My god no way! The thought of this makes me feel sick. There is so many wrong sick people in this world. Absolutely not. My oldest child is 16 and I wouldnt even trust her to fly alone 
its not her I donāt trust. Its other people!
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Airline calls it āunaccompanied minorā
We did this from OR to IL from the age of 9 with my husbandās daughter. You have to get a pass to go through security with the child and you stay with them until the flight takes off. Other parent does the same on the receiving end. Non-stop flights. At 12, you should be fineš
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How does ur daughter feel about it as I think thatās the main thing if sheās not comfortable then continuing goimg with her and if sheās okey you could give it a trial see how, she gets on and if ur taking her waiting with her ect but not going on the flight and sheās happy for that then yeh give if ago
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My daughter does southwest airlines. And she flies alone and has been for a couple years
Sheās definitely old enough. My eldest flew to his dad without me from 7 . They are seated near the flight attendants and well taken care of.
We started at 13 with my daughter. We used southwest and didnāt have a chaperone flight attendant. Southwest will allow one parent though to pick up child up right at the gate. Sheās 15 now and we still do it this way.
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Puting aside all the abduction worries. What about if something bad happened on the plane eg. Bad turbulence or, god forbid, the plane actually going down? Youāre child would be alone through that. Terrified with no one there for comfort 
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You literally can be with her up until she boards the plane & someone can get her from the gate when she lands. Sheās only without a parent during the actual flight. I think sheāll be fine.
Many of the people posting rode on flights young years ago things are very different now ! Sounds like itās about money to you but in your gut and concise would you be okay with something happening to your child when you can just fly with her for a couple more years make memories and protect your child , they donāt have enough staff these days . Some flights have one flight attendant.
I think it depends on the child but Iād let me son he is 14
I wouldnāt allow my daughter but main this is make sure your daughter is comfatable n safe and no dangers / rite and wrong and all that before bein alone and make sure she has a phone fully charged (even Ā£10/20 so u can ring or text or mum can)
As a 12yo being expected to do this would have been terrifying.
My kids started flying as āunaccompanied minorsā at ages 6&7. It depends on the airline, they all have different policies, and there are extra fees.
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12 is definitely old enough if your daughter is mature enough. My son used to fly to his grandparents in Florida and they took great care of him. The only time I freaked out was they had a mechanical delay and had to wait on another plane, I was freaking out and called the airline, I was informed he was ok and that they have rooms inside almost all airports set up for unaccompanied minors that have all sorts of activities in them and the flight attendants stay with them. My son said it was pretty cool and helped pass the time. She will be fine
My younger sister and I began traveling to Florida alone to see my grandparents when I was 11.
Me personally in this world today, I wouldnāt do it. My nerves are too bad and Iād be worried sick. Every time.
With sex trafficking going on NEVER
Children do this all the time. She will be classed as an unaccompanied minor and will be taken care of by staff the entire time. She will be escorted to you by staff and you have to have ID to prove you are who you say you are and are the one meant to be getting her before they would release her to your care.
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These days you canāt let your kids play in the yard alone why on earth would you want her to fly alone we do not live in a safe world
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I flew alone (well, with a friend the same age as me, with no adults) at age 15. I think thatās an appropriate age.
However, that was 12 years ago and the world is different now. I would consider how mature your daughter is and the location of the airport, how busy it is, etc.
I started flying alone at her age, and sometimes even had layovers and had to navigate that. And no. I didnāt have anyoneās help. Lol
Sheāll be fine! They had sitter services last I knewā¦ (around 100 when I checked for my own daughter to see family alone, she was 10)
I have 2 little cousins who have flown alone since they were 10, from Ky to Hawaii to visit their mom who lives there (dad has custody)
They have airline chaperones for children. Iāve flown my granddaughter from NY to FL and back. They stay w a flight attendant and you have to be the designated person to pick her up at the gate w ID
This world is terrifying. No way my 12yr old would be flying alone
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My bonus child age 6 flies alone when itās our time with her the staff takes good care of her every time 
My oldest has been flying back and for from BWI to PHX since he was 8 and is about to be 18. We only fly southwest. They have always done a fantastic job. The adult on either end can get a gate pass and be with him till he gets on and off the plane. Also, southwest only allows unoccupied minors up to a certain age to fly without switching flights and the sit by the flight attendants. I would only allow her to fly alone if she was okay with it though because I even get nervous flying as an adult and you donāt want any added stressors to her.
