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.

In 2026, the age at which a minor can fly alone without a "flight attendant" (meaning the mandatory Unaccompanied Minor or UM service) generally starts at 12 to 15 years old, depending on the airline and destination. For major U.S. carriers like Delta, American, and United, the UM service is typically mandatory for children aged 5 through 14; once they turn 15, they are considered "young adults" and can navigate the airport and flight independently. However, some airlines like Southwest make the service optional starting at age 12. For international travel, many carriers and countries have stricter rules, often requiring the service or a parental consent form until the passenger is 18. It is vital to check your specific airline's policy, as "budget" carriers like Allegiant or Spirit may have different age thresholds or may not offer the service at all on certain routes, effectively requiring passengers to be at least 15 to fly solo.