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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Fly on her own

24 replies

MondeoFan · 30/07/2019 19:15

DD14 has been invited to go to Cyprus to meet her friend and stay in the family villa.
Would you let your DD14 fly on her own?
I would obviously take her to airport this end and someone would meet her at other end but she would be going through departures on her own and on the plane alone.
What do you think?
Is it too young?

OP posts:
countryroadstakemeh0me · 30/07/2019 19:21

Depends on the teen, is she like me (unaffected by takeoff pressure change, landing ect.) or my friend (needs to suck on a sweet, very nervous at landing) would she remember passport/boarding passes, if she is mature and can manage herself, id let her.

RainOrSun · 30/07/2019 19:24

Has she flown before? If she is comfortable with it, and the airline will allow it - more and more are restricting the services for minors - I'd let her go.

PantTwizzler · 30/07/2019 19:33

Yes. My DD flew alone at 14 and she had a change as well! She isn’t unusually confident but we talked her through the various stages and it was all very easy.

Don’t forget to provide written permission that you allow her to fly unaccompanied. Customs usually checks because they’re worried about kids running away.

Original poster
MondeoFan · 30/07/2019 19:41

Yes we have flown as a family around 8 times. So I'm fairly certain she knows the procedure, check in then departures etc.
I have to buy her an adult ticket I think, as children appeared to be 0-12 then adult price after that.
I forgot about the written permission thanks.
She is sensible so I think she'd be ok and I know it's only a matter of 3 or 4 years before she will going alone with friends anyway.
We aren't going away this summer as we are having a winter holiday instead so I don't want her to miss the opportunity if it's just me being silly

OP posts:
RainOrSun · 30/07/2019 20:13

Over 12 is an adult for pricing, but Ryanair, for example, wont let an under 16 fly without an "adult". Just check the rules.

Aramox · 30/07/2019 20:49

Totally fine. You can ‘see’ /talk her through by phone. Good idea to talk her through the process first too.

PantTwizzler · 30/07/2019 21:35

My dc have all been challenged at customs when travelling alone so make sure she knows to expect this. It can be a little scary otherwise. Also to have the name and number of the hosts on the paperwork you provide and on her phone.

CherryPavlova · 30/07/2019 21:39

Yes they cope very well usually.

Original poster
MondeoFan · 30/07/2019 22:02

Apparently we have to use Wizzair as she's too young as you said for Ryanair and EasyJet
Thanks for all your help

OP posts:
Linneasweet · 30/07/2019 22:07

My then 14 year old flied on her own, with strict instructions of pay attention to the gate board, text when on the plane etc. BA actually have a slightly cheaper ticket for "non-adult but flying on their own" but cost me £10 in phone charges as have to be booked on the phone, what I heard a teen on their own ticket has to be booked this way. You also need to complete a simply form that the child bring with them stating you give them consent.

Original poster
MondeoFan · 30/07/2019 22:11

Ok maybe I should look at BA then and if they fly to Cyprus
I'm looking to pay around £300-£400 no more than that

OP posts:
dotty12345 · 30/07/2019 22:18

My son first flew alone at 15, he’s now 17 and has just flown alone for the 3rd time, he still prefers me to talk him through (as I always would) but apart from that has been fine. The first time is the worst and I always track his plane so I know where he is

Original poster
MondeoFan · 30/07/2019 22:26

How do you track the plane? Wasn't aware you could

OP posts:
GotToGoMyOwnWay · 30/07/2019 22:31

When is she going?

Northernsoullover · 30/07/2019 22:31

Flight Radar. Its an app for your phone. Its fab.

bernietaupinspen · 30/07/2019 22:32

I would let mine fly BA, but no way would I send them on a low cost foreign airline. If anything happened, even a delay, and you needed to contact the airline, one in Britain would be a million times easier for you to deal with.

Firefliess · 31/07/2019 00:44

DS flew in a privately arranged French exchange on his own at 14. That was easyJet but a few years ago. DD flew in her own at 15 a few weeks ago to join a family holiday (she had been staying with her dad for a few days at the start) She had to go with Wizzair due to Ryanair not flying under 16s alone. The only time either of them were questioned by customs was DS coming back into the UK.

DS at 14 was fine about flying. DD at 15 was a little anxious and I wrote her a very detailed note about what to do at the airport and we talked through what to do if various things went wrong. All went fine though and she was pleased with herself for doing it alone.

Pipandmum · 31/07/2019 00:50

I flew on my own at 14 from USA to UK, then had to get a train then taxi to where I was going (Cambridge). I was fine - a bit nervous that I’d find the right train and connections but I did it. I don’t think my 14 year old daughter would feel comfortable doing it on her own, but my son would have leapt at the chance!

rosesandcashmere · 31/07/2019 00:52

You need to check with the airline. Many won't allow an unaccompanied minor. BA do have a scheme.

dreichhighlands · 31/07/2019 01:55

I flew alone at 15, it was the first time I had flown but I survived.
DC are flying alone at 11 but are frequent fliers and together. They are going to have a chaperone service.

NorthernSpirit · 31/07/2019 11:16

A mature, sensible 14 YO yes.

In fact a friend of mine - her 13 year old niece is flying from Gatwick to a small regional french airport was on her own this week (good for her).

I have a 14 YO DSD. Not independent at all (not for want of trying), mum won’t let her get the train on her own. No way could she be trusted to get a flight on her own - to be safe and get there. Sadly.

It depends on the child. Check the airline policy.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 31/07/2019 11:23

Which airport in Cyprus? I flew through Larnaca regularly for a couple of years, and I think it would be impossible to get lost in if you tried! All signs and announcements in English as well as Greek.

Original poster
MondeoFan · 11/08/2019 20:18

Thanks everyone, I've decided to let her go, I did a fair bit of research into it and she is going in the morning. I've talked her through everything and hoping it all goes ok

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