Victoria & Leo sleeping in Barajas airport. Photo by Maria Kockmann.

Inspired by an airport encounter with EasyJet’s rules on not accepting unaccompanied children on their flights, CheapFlights decided to research the travel policies of the top 12 U.S. airlines regarding children.

The resultant research is documented in a downloadable PDF file from the CheapFlights website, titled “Parent's Guide to Kids Flying Solo - Airline Policies.”

This incredibly handy guide lists the airline's contact info, age requirements, fees, and other noteworthy items.

For instance, on American Airlines children 5 to 7 years old are allowed to fly unaccompanied on nonstop or direct flights only. 8 to 14 year old children must use the “unaccompanied minors” service unless traveling with another passenger at least 15 years old. A fee of $100 applies, per child, each way, although only one fee applies for 2 or more siblings flying on the same itinerary. CheapFlights also notes that on American, flights for unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online.

The guide also includes a very sensible “What to Pack” guide including tips such as “Provide a picture of the person(s) your child will be meeting at the airport, and write out the person’s complete contact information on the back.”

Finally, the guide also packs in a list of “Do’s and Dont’s” before the flight and at the airport.

If you’re planning a trip for your child where he or she will be flying unaccompanied, I highly recommend this guide. It’s chock full of useful information and should help guide you through the process and put your mind more at ease!

Download the full PDF of Parent's Guide to Kids Flying Solo

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