How Do Unaccompanied Minor Flights Work?
An unaccompanied minor flight is a paid airline service where staff supervise a child flying without an adult, from check-in to a named adult at arrival. Most US airlines require it for kids about 5 to 11–14 and make it optional for older teens, with fees on the airlines we checked running $50–$150 each way.
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What the Service Includes
The service puts your child in the airline’s care from the moment you check in until a named adult signs for them at arrival. You fill in a form with the child’s details and the names of the drop-off and pickup adults. The airline then handles supervision in the airport and on board.
On most US airlines, the service covers:
- Check-in at the counter, not online, so an agent can verify the form and the child’s age.
- A badge, lanyard or wristband that identifies your child to every employee.
- Escort to the plane, often with early boarding and a seat near the crew.
- Check-ins from flight attendants during the flight. They are not babysitters, but they know your child is alone.
- Escort off the plane, and between gates if the airline allows connections.
- Handoff to the pickup adult, who must show ID and usually sign for the child.
Some airlines also run supervised lounges for kids waiting at hub airports. For the bigger picture of flying with kids, see our complete guide to traveling with children.
Airline Comparison Table
Most large US airlines require the service for younger children and set their own fees and routing limits. The table covers the details we could confirm on each airline’s own page.
Last checked: September 21, 2026. Fees and rules change — confirm on the airline’s page before booking.
| Airline | Service required for ages | Optional for ages | Fee (each way) | Flight restrictions | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta | 5–14 | 15–17 | $150, covers up to 4 children | Ages 5–7: nonstop only. Ages 8–14: connections allowed on Delta, Delta Connection, Air France and KLM. No last connecting flight of the day | Delta unaccompanied minors |
| United | 5–14 | 15–17 | $150 covers 1–2 children ($300 for 3–4, $450 for 5–6) | Nonstop United or United Express flights only. No connections | United unaccompanied minors |
| American | 5–14 | 15–17 | $150 plus taxes, one fee covers siblings on the same flight | Ages 5–7: nonstop or same-plane only. Ages 8–14: connections only through CLT, DCA, DFW, JFK, LAX, LGA, MIA, ORD, PHL or PHX | American unaccompanied minors |
| Southwest | 5–11 | Not offered; 12–17 fly as “Young Travelers” | $100 per child (US mainland); $35 between Hawaiian islands | Nonstop or same-plane flights only. No connections, no international | Southwest unaccompanied minors |
| Alaska | 5–12 | 13–17 | $50 per child nonstop; $75 per child connecting | Ages 5–7: nonstop only. Ages 8+: connections on select Alaska-operated flights. No departures 9 p.m.–5 a.m. | Alaska unaccompanied minors |
| JetBlue | 5–13 | Not offered; 14+ books as an adult | $150 per child | Nonstop only. No partner or codeshare bookings. No flights to or from the UK or Europe | JetBlue unaccompanied minors |
Two patterns stand out. Airlines differ on whether siblings share one fee or pay per child. And the youngest flyers, ages 5 to 7, are held to nonstop flights almost everywhere.
Who Can Drop Off and Pick Up
Only the adults named on the unaccompanied minor form can drop off and collect your child, and their photo ID must match those names exactly. Airlines typically require the pickup adult to be at least 18. A nickname, a missing middle name or a maiden name can cause delays at the gate.
Bring a physical ID. Delta, for example, states that digital IDs are not accepted for gate passes. If the pickup person changes, call the airline before the flight lands rather than sorting it out at the airport.
List a backup contact on the form too. If the main pickup adult is stuck in traffic, the airline has someone else to call.
Gate Passes for Adults
The drop-off adult gets a gate pass at the airline’s ticket counter so they can walk the child through security to the gate. You will need your photo ID and the child’s itinerary. Most airlines ask you to stay at the gate until the plane has taken off, not just until boarding ends.
The pickup adult requests a gate pass the same way at the arrival airport. Arrive early: Southwest asks for at least 45 minutes before arrival, and JetBlue asks for 30. Some airports can’t issue gate passes, and staff will then tell you where to meet the child, often the baggage service office.
Documents a Child Needs
TSA does not require travelers under 18 to show ID on domestic flights, but the airline may ask for proof of your child’s age. Carry a copy of the birth certificate or a passport card in the child’s folder. Alaska, for example, notes that proof of age may be requested at check-in.
You will also need:
- The airline’s completed unaccompanied minor form, often printed in several copies.
- The itinerary and confirmation number.
- Your ID, and the pickup adult’s ID at the other end.
For international trips, your child needs a valid passport, and many countries or airlines expect a signed consent letter from the parents. You can make one with our travel consent letter generator. Our guide to travel documents for children covers passports and the DS-11 process.
How to Prepare Your Child
A child who knows the plan and has a way to reach you will handle the day better than one with the perfect snack bag. Walk through the day a few times before the trip: check-in, security, the gate, the flight, the handoff.
A contact card
Put a card in a pocket, not only in a bag. Include:
- The child’s full name and flight numbers.
- Your phone number and the pickup adult’s phone number.
- One line on allergies or medical needs, if any.
A phone, charged
A phone lets your child text you at the gate and on landing. Pack a charger or a small power bank. Agree on one rule: stay with the airline staff member, even if the phone dies.
