Buzz
It’s already a stressful experience for parents to fly with their children, but sometimes, due to circumstances or other reasons, parents may have to send their child on a flight alone. So, what should parents prepare for when their child is flying solo? Let’s take a look at some tips to help you prepare for this situation.
Which airlines offer services for unaccompanied minors?
Currently, among domestic airlines, only Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways offer services for children flying alone.
For more details on the regulations and how to register for this service, you can refer to the following links:
- The service for children flying alone with Vietnam Airlines: https://www.Mytour.vn/tin-tuc/dang-ky-dich-vu-danh-cho-tre-em-di-mot-minh-cua-vietnam-airlines-nhu-the-nao.aspx
- The service for children flying alone with Bamboo Airways: https://www.Mytour.vn/tin-tuc/tim-hieu-ve-dich-vu-tre-em-di-mot-minh-cua-bamboo-airways.aspx
Parents should be aware that both Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways only accept children flying alone when they are at least 2 years old. The service is available for children aged 2 to under 14 years old. Therefore, if your child is under 2 years old, they must travel with a parent and cannot fly alone.
Parents need to choose the right airline that offers the unaccompanied minor service (UM)
Select a suitable flight time
Once you have decided which airline to choose, the next step is to select the right flight time for your child. What is considered suitable will depend on the individual child, as each child has their own schedule and physical characteristics. Parents should avoid booking flights that are too early in the morning or too late at night, as these times can make the child feel tired.
Prepare all necessary identification documents for your child’s flight
Before the flight, it is recommended that parents check as soon as the ticket is booked to ensure their child has all the necessary valid identification documents. If the documents are damaged or expired, it’s important to plan to renew them as soon as possible. Without valid identification, the child won’t be able to board the flight.
For children traveling alone, in addition to personal identification, airlines also require a signed authorization letter from the parent. Parents should contact the airline or the travel agency where the tickets were purchased for the most detailed guidance.
The most important factor is ensuring your child’s identification documents are valid for their flight
At the departure and arrival points
At the departure point, on the day of the flight, parents should accompany their child to the airport and assist with the check-in process until the child boards the plane. At the destination, the airline requires someone to pick up the child at the airport, so make sure this is arranged in advance.
Prepare your child's luggage properly for their solo flight
Depending on your child's age when flying, parents should prepare their child's luggage carefully. Don't forget essential items your child frequently uses, some light snacks, and a few favorite toys. If the child is traveling with a guardian authorized by the parents, ensure the guardian is aware of the child’s health and routine. In case the child is traveling alone and using an accompanying flight attendant service, inform the attendant about these details.
Parents must make sure to pack everything necessary for their child before the flight
Undoubtedly, a solo flight for a child can make parents feel worried and anxious. However, rest assured that airlines will provide the best services for the children. From the perspective of the child, flying alone might not be as scary as parents imagine.
Below is a letter from a child who flew alone at the age of 9. Mytour has translated this from the website www.pediatricsafety.net/.
"Hello everyone! My name is Elliott, and I’m 9 years old. Even though I’m only 9, I’ve already flown on my own twice. And guess what? I used to fly with my parents many times before, but flying alone is really amazing. I got to be independent, and no one told me what to do. I just played with toys and read books the whole flight. Oh, and I even took two naps because I had to wake up early to go to the airport that day."
"When I got to the airport, the staff gave me a wristband to show that I was a child flying alone without parents. I kept that wristband as a souvenir for two months after the trip. Once I had the wristband, I was allowed to board the plane. The flight attendant told me that if I needed help, I could press the HELP button. And you know what? Being on the plane was so much fun. Everyone kept asking me my name, how old I was, and if I had ever flown alone before. I felt so proud!"
Although flying like this is quite fun, sometimes I do miss my parents a little. I’m sure they’re wondering how I’m doing on the plane. But that thought only lasts for a moment, because up here I can play with all the toys my parents packed for me, like writing on a board, drawing in my notebook... or even just sitting and watching the clouds through the airplane window. It's so exciting.
Oh, and sometimes I get a little scared, especially after reading the safety instructions and imagining what if the plane falls into an ocean full of great white sharks. But then I quickly forget about it and just think about the exciting solo flight ahead of me.
I hope that Elliott's letter, along with the information in this article, will help parents prepare their child for their upcoming solo flight.
If you have any questions or need to book a flight ticket, please contact Mytour at our hotline 1900 2083 for the best assistance.
Tuesday, 27/06/2022 15:57
