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, ...

Yes, a 12-year-old boy can travel alone in 2026, but the rules depend on the airline and the destination. Most major US carriers (Delta, American, United) consider children aged 12 to 14 to be "Young Travelers." For domestic flights, the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service is usually optional for this age group; you can pay a fee (typically $150) to have them escorted by staff, or you can allow them to navigate the airport like an adult. However, for international flights, many airlines and countries still require a mandatory UM service until the age of 15. Furthermore, if he is traveling to a different country, he will likely need a Notarized Letter of Consent signed by both parents to pass through immigration, as many nations have strict laws to prevent international parental abduction. Always check the specific carrier's policy, as some budget airlines (like Allegiant or Southwest) may have different age thresholds for solo travel compared to full-service international airlines.