condor age to travel alone

Condor minors flying alone

Does condor offer services for children traveling alone.

Providing an attractive and wide-ranging choice of in-flight care for every age group, Condor offers the Unaccompanied Minor service for children who must travel alone. Condor staff will assist the child on board the aircraft and at transit airports .

For whom is the Unaccompanied Minor service offered?

Children between 5 and 11 years of age can travel alone only as Unaccompanied Minors . For children under 5 years of age, the Unaccompanied Minor service is not offered, and they must always be accompanied on the flight by their parents, their siblings (aged 16 years and above), or by other persons (aged 18 years and above).

Although young adults up to 16 years of age can travel alone, they can also fly as Unaccompanied Minors, if the service is specifically requested by their parents.

Unaccompanied Minor Service

Unaccompanied Minors should be registered for all Condor flights on regular business days, at least 48 hours before departure , against a payment of a fee. Passengers will be given an early bird discount when registering an Unaccompanied Minor up to 30 days prior to departure .

Please note the following instructions when you make travel preparations for your child traveling alone:

• The child must be registered in advance as an Unaccompanied Minor.
• You can order a children’s meal at no additional cost , and Condor will reserve a seat free of charge .
• An assistance form fully completed must be submitted.
• The minor’s travel documents must be available.
• The minor must be personally accompanied to the departure gate , and the person who accompanies him/her must remain in attendance until the aircraft has actually departed.
• The escort adult must provide proof of identification so that a “Gate Pass” can be issued .
• The person who is going to pick up the minor must also provide proof of identification to match the personal details given in the assistance form .

On Condor flights, the following charges per child and flight (one-way) apply for registering Unaccompanied Minors:

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Are unaccompanied children allowed to travel?

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Do you allow unaccompanied children to travel?

Condor Ferries does not accept unaccompanied minors under the age of 16 years for travel on any of its services. Children aged 16 or 17 may travel unaccompanied if their parent or guardian provides their written consent at the time of booking, otherwise, travel may be refused. The child must also have their own passport. Travel will not be allowed where a child is included on their parent/guardian's passport, and they are not present.

French residents seeking travel will require written approval as required under French Law. A 16 – 18-year-old may accompany up to two others below the age of 16, on the same basis and at the absolute discretion of Condor Ferries regarding the safety of the same. No persons under 18 will be accepted for travel on overnight services such as those provided on Commodore Clipper unless accompanied by an adult 18 and over. Groups of 16 & 17-year-olds will not be accepted without an accompanying adult (1 adult to every 10 young people).

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Children Flying Alone: What Every Parent Should Know About Unaccompanied Minors

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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. Millions of children fly alone each year, the majority without incident. But there are occasional horror stories, like the time American Airlines lost track of a little girl in the Miami Airport . That’s why it’s vital that both you and your child are fully prepared for the trip. Read on for important family travel tips on children flying alone.

How Old Do Kids Have to Be to Fly Alone?

Airlines generally consider children between the ages of 5 and 14 who travel without a parent or guardian to be “unaccompanied minors.” For kids between 15 and 17, unaccompanied minor service is typically optional.

Many airlines will not allow children 7 and under to make connections at all, but in the event a minor is old enough to change planes, they will be assisted by airline personnel. Some airlines—Southwest, for example—will not allow any minor (5 – 11) to change planes. JetBlue and Spirit will not allow any children under 15 to make a connection. Southwest and Spirit do not allow unaccompanied minors on international flights, while most other airlines do. Unaccompanied minors are often prohibited from taking codeshare flights.

If you intend to send an unaccompanied minor by plane, you will be required to fill out a form detailing the child’s name, age, and other relevant information. Upon arrival, your child will be escorted from the aircraft by an airline representative and released to the responsible adult named by you prior to departure.

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General Age Guidelines for Unaccompanied Minors

Airline rules vary, but here’s a good idea of what to expect. Note that the ages listed below reflect your child’s age on the date of travel, not at the time of booking.

Children ages 1 – 4 may fly only when accompanied by an adult. A child must be at least 5 to fly solo.

Kids ages 5 – 7 can take a direct flight to a single destination but not connecting flights.

Those 8 and up may change aircraft on some airlines, and will typically be escorted by airline personnel to their connecting flight.

Anyone under the age of 17 who is flying alone on an international flight may be required to produce a signed letter of consent from a parent or responsible adult.

As these guidelines vary slightly by airline, be sure to contact your carrier for specific information.

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Unaccompanied Minor Fees

Airlines charge anywhere from $35 to $150 each way for an unaccompanied minor fee. The exact amount will depend on the airline, the age of the child, and whether the flight involves connections. Some airlines charge a fee per child, while other carriers will allow multiple children to travel together under a single fee.

Below are the fees charged each way for unaccompanied minor service on some of the major U.S. airlines.

