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GUIDE: Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied Minor Policy

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Unaccompanied Minor are Cathay Pacific’s most precious cargo – so their parents would argue. In the year preceding the pandemic Cathay Pacific looked after  more than 4,000 children flying solo.

Whether this is your first time booking the service, or you are seasoned with many other unaccompanied minor policies then to help with the confusion, here is a helpful guide for parents and guardians using Cathay Pacific.

Breaking Down Terminology

As a start, it is good to break down the key terminology that will be used as there is nothing more gut-wrenching that sending your children into the open world without fully understanding the ramifications of doing so.

What Is A ‘Unaccompanied Minor’?

An ‘unaccompanied minor’, commonly known as ‘UM’ is a child who is travelling alone without a parent, guardian or responsible adult.

For people who don’t use the service often or do not fly a lot, the definition of what constitutes being a “minor” is usually different between airlines as there is no real set industry standard.

The International Airline Transportation Association (IATA) has some guidance for carriers –  and in it they define a minor as some who is under the age of 16. But this is just a guideline. Garuda only offers an Unaccompanied Minor service up to the age of 12, Qantas up until the age of 15, and Cathay Pacific offers their services up until the age of 18.

Some airlines (like Cathay Pacific) will break this down further and define a minor as either a child or a young adult. The purpose of this, in Cathays case, is to note that a child (someone aged 6 to 12 years of age) must use the unaccompanied minor policy when flying with the carrier; whereas the young adult (aged 12 to 18 years of age) is optional and at the parents discretion.

Understanding Passenger Type Codes

While not a massive point to drill down on, but one to be aware of.

By default, airfare systems assume that all passengers are Adults, but in this article, we know that this is not the case. The common type codes to look out for after you have made the booking are:

• INF: infant without a seat
• INS: infant with a seat
• UNN: unaccompanied child

If you hold a ticket that does not say UNN then it is worth double checking with the carrier

If you are booking with a travel agent, some airlines ( like British Airways ) require the agent to enter keywords into the booking system (ie ‘YPTA’) to denote to the airline, and the airline can identify, that that person is a solo flyer, or a Young Person Travelling Alone.

What Is Cathay Pacific’s Unaccompanied Minor Policy?

Cathay Pacific’s Unaccompanied Minor policy is governed by Clause 6.8 of Cathays Conditions of Carriage – the policy document when you buy an airline ticket.

Anything that you read – such as on their own website – will always be referred back to this document.

Age Requirements?

6 to under 12 years old.

If your child is aged six to under 12 years old, enrollment as an Unaccompanied minor is mandatory, unless they are accompanied by an adult passenger who is at least 18 years old.

12 to under 18 years old

You are not required to make any special arrangements for your children aged 12 to under 18 years old when they travel. However, you can still register them as Unaccompanied minors if you wish for added care and attention.

How To Make A Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied Minor Reservation

Booking requirements.

You can book a flight for a child travelling alone by calling Cathays reservations office or your travel agent. The Unaccompanied minor service cannot be requested online.

You will need:

• Adult’s full name at point of origin
• Adult’s full name at point of arrival
• Contact information (mobile number) for departure and arrival

Costs & Fees

Certain fare types are not eligible for Unaccompanied minor service, and additional ticket-related fees may apply.

^Charge is paid in HKD for any sector departing from Hong Kong SAR. For any sector departing from other destinations, the charge is paid in the local currency equivalent of the USD fee, by using the USD exchange rate at the point of sale on the date of purchase – the local currency fee is therefore subject to currency fluctuation. Bookings from certain points of sale, including India, may incur a sales tax.

Policy Restrictions

There are 2 limitations to the Unaccompanied minor service

• If your booking with us includes flights operated by other airlines, not all airlines have (or will accept) an unaccompanied minor – therefore it is advisable that all flights are undertaken by a single airline
• If your booking involves a transfer exceeding five hours or the connecting flight does not leave from the same airport, then you will be unable to use the service.

Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied Minor Step-By-Step

Below you will find the step-by-step instructions for the journey of an unaccompanied minor.

Before The Flight

• Contact Cathay Pacific to confirm unaccompanied minor policy
• Review country-specific regulations and prepare all required documents ahead of time.

At The Departure Airport

Check-in for the flight as normal, 90 minutes prior to departure, Cathay staff will escort your child through security and immigration procedures and take them onto the departure gate.

Staying at the airport

It is a requirement for the guardian / parent to stay at the airport until the child’s flight has departed.

