Children 12 and older are allowed to travel independently as Young Travelers. However, you should decide whether a Young Traveler is capable of and comfortable with doing all of the following independently: Navigating all airports. Going through the check-in and boarding processes.

Deciding when a child should travel alone depends on both airline regulations and their personal maturity. Most airlines in 2026 allow children as young as 5 to 11 years old to fly as "Unaccompanied Minors" (UM), a service where airline staff supervise the child from check-in to arrival for a fee (often $150+). For children aged 12 to 15, the UM service is typically optional, and they are often classified as "Young Adults" who can navigate the airport independently. Experts generally suggest that a child is ready to travel without the formal UM service once they can follow complex instructions, manage their own electronics and chargers, and stay calm during flight delays. If the trip involves a connection, it is often better to wait until they are 14 or 15 unless they are highly experienced travelers. Always check the specific 2026 policies of your carrier, as some international airlines have stricter age requirements for solo minors than domestic U.S. carriers, and some low-cost carriers do not offer an Unaccompanied Minor service at all.