How old do you have to be to fly a plane UK?

Pilot training at a glance The minimum age to commence pilot training is 18, but you cannot get an ATPL until you're 21. It can take 16-18 months to qualify as a pilot if you've no previous flying experience.



In the UK, the age requirements for flying a plane are tiered based on the level of responsibility and the type of license. As of 2026, you can technically start taking flying lessons at any age, but your "logged" hours only count toward a license from age 14. You must be at least 14 years old to log flight time, 16 years old to fly solo (the ultimate milestone for student pilots), and 17 years old to be issued a Private Pilot License (PPL) or a Light Aircraft Pilot License (LAPL). For those looking to make it a career, you must be 18 years old to hold a Commercial Pilot License (CPL) and 21 years old for an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). These rules ensure that while young enthusiasts can begin their training early, they must reach a level of legal and cognitive maturity before being entrusted with the safety of passengers or flying in complex commercial airspace.

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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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What your child needs to travel alone. All children aged 14 or 15 travelling alone must carry with them: A British Airways consent form (pdf, 124kb, English only), completed and signed by a parent/guardian.

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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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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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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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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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The minimum age of a person permitted to travel alone on British Airways is 14 years of age (except on flights operated by SUN-AIR of Scandinavia). If young flyers are accompanied by someone who is aged 16 or over (on the same or a linked booking), British Airways will allow them to travel.

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Annual Pilot Salary Range
How Much Do Pilots Make an Hour? » According to The May 2021 Occupational Outlook Handbook, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary for commercial pilots is $99,640 per year. The median annual wage for airline pilots, copilots and flight engineers is $202,180.

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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.

MORE DETAILS

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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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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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.

MORE DETAILS

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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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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Children over 12 (15 for some airlines) can travel alone but the Unaccompanied Minor Service is available for an extra charge. stating what medication they are taking and why. Ensure they carry important documents and medication in their hand luggage.

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The Lufthansa care service can also be booked by parents for unaccompanied children from the age of 12 up to a maximum of 17 years. This ensures that the child receives support, especially in the event of a disruption to their flight, such as a delay or cancellation.

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The minimum age of a person permitted to travel alone on British Airways is 14 years of age (except on flights operated by SUN-AIR of Scandinavia). If young flyers are accompanied by someone who is aged 16 or over (on the same or a linked booking), British Airways will allow them to travel.

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