The Unaccompanied minor will be led to the appropriate seat number by our airport team member.

Connecting flights

For connections involving a change of aircraft, the Unaccompanied minor will be escorted between flights. An airport team member will remain with the minor during the entire connection period.

The adult nominated to meet your child at the destination airport, as specified in the Unaccompanied minor form to be filled out, will need to provide proof of identification before we release your child to them.

Should the person at the airport attempting to collect the Unaccompanied minor be different to the person nominated on the form, we will contact the parent or guardian to verify the identification of the pickup person at the destination.

Country-specific regulations

Certain countries have specific restrictions for children travelling as unaccompanied minors as part of the drive against people trafficking.

Extra documentation varies depending on the country you are travelling to, so please check with the relevant government authorities to make sure you have everything you need before you travel.

Countries that are known to have stringent requirements include:

• Philippines
• South Africa
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom

Supplementary Services As An Alternative

But that is not to say there are no other supplementary services that could be used as a somewhat replacement if you didn’t want to spring for an Unaccompanied Minor Service.

For example, as it is the passenger’s responsibility to make it to the gate on time, you are entrusting a minor to be trusted enough to navigate an airport and make it onto the plane. While the carrier might not provide the service, a larger airport may have its own meet-and-greet team that can assist.

London Heathrow  and  Hong Kong International , for example, have their own meet-and-greet operation while other airports have turned to the free-market which has created its own mini-industry with companies like  Allways  (part of Plaza Premium Group) existing.

GENERAL GUIDANCE TO PARENTS

Here are some general good practice tips for parents and children

1. ENSURE THAT THE CHILD KNOWS BASIC AIRPORT LINGO

Make Sure The Child Knows That Gates Close Upto 40 Minutes Before Departure

One of the things children may not know is that the gates close sometime before the actual departure time.

As such it may be worth keeping them on the phone and ensuring they avoid any kids’ areas and go straight to the gate.

Airlines these days will send you gate information so it may be a good idea to have a map in front of you and pull up the information to guide them through the airport

Make Sure The Child Knows Their PNR

The PNR or the passenger Name Record is the 6 digits alphanumerical code that is usually called the booking reference.

If the child gets lost – the PNR should be an easy way to identify the child and get them on their way if they get lost.

2. VERIFY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

You’ll want to make sure that the child has any necessary travel documents such as a valid passport, any visas, and proof of return travel in a safe folder in their bag.

If you think the minor might lose the passport or travel documents, consider attaching them to a minor’s neck lanyard or something similar.

3. TRY TO ALWAYS BOOK A NON-STOP FLIGHT

While it is not always possible if say you are not in a big city, however booking non-stop flights significantly reduced the stress placed on both the parent and child.

This is for two reasons.

First, dealing with connections can be stressful and difficult especially if there is a limited time window and the airport is particularly large or confusing to navigate.

Also, if there happens to be a delay and the child is forced to stay overnight they would have to check into a hotel which would almost be a new and foreign concept. Some children may not be aware of Airside hotels and therefore would have to go through immigration to get to a Landside hotel. This naturally dials up the risks involved.

You might also think about using something like Apple’s Airtags to monitor the child on their trip

4. MAKE SURE THEY HAVE EMERGENCY MONEY

In case of any unforeseen issues, it is good to give the child some emergency money in case anything does happen but also make them aware not to spend the money in the Airport Starbucks.

A prepaid Visa or Mastercard card can come in handy if there are unlikely to be bottlenecks in using it. For example,  if they need to make a WhatsApp call/message using the  onboard Wi-Fi system  then cash wouldn’t be a good option.

5. PHONES AND POWER

Depending on the child’s age, they may not be glued to the phones just yet – it is good practice to make them aware of where the phone charger is in the bag.

Also, provide them with a power bank should they need it so their phone has a battery to make calls.

That said, it is important also to ensure international calling is set up on the phone plan and roaming is enabled on the phone itself.

6. DON’T LEAVE THE AIRPORT UNTIL THE PLANE TAKES OFF

While any multitude of issues can arise when the little one goes through the airport, should they miss their flight, it is good to still be at the airport to collect them and work out an alternative.

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Cathay Pacific: Children Flying Alone

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What is Unaccompanied Minor Service?

Young children traveling without a parent or legal guardian are considered to be Unaccompanied Minors. Most airlines provide a service to assist these children from their point of departure to their final destination.

