Can I fly internationally at 16 alone without parental consent?

I'm 16 and was wondering what restrictions and limitations different airlines have on letting at 16 year old fly alone internationally without parental consent. Specifically American Airlines but general knowledge is accepted too.

Call them…

Can you be on the plane? YES
Will the destination country let you in? Probably not.

The Airline is not the entry control for any country.

The being on the plane is the easy part.

Buying your ticket, boarding your flight and being allowed to exit the destination Airport is the part an Adult has to be involved. Most use the ADULT parents for this.

The destination place Immigration/Passport Control CAN and usually does want to see and talk to the ADULT that will take responsibility for you while in destination country.
IF they suspect something or just do not like what they see you are returned on next flight back to where your flight came from.
You then deal with whatever happens at that place. Usually local police/state child care officials will arrange for your re connection back to parents.

No. You'll need a notarized letter from your parents. It's not the airline that makes this rule. So it's not different for each airline. It's immigration. No country will let you in without your parents' consent, because it's going to be a lot of trouble when your parents demand your return.

No. You'd get stopped at the check in stage. At 16 you're a child and you need written parental consent to leave the country with anyone other than a parent. Even a school trip, accompanied ny teachers, would need a permission letter signed by a parent. On your own? No chance.

You may be able to fly Internationally. As at 16 there are ways you technically may be able to get a Passport, and purchase tickets without Parental consent. I'm not going to go into them here. However, the odds are very low of success because of the various things you need to have to fall into place.

However, even if you were able to get on the plane and arrive at your destination. You would be stopped by Immigration due to your age and without any proof of Parental Consent you would be detained until they can reach your parents. Once your parents are contacted, you would then very likely be put on the next flight back to your Country.

You will be met by law enforcement officials upon landing at your first point of entry back to the US. They will make sure you get to your final city. Once in your final city you will be turned over to the local law enforcement agency who will arrest you for being a Runaway. If you end up going through the court system the judge will very likely sentence you to community service, could fine you(and your parents) for the expense you caused, and what may affect you the most… Bar you from getting a drivers license until you are 18.

No, you can't leave the country (or enter a different one) without written and notarized parental consent. You might get by and manage to get on a flight, but you'll very likely be sent back when you do not have parental permission and written indication of the adult resonsible for you in that country.

NO
Must have notarized letter from parents, even with another adult you need permission from parents
Plus there must be an responsible adult at destination (such as friends parents or a relative)

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