Jazmin Li
Minors can go through airport security alone, but there are a number of requirements and considerations to be aware of. Firstly, different airlines have different policies and procedures for unaccompanied minors, so it's important to check with the specific airline. In general, children under a certain age are considered unaccompanied minors and must use the airline's designated service, while older minors may have the option to travel as a standard passenger or as an unaccompanied minor. Additionally, parental consent, medical power of attorney, and proof of age may be required, and it's recommended to have a valid ID and necessary travel documents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airlines with unaccompanied minor services | American Airlines, Delta Air Lines |
| Age range for unaccompanied minor services | 5-14 years old |
| Documents required for minors | Birth certificate or passport as proof of age, parental permission documents, medical power of attorney, proof of age, valid ID |
| Adult supervision required | Yes, an adult must accompany the minor through the check-in process and stay until the flight is airborne |
| Lounge access | Yes, Delta Air Lines offers Sky Zones for children with connecting flights, and American Airlines offers lounges for unaccompanied minors |
| Escorts | Delta Air Lines provides a personal escort for the minor throughout their travel day, and American Airlines provides escorts for minors outside the lounge to buy food and drinks |
| Flight monitoring | American Airlines flight attendants will check on the child as duties allow, but they cannot continuously monitor the child |
| Pick-up | Adults must present a valid ID and signature to pick up the child at their destination |
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What You'll Learn
Minors aged 5-14 can use unaccompanied minor services
To use this service, an adult must accompany the minor through the check-in process and fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. The adult will also need to provide a birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age and their own government-issued photo ID with their current address. The adult must then take the child to the departure gate and stay until the flight is airborne.
During the flight, flight attendants will check on the child as duties allow, but they cannot be continuously monitored. The child will be instructed to follow plane safety instructions and wait for a uniformed team member to escort them off the plane once it arrives at the gate. If the child has a connecting flight, they will be taken to a lounge for unaccompanied minors where they can wait for their connection, play games, and be supervised by airline staff.
When the flight arrives, the adult picking up the child will need to present a valid ID and obtain a gate pass before the child will be released to them. It is important to note that some countries have additional restrictions for children travelling as unaccompanied minors, so it is recommended to check the regulations for the specific country of travel.
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Minors need a birth certificate or passport for proof of age
When it comes to minors travelling alone, different airlines have different policies and requirements. It is always best to check with the airline directly to determine their specific policies and procedures for minors. That being said, there are some standard procedures across the industry.
For domestic travel, children under the age of 18 do not typically need to present identification. Airlines will accept identification from the responsible adult accompanying the minor. However, some airlines may request proof of age for children under two years old who are flying as a lap child. This can usually be provided by presenting a birth certificate. Some airlines, like Southwest Airlines, are very strict and always require a copy of the birth certificate or a government-issued photo ID at check-in for lap children.
For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must generally present the same travel documents as adults. This typically includes a passport, which serves as proof of age. Additionally, children under 18 may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents. This travel authorisation must be issued, authenticated, or legalised by the relevant embassy or consulate. For example, Italian citizens younger than 14 travelling internationally must have their Individual Passport and Dichiarazione di Accompagno (Declaration of Temporary Guardianship for Travel).
In some cases, a birth certificate may also be accepted as proof of age for international travel. However, it is always best to check with the specific airline and destination requirements well in advance of travel to ensure that the necessary documents are available. It is worth noting that some countries have additional restrictions for children travelling with guardians or as unaccompanied minors.
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Minors don't need ID at airport security
While adult passengers aged 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport security checkpoint, minors do not always need to present identification when travelling. The specific requirements depend on the airline, the age of the child, and the type of travel (domestic or international).
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, each airline determines the identification requirements for minors. Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not need to present identification for domestic U.S. travel. The airline will accept identification from the responsible adult accompanying the minor. However, for international travel, minors must present the same travel documents as adults.
Some airlines, such as Delta Air Lines, have specific programs for unaccompanied minors. In this case, children aged 5-14 must enrol in the program, while those aged 15-17 can choose to travel without supervision. If a child is travelling as an unaccompanied minor, they generally do not need identification, but the adult accompanying them to the airport must show their ID. However, it is recommended to bring some form of identification for the child if they have it, such as a birth certificate or passport.
