Unaccompanied Minor Travel: Airline Policies, Fees & Rules (2026)

Everything parents need to know about sending a child on a flight alone. Compare airline policies, understand fees, and prepare your child for a safe trip.

Airlines Covered: 13 | Fee Range: $35–$300+ | Minimum Age: 5 years

Quick Answer

Most major airlines offer Unaccompanied Minor (UM) services for children flying alone. The service includes staff supervision from check-in through pick-up at the destination. Age requirements, fees, and restrictions vary by carrier — confirm directly with your airline before booking.

Airline Unaccompanied Minor Policy Comparison

Airline	IATA Code
Delta Air Lines	DL
American Airlines	AA
United Airlines	UA
Southwest Airlines	WN
Alaska Airlines	AS
JetBlue	B6
Hawaiian Airlines	HA
Aeromexico	AM
Lufthansa	LH
Turkish Airlines	TK
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines	KL
Air France	AF
Virgin Atlantic	VS

Airline Unaccompanied Minor Policies

Delta Air Lines Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Delta accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5–17. UM service is mandatory for ages 5–14 and optional for 15–17. The fee is $150 each way and covers up to 4 children on the same itinerary.
American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy — American Airlines accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5–17. UM service is mandatory for ages 5–14 and optional for 15–17. The fee is $150 each way and covers all siblings on the same booking.
United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy — United Airlines accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5–17. UM service is mandatory for ages 5–14 and optional for 15–17. The fee is $150 each way (per 1–2 children). All UM flights must be nonstop on United or United Express.
Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Southwest Airlines accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5–11 only. Children 12+ fly as "Young Travelers" without UM service or fees. The UM fee is $50 each way for mainland flights. Nonstop or direct flights only, domestic US only.
Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Alaska Airlines accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5–17. UM service is mandatory for ages 5–12 and optional for 13–17. Fees are $50 nonstop or $75 connecting each way. Ages 8+ can fly connecting itineraries.
JetBlue Unaccompanied Minor Policy — JetBlue accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5–17. UM service is mandatory for ages 5–14 and optional for 15–17 (must book by phone). The fee is $150 each way per child. All UM flights must be nonstop.
Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Hawaiian Airlines accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5–17. UM service is mandatory for ages 5–11 and optional for 12–17. Fees are $35/segment inter-island or $100/segment Hawaii-mainland (covers up to 2 children).
Aeromexico Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Aeromexico offers an unaccompanied minor service. Specific policy details (ages, fees, restrictions) should be confirmed directly with Aeromexico before booking.
Lufthansa Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Lufthansa offers an unaccompanied minor service. Specific policy details (ages, fees, restrictions) should be confirmed directly with Lufthansa before booking.
Turkish Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Turkish Airlines offers an unaccompanied minor service. Specific policy details (ages, fees, restrictions) should be confirmed directly with Turkish Airlines before booking.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy — KLM Royal Dutch Airlines offers an unaccompanied minor service. Specific policy details (ages, fees, restrictions) should be confirmed directly with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines before booking.
Air France Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Air France offers an unaccompanied minor service. Specific policy details (ages, fees, restrictions) should be confirmed directly with Air France before booking.
Virgin Atlantic Unaccompanied Minor Policy — Virgin Atlantic offers an unaccompanied minor service. Specific policy details (ages, fees, restrictions) should be confirmed directly with Virgin Atlantic before booking.

Understanding Age Requirements

Airlines categorize young travelers into three groups based on age:

Mandatory UM Service (Ages 5–11): Most airlines require UM service for this age group. The child cannot fly without it.
Optional UM Service (Ages 12–14): Parents can choose whether to enroll their teen in UM service. Recommended for first-time solo travelers.
Independent Travel (Ages 15+): Teens can fly as regular adult passengers without any special service on most US carriers.

Unaccompanied Minor Fee Comparison

Fees vary significantly between airlines, typically ranging from around $50 to $300+ each way depending on the carrier and route type. Per-airline fee data is pending verification.

View detailed fee comparison →

Safety Tips for Parents

Book nonstop when possible: Connections increase complexity. If your child is flying alone for the first time, choose a direct flight.
Arrive early at the airport: UM check-in takes longer than normal. Plan to arrive at least 2 hours before domestic flights, 3 hours for international.
Pack essentials in carry-on: Include snacks, entertainment, a phone with emergency contacts, and any medications in their carry-on bag.
Practice the process beforehand: Walk your child through what will happen at each stage — from check-in to pick-up — so they know what to expect.
Confirm pick-up person details: Double-check that the designated pick-up person's name and ID match exactly what's on the airline form.
Keep your phone on: Stay reachable until the flight lands and your child is confirmed picked up. Airlines may need to contact you.

In-Depth Guides

Child Flying Alone Guide — Complete step-by-step guide for first-time solo child travelers
UM Fee Comparison — Compare unaccompanied minor fees across all major airlines
Best Airlines for Kids — Our top picks for child-friendly solo travel
International Minor Travel — Rules for children flying alone internationally
Document Guide — Required documents and forms for minor travel
Age Requirements — When can your child fly alone? Age-by-age breakdown
Youngest Age to Fly Alone — Compare minimum ages across all airlines
Cheapest UM Fees Ranked — All airlines ranked by unaccompanied minor fee
Delta vs United UM — Side-by-side comparison of the two largest UM programs

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can a child fly alone?: Most airlines allow children ages 5–7 to fly alone on domestic nonstop flights with their Unaccompanied Minor service. Children 15+ can typically fly without any special service on most airlines.
How much does unaccompanied minor service cost?: Fees typically range from roughly $50 to $300+ each way depending on the airline, route type, and whether the flight is domestic or international. Some airlines charge per child while others cover siblings on the same booking. Confirm the exact fee with your airline before booking.
Which airlines allow unaccompanied minors on international flights?: Many major airlines offer unaccompanied minor service on international flights. Policies vary by carrier — some restrict younger children to nonstop routes only. Contact your airline directly to confirm international UM availability.
Do all airlines allow connecting flights for unaccompanied minors?: No. Some airlines restrict unaccompanied minors to nonstop flights only, while others allow connections on their own network. Policies vary — confirm with your specific airline whether connections are permitted for your child's age group.
What documents are needed for a child flying alone?: At minimum: a valid photo ID or birth certificate, the completed UM form from the airline, and contact information for both the drop-off and pick-up persons. International flights require a valid passport.
Can a 14 year old fly alone without unaccompanied minor service?: The age at which UM service becomes optional varies by airline, typically between 12 and 15. Some carriers allow teens to fly without UM service earlier than others. Check your airline's specific policy to confirm whether a 14-year-old needs to be enrolled.