• Alaska: $50 per child for nonstop flights; $75 per child for connecting flights
• American: $150 (covers siblings, if applicable)
• Delta: $150 for up to four children
• Hawaiian: $35 per segment per child within the state of Hawaii; $100 per segment per child between Hawaii and another North American city
• JetBlue: $150 per child
• Southwest: $50 per child
• Spirit: $150 per child
• United: $150 for up to two children; $300 for three or four children; $450 for five or six children

Other Considerations for Minors Flying Alone

Some airlines do not allow unaccompanied minors to fly on the last connecting flight of the day, or on so-called “red-eye” flights between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Be sure to read each airline’s policies carefully before booking.

After filling out some paperwork and paying the appropriate fees at check-in, one parent or guardian will receive a special pass that will allow him or her to get through the security checkpoint. The parent or guardian must accompany the child to the gate and wait there until the plane takes off.

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Important Tips for Children Flying Alone

Never wait until you have reached the airport to inform the airline that you have a minor traveling unaccompanied. Always provide this information to customer service over the phone, and have them inform you of all your options, fees, and so forth.

Try to purchase your child a nonstop ticket to minimize the chance of travel snafus, even if he or she is old enough to make connections. If a change of planes is necessary, aim to use a small, less intimidating airport for the transfer. That said, some airlines restrict which connecting cities are permitted for children flying alone.

Make sure your child carries plenty of emergency information. For example, leave instructions on how to handle flight delays or cancellations, including emergency contacts and a means to pay for necessities, such as overnight accommodation. Your child should also carry identification, such as a copy of his or her birth certificate.

Familiarize your child with his or her itinerary and make sure all travel documents are kept in a safe place—especially if they’ll be needed for a return flight.

Try to book a morning flight. If it is delayed or canceled, you have the rest of the day to make alternate plans.

Small children may have trouble with checked baggage. If possible, stick with a single carry-on bag and a personal item. If not, take a careful look at your child’s checked bag stubs to be sure that the luggage claim ticket and luggage tag match your child’s final destination.

Get to the airport earlier than usual to ease check-in and get children accustomed to their surroundings. If possible, show them where help desks are located and teach them to recognize uniformed employees.

Make sure your child has a photo of the person meeting him or her, as well as that person’s full name, address, and phone number. You will need to provide contact information to the airline as well. The adult meeting your child at the destination airport should carry photo identification.

Pack some snacks for your child such as chips, sandwiches, trail mix, or other finger foods like grapes or berries. You may also want to purchase juice or water for your child after you pass through the security checkpoint.

Be sure your child has plenty of things to keep him or her entertained in flight, such as a tablet stocked with games or a few favorite books .

Give your child a little cash to cover incidental expenses in the event of an emergency.

Just because a 5-year-old is permitted to fly solo, that doesn’t mean that your 5-year-old will be able to handle flying alone, especially if your child hasn’t flown before. Parents should use common sense and make a decision based on their own child’s level of maturity.

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Airline Policies for Unaccompanied Minors

Click on the link below to find your airline’s policy on children flying alone.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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How Old Do You Have to Be To Fly Alone? Airline Unaccompanied Minor Policies and Fees in the US

Children flying alone is nothing out of the ordinary. However, for that parent sending their child off on their first solo flight, the experience can be anything but comfortable. In addition to the anxiety over your child traveling alone, you might also feel a fair amount of anxiety over the entire process. After all, flying as an adult is complicated. And now you want your child to do it? On their own? No help whatsoever? 

It’s enough to make any parent hesitate. Again, though, children fly solo all the time, so it is an experience that your child (and you) can get through, safely and happily. To help along the way, we’re answering all your most important questions. 

How young is too young to send a child on a flight on their own? What should your child (and you) expect? Do certain airlines have differing rules for children flying solo? Will you need to pay extra for your child to get a little bit of extra care from the flight crew? 

Keep reading to learn all this and more.

The Vacationer Tip

Before learning how old you have to be to fly alone, check out our guide on How to Find and Book Cheap Flights . Also, don’t forget to leverage your credit card to save even more money when you travel. If you do not have a travel-rewards credit card, our highest recommendations are the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card , the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , and the Citi Premier® Card . If you would like to see other offers, Click to See All of Our Recommended Travel Credit Cards .

Table of Contents

What Age Do Children Have to Be to Fly Alone?

There is no across-the-board legal age requirement for children to fly unaccompanied. However, major airlines have set the standard for what is and isn’t acceptable for children flying solo. 

Most major airlines in the United States allow children to fly alone starting at age 5. However, these airlines typically require a child to enroll in an unaccompanied minor service. This gives them that special attention and care that ensures they’ll make it safely to their destination. Most airlines allow minors ages 15 to 17 to opt-out of this service if needed. However, the airline usually still charges some sort of extra fee.

Photo: via Pixabay

What to Expect from Major Airlines

Here’s what you can expect if you’re sending your child off on a flight with one of these major American airlines.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines’ unaccompanied minors program is called Junior Jetsetters. It offers some of the most affordable unaccompanied minors service fees (if you only have one child traveling). It also allows for children to opt-out of the program at a fairly young age, 13. 

