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Original poster

12yr old DD flying solo? Am I crazy?

117 replies

Flyingfear85 · 30/07/2025 09:00

Posting here as I’m having mixed reactions from people. Also NC as I don’t want this to link to previous posts.
My dd12 is flying from Ireland to uk solo (she wants to) to stay with her GP and then her cousin.
I’m nervous at the idea and was mostly fine until I mentioned it to a few people…some of whom looked at me like I was crazy for allowing this! Am I? Will she be ok?

OP posts:
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Original poster
Flyingfear85 · 15/10/2025 21:22

ClareBlue · 15/10/2025 21:19

Did she fly out of Shannon. Our children were flying from there as unaccompanied children no issues. They look after everyone in Shannon.😁

No she flew from Dublin. She knows it very well anyway I suppose so she wasn’t worried. (Unlike me 😅)

OP posts:
ClareBlue · 15/10/2025 21:19

Did she fly out of Shannon. Our children were flying from there as unaccompanied children no issues. They look after everyone in Shannon.😁

Original poster
Flyingfear85 · 15/10/2025 21:18

newhouseplans · 15/10/2025 21:09

Ah, well done your DD - and you too - for navigating this new experience so well.

I bet she's super proud of herself?

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She is delighted, and is already looking forward to doing it again next summer 🙌

OP posts:
newhouseplans · 15/10/2025 21:09

Flyingfear85 · 15/10/2025 20:54

She was absolutely fine, and they did keep an eye on her even though they say they don’t. They gave her free water and a chocolate bar too 🥰

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Ah, well done your DD - and you too - for navigating this new experience so well.

I bet she's super proud of herself?

Original poster
Flyingfear85 · 15/10/2025 20:54

50lbstolose · 15/10/2025 20:48

@Flyingfear85 my 13yo dd is making this exact journey this weekend.

When I flew as a child, an unaccompanied minor, I was chaperoned by an airline staff member. I presumed it would be the same when I booked for dd. I am sure you can imagine my shock and horror to discover that I take her to security and then she is in her own!

your thread has really put my mind at ease. Thank you

She was absolutely fine, and they did keep an eye on her even though they say they don’t. They gave her free water and a chocolate bar too 🥰

OP posts:
Original poster
Flyingfear85 · 15/10/2025 20:53

RoseAlone · 15/10/2025 20:50

No idea if she'll be ok, probably, but there's no way I'd be putting my children in such danger.

She was absolutely fine. Well looks; after and she knew exactly how to get through the airport etc.she purchased goodies in duty free and all. I was so proud 😊

OP posts:
RoseAlone · 15/10/2025 20:50

No idea if she'll be ok, probably, but there's no way I'd be putting my children in such danger.

50lbstolose · 15/10/2025 20:48

@Flyingfear85 my 13yo dd is making this exact journey this weekend.

When I flew as a child, an unaccompanied minor, I was chaperoned by an airline staff member. I presumed it would be the same when I booked for dd. I am sure you can imagine my shock and horror to discover that I take her to security and then she is in her own!

your thread has really put my mind at ease. Thank you

ADRV · 03/08/2025 11:16

I regularly was sent off to Europe to stay with my grandmother as a child in the 80’s/ 90’s and flew alone (the airline have the staff check on children all the time) - was totally fine. Character building even!

marcopront · 03/08/2025 10:54

PistachioTiramisuLimoncello · 03/08/2025 10:52

Do you always sound so rude?

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I think posting without reading the OP updates is ruder.

PistachioTiramisuLimoncello · 03/08/2025 10:52

marcopront · 03/08/2025 09:44

If you could be bothered to read the OPs posts, you’d know she has already flown.

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Do you always sound so rude?

marcopront · 03/08/2025 09:44

PistachioTiramisuLimoncello · 03/08/2025 08:42

She’ll be fine. You can get her checked in. There’s a great company called Airport Angels we’ve used who will see her through to boarding. Might be worth checking out op.

If you could be bothered to read the OPs posts, you’d know she has already flown.

Original poster
Flyingfear85 · 03/08/2025 09:33

EternalLodga · 03/08/2025 06:09

I was flying solo between Japan and Europe aged seven so yeah its insane to me you would worry about this

As a parent its my job to worry…

OP posts:
PistachioTiramisuLimoncello · 03/08/2025 08:42

She’ll be fine. You can get her checked in. There’s a great company called Airport Angels we’ve used who will see her through to boarding. Might be worth checking out op.

EternalLodga · 03/08/2025 06:09

I was flying solo between Japan and Europe aged seven so yeah its insane to me you would worry about this

marcopront · 03/08/2025 06:04

Flyingfear85 · 02/08/2025 19:19

UPDATE! She made it over with no issues. Made purchases in duty free and did it all herself. I’m so proud of her 🥰🥰

Well Done to her and you.

Original poster
Flyingfear85 · 02/08/2025 19:19

UPDATE! She made it over with no issues. Made purchases in duty free and did it all herself. I’m so proud of her 🥰🥰

OP posts:
Oinkypig · 30/07/2025 22:04

My DS has been flying aer Lingus by himself for the last year since turning 12. He was well used to airports/flying and is completely happy, it’s a secure environment compared with walking to and from school or meeting friends out. The first flight is nerve wracking but as long as the revolute is topped up she’ll be fine. The last time we were early and instead of waiting DS said “I’m just going to head on through to get a hit chocolate and some new earphones” not so much as a backward glance! I’m sure she’ll be fine!

HerewardtheSleepy · 30/07/2025 21:50

DW's best friend flew solo from the UK to Iran and back when she was 10 (her Dad worked for BP out there).
YABU.

Original poster
Flyingfear85 · 30/07/2025 21:44

Thank you everyone

OP posts:
bathroomadviceneeded · 30/07/2025 16:25

I did this all the time from age 12, similar distance, to see my grandparents for the weekend. I had to travel with an ‘unaccompanied minor’ badge, and the airline staff kept an extra eye on me.

I loved it and never had a bad experience, except for one time with a creepy man that the air hostess spotted and saved me from.

UsernameMcUsername · 30/07/2025 16:23

I fly short haul often enough and would have no problems letting my 13yo do it. If they're sensible and familiar with flying they'll be fine.

dizzydizzydizzy · 30/07/2025 16:00

She'll be absolutely fine.

Who are these people who are telling you it's not fine? Are they people who wrap their kids in cotton wool and won't them do anything alone? A friend of mine has done that and her kids are now early 20s and consequently barely ever leave their childhood bedrooms. They have never had jobs.

Are they people who are scared of flying? Coincidentally I read some survey results today that say that only 41 percent of the British population are not scared of flying.

Starlight1984 · 30/07/2025 12:31

OP she'll be absolutely fine. As for the posters saying they would worry about changing gates / times etc, kids of that age are probably far more savvy than us older ones with keeping track of stuff on apps!

I think it's great for her independence and confidence. You've got literally less than one hour of no contact before she's met by family so ideal for her first solo trip really 😊

Ohnobackagain · 30/07/2025 12:27

@Flyingfear85 when I was her age I drove my parents mad by wanting to map read, be in charge of looking in the Hoseasons book to pick the right caravan configuration (to a specified budget) and so on. Kids can do so much more from quite young - they let me learn and grow in a safe way and that is what you are doing here. I’m sure it will be fine!