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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to plan a domestic birthday flight for my seven-year-old?

166 replies

Edinburghwomenonamisso8n26 · 06/04/2026 02:41

My ds7 birthday is coming up in June. He has asked to go on a plane ( he's obsessed with them ) Due to his brothers severe disability he hasn't been overseas or on a plane. Life is hard and his brother unfortunately is at the centre of everything we do due to the needs and appointments etc
Despite this ds7 is such a lovely boy who understands more then he should at his age tbh.

Anyway I really want to take him on a plane for the day. I have made peace with the environmental impact as we use public transport and haven't flown in 10ish yrs and won't for a very long time after.

Any ideas where obviously he doesn't have a passport so has to be domestic only. tia

flying from Edinburgh

OP posts:
SENsupportplease · 06/04/2026 19:07

Manchester airport has a great runway pub to watch planes taking off, has a play area as well - something to consider if you flew there

ChasingTheDuck · 06/04/2026 19:09

I would definitely check ID requirements though.
Me and 13YO DD flew Manchester to Belfast International, and back out of Belfast City last weekend. We both needed photo ID for both legs with EasyJet. We took passports so it was ok. But don't want you to get there and not have what's needed.

Belfast was a fab trip, and there is lots of cool stuff to do there for the day.

hope he has a fab day.

cinders222 · 06/04/2026 19:18

Belfast is lovely my teen loved it. Close to airport and really walkable. I really enjoyed it.

Hoppinggreen · 06/04/2026 19:20

SnappyOchre · 06/04/2026 06:30

Won't he still need some sort of ID to fly?

I was wondering that, all adults need photo ID to fly even if its just internally

Fends · 06/04/2026 19:20

Going against the Belfast grain. Love it but this is about the flight and he’ll have had longer bus journeys! I’d take him to London City Airport and take him to see Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham palace for changing of the guard. Definitely the cable car too.

I wouldn’t get him a passport unless you can go every year

Clowningaroun · 06/04/2026 19:43

If you are willing to get a passport can you look at an extreme day trip. There will be an EDT from Edinburgh Facebook page for inspiration. That way your son will get a flight and a glimpse of a foreign country in a day

kangaroomouse · 06/04/2026 21:11

Oh we did something similar from London TO Edinburgh. It was fab.

we pretended that the shuttle bus attendant needed to see their passports and she played along nicely. Such great memories of that trip. Go for it OP

Pinkissmart · 06/04/2026 22:53

Trallers · 06/04/2026 02:56

Was going to suggest Edinburgh until I saw in the last sentence you're flying from there 😂

It's a lovely idea. Does Edinburgh fly to Southampton? I think that would be nicer for a day trip than London.

Southampton is nicer than going to London? How?

blubberyboo · 06/04/2026 23:22

Avoid Dublin if he has no passport. Since 26th February UK govt has introduced new rules for entering UK. Foreign nationals now need a tourist evisa to enter UK and fine airlines who dont check. The unfortunate consequence of this is that despite the Common Travel area all Irish airlines now have to insist on a passport so that they can effectively prove you are British or Irish and dont need a tourist visa to get home.
See aer lingus website.

Belfast is fine as its a domestic flight. Usually edinburgh, belfast and Bristol only ask for ID for the adult if you have luggage and it can be a driving licence etc.

Talkingfrog · 07/04/2026 01:21

A lovely idea for a gift for a plane enthusiast.

I may be wrong, but even on a domestic flight, I think he will need photo ID, and the easiest way to do that would be a passport.

We wrnt to Jersey when DC was 3 and it was the only photo id we could think of that would be acceptable.

Pineapplewhip · 07/04/2026 03:00

Belfast! The titanic museum is nearby the airport and very cool! There's nothing too sad about it on the face of it and you go on a little mini ride down past the propellers and it feels like you're in the ships building yard.

PollyBell · 07/04/2026 04:50

Talkingfrog · 07/04/2026 01:21

A lovely idea for a gift for a plane enthusiast.

I may be wrong, but even on a domestic flight, I think he will need photo ID, and the easiest way to do that would be a passport.

We wrnt to Jersey when DC was 3 and it was the only photo id we could think of that would be acceptable.

Yes I was thinking this too

BooneyBeautiful · 07/04/2026 05:00

Xnz2022 · 06/04/2026 03:21

Check if you can get a flight to gurnsey. The tiny airport there is much more child friendly and enjoyable for a boy who wants an airplane experience than having to deal with Heathrow etc.

And as a small island, if you have time between flights it's quick and easy to get to the beach.. gives you a bit of the abroad feeling as well, without any of the hassle.

Edited

Need to remember though that Guernsey doesn't have the NHS, so travel insurance would be advisable just in case of an accident or illness on the day.

Original poster
Edinburghwomenonamisso8n26 · 07/04/2026 19:55

So we have settled on a Aer Lingus Flight to Belfast city Airport as the times are perfect and he also loves the titanic 😀

The best bit is we are going to surprise him on his birthday which is the day we are going.

I've also booked seats so he can definitely get a window seat.

Thanks everyone ☺️

OP posts:
Original poster
Edinburghwomenonamisso8n26 · 07/04/2026 19:58

So apart from Ryanair they insiston passport, he wouldn't need id as under 16, but he has a nec bus pass with his photo anyway.

OP posts:
AuraBora · 07/04/2026 20:02

Trallers · 06/04/2026 02:56

Was going to suggest Edinburgh until I saw in the last sentence you're flying from there 😂

It's a lovely idea. Does Edinburgh fly to Southampton? I think that would be nicer for a day trip than London.

If Edinburgh to Southampton works, I might suggest day trip to the lovely New Forest. My sis lives NR there and it's really lovely. You could prob get a bus or train from Southampton to Brockenhurst which is a lovely place and loads of nice walks in the forest right there. What does your boy like doing?

Seashor · 07/04/2026 20:05

Edinburgh to Exeter or Bristol, both are great cities.

AuraBora · 07/04/2026 20:09

Oh sorry just saw your update. Sounds fab. I'm sure he will love it. How thought of you.

My Dd went on her first flight at just turned 8 last year

  • to Amsterdam. She was ridiculously excited and enjoyed every moment! Of just the whole airport and flight experience I mean (although weekend was good too!)
kangaroomouse · 07/04/2026 20:10

Edinburghwomenonamisso8n26 · 07/04/2026 19:55

So we have settled on a Aer Lingus Flight to Belfast city Airport as the times are perfect and he also loves the titanic 😀

The best bit is we are going to surprise him on his birthday which is the day we are going.

I've also booked seats so he can definitely get a window seat.

Thanks everyone ☺️

Brilliant choice - what a great time you’ll have 😊

GrimTimes1 · 07/04/2026 20:14

Ahh I came on to suggest Belfast and a day at the titanic museum! What fun! I hope he has the best day!!!

myglowupera · 07/04/2026 20:27

This is a wonderful idea OP. I did this for my DS and highly recommended it.

MaggieFS · 07/04/2026 20:54

What a fabulous idea. I don’t have any suggestions beyond what pp have said, but I’d certainly avoid London unless you can fly to City airport. Wherever you go, you’ll find something to pass the time.

Please let us know what you decide?

BeaLola · 07/04/2026 23:30

Seen your update - I’m so excited for him (& you) - I hope you have a truly amazing day

Lomonald · 08/04/2026 07:25

I hope he has great time, he will be so excited,

BIossomtoes · 08/04/2026 08:04

He’ll be beside himself with excitement. You’ll have a wonderful day he’ll remember all his life.