The program is required for children ages 5 to 12. The fee is $50 each way per child for non-stop or direct flights. It’s $75 each way per child for connecting flights. 

Children ages 5 to 7 are only allowed on non-stop flights. No matter what your child’s age, though, they’re not allowed to fly unaccompanied on flights that take off between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Additionally, children ages 8 to 12 are not allowed to take a connecting flight that’s the last flight of the day or connections that require a two-hour or longer layover. The same rule applies to children 13 to 17 who’ve opted in to the program unless no other flights are available. Alaska Airlines also does not offer its Junior Jetsetters program on any flights to Sun Valley, Idaho, between Dec. 1 and April 1. 

The Junior Jetsetters program fee is waived for children who have MVP, MVP Gold, Gold 75K, or Gold 100k Mileage Plan status. 

The program is pretty basic, though. It only includes supervision by Alaska Airlines crew members before, during, and after the flight. There are no extra amenities or perks.

Read Alaska Airlines’ official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

Allegiant Air

Unaccompanied minors under 15 are not accepted on Allegiant air. However, any passenger 15 or older is considered an adult and allowed to fly.

Read Allegiant Air’s official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

American Airlines

As mentioned, there are a lot of factors that will influence how early you need to arrive at the airport, whether

Similarly, American Airlines requires children ages 5 through 14 to use the unaccompanied minors service. Children ages 15 to 17 may opt-out of the service, but the airline still charges the fee. The fee is $150 each way and will cover siblings on the same flight.

When using American Airlines’ unaccompanied minors service, an American Airlines representative will escort your child to their gate (as needed), as well as to their later gates for flight connections. They will further escort them to their pick-up adult at their destination. 

Children enjoy access to kids-only lounges if they have a layover in a hub city. Children have priority boarding and can meet the flight attendants and settle in ahead of time. They’ll also receive complimentary amenity kits if they’re between the ages of 5 and 10 and traveling out of a hub city. 

While American Airlines does allow for children to take connecting flights, unlike United, there are some caveats. Children may not take a connecting flight until they’re 8 years old or older. Even then, they can only take connecting flights that pass through select destinations (primarily American Airlines hubs). Additionally, unaccompanied minors may not take overnight connecting flights. They’re also not permitted to take flights that include a connection that’s the last flight of the day. Children additionally are not permitted on connecting flights that require a ground transfer between two regional airports.

Read American Airlines’ official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

Delta allows children ages 5 to 7 to fly on some non-stop flights, but not all. Children ages 8 to 14 may fly on some non-stop flights as well, in addition to flying on some connecting flights. 

Delta only requires its unaccompanied minor program for children up to age 15. Children ages 15 to 17 can choose to opt into the program. But, it’s not necessary and, if they do fly unaccompanied, they won’t be charged an extra fee. They’ll be treated exactly like a regular passenger.

A guardian must accompany their child to their gate and then remain there until the flight takes off. A Delta representative will accompany the child both to any connecting gate and to their pick-up person. If a connection passes through select Delta hubs, the child will have access to a child-only Sky Zone. 

Delta’s unaccompanied minor program fee is $150 for up to four children traveling together. 

Read Delta’s official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

Frontier Airlines

Unaccompanied minors under 15 are not accepted on Frontier Airlines. However, any passenger 15 or older is considered an adult and allowed to fly.

Read Frontier Airlines’ official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines considers children 5 to 11 to be unaccompanied minors. Passengers 12 and up may fly solo, as an adult, on domestic Hawaiian Airlines flights. They can still opt into the unaccompanied minors service if they want, though. Unaccompanied minors cannot fly on the airline’s international flights. The fee is $35 per flight segment when flying within the state of Hawaii. The fee is $100 per flight segment between North America and Hawaii. 

Children can fly in first or business class on Hawaiian Airlines. However, unaccompanied minors must not fly on flights departing between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. There is an exception if the flight operates out of Honolulu and it’s the only flight of the day. Children are likewise not allowed to fly on the airline’s flights to American Samoa, flights that require an overnight connection, the last connecting flight of the day, or flights with layovers of two hours or more.

Read Hawaiian Airlines’ official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

JetBlue offers its unaccompanied minors service to children between the ages of 5 and 13. After 14, the child will be treated as an adult passenger. The program is mandatory for all children under 14 and the fee is $150 per child, per way. JetBlue does not offer the service on flights to and from London.

Parents must accompany their children to their gate. They must remain there until the JetBlue flight is off the ground. On the plane, minors sit in the aircraft’s back row. There, the flight crew can more easily supervise them. Unaccompanied minors can only fly on JetBlue’s non-stop flights.

Read JetBlue’s official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines offers unaccompanied minor service for children aged 5-11. The fee is $50 each way. And, the service is only available on domestic, nonstop flights. Southwest does not offer accompanied minor service for international flights. Children 12-17 flying Southwest alone can take advantage of their Young Travelers program for free.

