To let Dd fly by herself?

[alwaysflyingoff]

Would you let your 16 year old Dd catch a flight completely by herself if she wanted to? Short flight but still worried

I believe that is something to double check with the specific airline as they have different policies. There might also be a specific way to book the ticket.

Yes, absolutely fine. (did this myself from age 7)

Another yes vote here. I have sent my DC home from the US including a change alone at that age, and they then got the tube/train home.

it is probably safer than sending them to Reading Festival!

Yes! Ds flew to Australia alone at 16

Yes absolutely fine is she’s happy to do it.

One other thing - your DD may or may not be
streetwise but do make crystal clear about NEVER carrying anyone else’s bags!

Yes!

I flew regularly alone as a child. It was fine! However I was well looked after by cabin crew & even got to sit in the cockpit to land one time (amazing & would never be allowed now) but at 16 she is an adult so would need to be completely comfortable navigating an airport to find her own gate etc & baggage & for flying home. If you think she would be fine asking for help if she gets lost/confused then yes! My 10 year old DD has travelled lots & would be confident navigating an airport/security etc so it depends on your DD.

Of course it’s fine. At 16 I took an 11 hour flight followed by catching a train and a bus to get to school (another 6 hours). Most other kids did similar.

Assuming she has been through airports before, of course. It will make her feel mature, be good for her self esteem and you'll be at the other end of a phone of necessary. I'd make sure she had money and/or a card for emergency use.

Sounds totally fine, especially with someone meeting her at the other side, she could be off on her own, on a gap year or friend's holiday in a year or two, perfect way to get her used to it with no risk, with someone on both sides.

Yes, happily. DD is not 16 yet, but she is a seasoned, competent traveller with good instincts.

I flew unaccompanied at 9

yes I would allow that, I don't see why not?

Wow thanks so much everybody, I didn’t expect so many replies :)

To all those asking - DD flies within Europe often and can speak the language of the country she’s flying to at maybe a B1 level, so enough for an airport.

Hogwarts?

At 16, I jumped on a train to London, went to a concert in Wembley, got a train back to a friends house to sleep, and then got a train to london city airport where I went skiing for a week with my family who were already out there.

If your 16 year old can't manage this alone, you've failed as a parent.

My DD flew unaccompanied minor at 14 last year, so she did have aircrew escort her on and off the plane and a proper hand off to a known person at the other end. I did however, do some role play with her about what she could do if there was someone sitting next to her on the plane that was making her uncomfortable etc

I was sure she would be fine, but wanted her to have some options if something went wrong/felt wrong rather than potentially panicking and freezing etc. It all went fine, she said she was glad for the scenario planning as she felt very in control and she texted me so many funny comments along the way so was clearly enjoying herself and the ‘grownup-ness’ of it all

16 is a child, but she should be ok if she's met by a family member at the airport if travelling to a different country.

Yes. I travelled to Malaysia at 14 to be met by a family member. Wouldn’t think twice about it.

Yes, my ds flew on day trips to Venice, Barcelona and Italy unaccompanied at 16-17 years old. He decided the itinerary for the day and followed it by himself around each country and got home safely. I was a nervous wreck on those days 😔, but he was absolutely fine and learnt useful life skills. I think your dd will be fine as well.

😂

Yep. At 16 you can start flying solo in your own plane, flying from an airport where you can ask questions is easy, especially if you're met at the other end.

Failed as a parent is quite harsh. There are multiple reasons a 16 year old might not be ready for this alone.

I used tofly to Abu Dhabi at 16 ......bus to Heathrow, change planes in Amsterdam. Dad would meet me at the airport!