Food and entertainment
Pack snacks and an empty water bottle to fill after security. Food on board may be for sale, so add a few dollars or a card if your child is old enough. Download shows and games in advance, and bring headphones. Our guide to keeping kids entertained on flights has ideas by age.
What to do if something goes wrong
Tell your child three things. Stay with the airline staff. Never leave the airport with anyone not on the form. If you feel lost, find a person in an airline uniform and show your badge.
Delays and Cancellations
If a flight is delayed or canceled, the airline keeps your child under supervision and contacts the adults on the form. Delta, for example, says it will rebook the child on the next available flight and, in rare cases, provide a hotel and meals with supervision. Alaska requires the guardian to approve any rebooking.
Airlines reduce the risk up front. Many won’t book unaccompanied minors on the last connecting flight of the day or on overnight red-eyes. Some will refuse travel if bad weather is likely to disrupt the route.
What you can do:
- Choose a morning nonstop when one exists. It leaves time to recover from a cancellation the same day.
- Stay near the airport until the flight is in the air. A gate return means you need to collect your child.
- Keep your phone on until the pickup adult confirms the handoff.
Teens Flying Without the Service
Once your child passes the airline’s required age, you can usually book them as a regular passenger with no escort and no fee. That cutoff is 12 on Southwest, 13 on Alaska, 14 on JetBlue and 15 on Delta. On some airlines, including Delta and Alaska, you can still pay for the service for an older teen.
Book the service for a teen when:
- The trip includes a connection, especially at a large hub.
- It’s their first flight alone.
- They would struggle with a missed connection or a rebooking on their own.
Without the service, nobody escorts your teen, and the pickup adult may not get a gate pass. Delta, for example, doesn’t issue pickup gate passes for 15- to 17-year-olds who decline the program. Your teen handles security, boarding and delays alone.
International Unaccompanied Minors
International flights are the strictest case, and several US airlines don’t accept unaccompanied minors on them at all. Southwest doesn’t allow unaccompanied minors on international flights. JetBlue doesn’t allow them on its UK and Europe routes, or on bookings with partner airlines.
Where international travel is allowed, expect extra steps:
- A valid passport, and a visa if the destination requires one.
- A consent letter, often notarized, from both parents.
- Stricter limits on which partner airlines the child can connect to.
Some countries have special exit or entry rules for minors. Check the destination on travel.state.gov and with the embassy before you book. If a connection involves two airlines, the child may need an adult to meet them at the transfer point.
Day-of Checklist
Most problems on the day come from missing paperwork or a pickup adult without the right ID. Use this list before you leave home.
| When | What to check |
|---|---|
| Night before | Form filled in, printed, names match IDs exactly |
| Night before | Phone and power bank charged, shows downloaded |
| Leaving home | Birth certificate copy or passport, itinerary, contact card in pocket |
| Leaving home | Snacks, empty water bottle, headphones, a light layer |
| At the counter | Check in with an agent, get your gate pass, confirm pickup name |
| At the gate | Stay until the plane takes off, then text the pickup adult |
| Before landing | Pickup adult at the airport early with physical photo ID |
| After handoff | Pickup adult confirms by text or call |
Plan the pickup side as carefully as the drop-off side. The flight is only one part of the trip. Most delays happen at the handoff.
Frequently asked questions
What age can a child fly alone?
On most US airlines, children under 5 cannot fly alone at all. From age 5, they can fly using the airline's unaccompanied minor service. The age at which a child can fly with no service at all varies by airline, usually somewhere between 12 and 15.
How much does it cost for a child to fly as an unaccompanied minor?
You pay the regular ticket price plus a service fee each way. On the airlines we checked in September 2026, the fee ranged from $50 to $150 each way. Some airlines charge one fee for siblings flying together, while others charge per child, so compare before you book.
Can an unaccompanied minor take a connecting flight?
It depends on the airline and the child's age. Some airlines allow only nonstop flights for every unaccompanied minor. Others allow connections from about age 8, with staff escorting the child between gates, and usually only on the airline's own flights.
Does a child flying alone need ID?
TSA does not require travelers under 18 to show ID on domestic flights. The airline may still ask for proof of age, so carry a copy of the birth certificate or a passport. International flights always require a passport.
Can a 12-year-old fly alone without the service?
On some airlines, yes. Southwest, for example, treats children 12 and older as young travelers who fly without the service. Most other large US airlines still require the service at 12, so check your airline's age rule before booking.
What happens if an unaccompanied minor's flight is canceled?
The airline keeps the child under supervision and works to rebook them, and it will call the adults listed on the form. Some airlines need your approval before rebooking. Keep your phone on and stay reachable until the child is with the pickup adult.
Can grandparents pick up an unaccompanied minor?
Yes, if they are named as the pickup adult on the airline's form. They must show a physical photo ID that matches the name exactly. If plans change, update the name with the airline before the flight lands.
Can an unaccompanied minor fly internationally?
Sometimes, but the rules are stricter. Several US airlines don't accept unaccompanied minors on international flights, codeshares or partner airlines at all. When it is allowed, the child needs a passport and often a signed, notarized consent letter from the parents.