American airlines has always been amazing when any of my kids have flown to their grandparents. I always made sure the layover was in a city we had family that could get to them if need be. They flew from DFW to Charlotte to Buffalo, or DFW to Regan to Buffalo. The kids like Charlotte because itās not as chaotic as others and the chance of snow delay was less then Chicago in the winter.
I flew alone at 11. With that said I would not allow my child to fly alone. In this age of sex trafficking & other sick stuff I wouldnāt feel safe. You donāt know the flight attendant. Do you think s/heās going to actually pay attention to your child? Doubt it. I remember getting off the plane & roaming around looking for my sister before they realized I got off the plane. Then they took me into this room when I saw my sister from a distance. It was terrifying. I donāt feel mom should have to pay for herself to take her child to see you. You chose your job that requires you to live away from her. Sheās supporting your child all year. Why should she have to take time off work & pay so you can visit? That can cause more hardship on the mom whoās probably already struggling. This is about your childās safety. Maybe you can fly to her & stay where she lives for awhile? Look for apartments with short leases or stay with someone while you visit? Idk the solution but putting your child at risk for your own needs isnāt the solution.
I flew alone with my sister who was 3 years older back in 1986.
- My daughter flew from Atlanta to NY.
It was scary both ways for her & me. Bundle of nerves.
What is her mental health / maturity level like? That will determine if she can handle it alright or not. And also, would you be able to forgive yourself if the plane crashes- knowing she was on it alone? As a parent, I couldnāt do that to my child. And thinking of myself as a 12 year old child, I wouldnāt have wanted to fly alone. I donāt even like flying as an adult. It scares me. But totally depends on the child.
My kids never flew alone when they were little. My mind always went to all the little what ifs and I just couldnāt do it. Iād say by the time they are 16 they should be able to handle it.
We used chaperone every time. You walk them to the gate and watch them get on the plane then other parent picks up from the gate and easy! Sounds like mom is being a bit ridiculous
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I flew 8-9 times a year alone from the time I was 8 til I was 16. Heck, in 2001 I was 9 years old and flew for Thanksgiving alone shortly after 9/11
The unaccompanied minor thing is great. Mom would walk her to the gate, a flight attendant would make sure she got settled and check on her, then theyād walk her off the plane into your custody.
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My daughter been fly since she was 12 but it depends on witch airline you go with cause so make you pay for a flight attendant and some let her fly by her self but this at 14 she is doing it herself but I have to meet her at baggage claim and sign for her.
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I flew to New York by myself at 12. No chaperone, even though it was supposed to be included in the ticket price. I navigated 4 airports on my own. It just depends on the kid.
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Iām sorry Iām old school there is so much drug trafficking can you hear everyday of children coming up missing what price do you put on your childās life unless they were sitting with a flight attendant and being escorted to the parent I would never allow it not until they were like 16 this world has changed and it just canāt be trusted too many weirdos
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My stepson has been flying southwest unaccompanied since he was 7. Just an extra $50 fee. Never had any issues.
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I wouldnāt allow my son to fly alone. 12 is to young in my opinion
My dad was also in the military. I flew alone by 13, with gate assistance. Luckily I was always going to same airports and they were relatively small ones.
Doesnāt sound unreasonable to me at all. I think she can definitely fly as an unaccompanied minor at this age.
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I wouldnāt even let a 16 year old travel alone. This world is dangerous
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You canāt trust people with your children.
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Sorry, Iām with mom on this one. Too many crazy people everywhere.
Ask your daughter what SHE wants to do. Sheās old enough. If sheās ok with flying alone, thereās your answer. I know there is the cost issue AND the leave issue - but this is really about your daughter, period.
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You can notify the air line. They can have a crew member look after her.
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It sounds like sheās flown enough to be able to fly alone! I was ten the first time I flew by myself with a chaperone, 12 when I flew across country fully alone, though family put me on the plane and family was waiting at the gate when I got there.
