Can a 12 year old fly alone Lufthansa?

Children aged between 5 and 11 may only fly unaccompanied if they are using our Lufthansa care service or if they are travelling with someone who is at least 12 years old. The Lufthansa care service can also be booked by parents for unaccompanied children from the age of 12 up to a maximum of 17 years.



According to Lufthansa's 2026 policy, a 12-year-old is permitted to fly alone without the mandatory Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service. Lufthansa requires the special care service only for children aged 5 to 11. However, for children aged 12 to 17, parents have the option to book the "care service" if they want extra peace of mind, especially for long-haul flights with connections. If you do not book the service, the 12-year-old is treated as a "young passenger," meaning they must be able to navigate the airport, clear security, and handle potential flight delays or gate changes independently. It is highly recommended to provide the child with a consent form signed by both parents and a working smartphone with the Lufthansa app. Even though the airline allows it, you should check the entry requirements of the destination country, as some nations have specific documentation rules for minors traveling without legal guardians, regardless of the airline's internal age thresholds.

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Write out the details: Anyone younger than 17 flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or guardian giving permission, destination and length of stay.

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The short answer to this question is “probably,” as long as your child is at least 5-years-old. The airlines generally consider children between the ages of 5 and 14 flying alone to be “unaccompanied minors.” Once your child is 15, they can fly alone without a special designation.

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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.

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The short answer to this question is “probably,” as long as your child is at least 5-years-old. The airlines generally consider children between the ages of 5 and 14 flying alone to be “unaccompanied minors.” Once your child is 15, they can fly alone without a special designation.

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Children Traveling Alone Delta's committed to providing safe travel for all — especially children traveling by themselves with our unaccompanied minor program. For a $150 fee each way, up to 4 children between the ages of 5 to 14 will receive an employee escort and special amenities for a reliable and comfortable trip.

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Only with the letter of consent from the parents of the minor.

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To be eligible for the unaccompanied minor service or escort services: The child must be between the ages of 5 and 15 years (up to but not including the 16th birthday). Children under 5 years cannot be accepted.

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International travel Some airlines automatically apply the unaccompanied-minor procedures to kids through age 17 on international flights, and charge the standard unaccompanied-minor fee if applicable. Children must usually have the same passport, visa or other international entry documentation required of adults.

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One airline may charge by the child, while another may let siblings fly together by paying only one fee. One may allow kids to take connecting itineraries, while another may only permit unaccompanied minors to fly on non-stop or direct flights.

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All children, including infants, must have their own passport or Trusted Traveler Program document for U.S. entry. Carry documents for traveling with minor children. If you are escorting a minor child without the parents, have a letter from both parents indicating that you have permission to travel with the minor.

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Unaccompanied minor flights are given by United Airlines to minors ages 5 to 14 who are traveling alone and are not accompanied by a family member or a known person. Children aged 15 to 17 are permitted to travel alone, however, the option to go as an unaccompanied minor is also accessible.

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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.

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If Lufthansa has to change your advance seat reservation, e.g. because of a late change in the aircraft type used, Lufthansa will do its best to reserve an equivalent new seat for you. In such cases, priority is first given to seating passengers who are travelling together, e.g. families, next to each other again.

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On intercontinental flights as well as on continental feeder flights, advance seat reservation is free of charge for passengers in Business and First Class.

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