Unaccompanied minor on long haul transpacific flight?

[Anonymous]

I'd let them do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So why not let them have the girls for the entire trip. That will be a great experience for them. It sounds like you are more angry that the ex got married and they do these things than what is best for the kids. Find a compromise.

What makes you think the ex and his wife want to have the two children for time beyond the vacation? Wouldn’t the ex have offered that as an option? Instead he wants to send the girls home on a flight alone so that he and is new wife can continue vacationing in Asia without children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I let my 11 yr old and her friend fly to Switzerland to visit their best friend who had moved their six months ago. It was NBD and they had a blast. I’d be more weary if alone but 2 can watch out for each other.

Wary. Weary = tired

[Anonymous]

Note an 11 year old flies as an unaccompanied minor. They're not going to lose their passport because the flight crew holds it for them, and they arne't going to get confused in immigration, because the staff will escort them the entire way until an adult shows up to collect them. This is different from sending your MIL on a flight -- she's an adult and doesn't get that special treatment.

Some airlines have a policy that a UM can't be seated next to a male traveling alone.

[Anonymous]

I would do it.

We were expats and this was not uncommon. 11 is about as young as I'd allow it but I wouldn't be overly concerned because the airlines will take good care of the child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not. I’ve recently flown two long haul flights and would not think it appropriate for a young unaccompanied female passenger. The flight attendants have many duties on long flights like that and even if you pay an unaccompanied minor fee that does not mean they will keep eyes on for the whole flight. It’s dark, people sleep, people roam around, people drink too much. If your daughter has experience doing this kind of solo travel on long flights and is mature and has good judgment then maybe but I personally would not. He can either send you a ticket too so you can bring her or they can plan a different trip together. Or he can fly back himself to get her.

Its a bit ironic that all these parents who probably minimally supervise at home are concerned about a plane ride. Its absurd. OP probably would not let the kids go even if Dad came and got them,

We have friend's daughters who regularly fly cross country alone to see us. Never been an issue.

Cross county is NOT the same as long haul transpacific.

For these purposes, what's the difference? Is it only the length of the flight?

The fact you are asking this suggests you have never flown long haul Trans-Pacific, even as an adult.

I have, within the last six months.

So, other than the length of the flight, what's the difference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So why not let them have the girls for the entire trip. That will be a great experience for them. It sounds like you are more angry that the ex got married and they do these things than what is best for the kids. Find a compromise.

What makes you think the ex and his wife want to have the two children for time beyond the vacation? Wouldn’t the ex have offered that as an option? Instead he wants to send the girls home on a flight alone so that he and is new wife can continue vacationing in Asia without children.

This is the impression i got too. I don;t know why everyone is assuming OP just won't let he ex have the kids. I think she would be fine if they were flying round trip with the ex. I also think the answer to this question depends on the maturity and experience of the kids. Sounds like they are not very experienced travelers. OP, in your shoes, I would also say no.

[Anonymous]

the airlines won't allow it unless you pay extra for them to assign a staff member to monitor them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Note an 11 year old flies as an unaccompanied minor. They're not going to lose their passport because the flight crew holds it for them, and they arne't going to get confused in immigration, because the staff will escort them the entire way until an adult shows up to collect them. This is different from sending your MIL on a flight -- she's an adult and doesn't get that special treatment.

Some airlines have a policy that a UM can't be seated next to a male traveling alone.

What happens if they end up in another airport, can't fly out til next day, have to get a hotel room. What does the Airline staff do for them then? Serious question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Note an 11 year old flies as an unaccompanied minor. They're not going to lose their passport because the flight crew holds it for them, and they arne't going to get confused in immigration, because the staff will escort them the entire way until an adult shows up to collect them. This is different from sending your MIL on a flight -- she's an adult and doesn't get that special treatment.

Some airlines have a policy that a UM can't be seated next to a male traveling alone.

What happens if they end up in another airport, can't fly out til next day, have to get a hotel room. What does the Airline staff do for them then? Serious question.

Those situations are highly unliekly, but if so, they'd have a staff member babysit them for that time.

[Anonymous]

OP doesn’t want any actual advice or experiences. She just wants to hear that she’s right and her exH is a moron.

[Anonymous]

I would not allow it.

[Anonymous]

Lived in Hong Kong and knew several families who did this without incident. No big deal in the expat community for flights like this.

[Anonymous]

I would let a my kid do it at 14 I think. Def not at 9 and 11.

[Anonymous]

It depends on how old, your child’s personality, and which airline, is it straight flight or there are connections? And how reliable are the people meeting her on the other end.