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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
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:
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.

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

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.

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:
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.

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 10:54

PistachioTiramisuLimoncello · 03/08/2025 10:52

Do you always sound so rude?

Show quote history

I think posting without reading the OP updates is ruder.

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!

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

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.

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:
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:
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 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?

Show quote history

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

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 21:22

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 😅)

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