Unaccompanied Minor Fees by Airline (2026): American, Delta, Southwest, JetBlue & More
Last updated: November 5, 2026. This guide compares American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines. Unaccompanied minor (UM) fees are separate from airfare.
Quick answer: American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue publish $150 one-way unaccompanied minor service fees, but the number of children covered differs. American includes additional siblings traveling on the same flight, subject to applicable taxes; Delta covers up to four children traveling together; and JetBlue charges per child. Southwest publishes $100 per child one way for U.S. Mainland travel and $35 per child one way between Hawaiian Islands. These are four airlines' published service charges, not a national average.
Check the child's age and itinerary before comparing fees. A low service fee does not mean every route or connection is eligible.
Unaccompanied Minor Fees by Airline
The charging unit matters as much as the advertised price. A per-child fee may cost more for siblings than a fee covering multiple children.
| Airline / route category | One-way fee | Who the fee covers | Official policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | $150 plus applicable taxes | Additional siblings traveling on the same flight | American Airlines policy |
| Delta Air Lines | $150 USD for U.S. departures | Up to four children traveling together under program conditions | Delta policy |
| JetBlue | $150 | Each child | JetBlue policy |
| Southwest — U.S. Mainland | $100 | Each child, ages 5–11 | Southwest fee schedule |
| Southwest — between Hawaiian Islands | $35 | Each child, ages 5–11 | Southwest fee schedule |
Currency and tax: Delta lists $150 USD/CAD/EUR each way, using CAD for departures from Canada and EUR for departures from Europe. These are the stated currency-denominated amounts, not automatic conversions from $150 USD. American says its UM fee on flights within the United States is subject to a 7% tax. Southwest's interisland rate applies specifically between Hawaiian Islands; do not apply it to a mainland–Hawaii itinerary without verifying the carrier's quote.
All published amounts can change. Confirm the fee shown for the exact itinerary before payment.
Age and Route Rules
The child must meet the carrier's age, flight, and service conditions. Payment does not make an otherwise ineligible itinerary available.
| Airline | Mandatory UM ages | Older children | Key flight restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | 5–14 | Optional ages 15–17, with fee if selected | Ages 5–7: nonstop only. Ages 8–14: nonstop or eligible connections through specified airports; partner-airline and overnight connections restricted. |
| Delta | 5–14 | Optional ages 15–17 | Ages 5–7: eligible nonstop flights. Ages 8–14: some nonstop and connecting flights; operating airline and connection restrictions apply. |
| JetBlue | 5–13 | Age 14 or older booked as an adult; additional assistance may be requested | Nonstop JetBlue-operated flights only; no connecting or stopping direct flights, no UM service to or from U.K./Europe, and a maximum of three UMs per flight. |
| Southwest | 5–11 | Ages 12–17 follow separate Young Traveler rules | Nonstop flights or flights stopping without changing aircraft; connecting and international itineraries are not eligible under its UM program. |
Sources: official policies linked below. A nonstop flight has no intermediate landing; a direct flight may stop without changing aircraft. That distinction is particularly important for JetBlue and Southwest.
Round-Trip Cost Examples
Illustrative scenario: Two siblings, ages 8 and 10, travel together on otherwise eligible nonstop flights in each direction. The figures below cover the UM service only. Airfare, baggage, ground transportation, and other applicable charges are excluded. Routes are separate examples, not proof that all four carriers serve an identical itinerary.
| Airline / itinerary | Calculation | Service total |
|---|---|---|
| American — within the U.S. | $150 × 2 directions = $300; 7% tax = $21 | $321 |
| Delta — U.S. domestic | $150 × 2 directions, shared fee for two qualifying children | $300 |
| JetBlue — eligible U.S. domestic | $150 × 2 children × 2 directions | $600 |
| Southwest — U.S. Mainland | $100 × 2 children × 2 directions | $400 |
| Southwest — between Hawaiian Islands | $35 × 2 children × 2 directions | $140 |
For American, the example assumes the two children are siblings on the same flights and the published U.S. domestic 7% tax applies. Delta's shared rate assumes the children meet the program's joint-travel conditions. JetBlue has a maximum of three unaccompanied minors per flight, so two children are within that published limit, subject to availability.
