What is the average age to fly alone?

What is the average age to fly alone? Airlines and passengers tend to agree that 8 or 9 is a reasonable age for youngsters to start flying solo. Most of the people I polled didn't fly by themselves until they were 8 years old or older.

Is 16 old enough to fly alone?

Kids ages 15 to 17 are permitted to fly as standard passengers, but any unaccompanied traveler ages 5 to 14 is required to make use of the unaccompanied minor program.

Who qualifies as an unaccompanied minor?

The federal statute defines unaccompanied minor as a child who has: No lawful immigration status in the US and. Not attained 18 years of age and. No parent or legal guardian in the US, or no parent or legal guardian in the US available to provide care and physical custody.

Can I walk my 15 year old to the gate at the airport?

A parent or guardian must escort an Unaccompanied Minor to the departure gate 45 minutes before scheduled departure and must remain in the gate area until the flight is in the air.

What is a good age to fly alone?

Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

Does American airlines allow 17 year olds fly alone?

Children traveling alone For safety, we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. This service is optional for children age 15 – 17, but if requested, then the fee applies. The unaccompanied minor fee is $150* each way, plus applicable taxes^†, in addition to the ticket price.

Can a 15 year old fly alone on JetBlue?

The child traveling unaccompanied must have reached their fifth birthday by the date of travel on JetBlue. A child who has reached their fourteenth birthday and is traveling alone is no longer considered an unaccompanied minor. Unaccompanied minors can travel on nonstop JetBlue-operated flights only.

Do any airlines allow 14 year olds to fly alone?

The minimum age for children to travel alone as adults paying adult fares varies: Kids have to be 12 years old to fly alone on domestic flights with Hawaiian, Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, ...

How much is the unaccompanied minor fee?

Although rules vary by airline, in most cases, an unaccompanied minor is a child between the ages of 5 and 14. You can expect to pay up to $150 for an unaccompanied service from the airline to help with the travel logistics.

Can a 12 year old fly alone with a 16 year old?

International travel Some airlines automatically apply the unaccompanied-minor procedures to kids through age 17 on international flights, and charge the standard unaccompanied-minor fee if applicable. Children must usually have the same passport, visa or other international entry documentation required of adults.

Why do airlines charge for unaccompanied minors?

Most US based airlines (but not all of them) offer flights for unaccompanied minors. For a fee, the airline and its employees provide limited supervision on board flights for the child. They also help the child in making flight connections, when applicable.

Can a minor travel to us without parents?

United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requests written consent from both parents or the parent who is not accompanying the minor for minors (those less than 18 years of age) traveling to the U.S. alone or accompanied by only one parent. This written consent must be in English.

Can I walk my 13 year old to the gate at the airport?

Parents/guardians wishing to escort a Young Traveler to/from the gate must obtain a gate pass from the ticket counter to pass through the security checkpoint. Each airport may impose restrictions on gate passes being issued based on guidance from the local Transportation Security Administration.

Can a 15 year old fly with grandparents?

Children traveling with grandparents, cousins, other relatives, or school groups will need to have a signed document, such as a Child Travel Consent, allowing them to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

Which airlines allow 15 year olds to fly alone?

The minimum age for children to travel alone as adults paying adult fares varies: Kids have to be 12 years old to fly alone on domestic flights with Hawaiian, Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, ...

What is proof of age for Southwest?

Original or photocopies of government-issued identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo identification card) are the only acceptable forms of proof of age. Electronic screen shots, phone images, or immunization records are not acceptable.

Can my 15 year old fly alone?

Child age at the time of unaccompanied travel Children ages 15-17 are permitted to travel as a standard passenger, Go to footer note, provided they can present a valid ID to security personnel. If parents or guardians prefer, they can also travel as an unaccompanied minor.

Can parents walk their kid to the airplane gate when they fly alone?

An adult must take the child to the departure gate and stay until the flight is airborne. When you get to the gate, tell the gate agent you have an unaccompanied minor traveling on the flight. We'll board your child early so they can meet the flight crew and learn about the plane's safety features.