Can grandkids fly with grandparents?

Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups will need to have a signed document, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.



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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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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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While it's legal for grandparents to transport their grandchildren without a letter of permission, it's a safeguard against any potential emergencies or law enforcement issues. Getting the letter of permission notarized by a licensed official adds an extra layer of security to your document.

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Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups will need to have a signed document, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection recommends that any child under the age of 16 traveling without both legal guardians should have a notarized Child Travel Consent signed by both legal guardians. Having your Child Travel Consent notarized decreases the chance of travel authorities questioning its validity.

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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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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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We recommend a signed and notarized consent letter from the child's parent or parents, such as our Child Travel Consent Form. Be sure to include the child's name, the companion's name, the dates of travel, the destination, the parents' names and contact information, and a statement of permission from the parents.

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The letter should include the other person's contact details and details about the trip. It also helps if you've: evidence of your relationship with the child, eg a birth or adoption certificate. a divorce or marriage certificate, if you are a single parent but your family name is different from the child's.

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Proof of age is required upon request for all passengers. Although government-issued photo identification is preferred, passengers under 18 years old may use other documentation which includes their birthdate such as a birth certificate.

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Children who are under 16 years old and U.S. citizens may travel with their original U.S. birth certificate with the raised seal. Children who are 16 and older, and are U.S. citizens, are required to travel with photo ID.

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American Airlines Child Fare Children over the age of 2 must have their own seats, and they will be charged full fare. There is no discounted child fare on American Airlines.

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In the United States, you need a valid U.S. government-issued photo ID or a passport from your country of origin to travel through security. You must show that the name on your boarding pass matches the legal name on your unexpired government-issued ID.

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A child travel consent form allows a minor to travel alone or with another person or group. It is written by one or both parents and can be used for domestic or international travel.

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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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A minor travel consent form is a legal document, signed by a child's parents and/or legal guardians, giving permission for the child to travel with another adult. Any time a child travels abroad without both parents and/or legal guardians, they need to have this written permission.

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Tips to travel with grandparents and extended family
  1. Talk about what you envision. ...
  2. Plan the vacation together. ...
  3. Consider everyone's needs when booking lodging. ...
  4. Agree that it's ok to do things separately. ...
  5. Do activities that interest everyone. ...
  6. Be clear with plans. ...
  7. Respect everyone's pace. ...
  8. Build in R&R.


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