Can a 12 year old get on a plane alone?

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, most airlines allow a 12-year-old to fly alone, but they fall into a transitional category. For many carriers, the Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) service is mandatory for children up to age 11, but becomes optional once they turn 12. Some airlines, however, treat 12-year-olds as "young adults," meaning they can navigate the airport without a designated escort but are still subject to certain safety restrictions (such as not sitting in exit rows). In 2026, it is essential to check the specific airline's policy, as some may still require the UMNR service for international routes or have different age cutoffs in certain regions like the Middle East.

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Some airlines permit this for kids as young as 12. When a child has reached this minimum age for traveling alone without unaccompanied-minor procedures, the airline does not require evidence of parental permission to travel alone. If the child has a passport, he or she can even travel internationally.

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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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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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We do not carry unaccompanied children under 16. We cannot provide an escort or special facilities.

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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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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 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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Children 2 or older are required to have their own seat, a ticketed adult fare. Children under 5 can't travel alone under any circumstances.

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Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not have to present identification for domestic U.S. travel. Airlines will accept identification from the responsible adult on behalf of the minor(s). For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as the adult.

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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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How old does a child have to be to fly alone? We allow children aged 14 or older to travel alone with us on domestic or international British Airways flights. Children under 13 years old cannot travel alone with us. They must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over on the same or a linked booking to travel with us.

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What is Ryanair's Family Seat Policy? For family bookings, children (aged 2 to 11 years) receive free reserved seating so they can sit beside a parent. When an adult purchases a reserved seat they can select up to 4 children's seats beside them free of charge.

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Who can travel unaccompanied on Aer Lingus flights? Aer Lingus will accept unaccompanied young passengers aged 12–15 years inclusive on our direct flights only, subject to the Form of Indemnity requirements below. Unfortunately, we can't provide special assistance for these passengers.

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What age must my child be to travel without a parent? EasyJet does not accept unaccompanied minors under the age of 16. Children under 16 years of age cannot travel unless accompanied by a person aged 16 years or older who will take responsibility for the minor.

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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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