At what age can you fly without a guardian, depending on the airline?
The younger the child, the more supervision they need. Airlines have developed their own rules for handling the youngest passengers, offering various amenities such as toys, crayons, and even special meals for children.
At what age can you fly alone?
With LOT, children up to the age of 5 travel with the assistance of a flight attendant, those aged 5 to 11 require the supervision of a staff member, and from 12 to 17 they may travel on their own with the option of requesting a chaperone.
With Lufthansa, on the other hand, children up to the age of 5 may travel only with adults, those aged 5 to 11 require staff supervision, and teenagers aged 12 and over may travel on their own or under supervision.
And from what age can you fly alone with Wizz Air? Children up to the age of 14 must travel with a guardian over the age of 16, those aged 14 to 15 may travel on their own, and from the age of 16 they are treated as adults.
With Air France, children up to the age of 5 travel only with adults, those aged 5 to 14 require the Kids Solo service, and teenagers may travel on their own or with the Kids Solo service.
And what does flying without parents look like with SAS? Up to the age of 5 children travel only with adults, those aged 5 to 11 may travel with a supervision service, those aged 12 to 15 may already fly on their own or use the assistance service, and from 16 they are treated as adults.
With EasyJet, children up to the age of 3 must be supervised, those aged 3 to 15 may travel on their own but with mandatory assistance, and from the age of 16 they may fly alone.
And from what age can you fly alone with Ryanair? Children up to the age of 16 must travel with a guardian, after which they may fly on their own, with certain exceptions depending on citizenship (Portugal, Spain).
Flying with infants and children: important information for parents
Air travel, especially for the youngest passengers, is subject to specific regulations. The key thing to understand is that there are different rules for children travelling, both with guardians and on their own.
An absolute ban on air travel applies to children until the end of their first week of life. This means that infants from 8 days old may travel by plane, although it is recommended to wait until the end of the first three months after birth to ensure the child's safety and health. This is a general rule that applies to all air travel, not only unaccompanied trips. For example, the airline EasyJet allows infants to fly only from the 14th day of life.
When it comes to assistance for children travelling on their own, every airline offers its own services, available to younger passengers within a defined age range. These services include supervision of the child by flight staff during the flight. The fees for this assistance vary depending on the airline and the length of the route. For example, with LOT the cost of supervision for a child travelling on their own ranges from 130 PLN for domestic flights to 380 PLN for long-haul flights. With Lufthansa, this fee ranges from 85 to 150 euros, and with Air France from 50 to 65 euros. The assistance service ensures that the child receives care and help throughout the entire flight, which is especially important during a young passenger's first solo trips.
Preparing a child for solo travel - safety matters
Before the trip, it is important to explain to the child how airport procedures work, including check-in, security control, and waiting on board the plane. Equally important is a conversation about safety, including how important it is for the child to stay in contact with airport staff and not to wander away from designated areas.
Airline staff are trained to pay special attention to young passengers travelling unaccompanied. This includes helping them find their seat, as well as regularly checking that the child is doing well during the flight. On longer journeys, staff may also help provide meals and drinks, as well as entertainment if the child needs it.
The traveller must carry a valid identity document or passport. If they regularly take any medication, make sure they have it with them. A small amount of cash for minor expenses, such as snacks or drinks, can also come in handy.
Supporting your child on their solo journey
Travelling by air on their own can be an important step in a child's development, offering valuable experience of independence and responsibility. However, to ensure that such a trip is comfortable, proper preparation and support from both parents and airline staff are essential.
