To let my 16yr old fly alone?

[Algonqueen]

Considering letting my 16yr old DS fly alone from LHR to Dublin and taking a coach 1.5hrs to in-laws who would collect him from bus station. He’s done the journey once before with DH so has a good idea and coach tickets need to be bought online in advance.

He’s pretty sensible - would like to be a pilot so has a lot of interest in airports and transport in general. I think he would manage it with no issue but of course things can crop up.

He has a phone and will have contact details for relatives in Ireland.

Anything you would be concerned about or I should think of? He has flown before without us long haul but as part of a school trip.

He’s 16. I’d have zero hesitation

I think it'd be a concern if he couldn't do this tbh.

He’s 16! It’s not even a question!

I spoke to another person earlier with a 16 yr old DD. She said she wouldn’t let her as she looks young. Made me wonder.

I have two 16 year olds one would be able to do that no problem the other (high functioning asd) would not. It depends on the child, more than the age, but I'd be happy if he's sensible and could talk me through the route and what would he do if the plane was delayed/the coach didn't arrive on time.

He’ll be fine.

The flight is fine, he just needs to be told to get to the gate when it comes up. How easy is it to get another coach, if there is a flight delay?

Both my 2 were 14 when they (separately) first flew alone - we took them and they were met at the other end. They’d flown a reasonable amount previously so knew the ropes and were very relaxed about travelling alone. In fact, they enjoyed it.

I'd do it but make sure he arrived with plenty of time to catch a later coach if the flight is delayed etc.

There are DC who probably wouldn't be capable of doing this at 16, but your DS sounds perfectly able and airlines allow DC over the age of 14 to travel unaccompanied. My DS flew unaccompanied at 15, having stayed with his friend abroad for a few days. He's very sensible and it was fine. In your shoes I'd do without any hesitation.

Me too

I travelled halfway across the world on my own from the age of 14 - indirect routes so I had to change flights multiple times, and this was in the era before mobile phones or email! If your son is even vaguely sensible, he will be absolutely fine.

Kids can join the armed forces at 16. Im sure he'll be just fine.

I think that's a great idea and a good learning experience. If he is happy with it then I would go for it.

mine are younger but I’d hope they would be up to this at 16. Is there another coach if he misses it and in an emergency would grandparents pick him up?

I was put on a plane to a French family aged 13. Ages before we had mobiles. Like your son I was quite interested in aviation etc. It def felt like a bit of an adventure but I was fine.

Wouldn’t concern me in the slightest. Dublin airport is easy to navigate and coaches are frequent should he miss it.

A 16 year old doesn’t need to be told to get to the gate on time. It would be concerning if they didn’t have the common sense to do this!

And me.

Airports are the best sign posted places ever and Dublin is no different.

Many of the coaches are on a 24/7 schedule and it’s no issue if your flight is late your ticket is still valid.

My nephew 16 is flying LHR to Dublin next week. 2 years ago my DS did it in reverse, a lot of paperwork as he was under 16. It's absolutely fine once 16. Only issue is finding a gate. Ds took a photo of the screen to reassure us and another when he got there.. he didn't have to, it was for his own reassurance I think.

This is a wonderful and exciting opportunity for your DS and I would very much encourage it.

Thanks all - good to hear other opinions. I am for it. I think coaches are regular but will make sure he knows what to do if his plane is delayed etc. He’s very excited! Was saying it will be a lot smoother experience at airport without us. We really aren’t that bad!

He’s been travelling 40 mins on tube to school since he was 11 and it’s probably more riskier and challenging on occasion than an airport/aeroplane.

Ha. In Scotland he could be starting university away from home if close to 17 and expected to be completely self sufficient!

Is this a joke? In Scotland he could be starting university, joining the army, or getting married at 16! Assuming no special needs which haven’t been mentioned, I’m sure he could be expected to get himself through an airport and onto a coach.

At 16 one of my twins would have easily
managed all these steps, the other wouldn’t have made it past security at LHR. It s all about the maturity and capability of the child.

As you have a family connection to Ireland, I would just ensure he has GP phone numbers, in case of any kind of major delay or transport failure, try to book him an early flight on the day, so any further knock on delays are eliminated and he is not negotiating onwards coach transport in the dark.

If your NT 16 year old can’t do this, you’ve done something very wrong.