Additionally, certain situations may require additional documentation. For example, when flying with a newborn infant, some airlines may require a medical form or a note from a physician stating that the infant is healthy to travel. If only one parent is travelling with the child, a notarized letter of consent or custodial documents can help avoid issues at border control checkpoints.
Therefore, it is essential to contact the airline well in advance of your travel date to determine their specific policies and procedures for minors, as they may vary.
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An adult must accompany minors through check-in
When children travel alone, airlines take several steps to ensure their safety and comfort. While minors above a certain age are permitted to travel without supervision, an adult must accompany them through the check-in process. For instance, Delta Air Lines requires that an adult (18 years or older) must be present during the check-in process for minors travelling alone. Similarly, American Airlines requires that an adult accompanies the minor to the departure gate and stays until the flight is airborne. In addition, the adult must fill out an unaccompanied minor form and provide any necessary Customs and Immigration documents. This form must remain with the child during their journey.
American Airlines also specifies that children travelling alone cannot check in online or at the kiosk. An adult must be present at the check-in counter to provide the necessary documentation, including a birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age, and their own government-issued photo ID. Once the child is checked in, the ticket agent will provide a security pass, allowing the adult to escort the child to the gate. It is important to note that while some airlines may allow adults to accompany minors through security, this is not always guaranteed, and adults may only be able to walk the child to the start of the security line.
In the case of Delta Air Lines, a parent or accompanying adult should arrive at the destination airport two hours before the scheduled arrival to obtain a gate pass. This process involves providing valid identification and capturing a signature. The airline will not release the minor to anyone other than the person named. If there are any changes to the pick-up person, the accompanying adult must promptly notify the airline. These procedures ensure the safe and efficient handling of minors travelling alone.
It is worth mentioning that some countries have additional restrictions for minors travelling without a guardian. Therefore, it is essential to review the specific requirements of the countries involved in the travel itinerary. Furthermore, minors may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents. Proper documentation, including parental permission documents, medical power of attorney, and proof of age, is crucial to ensure a smooth travel experience for unaccompanied minors.
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Minors should carry parental permission documents
When travelling alone, minors should carry parental permission documents. This is because many countries have security measures at ports of entry to prevent international parental child abduction. Customs officers or airline agents may ask for a signed Child Travel Consent when a minor travels without one or both legal guardians. A consent letter demonstrates that children have permission from every parent or guardian who is not accompanying them on the trip. In other words, it’s a safeguard that demonstrates a child is not being abducted.
A Child Travel Consent form is required when minors travel without all their parents or guardians. This form must remain with the child during their journey. If a child has a deceased parent, it’s recommended to travel with a copy of the deceased parent’s death certificate. Minors need a Child Travel Consent form any time they travel without all their legal guardians present, including when they travel internationally.
The letter of consent, preferably in English and notarized, from the other parent (if the child is travelling with one custodial parent) or signed by both parents (if the child is travelling with a guardian or alone) should say: "I acknowledge that my child is travelling outside the country with [the name of the adult] with my permission." Contact the embassy or consulate of the country your child will be visiting and ask about letters of consent and other entry and exit requirements for that country. Additionally, the airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor form and pay them a fee for unaccompanied minor service.
If a child is travelling with only one custodial parent or a guardian, or is travelling alone, they may need to present a written letter of consent at the border. All children, including infants, must have their own travel documents.
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Frequently asked questions
The minimum age for a minor to go through airport security alone varies depending on the airline. For Delta Air Lines, children aged 5-14 can travel alone with the unaccompanied minor service. Children aged 15-17 can travel as standard passengers but can also opt for the unaccompanied minor service if preferred. For American Airlines, kids aged 5-14 can fly alone with the unaccompanied minor service.
Minors do not need to provide an ID at the airport security checkpoint, only their boarding pass. However, they will need parental permission documents, proof of age, and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. An adult must accompany the minor through the check-in process and provide their government-issued photo ID.
Yes, an adult can accompany a minor through airport security to the gate. They will need to request a gate pass at the airline check-in desk. However, this is not always guaranteed and may depend on the airport and airline.
