kids flying across the Atlantic?

We're thinking about how we can logistically get our 9 year old across the Atlantic this summer to spend time with family in the UK. How old was your child when he/she first flew alone? I think 9 is too young - what do you think?

Any other suggestions, other than paying for an adult to travel with him? Does anyone know of any services that transport kids from the US to the UK?

It sounds a bit wacko, (and not sure I'd really trust a 'service' that offered this ) but I thought it was worth asking! 

All of the airlines have unaccompanied minor programs that will mean that a flight attendant watches out for the child on the flight, through immigration and hands them off to the appointed relative on the other side. I flew alone (domestically but still) younger than that and was fine. Are the kids experienced flyers? Are they generally well-behaved and responsible? I think it depends on the kid but I would do it.

One of our children will be flying to the UK with his grandparents a little ahead of the rest of us.  I know in our situation, we are getting a notarized letter with everyone's signature (mom/dad/grandma) stating who he is and that we are allowing our son to leave the country with grandma/grandpa.  We will then give copies to them to travel with, fax to airline in advance, etc. 

I know your situation is different since he may be flying alone, but I would put together a notarized letter with both parents signatures stating you give your permission, who he will be meeting at airport, etc.  Make a few copies and send to the airline too.

All of the airlines have unaccompanied minor programs that will mean that a flight attendant watches out for the child on the flight ...

I hadn't thought of that! But I don't know how comfortable I'd feel -- the majority of flight attendants I've seen over the past few years on transatlantic flights seem incredibly overworked and tired. Getting a kid safely through immigration after a long flight seems like an easy thing for an exhausted flight attendant to overlook! I'll definitely look into it, though.

I don't think I'd have a problem sending him across the US alone, but it's the whole passport/immigration thing that concerns me.

I know your situation is different since he may be flying alone, but I would put together a notarized letter with both parents signatures stating you give your permission, who he will be meeting at airport, etc.  Make a few copies and send to the airline too.

Good advice! Thanks.

I hadn't thought of that! But I don't know how comfortable I'd feel -- the majority of flight attendants I've seen over the past few years on transatlantic flights seem incredibly overworked and tired. Getting a kid safely through immigration after a long flight seems like an easy thing for an exhausted flight attendant to overlook! I'll definitely look into it, though.

I don't think I'd have a problem sending him across the US alone, but it's the whole passport/immigration thing that concerns me.

Good advice! Thanks.

I'm not positive about this but I think that the person who actually walks the child through immigration is probalby ground staff. Flight attendants don't get paid unless the plane door is closed so escorting children through immigration sounds like something they wouldn't be asked to do. Again, not sure, and it's definitely something that you should ask of the airline but I think that they probably hand the kid off to ground staff after the flight.

I don't know why I think they have to be 12 to fly unaccompanied. I think I heard this when I flew last month.

If I were in your situation I would probably fly over with my kids and stay a week, then have my parents fly them back at the end of the summer and have them stay a week.

I am not working, so I am going to head over to my parents on Long Island a few days after school finished in July and come back a week before school starts again in September. Why hang around here when I can go to the beach everyday!

S, he has a British passport right? So, immigration/passport control should be a breeze for him.

S, he has a British passport right? So, immigration/passport control should be a breeze for him.

Yes, he does. Sorry, I wasn't clear! 

I'm not concerned about any issues to deal with immigration specifically. I'm thinking more about the process. There are always a thousand planes that land at LHR at the same time, and the whole passport control/baggage/etc. process might be a bit overwhelming for him on his own.

If I were in your situation I would probably fly over with my kids and stay a week, then have my parents fly them back at the end of the summer and have them stay a week.

I am not working, so I am going to head over to my parents on Long Island a few days after school finished in July and come back a week before school starts again in September. Why hang around here when I can go to the beach everyday!

I wish it were that simple for us right now. It's a good idea, though!
Have fun in Long Island.

does he have to fly into LHR? It's overwhelming for anyone! What if he flew into Gatwick or even Bristol (I think he'd have to fly from Newark, though). Honestly, I think he'd be fine. Do you know the liability held by the airline when they agree to do this?? They could never let anything happen to children flying unaccompanied! Maybe call the airline to see how they handle these situations.

or even Bristol (I think he'd have to fly from Newark, though).

Just a note that Bristol no longer has direct flights to the US anymore. They dropped their Bristol-Newark route with Continental airlines in November 2010 (I flew Newark-Bristol in March 2010, but a few weeks later they announced they were closing the route).

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/childinfo/public/en_gb

If they are under 12 they must be an unaccompanied minor and you must pay for the service to help them. My daughter flew on her own at 14 which was an age where it is optional-- at her request we didn't use it.

I know when I was a child I once flew with the unaccompanied minor plan-- and they were wonderful with me-- many many years ago though! Personally, I would trust it- it would just depend if I thought my child was ready to deal with the flight without me

Just a note that Bristol no longer has direct flights to the US anymore. They dropped their Bristol-Newark route with Continental airlines in November 2010 (I flew Newark-Bristol in March 2010, but a few weeks later they announced they were closing the route).

   Thanks for the update! That was after I moved away. That's a bummer, it was a handy flight!

does he have to fly into LHR? It's overwhelming for anyone! What if he flew into Gatwick or even Bristol.

Good point! Yeah, it sure would be better for him to go into a less-busy airport, but it's got to be a direct flight to Heathrow (for a variety of reasons).

Thanks so much for all the input! HG: thanks also for that link.