What age does my child have to be to qualify as an Unaccompanied Minor?

The service is mandatory for children ages 6-12 traveling without an adult. Children under 6 years of age are not allowed to travel unless accompanied by an adult.

What are the fees associated with this service?

• Fee for an Unaccompanied Minor traveling between Hong Kong and all destinations in Africa, Europe, Middle East, North America, South Asia Subcontinent and Southwest Pacific: $50 USD/HKD400
• Fee for an Unaccompanied Minor traveling between Bangkok and Dubai: $50 USD/HKD400
• Fee for an Unaccompanied Minor on all other routes: $20 USD/HKD160

Are there any flight restrictions?

Contact Cathay Pacific for more information.

How do I book this service

Call Cathay Pacific Reservations.

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

Unaccompanied Minors | Children Flying Alone Aged 5-15

Posted on Last updated: April 8, 2021

Unaccompanied Minors

Can my child fly alone.

Several airlines allow children of a certain age to fly unaccompanied. In airline speak they are known as UM’s. Below provides information on individual airline policies but as a general rule, children are aged between 5 and 15. Unaccompanied minors can also be children under 8 who sit in a different cabin class as their parents or guardian. The Unaccompanied Minor service MUST be pre-booked and usually incurs additional fees. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on an airlines UM policy, as it could change. For example, British Airways no longer offer this service.

Planning is incredibly important and knowing your preferred airline’s policies can affect the flight you book. Policies to check include;

• Are stopovers allowed?
• Are international flights allowed?
• Are there time restrictions?
• Are there any route restrictions?
• Do I need a chaperone to accompany them?
• Is an escort available to guide them through the airport or can I accompany them to the departure gate?

What Is The Process?

Permission from the parent is needed. Your child will be collected and taken to the aircraft where the ground staff will hand over your childs documents to the lead cabin crew member. The cabin crew will introduce your child to a specific crew member assigned to keep an eye on them. Children are often sat next to female passengers. On arrival, your child will be handed to the airport ground staff, who will check the ID of the adult collecting your child.

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Specific Country Travel Information

As of 15th January 2017, authorization to leave the country will be necessary for passengers who are under 18 years old to leave France without his or her legal parents (parents or guardians). An accompanied or unaccompanied minor who is under 18 years old must be in possession of:

-An individual passport. -Exit territory authorization form signed by his or her legal parents (parents or guardians). -A photocopy of a valid identity document of the parent who has signed the exit territory authorization form. The above will apply to all passengers who are under 18 years old residing in France , regardless of nationality.

Children can only travel under 14 if:

-They are accompanied by at least one parent or guardian;

or by up to a maximum of two accompanying persons, designated by the parents or guardians in a  declaration  (dichiarazione di accompagnamento) to the police (questura), who will be indicated on the minor’s passport or a separate document to be shown at the border.

Passengers who are 18 years old or below and travelling as unaccompanied minor are required to provide a Notarised Authorisation Letter, which states that he/she is travelling alone and without an adult.

The only exceptions are when the child:

-travels with a parent but doesn’t share the same family name (for instance, mother and child). In this case, a birth certificate will be required to prove the relationship between parent and child. -travels with a guardian or trustee. In this case, relevant documents must be presented to immigration to prove that the adult is the child’s guardian or trustee. -holds a seaman or diplomatic passport.

The Russian Immigration Authorities reserve the right to refuse travel to any individual.

South Africa

As required by the South African Department of Home Affairs, additional travel documents will be required for ALL passengers who are under 18 years of age and travelling into and out of South Africa.

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Sunday 22nd of October 2017

Not sure how old this information is but it needs to be reviewed. Air New Zealand does not do handovers for international unless it is another Air NZ flight. The whole concept of UM is very muddled right now.

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What is Unaccompanied Minor Service?

Young children traveling without a parent or legal guardian are considered to be Unaccompanied Minors. Most airlines provide a service to assist these children from their point of departure to their final destination.

What age does my child have to be to qualify as an Unaccompanied Minor?

The service is mandatory for children ages 6-12 traveling without an adult. Children under 6 years of age are not allowed to travel unless accompanied by an adult.

What are the fees associated with this service?

• Fee for an Unaccompanied Minor traveling between Hong Kong and all destinations in Africa, Europe, Middle East, North America, South Asia Subcontinent and Southwest Pacific: $50 USD/HKD400
• Fee for an Unaccompanied Minor traveling between Bangkok and Dubai: $50 USD/HKD400
• Fee for an Unaccompanied Minor on all other routes: $20 USD/HKD160

Are there any flight restrictions?

