Would you let 13 year old fly UK to Japan unaccompanied?

[EmmaAnne68]

My DSS 12 wants to fly to Japan to see his Aunt. His mum has said this is okay, as long as he raises the money for the trip. (He’ll have just turned 13 at the time of the trip).

At age 13 we think he’s way too young to fly alone to Japan (he’s never even taken the bus by himself. . . )

The flights can be anywhere from 14 to 24 hours, and can have a couple of stops along the way. Plus he doesn’t speak the language.

Are we being unreasonable? One of my biggest worries is he’ll hate the flight to Japan, and not want to come home alone. Flights are at least £1200, so we couldn’t afford to fly over to bring him home if needed.

No way

YADNBU. Depends on the child, but a child who has never taken a bus on their own no, definitely not.
In case the mother insists on him going why not start training him? Solo bus rides, out and back again, then a train, then a train with a change of trains...
At some point he'll either look like a competent traveller or the penny will drop that it's a crazy idea. Hopefully!

Surely you’d send him as an unaccompanied minor (ie in the care of the airline) particularly if there are changes? If that’s the case, I’d let him go.

No way

Gangstamummy · Today 12:51
Surely you’d send him as an unaccompanied minor (ie in the care of the airline) particularly if there are changes? If that’s the case, I’d let him go.

I don’t think the unaccompanied minors service still exists - on British Aircways, at any rate. It may do on Japanese Airlines (or other airlines which fly to Japan).

Some airlines will allow children to fly independently at the age of 12. Others will require a 13yo to fly as an unaccompanied minor.

My friend's dd flew to Japan unaccompanied at the age of 9 - she was chaperoned by the airline and it was absolutely fine. I'm pretty sure that my dd would have been totally fine with it at 13, had the situation ever arisen.

But ultimately, it depends on the child. How much travelling they have done previously, how confident, independent and self sufficient they are etc.

Assuming that his aunt would meet him at the airport, the lack of language skills wouldn't be an issue at all. It's more a question of whether he would cope with the journey without a family member present. His mum clearly thinks he would be fine. You apparently don't. What's his dad's view?

My now 14 year old could have done this BUT he spent 5 years living abroad, and we flew home (with multiple stops) at least once a year, and also went on holiday. He will have probably been on more planes than trains!

I'd try to get a direct flight - so get him into Heathrow (London) for a direct flight.

I'm not sure I'd let my current 12 year old do it, as despite having had the same exposure, he is too introverted to deal with any issues.

When I was at school we had many kids flying in from all corners of the world alone from much younger. The airline will look after them and make sure they reach their aunt at the airport.

You should check if the airline runs an unaccompanied minor service and whether that is affordable.

If it's a direct flight I'd be inclined to allow it, unless there is some reason for your fear that he will hate the flight and refuse to come home (has he flown before for example)?

Plenty of children fly long haul alone, back to school for example, and they seem to manage. Airports are relatively easy to navigate and so as long as someone is meeting him either end it should be fine. I actually think it is probably easier than taking the bus alone as you aren't likely to get on the wrong plane.

Just send as an unaccompanied minor. Mine was 9 and it was 24 hours total.

Also, can't he fly direct? 11-12 hours usually.

I think that you are taking this all a bit too literally from a 12 year old.

‘Mum, can I fly to Japan on my own to see aunt Suki’

’Sure, when you have enough money to buy a ticket, you can fly on your own’.

I mean, it’s the kind of thing that you say to a child, isn’t it.

be a bugger if aunt says she will pay…. It’s a no from me

It's doable if he's prepared to do some practice and be "walked through" the whole process of where you go and what you do in what order etc (immigration, security, finding your flight gate and making your way there, boarding, the plane journey, disembarkment, customs declaration, baggage reclaim...).

Narita Airport is a really well-organized airport and there will be English speakers at the desks and English signage absolutely everywhere.

Public transport options from the airport could be booked in advance - it would then be a case of his simply making his way to the train platform and getting on the train.

Or his aunt could perhaps meet him at the airport, as he will have a lot of luggage and be tired after the flight.

How is a 12-year-old planning to raise £1,200?

Some airlines I think would allow him to fly alone at age 13, but some wouldn't, eg BA no longer allows under-14s to fly alone: https://www.britishairways.com/content/information/travel-assistance/children-travelling-alone

Japan Airlines does still seem to have an unaccompanied minor service but it seems to have eligibility criteria which might not include a British teenager basically going on holiday: https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/inter/support/family/

I certainly would not let a 13-year-old with no independent travel experience take a flight involving any kind of stopover or change, which rules out all but BA, JAL or ANA, who fly directly UK-Japan.

There are far too many things that can go wrong - not necessarily major disasters, but for example at least twice I have had missed connections with flights to or from Japan via Amsterdam, which have involved having to stay overnight in an airport hotel before the next available flight. Not something an inexperienced 13-year-old could or should have to cope with.

My 13yr old would be fine. I would have no or very few concerns. So its very child specific. What are you particular concerns?

Is there a reason he has never caught a bus or would be incapable such as SEN?

If not it might be a good idea to start building up some independence and responsibility anyway even if it isn't in preparation for a trip.

You can get direct flights from Heathrow (but not from Manchester etc)

At 13? Of course I would!

Yes I would. My 13 yo nephew flew here (not Japan, but 8+2hour flights) to visit us. It was his first ever flight, the airline were very supportive and he latched onto another willing passenger for assistance. Air travel is probably the safest way for kids to travel alone, as long as they can navigate an airport. Make sure he's got plenty of money (on a debit or credit card) to fund himself through any delays.
It will be an awesome opportunity for him! What an experience he will have!

Agreed, which is why a direct flight would be better.

No way. 13 is far too young.

I can’t believe how many posters are saying ‘yes no worries at all’ type answers?!? A direct flight perhaps but even then I’d have some worries and my 12 year old is very sensible.

On a direct flight as an unaccompanied minor then yes definitely. If it’s totally independent or he’d need to change then it sounds like he’s not quite ready - I’m sure if you started doing more to encourage that (like using buses, working out logistics of an airport etc) it wouldn’t be long before he could.

I’d be fine with mine doing it as we lived overseas for 8 years so they are very experienced fliers and lots of their friends have flown alone so it wouldn’t seem such a big deal. They’re 14 and nearly 16 and are flying to Cyprus on their own this summer which they are ridiculously excited about!

Oh and if they had to do it independently without a staff member looking after them at the stopovers, not a chance. No way. There are way too many things that could go wrong and I don’t think it would be fair to put them in that situation.

I flew on my own at 14 (USA to UK), then found the train and made the connections to get myself to Cambridge then a taxi to my destination. I did not fly as an unaccompanied minor. I was nervous (especially with the trains) but did it.
If he's keen then sure why not? Presumably his aunt will meet him at the airport on the other side.
My issues with flying is getting organised and to the airport in time. Once there it's a piece of cake.
As for funding it - well, how? That's probably at least a couple years pocket/birthday/Christmas money!