Are you allowed to travel alone, by plane, at 17?

Question

I want to travel, this summer. I will only be seventeen and I have been told by some people that you are not allowed to travel alone.

Answer 1

You definitely are allowed.

If you're under a certain age, you're supposed to fly as an unacompanied minor, and most airlines give you the option to do that if you're under 18 but over the age for which it's required. The age requirements can vary by airline, but it's usually under 12 for domestic flights, or under 14 for international flights.

If you fly as an unaccompanied minor, you pay an extra fee, you have to have an adult hand you over to the airline at one end and pick you up at the other, a flight attendent walks you to your seat when you get on the plane and down the jetway when you get off, and if you have any connections, you'll be supervised by airline employees the entire time. All in all, it sucks, and I'd strongly recommend you NOT fly as an unaccompanied minor if you don't have to (which you won't since you're 17). For that matter, even if you were under 12, you can usually get away with not telling them you're an unaccompanied minor when you buy the ticket or check in, and just getting on and off the plane by yourself.

Anyhow, at 17, you can fly by yourself just like any adult. You just buy your tickets, show up at the airport the day of your flight, get on the plane, get off at the other end, and that's that. Even if you're traveling internationally it's still fine. You'll have to go through customs when you get there, but you're allowed to go through by yourself as a minor.

Answer 2

Yes you can do that, that's not a problem at all. I flew alone for the first time at the age of about 8 (actually, not alone I was with my younger sister, but no adult). I know I was pretty young because we were flying Pan Am and I was only like 10 when they went out of business. Then when I was ten I also flew to California.

Answer 3

It really depends on the airline.

You can call your airline's reservation line.

I know on Continental, You can be over the age of 16 and travel alone and you can sit anywhere (including exit rows), However, since you are not paying the UM fee and doing the UM procedures, the person dropping you off, will not get a gate pass to wait with you at the gate.

17 though, is ok :)

Answer 4

I think it depends which airline you travel with. Most will allow 14 year olds to travel alone as long as there is someone to meet them the other end

Answer 5

You can travel alone, but you have to show proof of age. the only thing u cant do is sit in the emergency exit row, have to be 18 sorry.

Answer 6

My first flight alone was 8. You are allowed if you have a parent dropping you off and one to meet you on the other side.

Answer 7

Most airlines will let you travel. I traveled alone when i was four and a half, with airport assistance of course.

Answer 8

I've traveled without a parent at 14. They didn't ask for proof of age or anything, it was just a normal flight scenario.

Answer 9

Sure you can travel, you may have to have an adult meet you, check the airlines for its policies.

Answer 10

Of course you can. 17 y.o.s are not children.