Kids Flying Solo - Unaccompanied Minor Rules & Fees

It can be pretty confusing, because just about every airline has different definitions of what they consider a "minor" to be. So, before we get to what defines a minor, let's at least list the definitions, affecting unaccompanied minor travel, that all of the airlines do have in common.

• Children under the age of 5 years are not accepted for unaccompanied travel.
• Non-stop flights are pretty self-explanatory. Direct flights (sometimes called through flights) may make one, or more, stops but do not require a change of aircraft. Online connecting flights require a change of aircraft but all flight segments are on the same airline. Connections requiring a change of airline (even code-share or commuter affiliates), or same-city airport change are considered Offline.
• The youngest unaccompanied minor restrictions will apply when unaccompanied children of different ages are traveling together.
• Unaccompanied minor travelers will not be allowed on the last departure of the day, or last connecting flight of the day (some exceptions are made for International, Hawaii, and short-duration -under two hours- flights)
• Check-In time requirements are longer in all cases (but vary by airline).

Well, that's about all the airlines have in common when it comes to kids flying solo.

So, in order to make it a little easier for you to make plans for your kids to travel unaccompanied we've created the chart below. We've also listed some details that are specific to each airline. And we've listed the links to the areas on each carrier's website concerning unaccompanied minors. Please check the specific requirements and restrictions of each airline. And be sure to check them again a few days before the actual trip is scheduled. Like so many other facets of air travel these days, the only thing that is constant… is change.

Airline	Age 5 to 7		Age 8 to 11	Age 12 to 14	Age 15 to 17
	$75		$75	$75	$75 (optional)
	$99 direct flights only		$99	$99 (optional)	$99 (optional)
	$100 direct flights only		$100 direct flights / $100 online connecting flights	$100 direct flights / $100 online connecting flights	$100 direct flights (optional) / $100 online connecting flights (optional)
	$75 non-stop flights only		$75 direct flights / $100 connecting flights	$75 direct flights / $100 connecting flights	Not available
	Domestic Flights	$50 direct flights only	$50 direct flights / $75 connecting flights*	$50 direct flights / $75 connecting flights*	$50 direct flights (optional) / $75 connecting flights (optional)*
	International Flights	$60 direct flights only	$60 direct flights / $90 connecting flights*	$60 direct flights / $90 connecting flights*	$60 direct flights (optional) / $90 connecting flights (optional)*
	$50 direct flights only		$50 direct flights only	$50 direct flights only	$50 direct or connecting flights (optional)
	$25 direct flights only		$25 direct flights / $40 connecting flights	$25 direct flights (optional) / $40 connecting flights (optional)	$25 direct flights (optional) / $40 connecting flights (optional)
	$50 direct flights only		$50 direct flights only	$50 direct flights only (optional)	$50 direct flights only (optional)
	$0 direct flights only (adult fare)		$0 direct flights only (adult fare)	Not available	Not available
	$40 direct flights only (adult fare)		$40 direct flights only (adult fare)	$40 direct flights only (adult fare)	$40 direct flights only (adult fare) (optional)
	$30 direct flights only		$30 direct flights / $60 connecting flights	$30 direct flights (optional) / $60 connecting flights (optional)	$30 direct flights (optional) / $60 connecting flights (optional)
	$40 direct flights only		$40 direct flights only	$40 direct flights only	$40 direct flights only (optional)
	$50 direct flights / $75 connecting flights		$50 direct flights / $75 connecting flights	$50 direct flights / $75 connecting flights	$50 direct flights (optional) / $75 connecting flights (optional)

* Note - Northwest Airlines, effective April 1, 2008, rate for connecting flights is set to increase to $100 for domestic flights and $120 for international flights.

Additional specific information by airline:

· American -

• Can not be booked online
• Only one fee applies to 2, or more, kids traveling together
• Ages 5-14, no fee if traveling with passenger 15 or older
• Click here for American Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· United -

• Can book online but must also call reservations
• One fee for up to 2 immediate family unaccompanied minors
• Ages 8-11 are allowed to make offline connections
• Click here for United Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· Delta -

• Can book online but must contact reservations
• Ages 5-14, no fee if traveling with passenger 18 or older
• Click here for Delta Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· Continental -

• U.M. service not offered for ages 14-17 (even with fee)
• Ages 5-14, no fee if traveling with passenger 18 or older
• Click here for Continental Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· jetBlue -

• Can book online but must also call reservations
• Specific restrictions for international destinations
• Click here for jetBlue Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· Northwest -

• Ages 5-14, no fee if traveling with passenger 18 or older
• Only one fee applies to up to 4 unrelated kids traveling together
• Only one fee applies to 4, or more, related kids traveling together
• Must be booked with reservation department (fee waived)
• Click here for Northwest Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· Air Tran -

• One fee applies to 2, or more kids traveling together
• Click here for Air Tran Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· Frontier -

• Can be booked online
• Ages 5-14, no fee if traveling with passenger 15 or older
• Domestic travel only
• Click here for Frontier Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· Alaska/Horizon -

• One fee for up to 3 kids traveling together
• Click here for Alaska/Horizon Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· Virgin America -

• Can not book online
• Ages 5-14, no fee if traveling with passenger 15 or older
• Click here for Virgin America's current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

· Midwest -

• Only one fee applies to 2, or more, kids flying together
• Click here for Midwest Airlines' current kids fly solo unaccompanied minor rules and fees

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