Read Southwest Airlines’ official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

Spirit Airlines

Spirit Airlines offers unaccompanied minors service for children 5-14 years old. The current fee is $100 per child, each way. Unaccompanied minors are not permitted on connecting flights, international flights, or domestic flights that include a scheduled change of aircraft. Children 4 or younger may not fly alone. Unaccompanied minor service may be requested for guests 15 and older and the fee will be charged. However, it is not required for children 15 or older.

Read Spirit Airlines’ official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

Sun Country Airlines

Unaccompanied minors under 15 are not accepted on Sun Country Airlines. However, any passenger 15-17 years old may travel within the US and to Puerto Rico alone. Additionally, children 15-17 years of age may travel with one child 15-17 years old within the US or to Puerto. Any child of any age must be travel with an adult and a passport to Mexico, Central America, or the Caribbean.

Read Sun Country Airlines’ official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

United Airlines

United Airlines requires children ages 5 to 14 to use its unaccompanied minor service. This service allows your child priority boarding. During boarding, the crew will help your child feel at home, show them to their seat, and help with carry-on luggage. They’ll also walk your child through the safety procedures and show them where the restroom is. 

During the flight, the crew will continue to check in with your child and help if needed. Children will receive a free food item. Once at their destination, a United representative will meet your child and take them to their pick-up person. 

You’re still responsible, though, for your child up until the point of boarding the plane (at least in the United States). If you don’t think your child is old enough to go through security and make it to their gate on their own, you can get a gate pass at the check-in counter. That will allow you to accompany your child to their gate until they board. If your child is traveling on a United flight outside of the United States, a United representative will take them to their gate. Regardless of where you are, though, United asks parents to stay at the airport until the child’s flight has departed. 

The unaccompanied minor service is only available on non-stop flights. The unaccompanied minor service fee is $150 each way for every two children.

Read United Airlines’ official unaccompanied minor policy by Clicking Here .

Are There Any Airlines That Do Not Offer an Unaccompanied Minor Service?

While most major airlines do offer some form of an unaccompanied minor service, not all do.

Allegiant Air does not offer an unaccompanied minor service. However, children ages 15 and up can fly as an adult on Allegiant Air flights. The same applies to Frontier flights and Sun Country flights. Please be sure to read their specific policies as some restrictions may apply.

How to Make Your Child’s First Solo Flight a Success 

Before you send your child off on their first flight, take a few precautions. You want to ensure their first solo trip is an enjoyable one.

Firstly, consider if they’re ready to fly solo at all. 

If your child has never flown before, asking them to do so completely on their own could be a bad idea. Similarly, it might be a bad choice if you know they have a difficult time with flying even when they’re with you. 

Do you think your child will be able to sit quietly for the duration of their flight? Without disrupting their fellow passengers? Do they have a track record of following instructions from other adults without an issue? You don’t want to send your child on their solo flight if you know they’ll cause issues for their fellow passengers, as well as the flight crew.

But if you think your child is mature enough to go it alone, and you know that they’re comfortable with air travel, don’t feel like you need to put it off any longer.

As you prepare your child for their trip, make sure that they have everything they might need in their carry-on, where they can easily find it. This includes a drink, snacks, toys, digital devices, maybe a comfort toy or blanket. Include whatever you think will keep them occupied and happy. Consider doing a run-through of the bag before they depart, so they know where everything is.

Still need to invest in some travel tech for your child? Consider the Amazon Fire HD 10 for kids , which comes with a year of Amazon Kids+. Your child will enjoy access to tens of thousands of books, games, videos, songs, and more. And to protect their travel companions from listening to the songs of Frozen for the entirety of the four-hour flight, invest in a pair of kid-friendly, noise-canceling headphones , too. Lastly, make sure your child has all the documentation that they need for their trip. Documentation will differ according to your child’s travel itinerary. You can check out our full guide to children’s travel documentation, here .

But What About You?

As you sit at the gate and watch your child’s plane pull away, you might feel a little bit of anxiety. Try not to dwell on it too much, though. You’ve outfitted your child with all the skills and travel gear they need. This is just the next step to them becoming a globe-trotting, wanderlusting traveler just like mom or dad.

It depends on the airline. Most airlines consider 15-year-old flyers as adults. Many airlines also offer unaccompanied minor service for children 5-14 years old. Check with your specific airline to be sure.

Yes. Almost all airlines will allow 15-year-olds to fly alone. However, a few may charge a fee.

Yes. Almost all airlines will allow 16-year-olds to fly alone. However, a few may charge a fee.

Yes. Almost all airlines will allow 17 year olds to fly alone. However, a few may charge a fee.

While every airline differs, in most cases, airlines will allow teenagers to fly alone. In most instances, airlines require teenagers to use an unaccompanied minor service until they’re 15. However, some airlines allow teenagers as young as 13 to opt-out of unaccompanied minor services.

Most airlines will allow preteens to fly alone. However, the majority also require preteens to enroll in an unaccompanied minor program. These come with an additional fee but ensure your child gets safely from their home airport to their destination.

Airlines that allow minors to fly alone typically allow children to start flying solo as early as 5 years of age.

