Unaccompanied Minors and Young Travelers - Children Traveling Alone on Airlines

The frequency of children traveling by themselves has led airlines to set up programs that address the specific needs of children traveling alone. The common term that is used to describe children who fly alone is unaccompanied minors (also known as UMs). What is an unaccompanied minor? The short answer is a child traveling without a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult that the child knows.

The general process for unaccompanied minors from check-in to boarding the plane, and the requirements of the parent or guardian who brought the unaccompanied minor to the airport.

Travel tips for the unaccompanied minor, including what to pack, and how to prepare unaccompanied minors for flying alone.

What happens when flights cancel or delay and a child is flying alone as an unaccompanied minor.