INDIANAPOLIS — Putting your child on a plane alone can be stressful. That is why plans are in place to make sure it goes smoothly.
First, unaccompanied minors are noted during the booking stage.
Sally French with NerdWallet said for some airlines, that part is online. For other airlines, there is an extra step.
"Some require you to book unaccompanied minors over the phone," French said.
This service is for kids ranging from 5 years old to 14 years old, though the exact age ranges depend on the airline.
Teens a little older may be able to fly alone.
"A parent can say, 'Yes, I want to pay the extra $100 for my child to make sure that they are under the eyes of airline staff,' or they might opt out of paying that fee, in which case that child is traveling just like anyone else," French explained.
Speaking of fees, they vary by airline.
Frontier, on the other hand, does not allow unaccompanied minors.
Some airlines may also designate seats for kids toward the front of the plane.
At the airport, parents or guardians may need to fill out a form at the ticket counter before going through security with the child and walking them to the gate.
"Flight attendants are trained on how to help out kids, and often we see kids get really good kind of VIP treatment when they go through these programs. Typically, you'll see airline staff make sure that the kids have enough snacks," French said.
She added that it is a good idea to make sure your child has a piece of paper handy with allergies and contact information in case anything comes up.
It is also important to get to the airport with enough time because kids are usually part of the pre-boarding process.