Aer Lingus will accept unaccompanied young passengers aged 12–15 years inclusive on our direct flights only, subject to the Form of Indemnity requirements below.

In Ireland, the age at which a child can fly alone depends on the airline’s specific policies, as there is no single national law governing this. However, most airlines follow a similar structure:

General Guideline for Major Airlines (Aer Lingus, Ryanair, etc.)

• Under 12 years: Generally cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by a passenger aged 16 or older.
• Aged 12 to 15: Can usually travel alone but must use the airline’s “Unaccompanied Minor” (UM) service. This is often mandatory.
• Aged 16 and over: Are typically considered young adults and can travel independently without the UM service. However, some airlines may still offer or require it for 16-year-olds on request.

Crucial Points to Check with Your Airline

Rules vary significantly, so you must check the specific policy of the airline you are booking with. Key factors include:

1. Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Service: This is a paid service where airline staff supervise the child from check-in through to handover to the designated adult at the destination. It is often compulsory for children in the 12-15 age range.

   • Booking: Must be arranged in advance, directly with the airline (often not available online).
   • Fees: Can be substantial (e.g., €50-€100 each way).
   • Restrictions: May not be available on all flights (e.g., connecting flights, last flights of the day) or for certain routes.

2. Airline-Specific Age Brackets: For