Can a minor travel on his own?

At 16 years, you are considered an adult and can travel alone for domestic travel. International travel for unaccompanied minor service is between 5 and 17 years of age. You are an adult at 18 years old and can travel alone.



Yes, a minor can travel on their own, but the specific rules and fees depend heavily on their age and the airline's "Unaccompanied Minor" (UM) policy. In 2026, most airlines allow children aged 5 to 11 to fly alone only if the parent pays for a mandatory UM service, where staff escort the child from check-in to the meeting party at the destination. For youths aged 12 to 17, the service is usually optional, and they may fly as "Young Passengers" without an escort. Be aware that ultra-low-cost carriers often do not offer this service at all, prohibiting anyone under 14 or 15 from flying without an adult. Documentation is rigorous: you will need a valid photo ID for the minor, a signed consent form (notarized for international travel), and the specific contact details of the person picking them up. Always check the "minimum age" requirements for your specific airline, as some international carriers mandate a companion for anyone under 16.

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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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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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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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When a minor less than 18 years of age will travel alone or with only one parent, written consent to travel (in English) from the parent (or guardian) not accompanying him or her is required. This also is required for group travel such as students' school excursions or training programs.

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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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Children 12 and older are allowed to travel independently as Young Travelers. However, you should decide whether a Young Traveler is capable of and comfortable with doing all of the following independently: Navigating all airports. Going through the check-in and boarding processes.

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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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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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Will minors need an ID to fly domestically? Neither Southwest Airlines nor the TSA require children under 18 to provide identification when traveling within the United States. There is, however, an exception for Unaccompanied Minors traveling on Southwest Airlines.

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Children ages 15 to 17 can travel as an unaccompanied minor, but it is not required. Children ages 2 to 14 can travel as an accompanied minor with someone 16 years or older. Reservations must be made over the phone at 1-800-433-7300.

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Children under 18 aren't required to have identification for domestic trips. But to travel overseas, you'll need passports for your grandchildren, no matter how old they are. It's also wise to carry with you a notarized letter that grants you permission to travel with your grandchildren, signed by both parents.

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What is a Child Travel Consent form? A Child Travel Consent gives a minor child permission to travel without their parents or legal guardians. Use this form when your child needs to travel alone or with another adult, who is not their legal guardian (e.g., a grandparent, friend, or teacher).

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Children between the ages of 5 and 7 can fly using the Unaccompanied Minor service on nonstop flights only. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 can fly on nonstop or connecting flights, but may only connect to other Delta, Delta Connection (excluding AA Eagle), and Air France flights.

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Employees may ask for age verification at any point, so please travel with a copy or original form of any government-issued ID, such as a birth certificate or passport for your child. A medical release for travel is required for any infant under 14 days old.

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Children 5-14 years old must travel as an Unaccompanied Minor when not traveling with an adult at least 15 years old. Unaccompanied Minors are accepted only on direct flights which do not require a change of aircraft or flight number.

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We welcome child guests and will gladly escort them to their final destination. Junior Jetsetters, our unaccompanied minor service, is available for those aged 5 through 17 years old, on both our domestic and international flights.

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