Children under 5 can't travel alone under any circumstances. If you don't choose seats in Main Cabin or Basic Economy, we'll assign seats a few days after you buy your tickets so children under 15 are next to at least 1 adult they're traveling with.

Yes, a child can sit alone on a plane, but the rules depend strictly on their age and the airline’s Unaccompanied Minor (UM) policy. Generally, children under age 5 are not permitted to fly alone under any circumstances. Children aged 5 to 11 (sometimes up to 14) flying alone are usually required to use the Unaccompanied Minor service, which involves a fee (often $150+ each way) and ensures a flight attendant supervises them. For children aged 12 to 17, the service is typically optional. Regarding the actual seat, if a child is traveling with an adult but in a different row, most airlines and the DOT strive to seat families together, but it is not always guaranteed unless booked in advance. If a child is flying as a "Young Adult" (12+), they are treated as an adult passenger and can technically be seated in any non-exit-row seat by themselves. It is always recommended to check specific airline age cutoffs before booking.