At what age can kids fly 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.



People Also Ask

The minimum age for children to travel alone as adults paying adult fares varies: Kids have to be 12 years old to fly alone on domestic flights with Hawaiian, Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, ...

MORE DETAILS

The minimum age for children to travel alone as adults paying adult fares varies: Kids have to be 12 years old to fly alone on domestic flights with Hawaiian, Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, ...

MORE DETAILS

A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age. The adult's government-issued photo ID with their current address. Your phone number so we can contact you. The name, address and phone number of the adult meeting your child at their destination.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Planning your trip
  • Infants on lap. Children under two can sit on a parent's lap during flights to any destination.
  • Infant seats. Alternatively, infants can have their own seat if you bring an approved car seat.
  • All other kids. Children older than two will need a ticket and their own seat on the plane.


MORE DETAILS

Will minors need an ID to fly domestically? Neither Southwest Airlines nor the TSA require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. There is, however, an exception for Unaccompanied Minors traveling on Southwest Airlines.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Unaccompanied minors may travel in economy or first class. Contact reservations to book an unaccompanied minor's flight at 1-800-367-5320.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

Passport and Photo I.D. Children don't usually need a passport or photo I.D. for domestic flights; however, it's not a bad idea to have photo identification for your children when you travel together. All airlines require the same documentation for children as they would for an adult on international flights.

MORE DETAILS

The minimum age for children to travel alone as adults paying adult fares varies: Kids have to be 12 years old to fly alone on domestic flights with Hawaiian, Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, ...

MORE DETAILS

We have travelers into their 80s and even 90s. Some travel as a couple and some alone, says company spokeswoman Ann Shannon. We have no age limit.

MORE DETAILS

Original or photocopies of government-issued identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo identification card) are the only acceptable forms of proof of age. Electronic screen shots, phone images, or immunization records are not acceptable.

MORE DETAILS

How does the unaccompanied minor policy work? Our unaccompanied minor service is required for kids 5-14 years old who are flying alone or with someone under 18. Here are the important things to know about how the policy works: Your kids must be booked on a nonstop United or United Express flight.

MORE DETAILS

The airline allows children 13 and older to fly by themselves without an accompanying adult. Children 13 and older can also accompany younger children without an adult. Children ages 13 to 17 will need to provide government documentation stating their age.

MORE DETAILS

Employees may ask for age verification at any point, so please travel with a copy or original form of any government-issued ID, such as a birth certificate or passport for your child. A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old.

MORE DETAILS

We're here to take you and your family wherever you need to go. Infants or children under 2 years of age can travel on the lap of an adult for free (within the United States) or at a reduced fare (for international travel).

MORE DETAILS

International Travel. Regardless of age, all children need a valid passport for air travel to another country. The application process for children under the age of 16 needs to be completed in person. To fill out this application, at least one parents needs to appear.

MORE DETAILS

A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, they need to have this written permission.

MORE DETAILS