Southwest Airlines seats children traveling alone close to the front of the plane, says the airline's spokeswoman, Whitney Eichinger. Spirit Airlines spokeswoman Misty Pinson says the carrier assigns seats to them in areas where our flight attendants can best assist them throughout the flight.

For safety and logistical reasons, most major airlines in 2026 prefer to seat unaccompanied minors (UMNRs) in the rear of the aircraft, specifically near the aft galley where flight attendants spend the majority of their time. This location ensures that crew members can easily monitor the child, assist with meal service, and provide extra attention during the flight. For example, Delta Air Lines explicitly recommends seating minors in the back of the plane for these reasons. However, policies can vary slightly by carrier; some airlines may seat children in a designated "UMNR section" in the front of the Economy cabin to facilitate a quicker deplaning process upon arrival, where they are met by a dedicated ground agent. Regardless of the specific row, unaccompanied minors are almost always assigned a window seat. This prevents them from being bumped by beverage carts in the aisle and ensures they aren't sitting directly next to a stranger who might need to climb over them to use the restroom. The child's seat is pre-assigned by the airline's special services desk to ensure they are never placed in an exit row or a secluded part of the cabin.