What the Fee Covers
The UM fee pays for the carrier's unaccompanied minor service, not the child's airline ticket. The exact supervision, check-in, escort, and pickup procedures vary by carrier and airport.
For example, American describes early boarding, assistance for eligible connections, and delivery to an authorized pickup adult. It also says flight attendants cannot continuously monitor the child while performing their onboard duties. The service should not be treated as a dedicated one-to-one caregiver.
Delta describes escort procedures and special program amenities. JetBlue places restrictions on eligible flights and caps the number of unaccompanied minors booked on a single flight. Check operational details directly with the airline.
Before booking, ask about delays, missed connections, changed flights, and late-arriving pickup adults. Verify the support available for the actual operating airline and airports.
What to Confirm Before Booking
- Age on both travel dates: A birthday between outbound and return trips may affect eligibility.
- Operating airline: Codeshare and partner flights may not qualify under the booking airline's UM policy.
- Flight type: Ask whether the itinerary is nonstop, stopping direct, or connecting; these are not interchangeable.
- Booking method: American directs UM bookings to phone reservations; JetBlue permits eligible online UM bookings.
- Program acceptance: Confirm the airline has accepted the child into the UM program, not merely issued a ticket.
- Total fee: Ask for the amount for all children in both directions, including the applicable currency and taxes.
- Handoff and identification: Confirm forms, the drop-off and pickup adults' identification, and check-in timing.
- Changes and refunds: Confirm separately how ticket refunds and UM-fee refunds or changes work.
- International documents: Check destination-specific entry permissions and parental-consent requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the unaccompanied minor fee include airfare?
No. The child's ticket is priced separately from the UM service and other travel charges.
Do siblings pay one fee or two?
It depends on the airline. American's $150 fee includes additional siblings on the same flight. Delta's $150 fee covers up to four children traveling together under its program rules. JetBlue charges $150 per child each way. Southwest's listed fees are per child each way.
Can an older sibling count as the accompanying traveler?
Sometimes, but the qualifying accompanying age differs by airline. American says ages 2–14 may travel as accompanied minors with someone age 16 or older. JetBlue says ages 2–13 may be accompanied by someone age 14 or older, subject to reservation procedures. Confirm exact ages and ticket arrangements with the carrier.
Is a direct flight always acceptable?
No. JetBlue does not accept UMs on a direct flight that stops, even without an aircraft change. Southwest's UM rules allow certain flights that stop without a plane change. Always ask about the specific itinerary.
Is the service optional for every teenager?
No. American and Delta make the UM program optional at ages 15–17; JetBlue's UM program applies through age 13; Southwest treats travelers ages 12–17 under separate Young Traveler rules.
Can four unaccompanied minors fly together on JetBlue?
JetBlue's published policy limits unaccompanied minors to three per flight. Confirm availability and eligibility before arranging a larger group.
What about airlines not shown in this comparison?
This guide covers four airlines, not every U.S. carrier. Check any other airline's current official UM policy before paying. A published fee alone does not establish that a young child is allowed to travel on a given flight.
Choosing a Flight
Start with the child's age and eligible flight options, then compare airfare plus the complete UM service charge. With siblings, fee-sharing rules can meaningfully change the total. Ask for a final itinerary-specific quote and written handoff instructions before buying tickets.
Sources
Official airline pages checked November 5, 2026. The check date does not mean every carrier revised its policy that day.
- American Airlines: Children traveling alone — $150 plus tax, sibling coverage, ages, routes, booking, and handoff.
- Delta Air Lines: Unaccompanied Minor Program — $150 USD/CAD/EUR, up to four children, age groups, and itinerary eligibility.
- Delta Air Lines agency policy: UMNR service details — group and common-contact conditions; airline-operated itinerary considerations.
- JetBlue: Unaccompanied Minors (UMNR) — $150 per child each way, ages, maximum of three children per flight, nonstop-only service, and booking restrictions.
- Southwest Airlines: Optional Travel Charges — $100 mainland and $35 Hawaiian interisland fees per child each way.
- Southwest Airlines: Unaccompanied Minors and Young Travelers — age categories and route restrictions.
