How does flying as an unaccompanied minor work?

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.



In 2026, the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service is a mandatory program for children aged 5 to 11 (and optional for those up to 15) who are traveling without an adult. The process begins at the airport ticket counter, where the parent must sign a detailed "UM Form" and provide the ID of the specific adult who will be picking the child up at the destination. A staff member then escorts the child through security to the gate and hands them over to the lead flight attendant. During the flight, the crew provides extra supervision and sometimes "priority" snacks. Upon arrival, the child is the last to deplane and is escorted by ground staff to the meeting point, where they are only released after the receiving adult’s government-issued photo ID is verified against the original paperwork. In 2026, most airlines charge a service fee of $150 per direction for this "gate-to-gate" supervision, and the parent is required to stay at the departure gate until the aircraft is officially in the air.

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International travel Some airlines automatically apply the unaccompanied-minor procedures to kids through age 17 on international flights, and charge the standard unaccompanied-minor fee if applicable. Children must usually have the same passport, visa or other international entry documentation required of adults.

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Unaccompanied Minors are allowed to travel only on nonstop or same-plane service (makes one or two stops but does not require a change of planes or flight number) itineraries. Southwest Airlines does not provide Unaccompanied Minor service to/from international destinations.

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Write out the details: Anyone younger than 17 flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or guardian giving permission, destination and length of stay.

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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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Check-in and required documents Children traveling alone can't check in online or at the kiosk. 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.

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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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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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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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Children traveling alone For safety, we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. This service is optional for children age 15 – 17, but if requested, then the fee applies. The unaccompanied minor fee is $150* each way, plus applicable taxes†, in addition to the ticket price.

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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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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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International travel Some airlines automatically apply the unaccompanied-minor procedures to kids through age 17 on international flights, and charge the standard unaccompanied-minor fee if applicable. Children must usually have the same passport, visa or other international entry documentation required of adults.

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Is there a service offered by Ryanair for children traveling alone? No, Ryanair does not carry unaccompanied minors under 16 years. Children up to the age of 16 years must always be accompanied by an adult passenger. Special facilities like escort services and others are NOT available.

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No, Wizz Air does not provide this service. Children under 14 years old cannot fly unless accompanied by an adult at least 16 years of age. The child and the adult must be under the same reservation. Passengers who are 14 or 15-years-old may fly alone, but cannot be responsible for a child under the age of 14.

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Children under 18 may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents.

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A signed, notarized letter for a minor to travel from both parents is required if a child travels internationally alone or with an adult who is not their legal guardian. The other parent must also sign the consent form if they are traveling with just one parent.

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To be eligible for the unaccompanied minor service or escort services: The child must be between the ages of 5 and 15 years (up to but not including the 16th birthday). Children under 5 years cannot be accepted.

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