Can A 15 Year Old Fly Alone?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

How Old Do Kids Have to Be to Fly Alone? Airlines generally consider children between the ages of

5 and 14

who travel without a parent or guardian to be “unaccompanied minors.” For kids between 15 and 17, unaccompanied minor service is typically optional.

What do 15 year olds need to fly?

  • Driver's license.
  • Passport.
  • Credit card.
  • School ID.
  • Company ID.
  • Library card.
  • Birth certificate.
  • Social Security card.

Does a 15 year old need an ID to fly alone?

If your child is traveling alone, they may be required to bring a photo ID, depending on the airline. … If your child is between 15 and 17 years

old, they need ID to fly with United

. They can choose from an extensive list of documents such as driver's license, passport, credit card, school ID, social security card, etc.

What airlines let you fly alone at 15?

After age 11, however, airline policies differ widely.

United, Continental and American

allow children to travel alone from the age of 12, while JetBlue lets them travel solo from 14. Delta, Spirit and US Airways, however, all require children under 15 to travel in the unaccompanied minor programs.

Does a 15 year old need a birth certificate to fly?

A:

Kids 18 and younger do not need an IDs to fly domestically

. Passengers in that age range simply need a boarding pass. … You may have to provide a birth certificate or passport, however, to confirm your child's age to an airline.

Can a 15 year old fly alone in the US?

Children ages 15-17 years

are not required to travel as unaccompanied minors

, but the service is optional for this age group as well. Children under 5 years of age are not allowed to travel unless accompanied by an adult who is at least 16 years old.

Can I fly alone at 16?

Children ages

15-17

are permitted to travel as a standard passenger, Go to footer note, provided they can present a valid ID to security personnel. If parents or guardians prefer, they can also travel as an unaccompanied minor.

What ID does a teenager need to fly alone?

Even though an unaccompanied minor does not typically need to show identification, adults accompanying the minor through the airport do need to bring their own identification to complete the process. It's also recommended to have

your child's birth certificate or passport

handy as well.

Does my 15 year old need an ID to fly Delta?

IDs. Minors, unlike adults,

are not required by law to

show a U.S. federal- or state-issued photo ID for domestic flights, but will need to show a valid passport for international flights; this includes infants.

Does a 15 year old need ID to fly Southwest?

Southwest Employees may ask for age verification at any point within the Customer journey, so Customers should travel with

a copy or original of any government-issued ID

, such as a birth certificate or passport, for their Lap Child.

Does a 15 year old need an ID to fly American Airlines?

American Airlines states that

travelers “may be required to present proof of age” for children younger than 18

. … On the day of travel, carry the child's birth certificate or passport in case required to prove of the child's age.

Can minors fly with grandparents?

What Do I Need to Travel with Someone Else's Child? Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups

will need to have a signed document

, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

How can I travel alone at 15?

Young adults ages 15-17 can travel alone on any United- or United Express

®

-operated flight, or they can choose to opt in to our unaccompanied minor service. It costs $150

each way for every two

children traveling using the unaccompanied minor service.

Which airlines allow under 16s to fly alone?

  • Air Canada. Age: 8 to 11 years old – must purchase Unaccompanied Minors (UM) service; 12 to 17 years old – UM service optional; Children under 8 cannot travel alone. …
  • Alaska Airlines. …
  • American Airlines. …
  • British Airways. …
  • Delta Air Lines. …
  • Frontier Airlines. …
  • Hawaiian Airlines. …
  • Icelandair.

What airline has the cheapest unaccompanied minor fee?


Alaska

has the cheapest unaccompanied-minor fees, charging $25 each way for nonstop or direct flights and $50 for connecting flights. Southwest charges $50 each way; Frontier, JetBlue and Spirit charge $100 each way; and American, Delta, United and US Airways charge $150 each way.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.