Children travelling alone

If your child is about to embark on their first adventure without you, we’re here to make sure everything goes smoothly. When you let go of their hand, we can hold it for you. Here’s all you need to know about children travelling alone.

How old do you have to be to fly alone?

We allow children aged 14 or older to travel alone with us on domestic or international British Airways flights. Younger children must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over on the same or a linked booking to travel with us. Our partner airline SUN-AIR of Scandinavia follow different guidelines – see below for more information.

Consent to travel form

All children aged under 16 travelling alone must carry a printed copy of:

• A completed parental/guardian consent form
• Photographic identification of the parent/guardian who completed the form showing their signature

Parents or guardians can download the consent form and once completed, print it out along with a copy of their current passport or another form of photographic identification showing their signature.

Booking flights for children under the age of 16

If you’d like to book a flight for a child under the age of 16 who will be travelling alone, please get in touch via our Contact Us page as you can’t do this online. Our partner airlines may have different regulations, age limits and charges so please check these with them directly.

For a smooth journey, please ensure that the child or young person carries with them at all times:

• Any required travel documentation such as valid passport(s), visas and proof of return travel.
• A signed British Airways consent form and copy of the parent/guardian’s passport, or another form of photographic identification showing a signature attached to the form.
• Any required medication and/or health certificates.
• The ability to communicate with their parent/guardian and/or the person collecting them at the destination. Please ensure all phones/mobile devices are fully charged, with sufficient credit and roaming activated.
• The means of payment for any expenses.

If a young person is travelling on their own with us, please be aware that they will be booked to travel as an adult. As such, they will be making their way through departure and arrival airports and boarding their flight(s) without a chaperone. We’re unable to accept parental responsibility for the young person. However, to ensure they feel as comfortable as possible, we recommend that the parent or guardian accompanying the young flier to the airport waits until their flight departs before leaving the terminal.

Children travelling alone on SUN-AIR flights

SUN-AIR, our partner airline, allows young children between the ages of five and 11 years to travel without a parent or legal guardian provided you contact the airline in advance. Children over the age of 12 can travel unaccompanied on SUN-AIR operated flights, although young flyers between 12-16 years can use the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service on request.

You’ll need to book and pay for the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service in advance. You can’t book this service online, so please contact SUN-AIR for more information and to make your booking.

SUN-AIR routes

Different legal requirements by country

Some countries' immigration departments ask for additional documentation for all children travelling into, out of, or transiting through their country. In addition, some countries have specific requirements for unaccompanied children, children travelling with a person other than their parent or guardian and those accompanied by only one parent/guardian.

Any extra documentation you may need will vary depending on the country, so please check with the relevant authorities of the country your child is travelling to make sure you have everything you need before their flight.

The IATA Travel Centre can advise you on what documentation is required for entry to each country. Just make sure you use the date of birth of your child to ensure the extra requirements are displayed.

Check the IATA Travel centre for documentation required when travelling with children.

You may find the following links useful for travel within Europe:

Requirements for children travelling within Europe can be found on website

Further information about taking your child out of the UK