Flying as an unaccompanied minor at age 7

[CrispyClo]

I’m posting on behalf of my sister as she is looking for some external views on the matter.

My niece is 7, birthday was in August. She started a new school in September, which closes for Christmas a week earlier than most state schools. There don’t seem to be a lot of options for childcare during that week as not many schools here close that early so there aren’t any holiday camps.
My sister has booked my niece onto a week long camp abroad for the week. The camp is well reviewed and offers a pick up service for children flying as an unaccompanied minor. My sister initially felt this was a good idea, and booked it.
Now she is having some concerns and is unsure it’s the right choice, mainly as she appreciates 7 is quite young and while the flight isn’t particularly long, they don’t actually have someone sat with them, just cabin crew checking in. She has admitted herself she was fine with it until other people seemed to think it was a reckless parenting choice. I think it will be fine, my sister and I flew as unaccompanied minors often as our dad lived abroad, we were a bit older (maybe 10 the first time) but managed it fine.

AIBU to think my niece will be fine? She’s looking forward to the camp and doesn’t seem phased by the thought of it.

Exactly the same age as my DC and quite frankly there is no way I would do this. Far too young imo

No way I would send my child on a plane alone at that age. I've seen stories of children who have been mislaid in this exact type of scenario and airports are dangerous places.

The unaccompanied flight isnt the worst thing, some people visit family this way, but they'd have a family member to meet them at the other side. But an abroad camp for a solo 7 year old?! No way.

No fucking way.

I couldn’t.

I mean - seriously? WTF is your sister thinking?

Far too young to spend a week abroad or travel alone.

I have a child this age and he wouldn't spend a night away from home.

I don’t think it’s actually that strange. The camp and airport pick up service wouldn’t exist if people didn’t use it?

Absolutely not.

Well it entirely depends on the airline and their policy on it surely

Absolutely no way. This might be ok at 13, not 7.

A week. With strangers. Absolutely fucking not. I dont think id be happy with this even at 12 or 13 years old.

It’s Swissair, they have a very well reviewed unaccompanied minors system, you pay extra for it but it’s very good.

I think 7 is too young if she doesn’t have someone sitting with her or with her in the airport.

Im Surprised how few people went to camps as a child?

I'm sorry I know different strokes for different folks but I think this is insane to be honest and I would never ever. What if there was bad turbulence and the child was afraid but cabin crew need to be seated? What if they got seated beside someone who was a creep? What if the child took sick or ill who makes decisions for them? Does the child want to go and be away from their parent for a full week?

From a safeguarding perspective I cannot imagine sending a 7 yo into this situation- either the camp abroad or the airport.

Sending a 7 year old away like that? What the actual fuck is your sister thinking

It's fine if your niece is happy with the plan.

send the spare cotton wool to others more in need 🤣

Who sends their 7 yo abroad unaccompanied to a “holiday club” ?!

Im really a pretty relaxed parent. But that means allowing sleepovers and Beaver camps for 6-8 year olds which is basically 1 or 2 nights not far from home.

This is so far away from something I’d do. Really odd.

Not a chance in hell would I do this

There would be a member of staff who accompanied her in the airport and escorted her onto the flight where she would be handed over to the cabin crew who would check in throughout, then she would be accompanied off the flight through passport control and to the designated pick up spot where a member of the camp staff would have to identify themselves.

Putting a 7 year old, alone, on a plane to spend a week at an overseas camp. Setting aside the flying alone part, have they spent a week away from home by themselves before? I mean, it would be a cold day in hell before I did this. Can't she hire a nanny for the week?

I think it’s a fairly unusual choice for an average uk family. It must be costing a fortune for a start. 7 is very little to be sent abroad alone to stay with strangers. A child travelling at that age needs a designated 1:1 adult. Will she be getting that?
I’m finding it hard to believe that there was no other more suitable options closer to home. I presume this is an independent school. All the independent schools locally finish a week earlier. There is holiday club provision. Surely someone within a sensible driving distance was doing something??

I take on the 7 is too young for the flight as an unaccompanied minor but I’m shocked by the surprise as 7 year old could spend a week at a camp? They have boarding schools for 7 year olds?!

Id say I’m fairly relaxed but it’s not wrapping someone in cotton wool thinking it’s crazy sending a 7 year old away like that.