Flying alone can be a thrilling experience for kids, but a far different matter for parents. To help, AAA Michigan offers these suggestions to reassure and prepare.

Five facts to help parents relax:

• Your child is never really alone. If your child is young, the airline will assign someone to keep an eye on him.

• Airlines don’t abandon little kids in airports. The airline will remain responsible for your child until they are turned over to the designated responsible adult at the destination airport.

• Some airlines will put a bright identifying indicator on your child (such as a button) to alert staff that your child is unaccompanied.

• Airline staff don't release kids to just anyone. Proper identification is required, even if kids appear to recognize a family member.

• It’s impossible to put your child on the wrong plane. Airline gate personnel verify the information on the boarding pass.

Make arrangements:

• Find out about the airline’s policy for minors traveling alone before you book. Unaccompanied minors are restricted from traveling on some flights, and additional fees and age restrictions apply. Be sure to check with the specific airline, as policies vary.

• Airlines will require some essential information when you make a reservation for an unaccompanied minor, such as the name, address and phone number of the responsible adult who will be bringing the child to the airport and checking them in. This adult may be required to stay in the gate area until the plane has departed the gate. This information also is required for the person picking up the child(ren) at their destination and they will be required to show photo identification.

• Notify the airline of special needs. Does your child require a wheelchair or special accommodations? If your young traveler is finicky, inquire about kid-friendly meals.

• Most airlines will not allow unaccompanied children to fly on the last flight of the day, in order to prevent delays that could mean a young traveler will be stuck overnight. Therefore, it is advisable to have children fly early in the day, if possible.

• Confirm the flight the night before departure.

• Make your child’s flight comfortable and fun. Pack toys and books in a backpack or jacket with big pockets. Mark all belongings. Include a sheet of paper with the name and phone numbers of the adults waiting at his destination.

Now that the planning is done, it’s off to the airport.

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