If your child will be flying alone to visit a parent, friend or other family member, there are some precautions you need to take to make sure they get there safely. Every year 7 million children fly alone and airlines are pretty good about watching them, but horror stories still occur if you do not take extra care. Airline personnel are responsible for putting your child on the correct flight, but it is a good idea to teach your child how to read the monitors to find the correct gates. Make sure that you have the itinerary written down for both the outgoing and the return flight.
Flight attendants have the authority to make passengers switch seats.
Tell your child to ring the call light or get up out of their seat to look for help. Airline attendants are pretty good about placing children in a seat next to a person that is good with children. They also like to put them where they can keep an eye on them. You should be concerned about the boredom your child might be encountered with while on a long flight. Prepare a carry-on bag with lots to do.