can my 14yo ds fly alone?

[redshoes]

My ds who is 14 (will be 15 actually by summer) has been invited to stay with his mate who is returning to Germany (Berlin) in the summer. Now, I thought this would be straightforward, but dh thinks it is v. complicated . Can he not simply be put on a plane and met the other end? Any tips re good airlines?

He can fly alone with no problem - the unaccompanied minor restrictions only apply to 5-12yo on most airlines.
Just make sure his mobile will work in Germany in case he gets stuck or can't find the person meeting him.

Is ds happy to travel alone? If so seems like dh is panicking over nothing...

if travelling on a scheduled airline like ba or lufthansa, at the time of booking advise that he will be travelling as an 'unaccompanied minor' they will then send a form to complete (or may be done over the telephone nowadays), this form needs to be completed with who is taking the child to the airport and who is collecting the other side as well as contact details etc. The stewardesses on board will then ensure he is ok too.

ds v happy thanks! think dh is jealous...

Irishfishwife, that makes sense and is v straightforward

ba and lufthansa will also ensure that he meets up with the correct people in germany rather than being left to his own devices.

I used to fly lots on my own when I was a child and I loved it. For a while I was an unaccompanied minor and got chaperined evrywhere, but I couldn't wait to get rid of the trolley dollies!

If he is mature and confident, it will be a little adventure.

Obviously that's chaperoned.

Yes smiley, I think he'll love it!
I'll look into those airlanes then - thanks fw