It depends on the airline. Some airlines allow children to fly on connecting flights (with a few exclusions). Others only allow children to fly solo on direct flights.

By Holly Riddle

Holly Riddle is a freelance travel, food, and lifestyle journalist who also dabbles in ghostwriting and fiction. Her work appears in publications ranging from Global Traveler to Golf Magazine, Mashed to Forbes, and Bloomberg. When she’s not writing, you can find her exploring the mountains near her home in the Adirondacks. Her favorite travel destinations include Chicago and New Orleans.

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• Special assistance

Unaccompanied minors

Children traveling alone.

We want your child to have a safe and positive trip. For safety, we require children age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. This service is optional for children age 15 – 17, but if requested, then the fee applies.

The unaccompanied minor fee is $150* each way, plus applicable taxes † , in addition to the ticket price. This fee covers additional siblings on the same flight.

* Amount quoted in U.S. dollar (USD)

† Flights within the U.S. are subject to a 7% tax, and flights originating in Canada are charged a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST).

Unaccompanied minor service

Our service includes:

• Early boarding to allow extra time to get settled and meet the flight attendants
• Kids-only lounges in our hub cities for flight connections
• Complimentary Kids' Kits from Quaker with snacks and activities (for ages 5 – 10, in hub cities)
• An airport escort to help your child to the gate for flight connections
• Escorting the child to the authorized adult picking them up when they land

Keep in mind, our flight attendants will be busy with onboard duties and can’t continuously monitor your child during their flight. Let your child know to ring the call button if they need anything.

Age and flight restrictions for children traveling alone:

We don’t allow children to travel alone when their trips include:

• Flights on another airline including codeshare and one world® partners
• Ground or co-terminal connections where the child must transfer from one local airport to another
• The last flight of the day from the final connection city (unless it’s the only flight)
• Overnight connecting flights

Note: Children ages 2 – 14 can travel as an 'accompanied minor' with someone 16 or older.

Complimentary Kids' Kits by Quaker

Children between 5-10 years old can stay entertained during their journey with our complimentary Kids’ Kits* presented by Quaker. Included are puzzles, activities and 2 complimentary snacks to enjoy at the airport or in flight. Kits are available for children departing from:

• Charlotte, NC (CLT)
• Washington Reagan, D.C. (DCA)
• Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (DFW)
• New York, NY (JFK and LGA)
• Los Angeles, CA (LAX)
• Miami, FL (MIA)
• Chicago, IL (ORD)
• Philadelphia, PA (PHL)
• Phoenix, AZ (PHX)

*Subject to availability

Booking your child's trip

Unaccompanied minors need to be booked by phone.

Contact Reservations

Preparing for travel

Whether your child has traveled alone or this is their first time, we recommend talking with them about the trip and what to expect. Assure them our team is there to help keep them safe.

Some helpful tips to prepare:

• Point out our team uniforms at the airport. Remind your child to ask for help only from a uniformed team member.
• Write down phone numbers for your child.
• Pack games, books and money in one small carry-on.
• Food and drink service is limited, so we recommend packing snacks for your child to enjoy during their flight.
• Attach an ID card and contact information to your child’s carry-on bag or jacket.
• Fully charge any electronic devices, and don’t forget to pack chargers and headphones.
• Be sure your child knows to wait for a team member to walk them off the plane when they land (this includes older children using our service).

Note: We don’t hold or give personal medication to an unaccompanied child.

At the airport

Check-in and required documents.

Arrive at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of your child’s flight and speak with a ticket counter agent. Children traveling alone can’t check in online or at the kiosk.

You’ll need to fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. This form must remain with your child during their journey. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide:

• A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child’s age
• The adult’s government-issued photo ID with their current address
• Your phone number so we can contact you
• The name, address and phone number of the adult meeting your child at their destination

Once your child is checked in, the ticket agent will give you a security pass from the airport ticket counter so you can take your child to the gate.

Boarding and takeoff

For a smooth departure:

• An adult must take the child to the departure gate and stay until the flight is airborne.
• When you get to the gate, tell the gate agent you have an unaccompanied minor traveling on the flight.
• We’ll board your child early so they can meet the flight crew and learn about the plane’s safety features.
• The gate agent will let you know when the flight is airborne and you can leave the airport.
• Please contact the adult picking up your child to let them know they’re on their way.

During the flight

Our flight attendants will check on your child as duties allow, but they can’t continuously monitor your child throughout the flight.

Please remind your child to:

• Tell a flight attendant if he or she needs assistance or feels discomfort.
• Follow plane safety instructions, like wearing their seatbelt.
• Wait for a uniformed team member to escort them off the airplane once it arrives at the gate.

Unaccompanied minor lounges

If your child has a connection, we have lounges for unaccompanied minors in these airports:

• Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW)

While there, your child can wait for their connection and play games while supervised by American business partner personnel. These staff members will take your child outside the lounge to buy food and drinks, but they won’t be allowed to walk around outside alone.

Arrival and pick-up

For a seamless pick-up, don’t forget your government-issued photo ID. You’ll need to show it to get a security pass and meet the child at the gate (in the U.S.). You’ll also need to show it before we release the child to you.

