
In the UK, there is no legal minimum age for minors to travel alone. However, the specific rules and regulations are left to the travel operators to decide. For example, British Airways allows children aged 14 or older to travel alone on all domestic and international flights. On the other hand, airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair do not allow children under 16 to travel alone. Similarly, for travel by bus or train, different operators have different requirements. For instance, while National Express allows children aged 14-16 to travel alone during the day with a signed permission letter, Transport for London (TfL) permits children aged 11-15 to travel unaccompanied on their services.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Minimum age to fly alone | 14 (British Airways), 16 (Ryanair, Easyjet), 17 (generally) |
Maximum age for special services | 12 |
Minimum age for unaccompanied minor service | 5 |
Maximum age for unaccompanied minor service | 11, 12, 15, or 17 (varies by airline) |
Permission required | Written consent from parent/guardian |
Other requirements | Travel documentation, method of payment, medication, means of communication |
What You'll Learn
Children under 16 can travel alone but with restrictions
In the UK, children under 16 can travel alone but with certain restrictions in place. While there is no legal minimum age for minors to fly solo, most airlines have specific rules and regulations for unaccompanied children.
British Airways
British Airways allows children aged 14 or older to travel unaccompanied on domestic or international flights. Those under 16 must carry a completed parental consent form and a copy of their parent or guardian's identification, as well as their own. They are booked to travel as adults and are responsible for their own journey through the airport.
SUN-AIR
SUN-AIR, a partner airline of British Airways, permits children between the ages of 5 and 11 to travel as unaccompanied minors with advance notice. Young flyers between 12 and 16 can use the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service upon request.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic requires passengers to be at least 14 years old to travel alone, and a consent form is mandatory for those under 16. Children aged 14 to 15 must also have a copy of their parent or guardian's photo ID. They must check in at the airport with a parent or guardian and will be escorted through customs and immigration at certain destinations.
EasyJet and Ryanair
Both EasyJet and Ryanair do not allow children under 16 to travel alone.
Eastern Airways
Eastern Airways permits children between 12 and 15 years old to travel unaccompanied on UK domestic routes, but only if a parent or guardian confirms in writing that the child is capable and willing to travel alone.
Loganair
Loganair allows young people between 12 and 16 years old to travel alone but they must pay the adult fare, and the booking should be made via their call centre.
Lufthansa
Lufthansa offers an optional service for children between 12 and 17 years old, but it is mandatory for children under 12. The service costs between £75-£130, depending on the destination and length of the journey.
Air France
Air France sets a minimum age of 4 years for domestic flights and 5 years for international flights. The Air France Kids Solo service is compulsory and included in the ticket price for children between 4 and 11 years old on domestic flights, and 5 and 14 years old on international flights.
Eurowings
Eurowings allows children from the age of 5 to fly with the UM service, and from 12 years old without it. A unique feature is that children aged 5 to 11 can also be accompanied by a sibling who is at least 16 years old.
Condor
Condor offers the UM service for children aged 5 and above, and from 12 years old, children can fly without this service.
American Airlines
American Airlines permits children from the age of 5 to use the UM service, and from the age of 15, teenagers may travel without it.
Turkish Airlines
Turkish Airlines offers the UM service to children from the age of 7, and from the age of 12, children are allowed to fly unaccompanied.
General Guidelines for Unaccompanied Minors
It is important to carry all necessary documentation, such as a valid passport, declaration of consent by a legal guardian, and any other required travel documents. Some airlines may also require proof of the child's age. It is recommended that children have a method of communication and payment for any expenses.
Additionally, parents or guardians are advised to escort their children as far as possible within the airport, and the person picking up the child should be waiting at the gate before the aircraft arrives.
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Airlines have different age limits
The age limit for flying alone varies from one airline to another. While some airlines allow children as young as 5 to fly alone, others set the minimum age at 12, 14, or even 16. Here are the age limits for some popular airlines:
- British Airways: Children aged 14 or older can travel alone on domestic or international flights. Those under 16 must carry a completed parental consent form and a copy of their parent or guardian's identification, along with their own.
