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.

In 2026, the age at which a minor can fly internationally without "Unaccompanied Minor" (UM) supervision depends on the airline, but it is generally 15 or 16 years old. Most major U.S. and European carriers consider a 15-year-old to be a "Young Adult," meaning the mandatory UM service (which involves staff escorts and signed hand-offs) is no longer required, though it is often still available as an optional paid service until age 17. For children aged 5 to 11, the UM service is almost always mandatory for international travel. It is a critical peer-to-peer tip to know that even if an airline allows a 16-year-old to fly alone, the destination country may have its own rules; many countries require a notarized "Letter of Consent" from both parents to prevent child trafficking. Additionally, if the flight involves a connection in a third country, the rules can change mid-journey. Always check both the airline’s "Young Passenger" policy and the entry requirements of the destination country on the official "IATA Travel Centre" portal before booking.