We suggest arriving at least 2 hours before the child’s scheduled arrival so you have enough time.

Flight status and notifications

Stay connected with your child’s journey with flight notifications and remind the adult picking up your child from the airport to do the same. Be sure to get alerts for all flights in their trip.

Flight status

Flight delays and cancellations

We’ll call the contacts on the unaccompanied minor form and arrange an alternate flight if your child is unable to make a connecting flight due to delays or cancellations.

In the rare case that your child needs to stay overnight because of a missed connection, we’ll arrange for overnight accommodations, meals and supervision. We’ll call if this occurs.

Young adults (15 – 17 years of age)

If your young adult isn’t using the unaccompanied minor service and their flight is delayed or canceled, they will be accommodated as an adult customer. Keep in mind, many hotels won’t allow young people to check-in unless they are accompanied by an adult. Please remind them not to leave the airport for any reason unless they:

• Are accompanied by a uniformed team member or police officer
• Have spoken with a parent or designated adult

Please tell your young adult to speak to a team member if they have questions or need help.

Children traveling outside the U.S.

You may not be able to escort your child through security in some airports. If this is the case, a team member will take your child to the gate and stay with them until the flight departs.

Children under 18 may need a Letter of Consent to travel internationally without both parents.

Country-specific regulations

Some countries have additional restrictions for children traveling with guardians or as an unaccompanied minor.

If your child is traveling unaccompanied or with only one parent, you’ll need:

• The child's birth certificate
• Notarized travel authorization from both parents

The Brazilian Embassy or Consulate must issue, authenticate or legalize this travel authorization.

Contact the consulate in the child’s country of residence or check the National Council of Justice site for more information.

Brazilian National Council of Justice (CNJ) guidelines Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Italian citizens younger than 14 traveling internationally must have their Individual Passport and Dichiarazione di Accompagno (Declaration of Temporary Guardianship for Travel Abroad). The document must include:

• The signature of a parent or legal guardian
• Authentication by local Police Headquarters
• The name of the airline the child will use

For children with a document proving another nationality (not Italian), check with the local Italian embassy or consulate in their residence country or the embassy or consulate of their destination country for requirements.

Children younger than 18 (at time of travel) and traveling alone to or from Mexico must have a travel authorization letter. This letter must be:

• Signed by at least one parent or legal guardian

All children should present their own passport and meet the requirements of their destination.

Spanish authorities require that all Spanish children traveling alone, with only one parent or with a third party have a travel permit requested by the parents or legal guardians. This permit must be issued by one of these: Police, Civil Guard, Notary’s Office or Town Hall.

For children with a document proving another nationality (not Spanish) and living in Spain, go to the consulate to complete the necessary paperwork.

Flying on a partner airline?

Find helpful information if your trip includes 1 or more flights with our partner airlines.

• British Airways
• Japan Airlines
• Qatar Airways

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Unaccompanied Minor Program

Program details, unaccompanied minor travel journey.

If your child is traveling alone as an unaccompanied minor, an adult (18 years old or older) must accompany the minor through the check-in process and pick up the child at their destination. Review the process to help your unaccompanied minor prepare for their flight.

How to Book

To determine eligibility and book a reservation for an unaccompanied minor, you must contact Reservations at 800-325-8847 to ensure that the travel is permitted and correctly documented. When you book, the adult making the reservation will provide a 4-digit PIN configuration that will be required to make any changes to the itinerary.

Getting Ready to Fly

When it’s time to travel, we recommend talking with your child about the journey, reminding them only to speak to Delta Air Lines representatives if they need anything. Remind them not to leave the gate area at any time and notify Delta if your child has any special needs. When packing, we recommend bringing:

• Snacks, games, books or other entertainment
• A single, small carry-on like a backpack, so nothing’s left behind
• A checked suitcase for larger items, which your child and accompanying adult can pick up after their flight
• An ID card contact information attached to your child’s carry-on bag or jacket

Required Check-In Documents

When you arrive at the airport, please see a Delta Airport Customer Service Agent for information regarding drop-off and pick-up for unaccompanied minor travel. You will receive a  wristband for your child to wear in-flight and create a package of boarding documents and ID for your child to use as they travel. At check-in, the accompanying adult must provide the following:

• Photo ID (license, passport, etc.)
• Address (as shown on ID)
• Contact phone number
• Name, address and phone number of the adult meeting the unaccompanied minor at their destination

Unaccompanied Minor Boarding & Takeoff

A parent or designated accompanying adult must take the unaccompanied minor to the departure gate and remain until the flight has left the ground. 

If the minor is connecting though another city, the child will be assisted by a Delta or business partner employee.

• Delta recommends that children be seated in the rear of the aircraft to be near a flight attendant for safety
• For questions or concerns, please contact Delta Air Lines at 800-325-8847 (U.S./Canada/Guam/Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands) or find numbers for all other locations

Delta Sky Zone

If your child has a connecting flight through Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York (JFK), Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City or Seattle, we offer Delta Sky Zones for their entertainment. In these children-only areas, children flying alone can wait for connections, use complimentary phones to call parents/guardians and take advantage of activities like books, toys and video games. Staffed by Delta representatives, your child will find staff members always there to help them feel secure and comfortable.

