Can A Child Travel Alone by Air

If you are a busy parent like most of my friends who are all over the globe doing business or your core job is all about travel and moving countries, you will face the challenge of either moving your child from one school to another across the globe or making that decision to board them into one school and have them join you across the globe to where you are currently. The main concern for many parents when faced with the possibility of their children travelling alone by air is their safety and comfort. Here is the good news, you no longer have to worry about that. Most if not all airlines offer the escorted service for unaccompanied children at a fee and guarantee their comfort and safety. This includes assisting with check in, luggage check in and transfer, physical escort and handover to the guardian.

Below are points to consider before you let your child travel alone.
1. Age
2. Airlines
3.Luggage
4.Transit Airports
6. Travel Time and Cost


Age

Airline always have an age limit for the children they allow to travel alone. This includes the lower limit and the upper limit as well. However, airlines will be more strict on the lower age limit mostly because of the needs the children may require during travel. Most Airlines would allow the age of 5 years to 14 years. However if you want your child above 14 years to be offered this service, some airlines allow it upon request.

Airline

Confirm which airlines your child is going to use and their conditions of carriage in regard to unaccompanied children (unaccompanied minors in the airline industry) If your child is going to use two or more airlines, find out the terms and conditions of transfer from one airline to the next. Do your research and find out if you need to do an advance request for the service and the timeline, this may differ from one airline to another.

Luggage

Find out how much luggage you child is allowed to carry unaccompanied and if this is acceptable to you as a parent. Does it accommodate the needs of your child? If you want their is a need to carry more, how much will it cost you and is it worth it? It is always advisable to check with more than one airline for costs that are friendlier than your pocket but also offer comfort and safety for your child.

Transit Airports

Airline have strict conditions for  unaccompanied children and this must be taken into consideration if your child has a transit connection, some of them include but not limited to:

• No overnight stopover/connection

• No connections on 'flights' operated by train/ bus.

• No change of airport allowed

• No overnight stopover/connection

• No connection longer than 5 hrs

Travel time and Cost

It is wise to consider the cost of your child travelling alone, it should be pocket friendly but also offer the desired quality of service. Consider also the time your child is going to spend travelling and if it will be comfortable you and to your child. Most parent would consider breaking the journey into phases if they have trusted guardians on transit points to offer their child a resting time.

Are you comfortable letting your child travel alone?

Can you trust an airline to take care of your child

Share your comments below and any experiences you have had if your child has ever traveled alone by air 

Traveling With Children? Here are Some Useful Recommended Travel Tips.

Traveling alone is enough hassle, traveling with children is something else, worse still if you have a long journey ahead of you. I am going to share with you a few travel tips to make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable when travelling with children. No I am no a child expert, but I know a few travel tips that can help.

Laws and regulations
First and foremost before you embark on a trip with your children, find out laws and regulations in regard to traveling with children within your locality and your destination.Different governments have laws that protect and govern children movement within a locality or out of a region. These regulations vary from country to country as well as per age restriction. You may be required to have a letter of consent from your spouse if he or she is not traveling with you, or if you have a dispute in court in regards to your children custody. If you are travelling by air check with the airline the maximum number of children that can accompany an adult to avoid any inconvenience at the airport. Airlines always have these regulations in place to ensure the comfort of their customers on board.

Consult your Doctor
Consult your doctor or health caregiver on how best you can protect your child’s health when travelling. Children are highly susceptible to infectious diseases and knowing how to protect them in advance is highly recommend. You may want to organize for immunization six weeks before travel, it is also wise to research on health related issues in regard to your destination or transit points. The last thing you want is a sick child in your hands while travelling or on a vacation. No one wants to cut short their vacation because of a sick child.

Entertainment.
Children are not known to sit in one place for long, they easily get bored and can become irritable and restless. If you are travelling for long hours, it is your duty to keep your children occupied for your comfort and the comfort of other travelers. Here are a few item you may carry to keep your children entertained, if you are travelling by air, be sure to check with the airline if you can carry such items on board before packing.

• car seat (check with your airline for related policies) 
• stroller (check with your airline for related policies) 
• diapers (enough for the flight and a few extra) 
• wipes 
• changing pad 
• change of clothes 
• Feeding bottles (enough for flight plus 2-3 extra) 
• powdered formula (in pre measured container)
• snacks 
• bib 
• fork/spoon 
• medications 
• favorite soft toy 
• Reading books 
• movie player and movies 
• child-friendly headphones 

Pack smart.
It is highly recommended to avoid over packing when travelling with children. Travelling with a lot of bags with your children can make you a target for thieves or criminals in general; take only the essentials and if possible have someone travel with you to take care of your bags while you look after the children.

Consult with the airline while packing baby liquid stuff like food and aerosols, what you can carry and the quantity. Different airlines and airports have restriction on what you can carry and can make exceptions on some baby products.
Remember to pack well for appropriate weather to avoid heat rash and cold. Children are more happy outdoors because they like playing in open spaces, restraining them indoors because of weather may make them edgy and spoil your vacation.

Cultural norms and beliefs

Do your research when travelling with your children on the laws, regulations and cultural beliefs of your destination. In some countries corporal punishment is punishable by law this includes spanking , public breastfeeding can be normal in one society and shunned in another. To be on the safe side do your research well to avoid any confrontations or inconveniences. The last thing you want on your trip is to find yourself in court or on the wrong side of the locals, this can ruin your trip.

Travel insurance
Many of us avoid taking a travel insurance while travelling, it may not be a big issue if you are travelling alone within short destinations. However I highly recommend that you have a good, all inclusive travel insurance for yourself and your children if you are travelling abroad. The travel insurance should cover all medical care related issues, airlift if necessary, theft, flight disruption, baggage irregularities like damage, loss or delay. Your travel insurance should be able to cover any extra expenses related to the above among others. Ensure that your insurer is reachable 24/7 in case of emergencies. 

Accommodation
Book in advance for your accommodation to avoid the trouble of moving around trying to find a room for your family. Children get upset and tire very quickly. You would want to reduce the time of your arrival to the time you get them settled in for bathing, feeding and putting them to bed.

Safety
Keep your children safe while travelling. It will be wise to invest in a child locator if you can. You never know when this can come in handy. Children have a habit to wander aimlessly and can easily get lost in busy and crowded airports or train stations.
Ensure you have carried antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizers. Kids like to play and come in contact with a lot of unhealthy surfaces while travelling. The wipes and sanitizers can also come in handy if you have to use toilet facilities where cleaning facilities are limited or when you have to change the baby.

Travel documents
Children’s travel documents expire more frequently as compared to adult documents. Remember to check well in advance before you embark on your trip to ensure you have all the travel documents in good time and that they are up to date. To be on the safe side keep your travel documents together in a safe place. Do not entrust travel documents with your children, children can be forgetful and the last thing you want is to arrive at the airport or train station without your documents or missing some of them.

Happy children travel