Can Underaged Travel Alone By Plane To Us?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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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.

Can a 15 year old travel to the US alone?


Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied

. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

Can 17 year old fly to the US alone?

Child age at the time of unaccompanied travel


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.

Can my 13 year old fly alone?


Children 5 to 14 years old must travel as unaccompanied minors when not traveling with a person at least 15 years old

. Children 15 and older may request and pay for the unaccompanied minor service. Unaccompanied minors are accepted only on direct flights that do not require a change of aircraft or flight number.

What airlines allow minors to fly alone?

Most airlines limit unaccompanied minor service to nonstop or direct flights.

Alaska, American, and Delta

allow unaccompanied minor bookings on some connecting flights for kids ages eight and older, with various schedule and route limitations.

How old does a child have to be to fly alone?

Minimum age for flying alone:

12 years old

. Children between 12-15 years old can travel unaccompanied. However, an adult must sign the Form of Indemnity the day of flight departure at the airport check-in desk. If the form is not completed, the child will not be able to fly.

Do minors need ID to fly United airlines?


Children under the age of 18 traveling with an adult are not required to show ID at time of check-in

. Customers who do not present an acceptable ID may be subject to additional screening.

Can a 14 year old fly alone on American airlines?

For safety,

we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service

. This service is optional for children age 15 – 17, but if requested, then the fee applies. We charge a $150 unaccompanied service fee (plus tax, where applicable) each way, in addition to the ticket price.

Can a 14 year old fly alone on JetBlue?


Children between the ages of 5 years and under 14 years traveling alone are considered unaccompanied minors

. The child traveling unaccompanied must have reached their fifth birthday by the date of travel on JetBlue.

Can a 14 year old fly alone on Southwest?


Southwest considers children ages 12 through 17 traveling alone to be Young Travelers, not Unaccompanied Minors

. Accordingly, Southwest’s Unaccompanied Minor procedures do not apply to ages 12 through 17.

How do I book a flight for a minor?


Call the airline directly to make the flight reservations

. Request the specific flight you want the child to take. The airline may also have suggestions for the best flights or routes for your child to arrive at the destination. Ask about the airport check-in procedures at the airport if you are unsure.

Do I need a birth certificate for my child to fly Southwest?


Age verification for Infant/Child fares will require a copy or original of any government-issued ID, such as a birth certificate or passport, for their Infant/Child

. At that time, the date of birth in your Rapid Rewards® or Southwest account will be updated to indicate that age has been verified.

What airline has 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.

Can minors fly unaccompanied?

Children younger than 5 need to travel with a parent, legal guardian or someone who is at least 18 years of age or older.

If the youngest traveler is 5-14 and the oldest traveler is 15-17, the younger traveler is still considered an unaccompanied minor.

What documents does a child need to fly within the US?

TSA does not require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling with a companion within the United States. The companion will need

acceptable identification

.

Do I need a birth certificate for my child to fly?

Unless your child already has a passport that can be used to prove their birth date,

you may need to bring a copy of their birth certificate

. While some airlines are more lenient than others, it is always best to come prepared.

Does a 14 year old need an ID to fly American Airlines?


You may be required to present proof of age (such as a birth certificate) for any children under the age of 18

. Families with children under 2 years old can ask to board early at the gate.

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.