Contact Cathay Pacific for more information.

How do I book this service

Call Cathay Pacific Reservations.

Simple Flying

Unaccompanied children on flights: what you need to know.

Many airlines these days offer programs for minors traveling independently

Traveling by air can sometimes be a stressful ordeal – though chances are, as a Simple Flying reader, you probably enjoy flying! However, the same can’t always be said for children , especially those flying alone. If you ever find yourself having to send your child on a flight by themselves, here’s what you need to know.

Unaccompanied minor programs

With flying becoming an increasingly accessible mode of travel, it is more common than you’d expect that, for various reasons, children fly without the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. This is why many airlines these days offer programs for unaccompanied minors .

Services can range from basic chaperoned assistance to more comprehensive travel support, depending on what’s offered by your airline of choice. Generally, all unaccompanied minor programs are designed to cushion a child’s stress and fear of traveling alone and to reassure parents that their child is well taken care of.

Requirements

• Age : Almost all airlines do not allow children under the age of five to fly unaccompanied. Those above five can fly alone – provided the airline has an unaccompanied minor program. However, some airlines require the child to be at least 12. If your child is aged 16 and older, they will be considered an adult, so chaperoned services will not be available to them.
• Documentation : Apart from your child’s passport, you will also need to provide documents detailing the responsible adult who will be picking up and dropping off your child. Your child will only be allowed to leave with the nominated adult at the arrival point if relevant identification documents, such as a passport or driver’s license, are provided.
• Important information : Crucial details, including travel insurance and medical information for allergies and medications, should be provided to the airline prior to the trip. It is also advisable that you provide more than one emergency contact detail should an incident occur during the journey.

Checking in

Right through the check-in process, minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Once the child is checked in, a member of the cabin crew will then guide them through security and onto the aircraft. Minors are given priority boarding so that they can get settled on the plane before the rest of the passengers board.

Parents or guardians are encouraged to remain at the airport until after the departure time, just in case the flight is unable to depart for any reason.

Extra precautions

While these rules and regulations generally apply to most airlines that offer chaperoned services, the level of service can vary. Also, do note that there are often additional costs involved. It's a good idea to confirm the exact requirements and regulations of the airline you are booking your child's flight with.

For example, Jetstar recently came under fire for removing an unaccompanied 11-year-old from a flight. The flight booking was originally made through Qantas , the low-cost carrier’s parent company, which allows unaccompanied minors. Jetstar , however, does not allow children under 15 to travel alone.

Has your child ever traveled independently? How did their experience go? Let us know in the comments.

Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied Minors Policy

Young children traveling without a parent or legal guardian are considered to be Unaccompanied Minors. If you are allowing your child to fly alone as an unaccompanied minor, be sure to take every necessary precaution to ensure his or her safety.

Child is aged 6-17 years old, travelling alone, or accompanied by someone who isn’t 18 years old yet, you can register your child as an unaccompanied minor when you make your reservation For their safety, child passengers aged between 2 and 12 years old travelling on a Cathay Pacific flight need to be accompanied by their parents or guardians at all times. If your child is aged six to under 12 years old, you must register them as an unaccompanied minor when they travel. The only exception to this rule would be if they accompanied by an adult passenger who is at least 18 years old. You are not required to make any special arrangements for your children aged 12 to under 18 years old when they travel. However, you can still register them as unaccompanied minors for a nominal fee if you would like us to take care of them for you. All airlines reserve the right to request documented proof of age of any child. There are special booking fees and surcharges that will be applied, based on sector: • Between Hong Kong and all destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, the South Asia Subcontinent and Southwest Pacific: HKD800/USD100. • Other routes: HKD400/USD50. Give your local reservations office 24 hours’ notice if you’re making travel plans for your child on board a Cathay Pacific flight.. For further information on Unaccompanied Minors Policy, please contact Cathay Pacific directly at +800 2747 3333 (24 hours Worldwide Toll-Free Number).

Cathay Pacific Airways minors flying alone

Does cathay pacific offer services for children traveling alone.

For children traveling alone, Cathay Pacific offers the Unaccompanied Minor service . However, not all flights are eligible to accept Unaccompanied Minors , and you must check with the local Reservations Office for the availability of the Unaccompanied Minors service and ticket purchase. Bookings cannot be completed online.

