Unaccompanied Minors?

Question

Is there any rules the staff of an airplane tell the child when they get on? Do they have to wait until everyone is off the plane for them to get off?

Thanks! :)

Answer 1

General Age Guidelines:

Airline rules vary, but here's a good idea of what to expect on domestic flights:

# Children ages 1 - 4 may fly only when accompanied by an adult. A child must be at least 5 to fly alone.

# Kids ages 5 - 7 can take a direct flight to a single destination but not connecting flights.

# Those 8 and up may change aircraft. If they're ages 8 - 11, they will be escorted by airline personnel to their connecting flight. A significant extra charge for this service is likely. Older kids -- ages 12 through 15 -- may not be routinely escorted, but you can request this assistance.

# Anyone under the age of 17 who is flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or responsible adult giving permission, destination and length of stay.

# Minors must be met at the destination by another parent or responsible adult.

Answer 2

I've been with unaccompanied minor before many years ago. After you drop your child off, the staff takes the child to a room to wait (the room is full of kids who are unaccompanied minors too but from all different flights and airlines) and then when it is time for boarding they take them to the gate and drop the child off with a flight attendant. The flight attendant takes the child and finds the seat where they will tell the child about basic safety stuff like how to buckle a seat belt, etc. They also tell them to stay seated when the plane lands. After the plane lands they wait until everyone is off and then take the child and hands it to the next staff. The staff either takes the child to the room again to wait if they are connecting, or if they are at their final destination they will hand the child off to the guardian who is picking up the child.