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I understand the expense of it, but I donāt know if I could let my minor child fly unattended. Just because of all that could happen. But I also wouldnāt be paying round trip air fare to send my child to visit their other parent. If anything, that cost should be split between the parents. Dad flies the child to mom and then his own flight home. Mom flies the child back to dad and then her own flight back home.
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you call the airline book the ticket as unaccompanied minor they do charge a fee some airlines its 100.00 per flight has to be non stop can not have layovers as that can cause issues.
I canāt see how anyone could let their child fly alone. Too much sex trafficking and kidnappings. I would never risk that. It literally takes just a moment and your kid could be gone.
If her mother doesnāt agree, then there ya go!
Iām a child of divorce and I used to fly unaccompanied since 9. That was 25yrs ago but I would have a flight attendant assigned to me
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The cost of flights is a huge factor, but with how the world is and not knowing whether or not you can trust a stranger to have your childās safety and well-being at heart, Iād probably wait until they were 14-16.
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My kids were flying alone at 8 and 9. They arenāt āaloneā out of Las Vegas. Itās actually quite a process the airlines go through to keep them safe and make sure they get to the other parent. They are watched the entire time. They will be fine. Since youāre responsible for the childās travel 100%, I believe it should be your decision. If mom has an issue, she can book her own tickets and fly to get her and fly to return her. Thatās my 2 cents.
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My son flew alone when he was 8 or 9ā¦it had to be a flight with no stopsā¦he was the first to boardā¦a flight attendant was assign to watch over himā¦and he had to have someone at the airport to get him off the planeā¦they had to show ID alsoā¦had no problems. ā¦he loved itā¦he flew from Chicago to Norfolk Virginia and back
Iām in a similar situation. Except I am the Mom. My ex is in the military and stationed overseas. I have 3 daughters 15, 13, and 11 and he has asked I send them unaccompanied. They have never flown by themselvesā¦ ever. I am not trying to be complicated about the whole situation but I get a horrible feeling every time I consider it. I get not wanting to send her alone tho.
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I was 5 the first time I flew by myself. The flight attendant took really good care of meā¦that was 29 years ago, but I feel 12 is definitely old enough
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I believe you can at any age if you pay the attendant fee. But UK is 14
Hell no i have a 12 yr old and theres no way in hell shes traveling alone. Sex trafficking is a real thing and its happening out there.
My parents let me fly@ 12 & informed the staff l was alone.it was great.got a tour of cockpit, stewardess was wonderful.l felt like a grownup.
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My daughter flew as an unaccompanied minor at 8 yrs old. Airlines have people that will escort and stay with your daughter till she is safely on the plane and will only release her to you or her mother once the plane lands.
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My sister has been flying alone since she 10 they just had a flight attendant watch her. You can look it up on each individual airline.
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My daughter started at age 5 and sheās 8 now and still does it a few times a year to visit her dad.
I flew by myself at age 8, the airlines will have someone accompany her every step of the way.
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I was flying unaccompanied minor at 5 and without the flight attendants assistance at 12. I would say depends on childās maturity level and comfort with the airports.
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My son flew unaccompanied since he was 8 yrs old multiple times a year from Florida to New York depending on airline depends on unaccompanied minor fee and rules. Also depends on child if the child is responsible enough.
Iām this day and age and as a mother I say she is absolutely not old enough to fly alone. I have an 11 year old and I would not put her on a plane alone. It is way to dangerous and why would you want to even risk something happening to her.
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Thereās nothing wrong with her flying on her own, but if the divorce order states that you pay for the travel, then thatās the way it should go
My sons been flying alone with a helper person for a few years heās 10
Depending on the child. I would probably say 10
Flying as an Unaccompanied minor with the airline is a $150 one way fee for most airlines. That is when the flight attendant watches them and will take her to the next flight. So round trip would be $300 for your daughter to fly Unaccompanied. Lots of children fly Unaccompanied using the airlines program everyday.