Are there any age restrictions for minors traveling alone on Cathay Pacific flights?

Children from 3 months of age up to 6 years are not permitted to travel unless they are accompanied by a person of 18 years of age or above.

Children aged from 6 up to under 12 years may travel alone but must be registered as Unaccompanied Minors. Otherwise, they must be traveling together with a person of 18 years of age or above.

Children aged from 12 to under 18 years can travel as Unaccompanied Minors only at the request of their parent or guardian .

Unaccompanied Minors (UM) Service

Arrangements and services for Unaccompanied Minors must be booked at least 24 hours in advance . Cathay Pacific will not accept children traveling alone unless they are registered for this service in advance.

Restrictions

Cathay Pacific Airlines will not accept Unaccompanied Minors with any itineraries that involve a transfer exceeding 5 hours . Connecting flights must be arriving/departing from the same airport. The airline will not assume responsibility for the minor until 90 minutes prior to departure although an Unaccompanied Minor may be checked in earlier.

When dropping off or picking up an Unaccompanied Minor, these are the things for the parent/guardian to note :

• The parent or guardian is required to remain at the airport and stay contactable until the flight is airborne .
• In the event of a delay for more than 1 hour of scheduled departure time, the parent or guardian will be notified, and in certain circumstances (such as a lengthy delay) this individual may be required to pick up the Unaccompanied Minor at the airport.
• Cathay Pacific will care for the child throughout the journey until the child passenger is collected by the nominated adult at the arriving airport. The person waiting for the child at the arrival airport must provide proof of identification before the child is handed over .

Special surcharges and booking fees, by sector basis, will be applied :

• Between Hong Kong and all destinations in Africa, North America, the South Asia Subcontinent, Europe, the Middle East, and the Southwest Pacific: HKD 1000 / USD 130 .
• Other routes: HKD 500 / USD 65 .

More information here >>

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Cathay Pacific: Family Flying Airline Review

Our Globetrotters are reviewing 30 of the world’s leading international airlines for their family-friendliness.  Our reviews cover the airline’s policies and service offerings that the average family will deal with when flying standard economy class. For more details on the Globetrotters reviews and ratings referenced, please see the lead article .

Base: Hong Kong

Alliances: oneworld, skytrax world airline rewards 2018: 6, jacdec rating 2018: 12, cathay pacific pregnancy policy, related reading: the ultimate guide to flying pregnant, cathay pacific newborns policy.

Flying Cathay Pacific with Infants (under 2 years)

Cathay Pacific Baby Bassinets

Flying cathay pacific with children (2-11 years), use of sleep devices (eg bed box) on cathay pacific, unaccompanied minors, baggage allowances, frequent flyer programs, got a long layover in hong kong try hong kong skycity marriott , the globetrotters view of cathay pacific, more things to do while you’re in hong kong.

• Pop over to this great  guide on things to do on a Hong Kong layover for more ideas on what to do during a city stopover.
• There’s also a useful family hotel guide here.

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The only time I’ve flown Cathay Pacific I WAS a child! We used to use it for the hop between Hong Kong and Manila in the days before you could fly direct London-Manila. I seem to remember it as a very nice airline…

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Children flying unaccompanied: everything you need to know

Home » Children flying unaccompanied: everything you need to know

Sending your child on a flight by themselves.

No one wants any problems to occur, so many airlines make sure that children who fly alone aren’t actually alone, they are escorted and monitored at all times..

Most airlines require that an adult drops the child off at the designated check-in counter and waits in the airport until the flight has actually taken off before they leave. They also require children to travel as part of an unaccompanied minor travel service which must be booked in advance when the tickets are purchased.

The conditions under which different airlines accept children flying alone varies, and it’s always important to check directly with the airline before you assume anything as rules and regulations do change, and are different for certain routes. The following chart gives details for many of the airlines’ basic rules which will give you a guideline to work with.

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Unaccompanied Minors: 5 Best International Airlines

If your child is traveling alone as an unaccompanied minor , or even if s/he is on the same flight but in a different cabin or class of service, you may need to use the airline's unaccompanied minor service. Fortunately, this needn't be too difficult to arrange, and the service often is reasonably priced or in some cases, such as Singapore Airlines, even complimentary.

You can typically use frequent flyer miles for your child's ticket. In fact, this is what prompted me to ask Cathay Pacific about its unaccompanied minor policy, since I've booked my son in a higher class of service for one of our flights next year, using frequent flyer miles, and was wondering if I'd need to book him as an unaccompanied minor given that we're in different cabins.

