What is the minimum age for a child to fly as an unaccompanied minor (UM)?

The correct answer reflects the minimum age requirement set by most airlines for a child to fly as an unaccompanied minor (UM). Generally, the policies of airlines indicate that children must be at least 13 years old to qualify for this service. This age requirement is put in place to ensure that children can handle the complexities and potential challenges of traveling alone, including navigating airports and interacting with airline staff.

Airlines typically allow younger children to travel with designated supervision provided by airline personnel up to a certain age, like 12 years old, but they often require that children aged 13 and above can manage their travel with less supervision. This policy is designed to strike a reasonable balance between safety and independence for young travelers.