Can my child fly alone? We explain what’s meant by Unaccompanied Minors

22 Sep, 2015
Alice Fowler
269 Comments

child on plane

There are plenty of reasons for children to need to fly alone these days, from going to visit relatives abroad without parents, to logistics surrounding school terms finishing at different times. It is important to note that children flying alone are usually called “Unaccompanied Minors” and that each airline sets its own rules and regulations regarding these. Ages, prices, and routes allowed are all variable.

Headteachers now have the power to set their own holiday schedules for their schools, which can result in more schools having different term dates to each other; a problem for parents with children in different establishments!

This might result in an increase of children flying alone to join their family on holiday, or going out to stay with relatives or friends.

Of course, there are many other reasons for children needing to fly alone, so we’ve compiled the information you need to know before waving goodbye at the airport! Many airlines offer these services, from United Airlines, to Lufthansa, to Qantas and ANA. KLM even have a dedicated lounge at Amsterdam Airport!

Unaccompanied minors info

Before you book

We suggest that you thoroughly research the airline and destination that you are planning to use for your child as many airlines will not accept unaccompanied minors on routes that require a connecting flight or stop over such as Alaska Airlines (5-7 year olds), JetBlue and Norwegian. Virgin Atlantic allow this, however only if the connection is to or from another Virgin flight.

Some even have restrictions regarding the time of the flight – for instance, unaccompanied minors are may not be permitted on the last flight of the day to certain locations.

If you are flying from America, ensure your airline allows children on international flights, for example South West Airlines only allow domestic trips.

In some cases the budget airlines, such as EasyJet, WizzAir and Ryanair, do not allow children under 14 (under 16 for Ryanair) to fly alone at all. The age that a child is classed as an adult by the airline varies as well, so it is really important to double check this if you have two children flying together.

You can find a list of airlines and their policies that we have compiled at the end of this blog.

Using the services

Throughout most airlines, the service generally works in a similar way. You will have to book it separately in most cases, sometimes online and sometimes through their offices. You will probably need to fill out some paperwork, which will include all the information the airline need to know about the child, as well as information about the parents and of whomever is collecting the child at the destination.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Fly Alone?

Children between 5 and 12 years old

Please be aware that most airlines will not allow a child under 5 to fly without someone over the age of at least 16.

At the airport, you can accompany your child whilst they check in, at which point they will be assigned a member of staff who will oversee the whole process.

In some cases, you can be granted a pass to allow you to accompany your child to certain points within the airport; this can vary from just up to security, to right through to the departure gate.

someone with child

If this isn’t available, or an option for you, your child can also be assigned an escort who will guide them through the airport, up until they board the plane. They will then be handed over to a member of the airline crew, usually the lead air steward, and will be overseen throughout the flight. They will then be escorted off the plane and handed over to the adult collecting them, after identification checks to ensure this is the correct person!

12-18 year olds

They may still be able to use the Unaccompanied Minor Service, but may not have the option to be escorted through the airport or monitored on the flight. This does differ with each airline, so just double check what their packages include!

It can also mean that they will be responsible for their travel in the same way in which an adult would – checking in, dealing with flight delays and getting through security – so make you they are well prepared and know what to expect!

Cost

The price of a ticket can vary vastly; from a discounted rate to a full adult fare. Don’t forget, you may also be subject to an additional fee, too – in some cases, this can be upwards of £130 (if this is the case, be sure to check whether this is each way!).

Always check with the airline before you book, and be sure to do some comparisons across different airlines for the best deals.

