The minimum age for children to travel alone as adults paying adult fares varies: Kids have to be 12 years old to fly alone on domestic flights with Hawaiian, Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, ...

No, children under 12 years old cannot travel entirely alone on most commercial airlines in 2026; they must either be accompanied by a passenger at least 16 (or 18) years old or utilize the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Service. This service is mandatory for children aged 5 through 11. During a UM journey, airline staff take legal custody of the child from the departure gate to the arrival hall, ensuring they are only released to the specific adult listed on the authorization form. For children aged 12 to 17, the UM service is generally optional; they are considered "young adults" and can navigate the airport independently, though they are not permitted to be responsible for younger children. Fees for the UM service in 2026 typically range from $100 to $150 per flight segment, and some low-cost carriers do not offer the service at all, meaning children under 14 or 16 simply cannot fly with them alone.