Here are some of my favorite international airlines' unaccompanied minor policies:

1. Air New Zealand

Children's Ages:  

• Under 5: May not fly unaccompanied
• 5-11: Must use Air New Zealand's Unaccompanied Minor service if not traveling with an adult age 15 or older; unaccompanied minor service available on select flights
• 12-16: May use Air New Zealand's Unaccompanied Minor service if available and requested by parents/guardians
• See Air New Zealand Unaccompanied Minor chart for which flights an unaccompanied minor may travel on, by age.

Cost: USD $30 per child one way for an international flight, when booked in advance; USD $60 one way for an international flight if booked at the airport. For children who frequently travel alone and are booked with their Airpoints frequent flyer number, every 10 one-way journeys will receive Airpoints Dollars in the value of 10% of the total service fees paid.

How to Book:  Call Air New Zealand when booking the child's ticket.

What to Do at the Airport: Check-in is available at Special Assistance counters. Bring your child's valid passport and visa if needed, and your own photo ID. Your child will be issued an Airband, which is scanned by staff and sends text notifications to up to 5 specified contacts, such as parents/guardians and those picking up the child:

• At check-in
• Upon boarding the plane
• When the flight has landed and they meet ground staff
• At pick-up to the designated pick-up person

2. Singapore Airlines

• 5-11: Must use Singapore's Unaccompanied Minor service
• 12-17: May use Singapore's Unaccompanied Minor service. If not using, must complete and sign the Singapore Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Waiver Form .

Cost:  Complimentary

How to Book:  Complete the Singapore Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Form and return to your local Singapore Airlines office. Note the special requirements for unaccompanied minors from France and French Territories, Russia and South Africa on Singapore Airline's Unaccompanied Minors page .

3. Cathay Pacific

• Under 6: May not fly unaccompanied
• 6-11: Must use Cathay Pacific's Unaccompanied Minor service
• 12-17: May use Cathay Pacific's Unaccompanied Minor service
• Between Hong Kong and all destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America, South Asia subcontinent, Southwest Pacific: HKD 500 / USD 64
• Between Bangkok and Dubai: HKD 500 / USD 64
• Other routes: HKD 200 / USD 26

How to Book:  Call Cathay Pacific to make arrangements at least 24 hours before the flight. Note that the service is not available if the itinerary includes a transfer >5 hours.

May Not Be Needed if Flying in Different Cabins on the Same Flight:  When I called in to check about booking my son as an unaccompanied minor, on a flight where I'm in a different cabin, I was told it wasn't needed. I still recommend calling in to double check, especially if you're on different reservations, as we are, so that Reservations knows that you're on the same flight as your child, just not in the same class of service. 

4. ANA Junior Pilot

• 5-11: Must use ANA's Junior Pilot Unaccompanied Minor Service if not accompanied by an adult over 12 years old
• 12-16 (or 14-17 for flights to/from Mexico City): Airport Support available, to escort youngsters from check-in to the ANA Lounge, if eligible, or to the gate; similarly at the arrival airport passengers are escorted from the arriving gate to the arrival lobby

Cost:  xxx

How to Book:  Call ANA and specify that you would like to use the ANA Junior Pilot Unaccompanied Minor service.

What to Bring with You

• Completed ANA Unaccompanied Minor Form
• Child's valid passport
• Visa if needed for the destination country

At the Airport

When checking in, your child will be given an ANA Junior Pilot holder, with the points from boarding to arrival, to wear until your child is picked up at the destination.

5. Lufthansa

• 5-11: Must use Lufthansa's Unaccompanied Minor service OR fly with a companion at least 12 years old or older
• 12-17: May use Lufthansa's Unaccompanied Minor service if parents request and pay for it.

Cost:  Per segment pricing: EUR 60 / USD 90 per flight segment within Germany or within Europe. EUR 100 / USD 150 per intercontinental flight segment. Example: Vienna – Munich – New York = EUR 60 + EUR 100 = EUR 160 per unaccompanied minor.

How to Book:  Call Lufthansa as soon as you book the flight

What to Bring With You

• Completed Lufthansa Special Service Form
• Copy of travel insurance policy
• Details of child's allergies
• Payment receipt for the Unaccompanied Minor service
• Declaration of consent from both parents/legal guardians that child may travel unaccompanied

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How to Fly Your Kid Solo, Free of Stress

By Alexander Nazaryan

For many parents and guardians, putting a child on a flight alone may seem terrifying. Belligerent passengers, delays, turbulence: All loom large in a caregiver’s imagination.

