Family travel
Unaccompanied minor guide: how to fly your child solo in 2026
By the TSA Wait Times team · Updated · Published June 2026
Most airlines allow unaccompanied minors starting at age 5 for nonstop flights. Fees range from $50-$150 each way. The sending parent must stay at the gate until departure. Here are the rules for every major US airline.
Sending a child on a flight alone is more common than most parents realize — millions of kids fly unaccompanied each year. Airlines have a formal Unaccompanied Minor (UM) program that provides supervised care from departure gate to arrival gate. Here is everything you need to know by airline.
What the unaccompanied minor program covers
When you book an unaccompanied minor, the airline assigns a dedicated point of contact and supervises the child throughout the journey. The UM fee is per direction — not round trip — and is typically $50–$150 each way in addition to the ticket cost.
- Flight attendant point of contact. The child is assigned a primary flight attendant who monitors them throughout the flight.
- Gate-to-gate supervision. An airline agent meets the child at the arrival gate and stays with them until the authorized adult is verified and present.
- ID verification at pickup. The airline checks photo ID before releasing the child. Only the pre-authorized adult listed at booking may collect them — no exceptions.
- Layover supervision. During connections, the child remains supervised in the gate area and is escorted between gates by airline staff — they do not navigate the airport alone.
Age requirements and restrictions by airline
Rules vary meaningfully across carriers — the age at which UM service is required, the nonstop restriction, and the fee all differ. Review the relevant airline before booking.
Delta Air Lines — $150 each way
- Ages 5–7: UM required; nonstop flights only; not permitted on last flight of day
- Ages 8–14: UM required; 1 connection allowed; no overnight connections
- Ages 15–17: may fly independently; optional UM enrollment available
- $150 fee covers up to 4 children traveling together on the same itinerary
United Airlines — $150 each way
- Ages 5–7: UM required; nonstop flights only
- Ages 8–11: UM required; 1 connection allowed; no overnight connections
- Ages 12–17: may fly independently; optional UM enrollment available
American Airlines — $150 each way
- Ages 5–7: UM required; nonstop only; no connections through CLT, PHL, DFW, ORD, or MIA
- Ages 8–14: UM required; 1 connecting stop allowed within the US
- Ages 15–17: may travel without UM designation
Southwest Airlines — $50 each way
- Ages 5–11: UM required; nonstop or direct flights only — no connecting UM service
- Ages 12–17: may fly independently without UM designation
- Lowest fee among major carriers; verify nonstop availability for your specific route
Alaska Airlines — $50 nonstop / $75 connecting
- Ages 5–12: UM required
- Ages 13–17: may fly independently
- Up to 1 connecting stop allowed; connecting fee applies
JetBlue — $100 each way
- Ages 5–13: UM required; nonstop flights only — no connecting UM service
- Ages 14–17: fly as standard adult passengers; UM program is not available
Frontier & Allegiant
- Frontier: UM required ages 5–14; $100 fee; nonstop only
- Allegiant: UM service ages 5–14; $75 fee; nonstop only
How to book an unaccompanied minor flight
Most UM reservations require a phone call — online booking systems do not reliably support the UM designation. Follow these steps to get everything right before travel day.
- Call the airline directly.Tell the agent you are booking an unaccompanied minor and provide the child's exact age. Do not complete the booking online and assume the UM flag will transfer — it often does not.
- Provide the authorized pickup adult. The airline requires the full name, address, phone number, and relationship to the child for the adult collecting them. That adult must bring photo ID matching these details exactly.
- Choose nonstop when possible.Even if a connection is permitted for your child's age, a nonstop flight eliminates missed connections, wrong gates, and delayed onward legs entirely.
- Avoid last flights of the day. If a flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, the airline has limited recovery options for a UM at a connecting airport after midnight. Morning or midday departures leave room to absorb problems.
- Do not optimize on ticket price. The UM fee adds $50–$150 per direction regardless. Pay for the direct or nonstop route and skip the cheapest connecting itinerary.
At the airport: sending parent checklist
The sending parent must accompany the child to the gate. Request a gate pass at check-in — airlines always issue one for UM parents. Remain at the gate until the aircraft door closes and the plane pushes back.
What to bring and do at check-in
- Request a gate pass at check-in counter; keep it through the boarding process
- Complete the UM form provided by the airline at check-in
- Provide a phone number where you can be reached for the entire duration of the flight
- Confirm the pickup adult's name on the form matches exactly what appears on their photo ID
What to pack for the child
- An ID card in their pocket— not in the bag, on their person — with their full name, the sending adult's cell number, and the receiving adult's cell number.
- Snacks. UM kids are sometimes not served meals first on a busy flight. Pack enough for the full journey plus extra for a delay.
- Downloaded entertainment. A book, pre-loaded tablet, or downloaded shows. Not all planes have Wi-Fi and streaming burns through limited bandwidth fast.
- A clearly labeled carry-on.Attach a luggage tag with the child's name and destination visible on the outside.
- A small amount of cash. Useful in an emergency — a snack at a connecting gate, a vending machine during a long delay.
What happens on board and at arrival
Flight attendants are briefed on UM passengers before boarding. The child travels with visible UM paperwork — typically a badge or lanyard — throughout the flight.
- Arrival protocol. The child is not permitted to deplane until the picking-up adult is confirmed present at the gate and photo ID is verified. If the wrong adult arrives — or no adult is present — the child remains with airline staff.
- Delays and cancellations.The airline contacts both sending and receiving adults. If an overnight stay is required due to the airline's fault, the airline covers the hotel cost and the child remains under supervised staff care until the next available flight.
- Connections. Where allowed, the child is escorted between gates by airline staff. They are not responsible for navigating the airport independently at any point.
Tips for the child
- Practice once if possible. A short flight together before the solo trip makes the process familiar and removes the unknown from what can otherwise feel like a daunting experience.
- Give them a script. "My name is [name], I am flying to [city], and I need help" is enough. Teach them to approach a flight attendant or uniformed police officer if they feel lost or unsure at any point.
- A cheap phone helps. A prepaid phone or device on Wi-Fi calling lets the child reach you mid-flight on Wi-Fi-equipped planes. Load all important numbers — both parents and the receiving adult — before they board.
Flying with the whole family? Flying with kids: the complete airport checklist covers stroller rules, car seats, lap infants, and day-of logistics. For a child making their first solo trip, the first-time flyer guide walks through every step from check-in to landing — good preparation reading to go through together before the trip.
Common questions
What is the minimum age to fly as an unaccompanied minor?
Most airlines require children to be at least 5 years old. Some airlines will not accept children under 5 even with an adult — check with the specific airline.
Can an unaccompanied minor fly with connecting flights?
Depends on age and airline. Ages 5-7 are typically restricted to nonstop flights at all airlines. Ages 8+ may connect at some airlines (Delta, United, American, Alaska) but nonstop is always safer.
Who picks up the unaccompanied minor at the destination?
Only the pre-authorized adult listed on the UM form when booking. Airlines verify photo ID — they will not release a child to anyone else, even a parent who was not listed.
What does the unaccompanied minor fee cover?
The UM fee covers supervised escorting from gate to gate, coordination between airline staff, and verification of the pickup adult. It is charged in addition to the regular ticket price, per direction.
Dropping off your child at the airport? Nail the timing first.
Run your Leave-By Time and we'll count backward from the departure — live security wait, drive time, and gate walk — so you arrive early enough to get your gate pass, complete the UM paperwork, and watch the plane push back before you leave.
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