Letting a child travel alone is one of the most worrying things a parent can do, but this simple advice will help you be as prepared as possible. Many airlines allow children to travel alone when they reach 5 years old, but check with your airline before booking. There are a few additional risks involved when a child travels alone. For instance, children may not want to be around strangers by themselves for several hours, and may not be able to handle the bustle and noise of airline travel. Before planning a journey with a child, make sure you talk to them about what will happen, answering any questions they may have, and only travel if you are sure they can handle it.