to sign forms for the youngest.
They will be well looked after. Mine have been doing it since the youngest was 8, DS2 and DD even got upgraded once. We have half the contents of the first class cabin to prove it. Who in their right mind would upgrade an 11 and 14 yo

[lozzylizzy]

My kids are only small so I can't answer with mine but I reckon my eldest would be perfectly competent in travelling whilst watching out for the younger ones. Once they are on the plane they can't really get lost.

I would have a word with them to make sure they know its important that they all stick together.

[PavlovianLunge]

It depends on the 13, 15 and 17 year olds, but I think most would be totally fine. (But if one has form for mislaying things, let one of the others be in charge of passports.)

[trinity0097]

I first flew solo aged 4 - (with assistance at that age) - it's not that tricky once a teenager as long as they have been through an airport before.

[InTheDessert]

You need to check the specific airline. They all have different ages for what they class as a minor.
I assume the kids have flown fairly frequently before? If they are fairly sensible, I can't see a problem. But I have a 7 year old who could probably navigate an airport as well as an adult who has only flown a handful of times. He would loose the passport or boarding card tho!!

[Newbrummie]

15 year old will have the passports, she's like a 50 year old woman 😉

[Newbrummie]

They've flown a fair bit, never alone though

[sirfredfredgeorge]

To where? Some countries have significant rules about documentation required for under 18's

Airlines are also doing less and less to support unaccompanied young children - so the stories of travelling alone at 4, 8 etc. or getting upgraded (it's for staff levels!) are now much less likely. BA don't accept under 12's for example.

But anyway, no there's no reason not for them if they want to do it!

[TeenAndTween]

No problem provided have flown before and airline permit it.

[KatieB55]

Yes, check with the airline, as I previously had problem with an airline when DCs were 17, 15 and 13. I flew by myself from age 11, as parents lived abroad and I was at boarding school - it was great fun and before the days of mobile phones, so had to sort out missed connections etc by myself.

[Newbrummie]

It's to the USA

[Newbrummie]

Sending them to my sister basically

[PatriciaHolm]

Should be absolutely fine.

[Newtssuitcase]

My DN flies back and forth from the US alone. He is 12. the cabin crew keep an eye on him

[hellsbellsmelons]

As there is no adult there are you booking them on as 'Unaccompanied minors'?
Not sure all airlines state kids under 18 have to travel with an adult, but some do, so check it out.
My DD's dad moved abroad when she was 11, she's travelled alone a lot.
It's fine and dandy.
The cabin crew give them extra special attention!

[Newbrummie]

Yes I think that's the plan, i wasn't just going to park them on the plane

[sirfredfredgeorge]

hellsbellsmelons I don't know of any airlines that won't consider the 17yr old, old enough to be the person accompanying the other two, but yes worth checking.

[BadToTheBone]

No problem, most airlines have a great service abc at those ages it'll be a doddle.

[hellsbellsmelons]

I think it's mainly the low cost ones so they get more money!!!
Although just checked dire-air and it's 16 so think OP's DC will be fine travelling with a 17 YO.

[Otherpeoplesteens]

Check with the airline about their policy for UnMins and whether the 17 yo counts as adult supervision. If not, you'll have to use the airline's UnMin service.

I was 17, flying intercontinental back home from boarding school with a large party from the school all travelling together, when there was a problem involving an unscheduled stopover and long delays. The airline was more than happy to leave the entire lot of them (six or seven kids aged 11-16) in my care for six hours in Delhi. I don't think any of them came to harm, but I was in the bar the entire time so I'm not sure