When a child needs to take a flight without a parent, the practical questions usually come first. How old does the child need to be? 1 8oo--942~o5~12 call now Does Southwest provide supervision? What happens at the airport, and who meets the child after landing? Southwest separates children traveling alone into two groups: Unaccompanied Minors ages 5 through 11 and Young Travelers ages 12 through 17. The experience is different for each group, so knowing which category applies is important before making a booking.