Children flying alone

Unaccompanied Minor Flight Rules and Booking Guide

Understand unaccompanied-minor age rules, eligible flights, fees, documents, handoff procedures, connections, and preparation.

Designed for: Parents and guardians arranging travel for a child without an accompanying adult

What this guide covers

Unaccompanied-minor service must usually be arranged directly and can be mandatory for certain ages. Airline rules differ substantially, especially for connections, last flights of the day, and partner airlines.

Key takeaways

Confirm age rules for both outbound and return dates
Avoid unsupported connections and codeshares
Prepare authorized pickup identification
Stay until the flight has departed as instructed

Age and itinerary eligibility

Some ages require the service, some may use it optionally, and older teens may travel as standard passengers. Eligible routes can exclude connections, overnight flights, or the final flight of the day.

Booking and airport handoff

Provide complete guardian and pickup details, arrive early, and bring accepted identification and forms. The adult dropping off the child may need to remain until departure.

Preparing the child

Explain screening, boarding, crew instructions, connections where permitted, and pickup. Pack contact information, medication instructions, food where allowed, and a charged communication device for eligible ages.

Frequently asked questions

Can an unaccompanied minor book online?+

Often the service requires phone or specialist booking even when the flight appears online.

Can children connect between flights?+

Some airlines permit limited connections; others require nonstop or direct flights.

Is the fee per child or per family?+

It varies by carrier, direction, and number of children traveling together.

Who can collect the child?+

Only the authorized person meeting the airline’s identification and handoff requirements.

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