Children flying alone – Airline Unaccompanied Minors Policies

Air France
Name of Service	KIDS SOLO
Age Restrictions	For 4 – 11 years old, who may be travelling within metropolitan France, to & from overseas France, or on a flight within the Caribbean, they’ll be required to travel as Unaccompanied Minors. They benefit from the Kids Solo service which is included in the ticket price. For 5 – 14 years old, if they’re travelling on an international flight, they must travel as Unaccompanied Minors. For 12 – 17 years old who are either travelling within metropolitan France, to & from overseas France, or on a flight within the Caribbean, will have to travel as Unaccompanied Minors. For 15 – 17 years old, who are travelling alone, they can receive Air France assistance upon request, they’ll benefit from the Kids Solo service but it is a chargeable service. Cayenne, Fort-de-France, Saint-Denis de la Réunion, Papeete, Pointe-à-Pitre and Saint Martin. For Noumea, the children have to be aged 5 – 11. **Cayenne, Fort de France, Pointe-à-Pitre and Port au Prince
Additional Information	With Kids Solo, you can track your child’s route in the app! In the case of a delayed or cancelled flight, your child will be accompanied by a staff member till they either board the flight or incase of cancellation, they need to be picked up. The parents will be notified instantly
Prices	For children aged 12 – 17 years old, the service is optional but your child can still use but they will be charged for this. The charge will depend on where you’re travelling from. For 5 – 14 years old, if they’re travelling on an international flight, they must travel as Unaccompanied Minors. For 12 – 17 years old who are either travelling within metropolitan France, to & from overseas France, or on a flight within the Caribbean, will have to travel as Unaccompanied Minors. For 15 – 17 years old, who are travelling alone, they can receive Air France assistance upon request, they’ll benefit from the Kids Solo service but it is a chargeable service
Alaska Airlines
Name of Service	Unaccompanied Minor Service
Age Restrictions	For 5-17 year olds – No departures between 9pm and 5am. For 5-7 year olds – No connections. For 8-12 year olds – no connections to the last flight of the day or more than 2 hours stopover.
Additional Information	Service is available on domestic and international flights
Prices	5-7 year olds – $50 USD/CAD each way per child 8-17 year olds – $50 USD/CAD each way per child for non-stop/direct flights,$75 USD/CAD each way per child for connecting flights
American Airlines
Name of Service	Unaccompanied Minor Service
Age Restrictions	Ages 2 – 4 must be accompanied by adult over age of 16. Ages 5-7 require the service and can only travel on non-stop or direct flights. You’re also required a guardian to escort you to the gate. Ages 8-14 require the service and can travel on direct flights as well as journeys that connect through the following airports: CLT, DCA, DFW, JFK, LGA, LAX, MIA, ORD, PHL, PHX. You’re also required a guardian to escort you to the gate. 15-17 year olds are not required to use the service but can request it. But they’ll still be required a guardian to escort them to the gate. They can travel on direct flights as well as journeys that connect through the following airports: CLT, DCA, DFW, JFK, LGA, LAX, MIA, ORD, PHL, PHX.
Additional Information	Unaccompanied minors cannot travel on the last scheduled flight of the day from the connection city, and their journey cannot include any overnight connecting flights. Anyone travelling internationally under 18 may need to present a Letter of Consent.
Prices	$150 surcharge plus tax each way if you want to use unaccompanied minor service, plus the adult fare. However, if there are 2 unaccompanied minors but they belong to the same family and are travelling on the same flight as well, they won’t be charged the fee twice. They will only pay the $150 surcharge plus taxes.
British Airways
Name of Service	None
Age Restrictions	Only children above the age of 14 years old may travel alone on British Airways. Any child under the age of 14 wishing to fly will need to be accompanied by someone over the age of 16 years old. Although, SUN-AIR is an exception. If you’re flying with them, children from the ages of 5-11 years old can travel alone but the airline needs to be aware of this beforehand. Children over 12 can travel alone but they do have the option of SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Service, should they require it.
Additional Information	British Airways have removed their Unaccompanied Minors Service as of May 2018. No assistance will be given to those flying alone.
Prices	Children will have to travel as an adult, and therefore the cost is the price of their adult ticket.
easyJet
Name of Service	None
Age Restrictions	14 days – 2 years are only allowed to fly with an adult 2 – 15 years old cannot travel unless they are accompanied by an adult who is at least 16 years old and who will take full responsibility for them. If there’s no accompanying adult, they’re not allowed to travel by themselves because easyJet doesn’t provide an unaccompanied service.
Additional Information	N/A
Prices	N/A
Emirates
