| Child age at the time of unaccompanied travel TRAVEL PERMITTED/NOT PERMITTED | 4 YEARS & YOUNGER May not travel alone (must be accompanied by a passenger at least 18 years old) | 5-7 YEARS May travel on some nonstop flights only | 8-14 YEARS May travel on some nonstop and connecting flights |
|---|
Are kids over 12 allowed to fly alone?
Children ages 5 to 11 traveling without an accompanying passenger age 12 or older are considered unaccompanied minors.
Children 12 and over can use the airline's Young Travelers service that has no fee, but does allow for gate passes for adults escorting and picking up the child or children
.
Which 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.
Can a child under 16 fly alone?
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.
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.
Is it safe for a child to fly alone?
It's standard for most airlines to allow children over the age of 5 to fly alone
. Children under the age of 5 must always be accompanied by someone at least 12 years of age, flying in the same cabin (18 years of age on some airlines).
How do you send a child on a plane alone?
You'll need to
fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure
. This form must remain with your child during their journey. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide: A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age.
Which airline is cheapest for Unaccompanied Minors?
- Alaska: Cheapest UM fee (as low as $25 one way for non-stops)
- Southwest: Cheap UM fee ($50 one way) + youngest age where children can travel without paying a UM fee (no fee needed by 12th birthday)
Can 17 year olds fly 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 a 17 year old fly alone on United airlines?
Yes, 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.
What does a 14 year old need to fly alone on Southwest airlines?
Your child has
sufficient maturity and capability
to travel alone (this includes, but is not limited to, checking in, passing through the security checkpoint, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage), without adult supervision or assistance from Southwest Employees, on all scheduled service: nonstop, same-plane …
Do minors need ID to fly Southwest alone?
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
. A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old.
Can a minor fly alone internationally?
Anyone under the age of 17 who is flying alone on an international flight may be required to produce a signed letter of consent from a parent or responsible adult
. As these guidelines vary slightly by airline, be sure to contact your carrier for specific information.
