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.

In 2026, most major airlines allow children to fly alone starting at age 5, but they must be enrolled in a mandatory Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service until they are at least 12 or 15 years old. For children aged 5 to 7, travel is typically restricted to nonstop or direct flights only. Once a child reaches age 8 to 14, many airlines (including Delta and Air Canada) allow them to take connecting flights, provided they stay on the same airline's network. The UM service involves a fee—usually around $150 each way—and ensures that an airline representative escorts the child through security, stays with them during layovers, and hand-delivers them to the authorized adult at the destination. For teenagers aged 15 to 17, the service becomes optional; they can fly as adults, though parents can still opt for the UM service for added peace of mind. It is a peer-to-peer "safety essential" to check each airline's specific age limits, as some international carriers may have higher minimum age requirements for solo travel.