Blogging NYT: When Children Fly Alone

Is your child a solo flyer? It’s not ideal, but sometimes children have to fly alone, especially if parents are divorced and live far apart. It can be scary for both parents and children, but the New York Times reports that airlines generally receive relatively few complaints from parents about how these pint-size flyers fare when flying alone. Airlines rules for unaccompanied child passengers have become stricter since Sept. 11th with most airlines now prohibiting flights that aren’t non-stop.

The Times also reports about new child transport services, such as Trusted Traveler, which provide escorts for young travelers and peace of mind for their parents, but for a pretty hefty fee.

Read the full article here.

Has your child had to fly alone? Were you a nervous wreck?

Photo credit: Juliette Borda for the New York Times

Comments (2)

my little cousin has been traveling between his parents in paris and tunisia since he was 4. he loves the vip treatment he gets!

posted by abby on August 7th 2007 at 12:32pm
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I traveled alone when I was five in 1965. I flew from Cleveland to Miami to visit my grandparents over the Christmas holiday.

I loved it! I had a Huge circular name tag with a bear hung on me. I sat next to a nice man in a good suit who had children at home. The stewardesses doted on me. I even got a pair of wings when we landed for being a good flyer.

It is a favorite memory of mine. Thank you Delta of 1965 employees!

posted by Cate on August 7th 2007 at 3:07pm
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