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Can a 12 year old go on a plane by himself?

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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Children aged 12 and above: Children over 12 (15 for some airlines) can travel alone but the Unaccompanied Minor Service is available for an extra charge.

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Children traveling alone We want your child to have a safe and positive trip. For safety, we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. This service is optional for children age 15 – 17, but if requested, then the fee applies.

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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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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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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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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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Ryanair does not carry unaccompanied minors under 16 years. Escort and special facilities are not available. To enable a child passenger to travel with an adult (aged 16 and over) booked on an existing reservation, a new reservation for the child (as an adult) must be made and then linked to the existing reservation.

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Lap children between the ages of 6 to 36 months can travel onboard in car seats. Further, if you prefer this option, you have to pay full fare for that particular seat for the baby, irrespective of the baby's age.

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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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Any persons under 18 travelling without their parents or guardian are required to present an international travel permission declaration form signed by their father, mother or guardian at the check-in desks.

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What age does my child have to travel unaccompanied? Passengers over the age of 16 may travel without an adult. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

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Arrive at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of your child's flight and speak with a ticket counter agent. Children traveling alone can't check in online or at the kiosk. You'll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure.

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An adult must take the child to the departure gate and stay until the flight is airborne. When you get to the gate, tell the gate agent you have an unaccompanied minor traveling on the flight. We'll board your child early so they can meet the flight crew and learn about the plane's safety features.

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Most US based airlines (but not all of them) offer flights for unaccompanied minors. For a fee, the airline and its employees provide limited supervision on board flights for the child. They also help the child in making flight connections, when applicable.

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Train operators cannot take responsibility for children travelling alone. If an unaccompanied child under the age of 12 is found, the British Transport Police will be notified immediately.

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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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If you are 18 or over – You will be able to travel abroad on your own without the consent of your parents. If you are under the age of 18 – It is up to the airline or travel operator whether you can travel abroad.

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We ask that a consent form is completed for each young person travelling alone age 14 – 16 years. All information, including the consent form, and what to do if the customer has medical conditions can be found here. Please note that we will not accept young people travelling alone unless all requirements are met.

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To fly alone, unaccompanied minors must travel on an adult fare. Otherwise children under 12 will not be able to fly solo. 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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