Comparison

Airline UM Policies Compared: Which is Best for Your Child?

Side-by-side breakdown of unaccompanied minor services from every major US airline

Updated February 2026 • 10 min read

📋 Quick Comparison

  • Best value: Alaska Airlines ($50 nonstop, $75 connecting)
  • Most flexible connections: American Airlines (10 approved hubs)
  • Simplest policy: United & JetBlue (nonstop only, no confusion)
  • Budget carriers: Allegiant & Frontier offer NO UM service

The Complete Comparison Table

Feature AA DL UA WN AS B6
Fee (per segment) $150 $150 $150 $100 $50-75 $150
Mandatory Ages 5-14 5-14 5-14 5-11 5-12 5-14
Optional Ages 15-17 15-17 15-17 — 13-17 15-17
Connections Allowed Ages 8+ Ages 8+ ❌ No ❌ No Ages 8+ ❌ No
Online Booking ❌ ❌ ✅ ✅ ✅ ✅
Multi-Child Discount Siblings Up to 4 ❌ ❌ ❌ ❌

AA = American, DL = Delta, UA = United, WN = Southwest, AS = Alaska, B6 = JetBlue

American Airlines

American Airlines

$150/segment

Ages: 5-14 mandatory | 15-17 optional

Booking: Phone only (1-800-433-7300)

Connections: Ages 8+ at approved hubs only

Approved Connection Hubs: CLT, DCA, DFW, JFK, LAX, LGA, MIA, ORD, PHL, PHX
Restrictions:
  • Ages 5-7: Nonstop flights only
  • No connections on partner airlines (only AA metal)
  • No last flight of day at connecting city
  • No overnight connections
Best for: Families who need connection flexibility. With 10 approved hubs, American offers the most routing options for children 8+.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines

$150/segment

Ages: 5-14 mandatory | 15-17 optional

Booking: Phone only (1-800-325-8847)

Connections: Ages 8+ at approved hubs only

Approved Connection Hubs: ATL, CVG, DTW, JFK, LGA, LAX, MSP, SLC, SEA
Restrictions:
  • Ages 5-7: Nonstop flights only
  • No red-eye flights (9 PM - 5 AM departures)
  • No last connecting flight of the day
  • Delta/Delta Connection/Air France/KLM/Aeromexico connections only
  • Cannot use kiosk or mobile check-in
Special Features:
  • Sky Zone lounges at major hubs
  • Barcoded wristbands for tracking
  • 4-digit PIN for account security
  • One fee covers up to 4 children on same itinerary
Best for: Families traveling with multiple children. Delta's "up to 4 kids per fee" policy offers significant savings for larger families.

United Airlines

United Airlines

$150/segment

Ages: 5-14 mandatory | 15-17 optional

Booking: Online or phone (1-800-864-8331)

Connections: ❌ Not allowed (any age)

Restrictions:
  • Nonstop flights only — NO exceptions
  • No codeshare or interline flights
Special Features:
  • Wristband ID system
  • Special baggage tags
  • Priority boarding
  • Front-of-plane seating
  • Free snack
Best for: Simple, direct routes. United's nonstop-only policy means no confusion about connection rules — but limited route options.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines

$100/segment

Ages: 5-11 mandatory | 12+ travel as "Young Travelers" (no UM service)

Booking: Online or phone (1-800-435-9792)

Connections: ❌ Not allowed

Restrictions:
  • Nonstop or same-plane through flights ONLY
  • Same-plane = may make stops but NO plane change
  • NO international flights
  • Ages 12+ cannot use UM service (travel independently)
Best for: Budget-conscious families with children 12+. Southwest's "Young Traveler" policy means no fees for older kids — they just fly like adults.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines ⭐ Best Value

$50-75/segment

Ages: 5-12 mandatory | 13-17 optional

Booking: Online or phone (1-800-252-7522)

Connections: Ages 8+ at approved hubs only

Fee structure: $50 nonstop | $75 connecting

Approved Connection Hubs: ANC, LAX, PDX, SEA, SFO
Restrictions:
  • Ages 5-7: Nonstop or direct only
  • No flights departing 9 PM - 5 AM
  • No last flight of day connections
  • Maximum 2-hour layover
Special Features:
  • Lanyard and wristband identification
  • Complimentary Main Cabin meal on flights over 2 hours
  • FREE for MVP Gold members!
Best for: Value-seekers, especially on the West Coast. At $50-75 vs. $150 on other airlines, Alaska saves you serious money. Perfect for SEA/PDX/LAX/SFO routes.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways

$150/segment

Ages: 5-14 mandatory | 15-17 optional

Booking: Online or phone (1-800-538-2583)

Connections: ❌ Not allowed (any age)

Restrictions:
  • Nonstop flights only — NO exceptions
  • No flights to/from Europe (London, etc.)
  • Maximum 3 UMs per flight
  • No Mint (business class) seats
Special Features:
  • Seated in last row for easy attendant access
  • Priority boarding
  • Carry-on allowed even on Blue Basic fares
Best for: East Coast families on nonstop routes. JetBlue's strong BOS/JFK/FLL presence makes it a solid choice for simple trips.

Allegiant & Frontier: No UM Service

Allegiant Air & Frontier Airlines

N/A

UM Service: ❌ NOT AVAILABLE

Minimum solo travel age: 15 years old

Policy: Children under 15 must travel with an adult (15+) on the same reservation. No exceptions, no UM program.
Not an option for: Any child under 15 traveling alone. Period.

The Bottom Line

💰 Best Value

Alaska Airlines — $50-75 vs. $150 elsewhere. No contest.

🔀 Best for Connections

American Airlines — 10 approved hubs, most routing flexibility.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Multiple Kids

Delta — One fee covers up to 4 children.

😌 Simplest Policy

United or JetBlue — Nonstop only = no confusion.

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