Each airline has their own policy, protocols and fees when it comes to unaccompanied minors. Your child may be able to pilot a plane at 14 years old, but may still not be able to fly alone domestically depending on the airline.
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There are over 60 domestic airlines in the United States. The unaccompanied minor rules are the least uniform and can vary greatly depending on the airline you choose. Not only do the fees vary, but so do the ages, and what type of flights they are allowed to book.
I once took a flight with my son because it was cheaper for me to go with him than pay the mandatory unaccompanied minor fee because he was a few weeks shy of his 15th birthday. But some airlines won’t even allow you to pay for a chaperone past age 12.
Below I have summarized the main points of the unaccompanied minor rules for the 14 current “mainline” airlines for their domestic flights. I have also link to the relevant page of the airline’s website to make it easy for you to get more details when planning a trip for your child.
One World Alliance Unaccompanied Minor Policies
I will continue to link future posts dedicated to regional, commuter, and international airlines. Note: US carriers do operate international flights, but the information below may only apply to domestic flights.
3 Essentials for a Minor to Travel Internationally Without Parents
Common General Policies
There is not really any policy that applies blanketly to all airlines, however there are a few that are common to enough of them that they are worth mentioning.
Booking
Tickets booked for minors travelling alone generally can not be booked online. Furthermore, if you find a friend who happens to be on the same flight as your child and want them to “fly together”, so that you don’t have to pay the unaccompanied minor fee, the booking should be made together. Be aware when booking that some airlines limit the number of unaccompanied minors on each flight. So, if you are booking on a common route (to/from camp?), book early.
Check-In
One reason you would want to make the booking together if you find a friend on the flight has to do with checking in. Depending on the airline, minors may not be able to do online check-in if they are on their own reservation. My neighbor was on the same flight as one of my children and offered to “be her adult”, so they both had to go to the check-in counter at the airport since they each had their own reservation.
Forms and Fees
Generally there will have to be someone over 18 years old dropping off and picking up the child. The adult dropping of the child will have to fill-out the airline’s unaccompanied minor form and pay the relevant fee. The fee (plus tax, where applicable) is in addition to the airfare. The form will indicate who the adult is that is meeting the child at his/her destination. Sometimes those adults are allowed to escort the minor all the way through security to the gate, as well as meet at the gate upon arrival.
Buyer beware: the good deal you got on the ticket may not be such a good deal when all the fees are added. Be sure to consider this before booking. Sending your 14, 12, and 10 year-olds together on Spirit will cost you an additional $450 each way. Whereas sending the same kids on Southwest won’t cost you anything–and they’ll each get 2 checked bags for free (and snacks and drinks)!
Service
The service provided by the airlines varies widely. Some just provide a bit of extra supervision. Others will provide some sort of special seating, extra food/snacks, in-flight entertainment, assistance with connections, and any other assistance the child may need. Your child may even get to spend time in a special unaccompanied minor airport lounge.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines has 3 age categories in their Junior Jetsetter program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. The unaccompanied minor fee is waived for any child with any Mileage Plan elite status.
Contact: 800-252-7522
Ages 5-7
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $50 each way per child
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop/direct flights only; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM
Ages 8-12
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $50 each way per child for non-stop/direct
$75 each way per child for connecting flights
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM; unless no other option is available, no connections to the last flight of the day, or layovers of more than 2 hours
Ages 13-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $50 each way per child for non-stop/direct
$75 each way per child for connecting flights
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM; unless no other option is available, no connections to the last flight of the day, or layovers of more than 2 hours
Allegiant Air
Allegiant does not accept unaccompanied minors under the age of 15. Passengers 15 years or older are considered an adult. Passengers younger than 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult (age 15 or over) who is ticketed on the same reservation.
Contact: 702-505-8888
American Airlines
American Airlines has 3 age categories in their unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children ages 2-14 can be accompanied by someone 16 or over.
