Is a child flying
without an adult?
There are no US Department of Transportation regulations governing unaccompanied minor travel — each airline sets its own ages, flight restrictions, fees and procedures. Call to speak with an independent travel agent who can help you review what may apply before the trip.
Independent third-party travel assistance. Not affiliated with any airline. Service fees may apply if you choose to proceed.
What each airline sets
What the journey usually involves
Airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor service generally follow a supervised hand-off from the adult at departure to the adult at arrival. The exact steps are set by each airline.
The unaccompanied minor service is generally requested on the reservation, with names and contact details for the adult dropping the child off and the adult collecting them.
Airlines commonly ask the adult dropping off to complete paperwork and to stay at the airport until the flight has departed.
Under these procedures a child is generally escorted onto the aircraft during boarding and handed from one airline employee to the next.
The child is released to the adult named on the booking, who is commonly required to show photo identification. If a different adult will collect, update the booking in advance.
For older children the service is often optional rather than required, and the age at which it becomes optional differs between airlines. A teenager who is allowed to fly without the service travels as an ordinary passenger, without a supervised hand-off, so it is worth deciding deliberately rather than by default.
The flights you choose can decide whether a child is accepted
An unaccompanied minor booking can be refused because of the itinerary rather than the child. These are the points worth checking before you buy.
Some airlines accept younger unaccompanied children only on nonstop or direct flights, and may not accept a connecting itinerary.
Some airlines restrict unaccompanied minors on the last flight of the day, when a missed connection would be hardest to recover.
Where an itinerary involves a partner or codeshare airline, each airline’s own policy can apply, and some will not accept the booking.
International trips can bring separate airline rules and additional documents, such as consent from a parent who is not traveling.
Why every airline is different
We can help you review the information and where a request should be directed — we do not decide whether a child may travel alone.
There is no federal rule
According to the US Department of Transportation, there are no DOT regulations concerning travel by unaccompanied minors. Each airline sets its own procedures, which is why age limits, flight restrictions and fees differ between airlines. See the US DOT guidance for when kids fly alone.
Ages and required service
Many US airlines do not accept children under five traveling alone. Younger children commonly must use the airline’s unaccompanied minor service, and some airlines require it for children into their early teens. The exact age bands are set by each airline and can change.
Airline pages for families
The US DOT publishes tips for families and links to individual airline pages, which is the most direct way to read a specific airline’s current policy before booking. See the DOT tips for families and airline links.
General information only, not advice about your trip. Airline policies change — verify the current position with the operating airline before you book. SkyBuzzz does not decide whether a child may travel unaccompanied and does not provide supervision on the day of travel.
When families ask about children flying alone
These are the situations we are asked about most often. If your situation is not listed, call and a travel agent can help you review the available options.
A child is flying to visit another parent
Check the airline’s age bands and whether the unaccompanied minor service is required, then arrange the drop-off and collection details in advance.
The only available itinerary has a connection
Some airlines accept younger unaccompanied children only on nonstop or direct flights, so a connecting itinerary may not be accepted.
The flight is late in the day
Some airlines restrict unaccompanied minors on the last flight of the day. It is worth checking before choosing a flight time.
A different adult will collect the child
The adult collecting is commonly required to be named on the booking and to show photo identification, so any change should be made in advance.
The flight is delayed, changed or cancelled
Airlines have their own procedures for looking after an unaccompanied child during disruption. Contact the airline promptly and review the options that may be available.
A teenager wants to fly without the service
For older children the service is often optional, and the age at which it becomes optional varies. Without it, a teenager travels as an ordinary passenger.
Questions about children flying alone
Each airline decides. According to the US DOT, most US airlines permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied, and younger children are typically not accepted. Age bands, and the age at which an airline’s unaccompanied minor service stops being required, vary between airlines.
For younger children it commonly is. Some airlines require it for children into their early teens and make it optional for older children. Check the operating airline’s current policy for the child’s age on the date of travel.
No. The US Department of Transportation states that there are no DOT regulations concerning travel by unaccompanied minors. Each airline sets its own procedures for protecting children flying by themselves.
It depends on the airline and the child’s age. Some airlines accept younger unaccompanied children only on nonstop or direct flights, and some restrict connections, late flights or itineraries involving another airline.
Unaccompanied minor fees are set by each airline, are separate from the fare, and are often charged for each direction of travel. Fees vary and change, so check the airline’s current amount. Any airline fee is separate from our service fee.
Airlines generally ask the adult dropping off to complete paperwork and to stay until the flight departs. The child is escorted during boarding and handed from one airline employee to the next, then released at arrival to the adult named on the booking, who is commonly asked to show photo identification.
The collecting adult is commonly required to be named on the booking and to show photo identification that matches. If plans change, update the booking with the airline in advance rather than on the day.
We can help you review the airline requirements that may apply, explain how unaccompanied minor procedures generally work, and identify where a request should be directed. We cannot approve a child to travel alone, supervise a child, or override an airline decision.
No. SkyBuzzz is an independent third-party travel assistance service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or authorized to represent any airline. All airline names and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
No service fee for the initial consultation. If you choose paid assistance, we'll disclose our service fee before you agree. Airline charges and fare differences are separate. Any unaccompanied minor fee charged by the airline is separate from our service fee and is paid to the airline.
Other ways we can help
If something has gone wrong with your booking, a live travel agent can help you review the available options on one call.
Flight Change
Review options to move to an earlier or later flight or change your dates.
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Flight Cancellation
Review what refund or travel credit options may apply to your booking.
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Seat Selection
Review seat requests, including seating together, subject to availability.
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Manage Booking
Review passenger details, baggage options and your existing itinerary.
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Pet Addition
Review whether a pet may travel on your booking and what the airline may require.
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Infant on Lap
Review adding a child under two to your booking, on your lap or in their own seat.
Learn moreCheck the requirements before a child flies alone
Call to speak with an independent travel agent who can help you review what the airline may require. No service fee for the initial consultation. If you choose paid assistance, we'll disclose our service fee before you agree. Airline charges and fare differences are separate.