Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not have to present identification for domestic U.S. travel. Airlines will accept identification from the responsible adult on behalf of the minor(s). For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as the adult.

Airport rules for children in 2026 are focused on safety and streamlined screening, with specific age-based tiers. For children under 12, the TSA and international agencies like EASA provide modified procedures; they are generally allowed to keep their shoes, light jackets, and headwear on during security screening. They can also pass through metal detectors multiple times to resolve alarms rather than undergoing a pat-down. Parents are allowed to carry infants through the detector. For Unaccompanied Minors (UM), the rules are much stricter: most airlines require the UM service for children ages 5 to 14, where a staff member escorts the child from check-in to the final meeting with an authorized adult. Teenagers aged 15 to 17 are often considered "young passengers" and can travel independently, though they still require valid government ID and, for international flights, a notarized parental consent form. Additionally, "liquid rules" are relaxed for families; you are permitted to carry larger quantities of breast milk, formula, and baby food through security, provided you declare them for separate screening at the start of the process.