- Sun Air (partner airline of British Airways): Allows children between the ages of 5 and 11 to travel without a parent or legal guardian, but advance contact with the airline is required. Young flyers between 12 and 16 can use the Sun Air Unaccompanied Minor service upon request.
- EasyJet: Does not allow children under the age of 16 to travel alone.
- Ryanair: Does not allow children under the age of 16 to travel alone.
- Virgin Atlantic: Allows children between the ages of 5 and 12 to travel alone if they fill out an Unaccompanied Minor form signed by their parents or legal guardians.
- Wizz Air: Allows children aged 14 and over to fly alone, but they cannot be responsible for another child under 14.
- Aer Lingus: Allows minors to travel unaccompanied, but special permission may be required. The minimum age for flying alone is 12 years old.
- Flybe: Allows children aged 12-16 to travel unaccompanied as adults, but booking in advance is necessary due to limited space for unaccompanied minors.
- KLM: Children aged 5 and above can travel alone, and an escort service is available.
- Lufthansa: Children as young as 5 can travel alone using the Lufthansa service or with a companion aged 12 or older. At the parents' request, children aged 12-17 can also be escorted by airline staff.
- Norwegian Air: Children between 5 and 15 can travel as unaccompanied minors, while those under 5 must travel with an adult. The escort service is mandatory for children between 5 and 11 and optional for those aged 12-15.
- American Airlines: Offers an unaccompanied minor service for children aged 5 and above.
- Emirates: Children aged 5-11 travelling without an adult are required to use the Unaccompanied Minor service. For young people aged 12-15, the service is optional but recommended.
- Singapore Airlines: Offers an Unaccompanied Minor service for children aged 5-12 travelling without an adult, and it is optional for those aged 12-17.
- Delta Air Lines: Offers a comprehensive unaccompanied minor program for children between 5 and 17 years old.
- United Airlines: Offers an unaccompanied minor program for children aged 5-14, and it is optional for those aged 15-17.
- Qantas: Provides a service for children aged 5-11 travelling alone, and children aged 12-17 can also travel as Unaccompanied Minors or Young Passengers with limited assistance.
- Eastern Airways: Children between 12 and 15 years old can travel unaccompanied on UK domestic routes if the parent/guardian confirms in writing that the child is capable and willing to travel alone.
It is important to note that each airline may have specific requirements and procedures for unaccompanied minors, so it is always best to check with the individual airline before booking.
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The minimum age for unaccompanied children varies by airline
The minimum age for children travelling alone varies by airline. While there is no legal minimum age limit for minors to fly solo, airlines have introduced specific rules and regulations that both underage and adult passengers must follow.
British Airways, for example, allows children aged 14 or older to travel alone on domestic or international flights. Children under 14 years old cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over on the same or a linked booking. British Airways' partner airline, Sun-Air, allows children between the ages of 5 and 11 to travel without a parent or guardian, provided they use the airline's Unaccompanied Minor service.
Other airlines have different minimum age requirements for unaccompanied minors. Lufthansa, Eurowings, Condor, and Iberia allow children aged 5 and over to travel with an Unaccompanied Minor service. Air France sets a slightly lower age limit, permitting children as young as 4 to travel domestically and 5 years for international flights, with an Unaccompanied Minor service available for children up to the age of 12 and 15, respectively.
Turkish Airlines has a higher minimum age, requiring children to be at least 7 years old to use the Unaccompanied Minor service. Meanwhile, some airlines, such as Ryanair and EasyJet, do not offer an Unaccompanied Minor service, so solo travel is only possible from 16 years of age.
It is important to note that the regulations for unaccompanied children vary depending on the airline, destination country, and age of the child. When planning travel for unaccompanied minors, it is crucial to carefully review the guidelines and conditions of the respective airline.
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Unaccompanied minor services are available on some airlines
In the UK, children under the age of 14 cannot travel alone on British Airways flights and must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or older. However, British Airways does offer an Openskies Solo Flyer service for unaccompanied minors between the ages of 6 and 11, and it is optional for those aged 12 to 17. This service is only available for flights departing from the US or France.