Life sometimes leaves no other option. Hudson Crites , 17, of Marshall, Va., was 10 when he started flying unaccompanied to visit his father in Kansas and later Georgia, said his mother, Chelsea Tippett. But the extra attention from airline staff made Hudson “feel special,” Ms. Tippett recalls. Other than a single tarmac delay, he has had no problems.

On rare occasions, children have had troubling experiences. In December, Spirit Airlines accidentally flew a 6-year-old to Orlando, Fla., instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers. Spirit apologized, fired the gate agent responsible and offered reimbursement to the boy’s grandmother for her travel to Orlando. But while the boy was unharmed, his grandmother expressed worry that he had been kidnapped .

If you decide to fly your child unaccompanied, you’ll discover that each airline has its own procedures, fees and routes open to children. While some may find the process complicated, flying alone may be exciting for your child, instilling some independence. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you book, know the process

Regardless of the airline or route, flying an unaccompanied minor differs from an adult or a family catching a flight. Airlines require a trusted pre-authorized adult to be at the departure and arrival gates, and will ask you at booking to provide contact information for those adults. They will also need to present identification at the terminals.

The journey begins at the originating airport’s airline ticket counter. There, airline staff will check your identification and check in the child, perhaps handing them a lanyard or wristband to wear. The agents will provide you with a pass to get through security with your child. You will accompany them to the gate, where you will hand them off to a gate agent. You must stay at the gate until the plane takes off.

In the air, the flight crew will keep watch — but will not babysit, or sit with, your child. If the flight has a connection, a crew member will walk your child off the plane and a gate agent will take him or her to the next gate.

At the arrival airport, the child will be handed off by staff to the authorized guardian or parent who should have already checked in at the ticket counter with proper identification, gone through security with their gate pass and be waiting at the gate.

To learn more about this process, read the Department of Transportation’s online guide, “When Kids Fly Alone,” followed by the website of your selected carrier.

Choosing an airline and paying an extra fee

Before purchasing a ticket, experts advise you to consider an airline’s on-time performance. “Solid on-time performance is hard-earned, and signals a carrier that has tight control of its operation,” said the Ask the Pilot author, Patrick Smith. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has those numbers.

Booking procedures vary. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines require you to call. United Airlines allows bookings online. JetBlue Airways does online bookings, too, but asks for three printed copies of its forms upon arrival at the airport.

International flights may call for a notarized consent letter describing where the child is traveling, with whom they’ll stay and how long they’ll be there.

On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey.

Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the flight is nonstop; a connection adds $25. On Delta, one $150 fee will cover up to four children, and American’s $150 covers all siblings, with no cap on number. United charges $150 for one child, or two children flying together.

Restrictions: There are plenty

U.S. carriers allow children to fly as unaccompanied minors once they turn 5 and before they turn 18. But regardless of your child’s age, make sure he or she is ready by discussing the trip details and your expectations of their behavior. No policy can replace your judgment.

The low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air don’t allow unaccompanied minors, Other airlines have restrictions that, in the broadest terms, differentiate between young children and teenagers. American and Delta restrict children under 8 from routes requiring connections. Both airlines allow children between 8 and 14 to take some connecting flights.

On American, no unaccompanied minor is allowed to take an overnight flight requiring a connection, or a flight that includes a connection on its final leg that also happens to be the last such flight that day (“unless it’s the only flight,” the company adds). Minors are not allowed on code-share flights.

United and Delta have similar rules. Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit don’t allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights.

JetBlue prohibits minors from flying to Europe, and limits the number of unaccompanied minors in one party to three. Spirit does not allow children on flights to Central or South America. Southwest doesn’t allow children on any international flights. American, United and Delta let minors fly abroad, but restrictions on connections, code-shares and overnights limit options.

American and Delta allow children to opt out of flying as unaccompanied minors once they turn 15 — that is, the child can fly without the assistance of airline personnel. JetBlue ends unaccompanied minor service at 14, while Alaska has an opt-out option at 13. Southwest boasts the lowest opt-out age: 12.

However, you should be able to accompany your child to the gate even if they’re not flying unaccompanied. American requires that you do so for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, even if they’ve opted out.