Name of Service	Unaccompanied Minors
Age Restrictions	Children above 5 and under 11 years of age must use the unaccompanied minor service. This also applies to children under 8 that are travelling in a different cabin from their parents. This also applies to children under 8 who are travelling in a different cabin from their parents Children between 12 – 15 years old that are travelling alone can also use this service on request.
Additional Information	There are lounges available especially for unaccompanied children, it’s near the check in area.
Prices	For children aged between 5 – 12, you’d have to pay an adult fare and the service will be included in the ticket price. For children between 12 – 15 years old, they will still have to pay the adult price. But if they want to use the Unaccompanied Minor service, they will have to $50 each way
Iberia
Name of Service	Minor Companion Service
Age Restrictions	5 – 11 years old – They must book this service as it is mandatory for them. This also applies to children who may be travelling in a different cabin from their parents 12 – 17 – They have the option of booking this service should they wish it. Unless they’re departing from Italy, in which case, it is mandatory that to use this service if you’re under 14 years old.
Additional Information	It is recommended that you book in advance as seats of this kind can be limited. This service is available for transfers as well but there is an extra fee for that.
Prices	Domestic flights – £40 Europe, the Canary Islands, the Middle East and North Africa – £65 America, South Africa and Asia – £110 Flights with transfers: Domestic flights – £65 Europe, the Canary Islands, the Middle East and North Africa – £90 America, South Africa and Asia – £135
Lufthansa
Name of Service	Unaccompanied Minors
Age Restrictions	Ages 5 – 11 can only fly alone if using the service or flying with someone over 12. Ages 12-17 don’t have to use the service but can request it.
Additional Information	Partner airlines may vary. Cannot be booked online.
Prices	Price of the flight with an additional surcharge: Europe – £75 North Africa & the Levant – £85 Middle East, Central Africa and the Arab region – £100 Medium-haul Intercontinental flights – £110 Long-haul Intercontinental flights – £130
Qatar
Name of Service	Escort service
Age Restrictions	0 – 5 years old – the service is not available 5 – 15 years old – the service is available
Additional Information	Must be booked through the office and 72 hours prior. An adult fare will be charged for the child.
Prices	Return fare will be charged for the airline representative
RyanAir
Name of Service	N/A
Age Restrictions	Children under the age of 16 years oldmust always be accompanied by a passenger over 16 years.
Additional Information	N/A
Prices	N/A
Southwest Airlines
Name of Service	Unaccompanied Minors service
Age Restrictions	Ages 5-11 – Must use South West’s Unaccompanied Minor service unless accompanied by someone else over the age of 12 years old.
Additional Information	Can only fly on nonstop or direct domestic flights, and not on international flights.
Prices	$50 each way
Turkish Airlines
Name of Service	N/A
Age Restrictions	2 – 7 years old – must be under supervision of one of the cabin staff 7 – 12 years old – they may travel alone
Additional Information	Unaccompanied Minor Declaration Forms are required to be filled in at the check-in counters and must be signed by parents or guardians. If you would like your child to be accompanied by a cabin crew, you must make the request at least 48 hours in advance.
Prices	There is a charge for using the service, contact the airline directly to find out more
United Airlines
Name of Service	Unaccompanied Minor Service
Age Restrictions	Ages 5-14 – must use unaccompanied minor service 15 years old or over – they don’t have to use the service but can use it upon request.
Additional Information	They can only travel on nonstop flights which are operated by either United or United Express
Prices	150 USD on top of flight price for any destination, each way. If there are two siblings travelling, they’ll be charged the price for one.

A full list of airline policies can be found here

How to apply for unaccompanied minors service?

process for parents

About the Author

About Alice Fowler

I love to travel and working in the airport parking world for nearly a decade has given me inside out knowledge of the industry. I love to help travellers get the best out of their trip, and their journey to the airport is an important part of that. Whether it's using our data to spot trends and pinpoint when people can save money, or opening the lid on airport parking tips and tricks, if it helps our customers, I'll write about it!

Before you book

Using the services

How Old Do You Have To Be To Fly Alone?

Children between 5 and 12 years old

12-18 year olds

Cost

Children flying alone – Airline Unaccompanied Minors Policies

Air France

Alaska Airlines

American Airlines

British Airways

easyJet

Emirates

Iberia

Lufthansa

Qatar

RyanAir

Southwest Airlines

Turkish Airlines

United Airlines

How to apply for unaccompanied minors service?

About Alice Fowler

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