Millions of children fly alone each year to visit family, attend summer programs, or travel between divorced parents. Airlines have structured programs to keep unaccompanied minors safe. Here’s everything parents and children need to know.
Understanding the Program
What Is the Unaccompanied Minor Program?
All major U.S. airlines offer formal Unaccompanied Minor (UM) programs that provide supervised care and escort services for children flying alone.
How the program works
When you book an unaccompanied minor ticket, the airline assigns a specially trained staff member to supervise your child from check-in through arrival. The child is escorted through security, to the gate, onto the plane, and is handed directly to the authorized adult at the destination. The receiving adult must present valid photo ID and be on the approved pickup list — no exceptions. The child wears an identification badge and is never left unsupervised by airline staff.
Age requirements by airline
Age requirements vary by airline. Generally: children under 5 cannot fly alone on any U.S. airline. Children ages 5–7 can typically use UM services only on nonstop flights. Children ages 8–14 can use UM services on nonstop and connecting flights on most airlines. Children 15–17 are typically considered adults for travel purposes and may fly without UM services, though some airlines offer optional escort services. Always verify the specific age policy with your airline at booking.
Unaccompanied minor fees
Airlines charge a separate fee for unaccompanied minor service on top of the ticket price. Fees range from $50–$150 each way depending on the airline. This fee covers the escort service, supervision, and paperwork. Some airlines charge the fee per child, others per family. The fee is typically non-refundable. Budget this cost into your total travel expense — it is separate from the ticket price.
Airline Policies
Major Airline UM Policies at a Glance
Each airline has slightly different rules. Always verify directly with your airline — policies change and details matter.
American Airlines
Required for ages 5–14 traveling alone. Optional for ages 15–17. Nonstop flights only for ages 5–7. Connecting flights permitted for ages 8–14 with UM service. Fee: approximately $150 each way per child. The escorting adult must remain at the airport until the flight departs. The receiving adult must show government-issued ID.
Delta Air Lines
Required for ages 5–14. Optional for ages 15–17. Nonstop flights only for ages 5–7. Connecting flights for ages 8–14. Fee: approximately $150 each way. Delta’s UM program includes a special lanyard for the child with flight information. Delta does not accept unaccompanied minors on the last flight of the day to reduce overnight disruption risk.
United Airlines
Required for ages 5–14. Optional for ages 15–17. Nonstop only for ages 5–7. Connecting flights for ages 8–14 with a maximum of one connection. Fee: approximately $150 each way per family (not per child). United requires the escorting adult to have a gate pass — request one at check-in. United does not accept UM on the last connecting flight of the day.
Southwest Airlines
Required for ages 5–11. Children 12 and older may travel without UM service. Nonstop and direct flights only — no connecting flights for unaccompanied minors on Southwest. Fee: approximately $50 each way per child — significantly lower than other carriers. Southwest’s nonstop-only policy makes it a strong choice for simple UM trips where a nonstop route is available.
Booking & Preparation
How to Book and Prepare an Unaccompanied Minor Trip
Book directly with the airline — not through a third party
Unaccompanied minor service must be arranged directly with the airline — it cannot be set up through Expedia, Kayak, or other third-party booking sites. Call the airline’s reservations line or book on their website and specifically request UM service. Confirm the UM arrangements are noted in the booking record before hanging up.
Choose nonstop flights whenever possible
Nonstop flights eliminate the risk of a missed connection — the single biggest source of problems for unaccompanied minors. If a nonstop isn’t available, book a single connection with a generous layover (90 minutes minimum) and verify the connection is within the same terminal if possible. Never book a UM on a trip requiring two or more connections.
Complete the UM paperwork at check-in
Arrive at the airport with extra time — UM check-in takes longer than standard check-in. You’ll complete paperwork that includes: the child’s information, your contact details, the receiving adult’s name and contact information, and a photo ID of the receiving adult (some airlines require this in advance). The escorting adult must have a gate pass to accompany the child to the gate — request this at check-in.
The escorting adult must stay until the plane departs
Most airlines require the dropping-off adult to remain at the airport — reachable by phone — until the flight has departed. This is in case of delays or gate changes that require the child to be returned to the adult. Give the gate agent your cell phone number and stay in the airport until the flight is airborne. Don’t just drop off at the curb and leave.
The receiving adult must arrive early with valid ID
The adult picking up the child must arrive at the airport before the flight lands, go to the airline’s customer service desk or arrival gate, and present valid government-issued photo ID. Only adults on the pre-approved pickup list will be allowed to receive the child. Being late or sending someone not on the list creates serious complications — the child may be held by the airline until the authorized adult arrives.
Preparing Your Child
How to Prepare Your Child for Solo Travel
Practice the process together before the trip
Walk your child through exactly what will happen, step by step: checking in with the airline agent, going through security, waiting at the gate, boarding, the flight itself, landing, and meeting the receiving adult. Children handle new experiences much better when they know what to expect. Role-play the process at home if your child is anxious.
Teach your child key information to memorize
Your child should be able to say from memory: their full name, your full name and phone number, the name of the adult picking them up, their destination city, and their flight number. Write this information on a card and keep it in their pocket as backup. For younger children, consider a simple ID bracelet with contact information.
Give your child a fully charged phone or device
If your child is old enough to have a phone, make sure it’s fully charged before the trip and that they know how to call you. Pre-load important numbers in their contacts. For younger children without phones, ask the airline gate agent for help contacting parents if needed — they are trained to assist. Consider a simple prepaid phone for children who don’t have one.
Pack a comfort carry-on for your child
A small backpack they pack themselves (with your guidance) gives children a sense of ownership and control. Include: a favorite small toy or comfort item, snacks they like, a tablet or device loaded with shows and games, headphones, a light layer, and any comfort items for sleeping on longer flights. Label everything with their name. Keep medications and important documents in a separate pouch that the airline agent holds.
Reassure your child about what to do if something feels wrong
Tell your child explicitly: if anything feels uncomfortable or wrong, find a uniformed airline employee or airport security officer and ask for help. Children should know they are always allowed to ask an adult in uniform for assistance. Remind them that airline staff are there to keep them safe and that it is always okay to speak up.
When Things Go Wrong
Handling Delays and Disruptions
Flight delays with an unaccompanied minor
If a UM’s flight is significantly delayed, the airline’s UM program staff will supervise the child at the airport. They will contact both the dropping-off adult and the receiving adult with updates. Stay reachable by phone and keep the receiving adult informed. For very long delays, the airline may arrange meals for the child — confirm this with the airline’s UM staff directly.
Missed connections
If a UM misses a connection due to a delay, airline staff will supervise the child, rebook them on the next available flight, and notify both adults immediately. Do not panic — the child is with trained airline staff. Contact the airline’s UM hotline (get this number before the trip) and the receiving adult. Missed connections are uncommon but not rare — book generous connection times to minimize the risk.
Unaccompanied minor policies, age requirements, and fees change frequently. Always call the airline directly to confirm current UM policies before booking. Never rely solely on information from a third-party booking site for UM arrangements.
Disclaimer
Airline unaccompanied minor policies, age requirements, fees, and procedures vary by airline and change frequently. Information on this page is for general guidance only. Always verify current policies directly with your airline before booking. FrequentFliers.com is not responsible for any outcomes related to unaccompanied minor travel arrangements.