There are many reasons that could lead to your child having to fly on their own. Children attend summer camps, visit relatives, or have parents that live in different states. Parents don’t always have the time or resources to travel with their kids. This means your child will have to fly alone.
Due to the speedy and safe nature of air travel, children being unaccompanied on a plane isn’t as unusual as you might think. It’s estimated that 7 million unaccompanied minors fly every year.
So, kids flying alone is quite common, but parents still need to plan these trips carefully. Research finds that most children travel on direct flights, which helps them avoid changing planes or moving through busy airports.
Even so, things can go wrong. Weather, delays, or other issues can disrupt travel plans. Because of this, parents should prepare their children for different situations they might face while flying alone. In this guide, we’ll cover these possibilities and look at the rules for each airline.
How Do Children Fly Alone?
When your child flies alone, airlines refer to them as unaccompanied minors (UM). Most airlines state that a kid must be at least five years old before they can fly on their own, but every carrier has their own policy.
Most airlines add an unaccompanied minor fee to the ticket price. This is usually around $150 per child, each way.
Age rules (General)
- 0-4: Can’t fly alone.
- Ages 5–11 (or 12): Must use the UM service on most airlines.
- Ages 12–14 (or sometimes up to 15): Can often travel alone, but the UM service may be optional or still required depending on the airline.
- Ages 15–17: Usually allowed to fly as adults, though some airlines offer optional supervision.
What Do Unaccompanied Minor Programs Include?
- Check-in supervision: A parent/guardian must check your child in at the airport and stay until the flight departs.
- Escort through the airport: An airline staff member takes your child through security and to the gate.
- Boarding assistance: Children often board early so crew can meet them.
- In-flight care: Flight attendants keep an eye on your child but do not provide constant one-on-one supervision.
- Arrival escort: Your child is escorted off the plane and handed only to the approved adult with ID
Specific Airline Policies
| Airline | Mandatory Age | One-Way Fee | Connection Rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | 5–11 | $150 | Non-stop flights only |
| Delta | 5–14 | $150 | 5–7: Non-stop flights only 8+: Connections OK |
| American | 5–14 | $150 | 5–7: Non-stop flights only 8+: Connections OK |
| United | 5–14 | $150 | Non-stop flights only |
| JetBlue | 5–14 | $150 | Non-stop flights only |
| Alaska | 5–12 | $50–$75 | 5–7: Non-stop flights only 8+: Connections OK |
Southwest Airlines
Southwest treats children aged 5 to 11 as unaccompanied minors when they’re not travelling with someone aged 12 or older.
UM service is available for this age group, typically costing around $150 per one-way journey, depending on the route.
The airline restricts unaccompanied minors to non-stop flights only, meaning connecting itineraries aren’t allowed.
Delta Air Lines
For Delta, any child between 5 and 14 years old travelling alone must use the UM service.
Teens aged 15 to 17 are allowed to fly, although parents can still opt into the service if extra supervision is preferred.
The fee is usually about $150 per direction.
Availability on domestic routes and select international flights depends on the itinerary.
American Airlines
American Airlines requires UM assistance for travellers aged 5 to 14.
Older teens, aged 15 to 17, may travel without supervision, though optional UM service can be arranged if requested.
Costs are around $150 per one-way trip, though the price may vary based on the route.
United Airlines
United uses the UM service for children aged 5 to 14 on most flights.
The service generally costs about $150 per one-way ticket.
Younger children are usually limited to direct flights.
Older minors may have more flexibility depending on the journey.
JetBlue
JetBlue requires children aged 5 to 14 travelling alone to use its unaccompanied minor programme.
The fee is commonly around $100 per flight segment.
JetBlue permits both non-stop and connecting itineraries, provided your child is supervised at each stage of the journey.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines applies UM requirements to children aged 5 to 12, and in some cases up to 14.
Fees typically range from $50 to $75 per segment.
