Age a child can fly unattended out of the country?

[aparent2]

What is the name of your state?CA

My daughter's father wants her to fly to Japan for visitation this coming summer by herself. She is 10 (she'll be 11 then) I was told the flight was 13-15 hours in length. I am not comfortable with her being on that long of flight by herself and want her father to fly out to get her and fly back with her.

Does anyone know if there is a minimum age a child must be to fly out of the country or on such a long flight by themselves?

I have sole legal and physical custody and her father has visitation rights.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

This is not a legal question but one for each individual airline.

 

[aparent2]

Thank You, I hadn't realized that. I'll try checking with the airlines.

IF the airlines do allow a child that age to go on a flight that long alone, do I have any legal standing to insist her father escort her? I've read our court paperwork and it doesn't address this issue at all.

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Thank You, I hadn't realized that. I'll try checking with the airlines.

IF the airlines do allow a child that age to go on a flight that long alone, do I have any legal standing to insist her father escort her? I've read our court paperwork and it doesn't address this issue at all.

If the airlines do permit it then you do not have any recourse. Or you can refuse and be found in contempt of court.

My daughters are 9 and 11 and they have flown alone for 4 years. They even flew back home to Austria alone and were met by their maternal grandmother, who makes the BEST gouloush in the world

 

[aparent2]

Thank You.

Really? How did they do on the flight? (If you don't mind answering ) Was it as long as the one my daughter may be on? I'm interested to know how it went, it makes me feel a bit better to know that other children that age had a positive experience. I do not want to prevent visitation, because her father is being restationed and will be already missing his previous eow visits when he moves.

I appreciate the input!

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Thank You.

Really? How did they do on the flight? (If you don't mind answering ) Was it as long as the one my daughter may be on? I'm interested to know how it went, it makes me feel a bit better to know that other children that age had a positive experience. I do not want to prevent visitation, because her father is being restationed and will be already missing his previous eow visits when he moves.

I appreciate the input!

My girls ALWAYS fly together and I flew with them to New York so it was only a 7 hour flight. Still, it's an adventure. Remember, there are people responsible for them while they are in the air and papa MUST be there to pick them up otherwise, they are put back on the plane and returned IMMEDIATELY.

I don't know if I would let them fly 12 hours if it was the FIRST time they flew, but that's a question for you and the judge to work out if you and the ex can't.

 

[tryingtoplease]

Aw, man. You had to go and mention gouloush (sp?). I haven't had that in years & now I got a hankering for it. Do you have Grandma's recipe?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

Aw, man. You had to go and mention gouloush (sp?). I haven't had that in years & now I got a hankering for it. Do you have Grandma's recipe?

Naw...but I make a mean lemon Salmon and a hell of a seafood bisque.

 

[nextwife]

People I know whose kids have been sent on international flights to relatives send them with a Gameboy or a MP3 player.

My daughter flew from Bulgaria to the US at only 2 (obviously not alone, but it was still a long flight for an ADD toddler). My nieces flew on 11 hour flights for a youth exchange at about age 12 for each of them.

 

[aparent2]

Thank you everyone for all the suggestions and the input.
She is adhd and on medication for that but does very well with her gameboy. I contacted the airline and the age she is allowed to travel alone on that flight is 10, so she is old enough.

I'm working it out with her father, as we both have concerns since she's flying into military town (he's in the military) and worry enough about flights since 9/11. But it really reassures me that others have had children fly this long distance. I think overall it will be a wonderful experience for her to visit another country and culture. As I said it's a definate priority we make it work somehow, it's very difficult for her father to go from every other weekend to once or twice a year visitations

Thanks again and I hope this topic answers some questions for others also!

 

[stealth2]

And kudos to you for being so supportive of their relationship.