Children younger than 16 can still legally travel unaccompanied, but there are usually specific rules and procedures that need to be followed. Not all airlines will accept unaccompanied children younger than 14 years on their flights. With a Holiday Extras travel insurance policy, anyone under 18 must be insured on a policy with the adult they're travelling with. For a complete breakdown of our travel insurance policies, check out our policy documents page.
Holiday Extras travel insurance
Our travel insurance cover comes in three levels: Gold, Silver and Bronze, each offering their own levels of protection to specifically meet your individual needs. For more comprehensive information on getting covered for your trip if you're under 18, check out our travel insurance for under-18s page.
Can a 17-year-old fly alone internationally?
Different airline companies have different policies regarding age limits and restrictions. Here's a comparison of the most popular airlines and their rules regarding travel for unaccompanied minors:
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General airline rules and regulations for unaccompanied children
Age Limits for Unaccompanied Minors
Children travelling alone are treated differently depending on their age. For most airlines, the minimum age for an unaccompanied child is five years while the maximum age is twelve years. If the child is younger than the minimum age, they should travel with an adult.
Before you go to the airport, ensure that you carry all the necessary documentation because you might be asked to provide proof of the child's age in case they appear to be beyond the age limit.
Older children
If the child is older than the maximum age limit for the airline but below 18, they will also be allowed to travel. However, they usually won't qualify for the unique services offered to unaccompanied minors, including:
- Having an escort to the airport
- Being allowed to board the plane early, thus allowing them more time to get settled before the aircraft takes off
- Seating near the front of the plane
- Carrying a complimentary food item during the flight
Additional costs
There are other fees associated with the unaccompanied minor program. It is because of the extra attention your child will receive. The fees are usually higher when the child is taking an international flight, two or more unaccompanied children are travelling, or if there is a connecting flight.
Identification requirements
All children under the age of 18 are not required to provide identification to purchase a ticket, get a boarding pass, or get past security.
However, the adults responsible for the child must have the required identification. Most airlines require a government-issued photo ID. The person is also needed to fill out the unaccompanied form and all the immigration documents at the airport. The following information is necessary when making any reservation:
- The child's full name
- The child's address
- The relationship with the child
- Child's date of birth
- Information about the parents or guardians dropping off or picking up the child
- Alternative contact for a person in the destination
Escort and pick-ups of the child
If possible, parents and guardians are advised to escort their kids past security to their seats in the plane. However, this may depend on the airline. Some will require parents to accompany their minors to the gate. If this is the case, you will need to obtain an escort pass from the airline to get into the gate area. If that is not possible, the parent or guardian should make sure there is a representative to escort the minor.
The person who is supposed to pick the child should be waiting at the gate before the aircraft arrives. If no adult is available to pick the minor at the arrival airport, the airline might contact the person who was supposed to pick the child. If the airline has tried all alternatives and there is still no one to take responsibility, the minor is turned over to the local authorities.
Restrictions for unaccompanied minors
Unaccompanied children with no escort are usually under the supervision of the airline. There are additional restrictions and requirements for such minors. Here is a list showing the limitations that are common to most airlines:
Non-Stop Flights Only - Unaccompanied minors are typically only allowed on non-stop flights.
Age Requirements for Plane Changes - If a child needs to change planes, they must meet the maximum age requirement set by the airline.
No Last Flight of the Day - Unaccompanied minors are not permitted on the last flight of the day to their destination.
No Multiple Carriers - Children are not allowed on flights that involve a second carrier.
Early Check-In - Unaccompanied minors should check in at the airport earlier, usually 60 to 90 minutes before departure.
Additional Costs - Either they will pay adult fares, or there will be additional costs associated with the service.
The only way to avoid all these restrictions is to avoid using the airline's unaccompanied minor program. This should only happen if you believe that the child is mature enough to deal with all types of airport situations such as flight delays and cancellations, lost and stolen goods, or even personal safety.