Unaccompanied Minor Pick-Up

A valid ID must be presented and signature captured of the person meeting the child. Delta will not release to anyone other than the person named. A parent or accompanying adult should report to the destination airport two hours before scheduled arrival to obtain a gate pass. Please note:

• If the pickup person at the destination changes, the accompanying adult must call Delta at 800-325-8847 to provide the new information.
• Upon arrival, if someone other than the person named at check-in is at the destination to pick up the child, a Delta representative will contact the original accompanying adult to verify the identification of the pickup person at the destination.
• The pickup person at the destination will typically be issued a gate pass to pick up the unaccompanied minor at the gate. In some locations, the pickup person will be directed to the local Delta Baggage Service Office for pickup.
• At the point of departure, the accompanying adult must remain at the gate until the flight is off the ground.

Unaccompanied Minor Program Fees & Rules

The Unaccompanied Minor Program requires a fee of $150 USD/CAD/EUR each way, with CAD and EUR used when departing Canada or Europe. This fee applies to travel within the United States and International on both nonstop and connecting flights, in addition to the ticketed adult fare.

• The $150 fee is mandatory for children ages 5-14, and for 15-17-year-olds if a parent chooses to enroll in the unaccompanied minor program
• The fee covers up to 4 children if multiple children, such as siblings, are traveling together
• The fee can be paid one-way or round-trip at the time of check in or in advance by calling
• Unaccompanied Minors must be ticketed on an adult fare
• Travel is permitted on Delta and Delta Connection
• Travel is permitted on Domestic and International itineraries
• Unaccompanied Minors can only connect to other Delta, Delta Connection, Air France, KLM and Aeromexico flights
• Travel is not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day, except in markets with only one flight per day.
• International flights
• Connecting to/from international flights
• Connecting to markets with only one flight per day

Unaccompanied Minor Frequently Asked Questions

A Delta Air Lines employee will take your child on board before general boarding begins. This allows time to:

• Introduce your child to the flight attendants
• Introduce your child to the cockpit crew, time permitting
• Take your child to his or her seat and assist with carry-on items
• Familiarize your child with the safety features of the aircraft
• Advise your child of lavatory locations
• Inform your child if assistance is required to contact a flight attendant and to remain in their seat upon landing as a flight attendant will get them when it is time to deplane

No. You will be asked to say goodbye in the terminal area because access is restricted to ticketed passengers only. We do ask, however, that you stay in the gate area until the child's plane takes off in the event the flight returns to the gate.

A badged employee will meet your child's arriving flight. If your child's connection time is short, the unaccompanied minor escort will take your child directly to the connecting departure and will escort him or her on board.

If your child's layover is longer, the employee will take him or her to the Delta Sky Zone or other secure location, and turn the ticket and the Unaccompanied Minor over to the next Delta Air Lines representatives in the room (the employee keeps your child's documentation until it is time to go to the connecting flight). Another representative will escort your child onto the connecting flight at the appropriate time and introduce him or her to the flight attendants.

If we have any indication that your child’s flight may not operate as scheduled, we'll advise you and suggest that you book travel for another day. If the delay or cancellation occurs en route, Delta employees will:

• Rebook your child on the next available departure to their destination
• Stay with your child until they can be boarded on an alternate flight
• Contact the person at the destination who is designated to pick up the child and/or the person listed as the emergency contact. We will continue to attempt contact until contact is made

Under very rare circumstances, an overnight may be required (e.g. a major snowstorm). In these situations, we will provide overnight and meal accommodations for your child. And a Delta employee(s) will provide supervision to ensure your child's safety during an overnight stay. You will be contacted with pertinent information if this unusual circumstance occurs.

Enrollment in the Delta Air Lines Unaccompanied Minor program is mandatory for children 5 to 14. If you prefer that your 15 to 17-year-old travel without supervision, please advise the agent at the time of the reservation and it will be noted. Your child will be expected to handle boarding and deplaning as well as transfers to connecting gates on their own.

• Remind your teenager never to leave the airport for any reason unless accompanied by a badged Delta employee or uniformed police officer until they have reached their destination city
• She or he should never seek help from or leave the airport with strangers
• Provide your teenager with instructions, phone contacts and a small amount of money for food in the unlikely event their flight is missed, delayed, canceled or rerouted
• Remind your teenager that they can seek the assistance of any Delta employee if they have questions, concerns or need reassurance
• Remember most hotels will not accept young people who are not accompanied by an adult

Yes. If you are dropping off or picking up your minor but opted out of the Unaccompanied Minor program, we will issue you a pass to accompany your child to the gate. Please check with an airport agent at the time of check-in to have the gate pass issued.

Due to safety concerns, gate passes are not issued for the person picking up the minor (15-17) unless they are enrolled in the Unaccompanied Minor program.

