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.

British Airways allows children to travel alone, but their policy is strictly divided by age and has changed in recent years. Children under the age of 14 are not permitted to travel alone on British Airways under any circumstances; they must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or older on the same or a linked booking. Young persons aged 14 and 15 are allowed to travel alone as "Young Persons Travelling Alone," provided a parent or legal guardian completes a specific consent form and provides a copy of their ID. It is vital to note that British Airways no longer offers a formal "Unaccompanied Minor" (chaperone) service; therefore, 14 and 15-year-olds must be capable of navigating the airport, clearing security, and managing their flight entirely on their own. For those traveling on partner airlines (like American Airlines), different rules may apply, often requiring a formal fee for children up to age 14. Always check for specific visa and entry requirements for the destination country, as some nations require notarized travel authorization for any minor traveling without both parents.