If your child is going to a camp abroad, they are faced with the task of taking a flight without their parents. It may be that this is their first time flying on their own and they are not used to it.
It is often the camps that organize travel for their participants, with different groups leaving from different airports accompanied by supervisors. But other camps do not offer this service, meaning the child has to make the journey by themselves. Many parents tend to worry about this, but your children are often more independent than their parents think.
Most air companies have different requirements for children flying alone. (We advise you to contact your airline to verify this.)
These are the general requirements that airline companies specify:
  • Pay for an accompaniment service for the airport. This can be booked when you buy your plane ticket.
  • Fill in the accompaniment service form, to be handed in at the airport. (You can fill it in advance or do it in the airport).
  • Provide the name, home address and contact number of the tutor responsible for the child at the airport they are departing from.
  • Provide the name, home address and contact number of the person responsible for the child when they arrive. These are needed to identify the responsible person and so that the company can contact them in case they need to.
  • Passport or visa if required at the destination.
  • Book this service more than 24 hours in advance of travelling.
The children are supervised throughout their journey, from the moment they arrive at check-in to the moment they meet the person responsible for them at their destination.
To make your journey easier, make sure to:
  • Arrive at the airport in sufficient time.
  • Give your child an extra copy of contact numbers.
  • Don’t leave the airport until you have confirmation that the plane has taken off.
  • Inform the airline of any issues that could arise, such as allergies or medication that your child has to take
  • Give your child some cash in case they may need it.
If your child is 12 or older, they are classed as an adult in terms of travel, so it is not compulsory to book the accompaniment service for them, although you can still do it.

This service can cost between 20 and 150 euros, depending on the point of origin and destination of the flight. Some low cost airlines do not provide this service however.