Unfortunately if the other party has full legal custody then they get to decide thatā¦ If you have joint legal it must be a joint decision of agreement for it to happenā¦ If you have sole legal then it is your decision
I did it when I was 11 and 12 years old my son was the same age when he flew alone
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My stepson flew by himself from Honduras to the USA at 14 yrs old. We paid an additional cost for a flight chaperone from the airline, they basically walk him thru any gate change and directly to you. You need to check with the airline you will be purchasing the tickets at. But regarding legal issues, I really donāt know the process!! Your ex might be concerned for your daughterās safety be a little more understanding and have a very adult conversation with them.
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I was 4 when i started going alone
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ID have trouble letting my 16 year old fly alone. I would not let my kids fly alone.
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My Grandchildren fly unaccompanied. My Grandson is 13 and his sister is 10. You have eyes on your child until that plane is off the ground. They sit next to a flight attendant during take off and landing. The F/A then hands them off to the parent picking them up. Parent must be waiting at the gate for the child. I was surprised at how smooth it went.
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They will provide someone to stay with your daughter until they meet up with whomever is picking her up, the person you list as picking her up their ID must match who you have listed
nope.my step sister flew by herself at 5yrs old. someone was with her and her mom walked her to the plane doors but yeaā¦12 is totally ok to fly alone especially of shes flown before.
Sheās flown alot she knows what to do, with all her experience sheās totally fine to fly alone she will have someone with her the entire time.
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My stepsons started flying unaccompanied at age 12
I think I was 11 when I flew to Ontario to spend the summer with my aunt.
With the way this world is I personally wouldnāt be comfortable with my child flying alone at the age of 12ā¦or even 15 honestly. But if you are willing to pay for her mom to fly her to you and yourself to fly her home I donāt see why that is a bad plan!!
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Sounds like a good plan to me.
I flew from Heathrow airport back to northern ireland when I was 10 by myself. I found a member of staff and they took great care in making sure I was safe
Most airlines allow a child under the age of 18 to fly alone, and the rules and restrictions for what they call unaccompanied children are different for each airline. Airlines are free to enforce any rules they want, and no two airlines will have exactly the same polices. ā¦ Most airlines have a minimum age for their unaccompanied child service, typically five, and a maximum age, typically 12. Also if the flight is not a non stop there are procedures too get the minor to the next flight safely and securely. Again, each airline is different and I would call before purchasing tickets. With your daughter being almost 12 she should be fine to fly alone with assistance from airline personel if the flight is not a non stop.
She should share the cost 
Youāre not being unreasonable in the slightest. Sheās old enough to tell you if sheās up for it. Also, most airlines if you notify ahead of time will assign one of the flight attendants to her to keep an eye on her. Only problem would be if there were layovers
I will agree with her mom & also disagree, The airlines will watch her on the flight if she flys alone, but she still is at a very vulnerable age for the creeps out there, It is nice thta you will fly her mom with her to get to you, & you fly with her back home, Talk it over with her mother & see just why she feels this way, It is a tough decision. Hopefully all goes well with everyone
My son was 7 when we had an emergency an had him fly from Seattle to Florida & just payed the extra to have someone escort him & whoever was picking up child was to meet at the gate.
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Is your daughter okay flying alone?
I donāt see the problem with her sharing the cost if she flew one way with her paying and you did the other with you paying thatās only fair in my opinion. But if your daughter is ok flying alone I would just talk with her about it.
My daughter is 7 and currently flies as an āunaccompanied minorā and he pays the $50 for a flight attendant to be near her. If she were to fly alone, Iād just make sure itās a nonstop flight.
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I was 10 the first time flying alone and remember you can request a Stewardess to help her and watch over her making sure sheās safe and gets to and from
In this worldā¦not until they are grownš¤£
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I think 11 is old enough
She is 11ā¦ even 12 is
Way to young to fly alone!
If you buy a straight thru flight I donāt see an issue. Like you stated you can pay for her to be kept an eye on. If the mother is that uncomfortable with it maybe she should consider flying out with her. Co parenting is hard but if you both make concessions I think youāll find a common ground and be able to compromise. Thank you for your service and happy holidays
Pay more to have an escort stay with her.
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My children have been flying as unaccompanied minors 3-4 times a year since they were 5 and 10. They are now 13 and 18. There are rules depending on the airline but knock on wood weāve never had an issue. The main problem is what your custody arrangement dictates and how open to change it is/your ex is.
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My daughter flew at 5 and did fabulously.