What to pack

Have a plan to head off your child’s hunger, boredom and thirst. If they are older, make sure they have emergency money and a charged phone.

When her two daughters, then 9 and 11, flew to Denver, Joey Conover of Charlottesville, Va., had a long list for their carry-ons.

“Pack a backpack with iPad, headphones, lightweight book to read, a pad of paper and colored pencils (markers might smear), a small travel game, water bottle (bring empty and fill in airport), snacks, some kind of surprise fidget or animals to play with, hoodie, and a lovey,” she wrote in an email.

“Write your name and phone number on the inside of their arm in Sharpie and put a parent’s business card in a luggage tag on both suitcase and backpack,” Ms. Conover said. (A sheet of paper with all their identification, and their guardian’s contact information, also works. Simply stick in an easy-to-access pocket.)

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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This is a mass-produced replica of a famous miracle-working icon of the Virgin and Child, brought to Russia from Byzatium in the 12th century, known as the "Virgin of Vladimir", and currently kept in Moscow (State Tretyakov Gallery). The Virgin and Child are each identified by abbreviated inscriptions.

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Child restraint seat

If you have infants or children between 0 and 36 months (under 3 years) old, you can consider bringing your own child restraint seat on board (please note that booster seats are not permitted). The consistency of using your own personal child restraint seat that your child is familiar with offers the sense of security and comfort that an unfamiliar one would not.

Travelling with a child restraint seat

• A separate passenger seat must be purchased for the infant/child occupying the child restraint seat.
• The infant/child occupying the child restraint seat must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or travel companion of at least 18 years of age, occupying an adjacent passenger seat. 
• The parent/ travel companion's is responsible for installing the child restraint seat onto the passenger seat. 
• Due to safety requirements, safety seats may not be used on some of our aircraft passenger seats. Please refer to the table below on whether installation of a child restraint seat is available in the cabin class and aircraft assigned to your flight. As not all aircraft seats are compatible, we also highly recommend that you call our Customer Care or your travel agent at least 48 hours prior to departure, to confirm that your child restraint seat can be used.  

*On selected aircraft, a personal infant/child child restraint seat cannot be taken on board

# Child restraint seats are unable to install on selected seats as those seats are equipped with airbag seat belt

1 The cabin class is not available on this aircraft used, therefore the seat or harness cannot be set up

The child restraint seat needs to be

• For infants or children aged between 0 and 36 months (under 3 years) old
• Forward-facing and in operational condition
• Rear-facing child restraint seats are also permitted if the use of such seat will not cause any impact on other passengers’ comfort. You should contact our Customer Care to request for an assigned seat.
• Possess a well-defined shell (e.g. a plastic frame), and if there is a separate shell and understructure, they must be securely attached to each other
• Designed so you can quickly and easily secure and take care of your child
• Your child should not be able to easily adjust or loosen the harness straps of the child restraint seat. It should be a single-release harness that secures a child’s lap, torso and shoulders with a minimum width of 25 mm (1 in).

The inflight requirements of thechild restraint seat

• The child restraint seat must be secured to a passenger seat for the whole flight
• The adult safety belt should not be secured over your infant or child in thechild restraint seat with an integral harness. Nor should the adult safety seat buckle lie on any sub-frame of the child restraint seat after the belt is tightened and secure.

The seat must meet one of the following safety standards

• European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) ETSO-C100b
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) TSO-C100, TSO-C100a, TSO-C100b, or TSO-C100c
• European Safety Standard requirements of ECE Regulation 44
• United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard FMVSS 213
• Australia/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) 1754

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Please contact our Customer Care or your preferred travel agent and let them know any special requirements you may have for your infant or child.

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• Unaccompanied minors
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Fox 8 Cleveland WJW

Woman waves around child’s head at Moscow metro station

Posted: Feb 29, 2016 / 01:24 PM EST

Updated: Feb 29, 2016 / 01:24 PM EST

Warning: The details of the story below may be disturbing to some.

MOSCOW, Russia — A woman who carried the severed head of a child into a Moscow metro station Monday has been arrested, the city’s prosecutor’s office said.

Moscow police said they believe the woman murdered the child, whom she was baby-sitting. The child was believed to have been 3 or 4 years old.

An amateur video shows the woman walking outside the metro station saying, “I am a terrorist. I hate you — the enemy.”

Police are not yet calling the case terror-related.

Authorities did not identify the woman but said she was born in 1977 and is from central Asia. They are treating the case as a murder investigation.

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