12 year old traveling from US to UK unaccompanied?

I would like to have my grand daughter come to visit me but am wondering about her flying alone.  She's flown before in the states with supervision by the airline crew.  However, I think the cut off is 11 years old.  And I think it was also only allowed on a nonstop flight.  Has anyone ever had a child aged 12 fly alone international?  Is it even allowed?  I can't afford to pay for two return tickets in order to be able to accompany her each way.  Paying for her return ticket would be about all I could afford right now. 

A quick google search tells me that most airlines do have procedures for unaccompanied international travel.  On most airlines, a 12-year-old is not required to travel as an unaccompanied minor, but can do so.  So, the airlines do have the infrastructure in place.  So, when booking the flight, you will have to speak with the airline.  I have no advice on any additional requirements on either side of the pond.  Perhaps someone else can comment.

My daughter flew alone at age 14. We were given the opportunity to pay a fee for unaccompanied minor at that age. There is a window between when they have to be considered unaccompanied minor and when you have the option. I would suggest you give the airline of your choice a phone call and I am sure they will put your mind at rest and will be able to accomodate her without any problem and all will be fine .

I don't know which airline you're considering but BA has a fantastic unaccompanied minor program. I used them 4 years running for international non-stop flights and it was worth the $50 or so extra just to make sure the child/passport and all luggage came out safely on the other end. I think my oldest could probably have handled it her last year, but for the money I liked having the adult assistance through either end of the flight. They walk them through passenger controls, etc which I would think might be overwhelming for a 12 yr old on their own.

I had to book the service when I booked the flight and then fill out additional paperwork at the airport when dropping them off for travel.

My children are flying BA to the US on BA's flying scheme for children travelling alone. My son is 9 and my daughter is 15. It was mandatory that my son sign up for the service since he wasn't travelling with anyone 16 or over. It was optional for my daughter. I chose to sign up my daughter because I was told that they wouldn't be able to sit together having one on the scheme and the other as a regular passenger. And my daughter wouldn't have the wherewithall to go through immigration on her own and collect her baggage should she be separated from my son. While the scheme isn't mandatory for children over the age of 12, you can choose to utilize it up until the age of 18.

My step-daughter flew from Manchester (UK) to Memphis (US) with a changeover in Chicago by herself at 13.  She wasn't technically an unaccompanied minor but at our request they provided assistance with the changeover in Chicago.  She was fine with it.

My son, who is 7, has flown three times now from Gatwick to Detroit without any issues at all. I book with KLM...no extra fees just have to buy an adult ticket. He has had no complaints (other than getting bored!) and even got bumped to first class on his last flight!