5 Tips for Letting Your Teenager Fly Alone for the First Time
Whether it’s due to timing or scoring a deal on a plane ticket, sometimes a solo flight just plain makes sense for your child. Although airlines have differing regulations on what’s allowed for unaccompanied minors, teenagers aged 16 and up are traditionally fine when it comes to flying on their own.
That said, flying alone can be a jarring experience for young people, especially given the frantic nature of airports and ever-changing security measures. Between finding the right gate to navigating security lines to beat a time crunch, even the most seasoned travelers can get stressed out prior to making their flights.
If you’re sending your child on a solo flight and want to ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible, keep the following five tips in the back of your mind.
Book the Right Flight
While you can’t do everything for your teenager while they’re at the airport, you can set them up with a flight that will leave them less prone to a stressful situation. In fact, a prime reason to send your kids on a solo flight is to save money, which you can also do with the help of this Yatra flight offer when scanning the skies for deals.
Make sure t pay attention beyond the price tag while booking, though. For example, you should ideally look for travel times during the day to ensure that your teenager is alert and isn’t worried so much about navigating a new place at nighttime. Furthermore, try to avoid booking flights with layovers if possible as making connections is a massive source of stress.
Encourage Them to Pack Lightly
Beyond not having to check a bag, packing lightly essentially ensures that your kid gets through security without hitting any snags. Ideally, your child can pack lightly and easily fit all of their electronics, clothing and toiletries in a single carry-on. As long as they’re sticking to security guidelines in terms of your luggage, they’re golden.
Make Sure They’re Carrying Cash
Perhaps a no-brainer, giving your child plenty of cash can give you peace of mind in case of an emergency or unexpected delay. Whether it’s purchasing an extra meal or having fare for an Uber upon landing, a bit of extra cash can go a long way. That said, just remind them not to flaunt their money in public.
Mind Their Phone Battery
It’s no surprise that kids spend a ton of time on their phones. Remind your child not to let their battery totally go flat at the airport in case of an emergency or if you want them to check in with you upon landing. Although airports typically boast mobile charging stations, a portable charger might be a wise investment just in case.
Talk Over Airport Safety
There’s a lot that can potentially go wrong at the airport, especially if your child is introverted and otherwise isn’t crazy about talking to adults. For example, you should remind them of how to behave in case of situations such as being pulled aside for a random security check or a problem with their flight information.
At the end of the day, staying safe at the airport is oftentimes about common sense; however, don’t neglect such a conversation with your child.
Don’t freak out if your teenager suddenly needs to take a solo flight. Instead, simply prepare them for success and have the necessary conversations so they can get from Point A to Point B safely.