Can a 12 year old fly alone on KLM?

What age does my child have to be to qualify as an Unaccompanied Minor? The service is mandatory for children ages 5-14 traveling without an adult. Children ages 15-17 years are not required to travel as unaccompanied minors, but the service is optional for this age group as well.



Yes, a 12-year-old is permitted to fly alone on KLM, but the airline's Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service is mandatory for all children aged 5 to 14. This means that for a 12-year-old, you cannot simply book a regular adult ticket; you must specifically book the UM service at least 24 hours before departure. This service ensures that KLM ground and cabin crew look after the child from the moment they are dropped off at the airport until they are handed over to the authorized guardian at the destination. The cost for this service in 2026 is typically between €100 and €150 per one-way flight for direct routes, and higher for flights involving transfers. While children aged 15 to 17 can travel as adults, the UM service remains optional for them if the parents desire extra supervision. Always remember to bring four copies of the "Handling Advice" form to the airport, as these must be signed by the person dropping the child off and the airline representative at the check-in desk.

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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, ...

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Getting ready. Our unaccompanied minor service is required for kids 5-14, and optional for those 15-17, who are traveling alone. Here's how to book a ticket and prepare your child for their trip.

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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, ...

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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.

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Ryanair does not allow unaccompanied minors under 16 years to travel. Children under the age of 16 years must always be accompanied by a passenger over 16 years.

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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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Most airlines' unaccompanied minor service is for ages 5 to 15 years. At 16 years, you are considered an adult and can travel alone for domestic travel. International travel for unaccompanied minor service is between 5 and 17 years of age. You are an adult at 18 years old and can travel alone.

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No, it is not recommended that you travel alone at 13 years old. It is important to have an adult with you when traveling for safety and security reasons. If possible, try to find a family member or friend who can accompany you on your travels.

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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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You'll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. This form must remain with your child during their journey. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide: A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age.

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Children over 12 can travel alone and they fly on an adult fare. If you'd like to use our Unaccompanied Minors service for children aged 12 to 15, the fee is USD 50 for each leg of the journey.

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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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Kids 5-14 years of age can travel alone as unaccompanied minors. Get the details on how to list them, drop them off and pick them up, international travel and more, as well as the required Unaccompanied Minor Form .

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Ryanair does not allow unaccompanied minors under 16 years to travel. Children under the age of 16 years must always be accompanied by a passenger over 16 years.

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Do children under 12 fly free on Ryanair? Children under 12 (excluding infants) must be seated next to an adult they're travelling with. Ryanair lets up to four children sit for free next to an adult, but the adult must pay a minimum of €/£4 to purchase a seat in rows 18-33.

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The minimum age of a person permitted to travel alone on British Airways is 14 years of age (except on flights operated by SUN-AIR of Scandinavia). If young flyers are accompanied by someone who is aged 16 or over (on the same or a linked booking), British Airways will allow them to travel.

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Our unaccompanied minor service is required for kids 5-14, and optional for those 15-17, who are traveling alone. Here's how to book a ticket and prepare your child for their trip.

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Children under 18 aren't required to have identification for domestic trips. But to travel overseas, you'll need passports for your grandchildren, no matter how old they are. It's also wise to carry with you a notarized letter that grants you permission to travel with your grandchildren, signed by both parents.

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A traveller between 2 to 12 year old is classified as a child, and anyone above 12 years old is classified as an adult. If your child is 11 years old at the time of departure but turns 12 before the return journey, they could still travel on a child fare or may have to pay for an adult fare.

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Children 12 and older are allowed to travel independently as Young Travelers. However, you should decide whether a Young Traveler is capable of and comfortable with doing all of the following independently: Navigating all airports. Going through the check-in and boarding processes.

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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.


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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.

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