Your child will need a Child Travel Consent any time they're traveling without all their parents or legal guardians present. If your child is traveling alone, with only one parent, or with a non-legal guardian, they will require a Child Travel Consent signed by both parents or legal guardians.

Yes, children can travel without parents as "Unaccompanied Minors" (UM), though rules vary by airline. In 2026, most carriers (like IndiGo, Delta, and Lufthansa) allow children aged 5 to 12 to travel alone using a mandatory UM service for a fee (ranging from $50 to $150 per leg). This service includes an airline staff member escorting the child through security, boarding them first, and ensuring they are handed over to a pre-authorized adult at the destination. For teens aged 13 to 17, the service is often optional. Parents must complete a detailed "Flying Solo" form and arrive at the airport much earlier (2 hours for domestic, 4 for international). A child under 5 is strictly prohibited from traveling alone and must be with someone at least 18 years old. For international trips, additional "Consent to Travel" letters signed by both parents and notarized are often required by immigration to prevent child abduction, making thorough documentation a peer-to-peer essential.