12yr old DD flying solo? Am I crazy?

That’s good. I was on a late flight with my daughter a few years ago and the drunken, racist Irish fella who was sitting in the aisle across from us was arrested when the plane landed! To be honest I’d be more worried about that than assault.

😆

What about Snakes on a Plane though???

An aisle seat is a good idea so she can't be trapped in by someone. I'd also get her dad to change the seat to one as far forward as possible so she is near the flight attendants and so she doesn't have to battle all way up and down the plane when boarding and reboarding.

Hopefully not flying out of Dublin?
Last twice we flew with aer lingus from there, they changed the departure gate 2-3 times before departure and my girls and I and several others were running from one end of the terminal to another and nearly missed our flights - we go to gate as soon as announced. This was stressful for us, but could be confusing for a 12 year old, but only you know her capacity to manage difficult situations

Provided that she is mature and sensible, no SEN, is being met the other end by an adult, knows the route and has a phone and knows who to ask if she gets confused in the airport, this sounds like a lovely opportunity for her.

This is such bad advice. The parent being nervous is a terrible reason to stop a child doing something!

When my DD was flying transatlantic aged 13. I talked with her about how some people can just make you feel uncomfortable. If she was unlucky to be sat next to someone like that, she could just get up and go to the bathroom..and then explain to one of the flight crew that she was feeling uncomfortable and ask for a different seat.

I didnt go into detail of what might make her feel uncomfortable or that it might be difficult to find her another seat.

I also then said if someone was making it difficult for her to get out of her seat, she should say she felt sick and was going to throw up as no-one wants vomiting next to them. She thought that was funny and a good idea.

Its a delicate balance of just enough information and not too much at that age.

It's very dependent on the child, and yours sounds like she'd take it in her stride so I would let her do it. Saying no runs the risk of creating anxiety and putting her off doing things independently.

One of mine would have been absolutely fine doing this at 12, and would have loved it. The other could have ended up anywhere ....

Also, if I saw an unaccompanied child on a plane I would keep an eye out for them ... and I'm sure the vast majority of people would.

We’re frequent fliers and I think my dd13 would be absolutely fine, especially if flying to and from airports she’s familiar with. Whether she’d want to do it I’m not sure.

Is it a daytime flight?

It's only 30 mins, she'll be fine!

What a good opportunity for her to develop some independence.

I flew across the Atlantic at 10, many years before youngsters were accompanied, and long before mobile phones were a thing. I was fine.

I'd probably secretly hate it, but I wouldn't let that hold her back if I thought she was capable!

It's so safe and easy. As long as she doesn't miss the flight!! If she's met at the other end it will be totally painless. It's like being on a cooler coach trip

My DD, now 30,did fly from London to Dublin unaccompanied at that age. We booked Aer Lingus as Ryanair didn’t allow under 16s unaccompanied.
Aer Lingus were anything but helpful on the day. I had to check her in at the airport which was I presume a precaution to ensure that a parent / guardian was responsible for the booking.
The staff member made a big deal about the weight of her carry on rucksack which weighed slightly over their hand luggage limit at the time. “We don’t allow 10kg, we’re not Ryanair “. I certainly was left with the impression that she would be offered no special consideration or oversight once I she went through to airside but she was very mature and sensible and I was confident she would be ok.
I watched her go through into the security line until I couldn’t see her any more. At that point she was pulled aside and her luggage was extensively searched even the lining. This took over 45 minutes and left her in a panic that she might miss her flight.
What I hadn’t considered is that young teenagers flying unaccompanied might be suspected drug mules.
Post “me too” I would also now have greater concerns about the risks of a young teenager and who they might be seated alongside.
I fly to Dublin monthly now to look after elderly parents and one thing to be aware of is that Friday / Sunday flights can be a little raucous with stag and hen parties.

Will the airline allow her to fly alone? If so then I would happily do this.

My daughter gets trains alone to visit family and can navigate the underground in London - which for children living in London is normal but she’s from up north. She’s really comfortable with it. I’d have no issues with her flying if the airline permitted her to and it was somewhere she was going and being met by family on the other side.

I can’t see my husband going for it, conversely. He wouldn’t explicitly overrule me, he would just find a reason to be flying to the same place that day….

She wants to do it. It's only 30 mins and she will be met at both ends.

I would not worry. It's a good way to build confidence in a low risk way.

Just tell her to ask the airline staff (uniformed) or people behind a desk if she has any problems.

The first time I went on a flight on my own was to Australia which took forever. Admittedly I was a bit older than 12 though.

Depends on the child. I have a 7 year old who could probably do it, I know a 17 year old who couldn’t.

It sounds like yours is raring to go, I’d definitely give them the opportunity, it will be great for them.

My DC would have been fine at that age. Some children wouldn't have the confidence/common sense but you know your own DD.

In which case I can’t really see what can go wrong for the flight part. My only concern would be her being met at the other end - they need to agree to be there early and right by the exit, she needs to be told to come out of the arrivals and stop- don’t try to find anyone, call them and let them find you.

I flew on my own around that age to go and meet a friend and her family in the south of France. It was fine. I remember feeling so grown up when I went through passport control and I was in the departure lounge on my own. 😂