Does United airlines allow 12 year olds to fly alone?

Getting ready. 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.



Yes, United Airlines allows 12-year-olds to fly alone, but they are required to use the Unaccompanied Minor service. In 2026, United mandates this service for all children ages 5 through 14 who are traveling without an adult who is at least 18. The service includes a dedicated flight attendant to check on them, a free snack, and a supervised hand-off to the authorized adult at the destination. The fee for this service in 2026 is $150 each way for up to two children. It is important to note that unaccompanied minors are only permitted on non-stop United or United Express flights. Parents must check in at the airport ticket counter (online check-in is not allowed) and stay at the gate until the flight is officially airborne. For children ages 15 to 17, the service is optional, but many parents still choose to use it for the added layer of security and assistance during their journey.

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Our unaccompanied minor service is required for kids 5-14 years old who are flying alone or with someone under 18.

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What is this? Most US based airlines (but not all of them) offer flights for unaccompanied minors. For a fee, the airline and its employees provide limited supervision on board flights for the child. They also help the child in making flight connections, when applicable.

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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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Unaccompanied minor flights are given by United Airlines to minors ages 5 to 14 who are traveling alone and are not accompanied by a family member or a known person. Children aged 15 to 17 are permitted to travel alone, however, the option to go as an unaccompanied minor is also accessible.

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Traveling with children | United Airlines Children under 18 don't need an ID to fly domestically but do need a passport for ... Lap children must be under the age of two. ... Children of any other age are welcome to fly with us.

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No, unfortunately you cannot buy a plane ticket and board a plane without parental consent if you are 16 years old. Airlines have strict policies in place that require passengers under the age of 18 to be accompanied by an adult or provide written permission from their parent or guardian before they can travel.

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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, ...

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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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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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Children & Minors: Allegiant does not accept unaccompanied minors under the age of 15. Passengers 15 years or older are considered an adult. Passengers younger than 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult who is ticketed on the same reservation.

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Flight requirements can differ per airline as certain airlines categorize children differently. For instance, United Airlines considers infants to be 0 to 4 years old and children to be aged 5 to 15, which is not the same universally among all airlines.

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Kids 5-14 years of age can travel alone as unaccompanied minors. Get the details on how to list them, drop them off and pick them up, international travel and more, as well as the required Unaccompanied Minor Form .

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As such, kids are not allowed to fly alone on Frontier Airlines until age 15. Frontier barring kids from traveling alone is not unique to the ultra-low cost carrier space. Of Frontier's five other main ULCC competitors, Spirit Airlines is the only one that currently offers an unaccompanied minor service.

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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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Unaccompanied Minor Ticketing Children between the ages of 5 years and under 14 years traveling alone are considered unaccompanied minors. The child traveling unaccompanied must have reached their fifth birthday by the date of travel on JetBlue.

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If a minor is traveling without their parents (alone, in a group, with other relatives, etc.), they will need a Minor Travel Consent Form. These forms grant parental permission for the minor to travel.

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