Contact: 800-433-7300
Ages 5-7
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way per sibling group
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop flights only
Ages 8-14
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way per sibling group
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop flights or those connecting through Charlotte, NC (CLT), Washington Reagan, D.C. (DCA), Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW), New York, NY (JFK and LGA), Los Angeles, CA (LAX), Miami, FL (MIA), Chicago, IL (ORD), Philadelphia, PA (PHL) and Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
Ages 15-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $150 each way per sibling group
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop flights or those connecting through Charlotte, NC (CLT), Washington Reagan, D.C. (DCA), Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW), New York, NY (JFK and LGA), Los Angeles, CA (LAX), Miami, FL (MIA), Chicago, IL (ORD), Philadelphia, PA (PHL) and Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
Avelo Airlines
Avelo’s policy is the same a Allegiant’s. If your child is 15 years or older, they can fly solo on Avelo Airlines flights. Children 14 years or younger must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or a customer that is 15 years of age or older.
Contact: 346-616-9500
Breeze Airways
Children under age 13 will not be able to travel without an adult on Breeze Airways.
Contact: 501-273-3931 (text)
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines has 3 age categories in their unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 800-325-8847
Ages 5-7
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way up to 4 children
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; some non-stop flights only; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM (some exceptions)
Ages 8-14
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way up to 4 children
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; some non-stop and connecting flights; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM (some exceptions); travel not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day
Ages 15-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $150 each way up to 4 children
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop and connecting flights; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM (some exceptions); travel not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day
Eastern Airlines
Eastern Airlines unaccompanied minor program applies to children ages 7-13.
Contact: 458-202-4998
Ages 7-13
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required
Frontier Airlines
Any child under the age of 15 travelling on Frontier Airlines must be on the same reservation as an accompanying adult.
Contact: 602-333-5925
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children ages 5-11 can be accompanied by someone 15 or over.
Contact: 800-367-5320
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $35 per flight segment within the state of Hawaii
$100 per flight segment between North America and Hawaii
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM (some exceptions); travel not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day
Ages 12-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $35 per flight segment within the state of Hawaii
$100 per flight segment between North America and Hawaii
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM (some exceptions); travel not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day
JetBlue
JetBlue’s unaccompanied minor program applies to children ages 5-13. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children ages 2-13 can be accompanied by someone 14 or over.
Contact: 800-538-2583
Ages 5-13
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way per child
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop flights only
Southwest Airlines
Southwest’s unaccompanied minor program applies to children ages 5-11 only. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children ages 2-11 can be accompanied by someone 12 or over.
Contact: 800-435-9792
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $50 each way per child
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop/direct flights only
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children ages 0-14 can be accompanied by someone 15 or over.
Contact: 855-728-3555 (text/WhatsApp)
Ages 5-14
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way per child (includes snack and beverage)
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop/direct flights only
Ages 15-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $150 each way per child (includes snack and beverage)
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop/direct flights only
5 Fundamental Tips for Flying with Kids
Sun Country Airlines
Sun country does not accept unaccompanied minors under the age of 15. Passengers 15 years or older may travel on their own or with one childe age 5-14.
Contact: 651-905-2737
United Airlines
United has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 800-864-8331
Ages 5-14
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way, 1-2 children
$300 each way, 3-4 children
$450 each way, 5-6 children
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop flights only
Ages 15-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $150 each way, 1-2 children
$300 each way, 3-4 children
$450 each way, 5-6 children
Other rules: gate escort and guardian contact required; non-stop flights only
I’m not sure when all the unaccompanied minor rules were put in place. But I do vividly remember a flight I took completely on my own when I couldn’t have been more than about 13 or 14.
I flew from Tel Aviv to Paris. In Paris, I had to gather my luggage, go through customs, and then buy a ticket and take a bus about an hour to the other Paris airport. From there, I had to check-in again and fly to Boston. Once on Boston, I once again had to gather my baggage and go through US customs. Afterwards I took the airport shuttle to a different part of the airport and had to once again check-in. Next was a flight to St. Louis (remember TWA?), and then merely a change of planes to Des Moines. And this was all at the very beginning of the 1990s–no cell phone, no internet, no gps, no google translate, no tracking apps, no nothing!
Have you traveled as an unaccompanied minor? Have you had your child do so? How was the experience? Let me know!
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