Other airlines, such as SUN-AIR, a partner airline of British Airways, offer unaccompanied minor services as well. SUN-AIR allows children between the ages of 5 and 11 to travel without a parent or guardian if the airline is contacted in advance. Young flyers between the ages of 12 and 16 can also use the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service upon request. This service must be booked and paid for in advance and cannot be done so online.
Additionally, several other airlines provide unaccompanied minor services, including:
- Air Canada: The minimum age for unaccompanied minors is 8, and the service is optional for those aged 12 to 17.
- Alaska Airlines: The minimum age is 5, and children under 5 cannot travel alone.
- American Airlines: The minimum age is 5, and the service is available for non-stop and direct flights only.
- Delta Air Lines: The service is required for children aged 5 to 14 when not travelling with an adult.
- Frontier Airlines: The service is available for children between 5 and 17, with those aged 15 to 17 having the option to request the service.
- Hawaiian Airlines: The Unaccompanied Minor service is offered to children between 5 and 11.
- Icelandair: The service caters to children between 5 and 11, and those from 12 to 15 can opt in.
- JetBlue: JetBlue defines unaccompanied minors as passengers aged 5 to 13 travelling alone, and the service is mandatory for this age group.
- Norwegian Air: The service is provided for children aged 5 to 15, with those 12 to 15 having the option to opt-out.
- Porter Airlines: The unaccompanied minor service is available for children aged 8 to 17, with those 12 to 17 having the option to opt out.
- Southwest Airlines: The service caters to children aged 5 to 11, and it is mandatory.
- Spirit Airlines: The service is provided for domestic flights, and it is mandatory for children aged 5 to 14.
- United Airlines: The service is mandatory for children aged 5 to 14 and is only available for nonstop flights.
- WestJet: The service is mandatory for children aged 8 to 12 and optional for those 12 to 18.
- WOW Air: The service is offered for children aged 5 to 17, with those 12 to 17 having the option to opt out.
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Children under 18 don't need ID to travel
In the UK, British Airways allows children aged 14 or older to travel unaccompanied on domestic or international flights. Children under 14 years old must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over. However, the minimum age for flying alone varies by airline. For instance, SUN-AIR, a partner airline of British Airways, allows children between the ages of 5 and 11 to travel without a parent or guardian if the airline is contacted in advance.
When it comes to identification requirements, children under 18 travelling within the US do not need to provide ID according to TSA guidelines. Instead, they can use identification provided by the adult accompanying them. However, for international travel, minors under 18 must present the same travel documents as adults, which typically includes a passport. It is worth noting that some airlines may have unique policies, so it is recommended to contact the airline in advance to understand their specific requirements for minors.
While children under 18 may not need ID for domestic travel in certain cases, it is still advisable to carry some form of identification. This could be a printed copy of their birth certificate, a passport, or even a photo of their passport on a mobile device. For minors travelling alone, some form of identification is highly recommended, and in some cases, it may be required for those aged 15 to 17. Acceptable forms of ID for this age group can include an organisation ID, proof of auto insurance in the passenger's name, or a Social Security card.
To summarise, while children under 18 may not always need ID when travelling with an adult, specific requirements can vary based on the airline, destination, and whether the travel is domestic or international. It is always a good idea to err on the side of caution and carry some form of identification for minors to avoid any potential issues during travel.
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Frequently asked questions
The age at which someone can fly alone depends on the airline. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic require passengers to be at least 14 years old, while other airlines such as EasyJet and Ryanair require them to be 16 years old.
British Airways requires passengers to be at least 14 years old and to carry a completed parental consent form and a copy of their parent or guardian's identification.
Yes, a 16-year-old can travel alone internationally with most airlines, but they may need a signed parental consent form and other documentation. It is important to check the specific requirements of the airline.
Train operators in the UK recommend that children should be at least 12 years old. However, they do not offer a chaperone service, and staff are trained to contact the British Transport Police if they see a young child travelling alone.
The guidance issued by different transport companies varies. As a general rule, children under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Children between 14 and 16 years old may travel unaccompanied during the day, but they may need a signed permission letter from their parent or guardian.