The service is usually limited to approved non-stop or select connecting flights, with restrictions designed to simplify travel for younger passengers.
Risks of Children Flying Alone
Millions of children travel alone by air each year using airline unaccompanied minor programs. These journeys are generally well managed, with structured procedures in place to keep children safe.
However, sometimes things can go wrong. There have been reported cases of airline mix-ups or supervision lapses. For example, kids being placed on the wrong flight or not being escorted properly during a delay. Incidents like these often receive a lot of media attention because they involve children. However, they’re very rare compared to the total number of journeys. Airlines have strict protocols to prevent these situations.
While it’s not accurate to say there are “no problems whatsoever”, the vast majority of unaccompanied minor trips go safely and without incident.
Planning Ahead
When airlines know a child is travelling alone, they take extra steps to make the journey safe and comfortable. Still, flights don’t always go as planned. Winter storms and weather delays, or unexpected changes disrupt travel for everyone. In some cases, the airline may need to move your child to a different flight.
If plans change after your child has boarded, airline staff will try to contact the parent or guardian. For this reason, it’s best to give them several contact numbers. It also helps if your child has a phone so they can stay in touch.
Once on board, the cabin crew looks after your child. The level of support depends on the journey:
- Direct flights: A staff member escorts your child off the plane and takes them to the approved adult at arrivals.
- Connecting flights: Your child is handed over to trained ground staff, who guide them to the next flight and stay with them during the transfer.
Airlines follow clear procedures at each step, but good preparation by parents helps everything run smoothly.
What About Connecting Flights?
Parents should book children on direct flights whenever possible. This makes for a simpler journey with less chance of delays, missed connections, or confusion.
Some airlines will only allow kids to fly direct too. Connections are discouraged because each transfer adds another handover between airline staff. However, in cases where connecting flights are needed, airlines still follow strict procedures to protect your child at every stage.
At most airports, trained staff will stay with children during layovers. Some airports have special waiting areas or lounges for children, where they can stay under supervision until their next flight. These staff members can also help if there are any last-minute changes to the travel plan, like delays or gate changes.
Before Boarding
When booking a flight for a child travelling alone, parents should pay close attention to the departure time. Airlines prefer unaccompanied minors to travel on earlier flights in the day. This way, they can be more flexible with arrangements if flights are disrupted. Late evening or last flights of the day are often avoided, as disruption could leave your child stranded overnight. However, exact policies vary by airline and route.
Arriving early at the airport is key. The check-in process for unaccompanied minors usually involves extra paperwork and verification steps, which takes time.
Airport procedures differ slightly by airline. In some cases, parents can accompany their child through security and wait near the gate, but they must leave before boarding. In other situations, parents say goodbye at the check-in area, after which airline staff escort your child through the airport and onto the aircraft.
International travel brings extra precautions. Along with a valid passport and any necessary visas, parents may need to provide a signed consent letter confirming that their child is allowed to travel alone. Some countries and airlines also need this document to be notarised.
Departure and Arrival
Parents should stay at the airport until the flight has fully departed, where airports allow this. If they’re able to wait near the gate, staying for a short time after take-off can provide reassurance in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or a return to the airport due to technical or weather-related issues.
Clear plans should always be made for your child’s arrival. Ideally, there should be a primary and backup pickup plan, in case the original contact is delayed or unavailable. Airlines usually need contact information for both departure and arrival, including phone numbers for parents, guardians, and the designated pickup person.
Anyone meeting your child at the destination should arrive early and be prepared to show ID. Late pickups can cause issues, as airline or airport staff must stay with your child until they’re safely handed over to an authorised adult.
Final Thoughts
Each year, millions of children travel alone by air, and most journeys are without incident. With careful planning and clear communication, the experience is usually smooth and well-managed.
What are your thoughts on kids flying alone? Let us know your experience in the comments below and offer tips and suggestions.
Main image: Westwind Air Service – Unsplash