Yes. International UMNR travel resumed April 1, 2021. However, there are some restrictions on travel based on individual country requirements or travel on other airlines. Contact Reservations at 800-325-8847 for more detail related to international travel for UMNRs.

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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 .

Special Assistance

At the airport and on board.

To make sure your journey with us is as comfortable as possible we provide special assistance free of charge at the airport and on board our flights. It’s important for us to know exactly what your requirements are so you’ll find guidelines here to help you decide.

We recommend you pre-book the complimentary assistance or service that you need as early as possible and no less than 48 hours before your flight. This will ensure that everything can be arranged to create a smooth journey.

Please note that if you pre-book the special assistance for your outward flight, arrangements will also be booked for your return flight, provided that you are travelling with the same carrier.

Information on how to book your assistance and contact our dedicated special assistance team can be found here. We'll send you written confirmation of your special assistance booking once it has been completed.

You’ll also need to be at the airport on the day of your flight in good time – at least three hours for long-haul and two hours for short-haul – to reach your departure gate for priority boarding.

Wheelchair assistance to/from the departure gate (WCHR)

Departure gates are often a long walk from the departure lounge or main airport building. If you’re not comfortable with walking long distances but can use the aircraft steps and move around the aircraft independently then we recommend you book a wheelchair to the departure gate.

Wheelchair assistance to/from the aircraft door (WCHS)

If you’re not comfortable walking long distances or using steps but are able to move around the aircraft independently, we would recommend you book wheelchair assistance to the aircraft.

This is to make sure you have support and can get to the airport shuttle bus or terminal gates.

Wheelchair assistance to/from the aircraft seat (WCHC)

If you are unable to walk we would recommend you book wheelchair assistance to your seat. You can also consider booking your mobility device and our onboard wheelchair service.

The way in which you will be taken onto the aircraft from the terminal building may vary at each airport but our trained Airport Special Services Team will always do all they can to make you as comfortable as possible. Below are some examples of different methods that airports use to help you get to your seat. Airbridge: This is a tunnel that is connected to the aircraft from the terminal building, and these are in place in the vast majority of the airports we visit. Ambulift: A specially adapted device that transfers you from ground level up to the aircraft doors.

Wheelchair: Some airports have specially adapted wheelchairs to carry you from the aircraft to the ground down the aircraft steps. Please note that not all airports provide an Ambulift or Airbridge therefore we recommend you visit the website of your departure airport for more details. 

In the event that the size of the aircraft or its doors makes the embarkation or carriage of a disabled customer physically impossible, we reserve the right to refuse to accept the reservation or to embark the customer. You will be offered reimbursement or re-routing (where possible) at your option.

Assistance available on board

The assistance Airlines can provide to disabled customers and customers with reduced mobility, includes the following:

• Assistance moving to and from seats on the aircraft
• Providing use of the on-board wheelchair - please pre-book the wheelchair on board (WCOB)
• Helping a customer to and from the on-board lavatory, providing this does not involve lifting or carrying the customer
• Assisting a customer with their hand luggage on board the aircraft

Using the on board wheelchair To help you during the flight, all of our aircraft are fitted with an on board wheelchair and our crew can support you with its use. Please ask the crew on board if this is needed. They can help you to and from the toilet.

For safety reasons, they will not be able to assist you to get in or out of the wheelchair, or into the toilet cubicle, so if you need help with this you’ll need to travel with a companion.

Please pre book the on board wheelchair in advance.

Self-reliant passengers and carers

IATA regulations states that it’s essential that you assess your capabilities before travelling, as you may not be able to travel if there is a risk to your own safety, or that of any other customer on board.

To travel alone you must be able to look after your own physical needs whilst on board. The following are tasks you will be required to do yourself during the flight.  If you cannot do any of these, then you should travel with a companion so they can help you. You should be able to:

• Consume food and drink without assistance.
• Be able to move from your seat to the onboard wheelchair and from the chair to the toilet without help. 
• You should be able to communicate with, and understand, the cabin crews instructions and advice.
• You should be able to fasten and unfasten your seatbelt.
• Use the oxygen mask without help.
• Fit a lifejacket.
• Administer your own medication.

If you require help from a carer or a travelling companion, we can provide support for up to one carer/travelling companion and will arrange seating together.

Any carer/travelling companion will need to purchase a ticket at the same time as you book your flight, to guarantee there are sufficient seats available. If you require more than one person to support your needs, please contact our Special Assistance Team who will be able to help you.

Passengers with other physical disability

If you have any other physical disability (Blind, Deaf, Speech Impediment) and require assistance to get to the departure gate or on board the aircraft please book an assistance service according to your needs:

Special assistance for impaired hearing You should book this service if you might have difficulties or are unable to understand announcements at the airport and instructions of the cabin crew.

Special assistance for impaired vision You should book this service if you might have difficulties reading signs at the airport and instructions on board the aircraft or are unable to make your way to the gate on your own.

Special assistance for impaired speech You should book this service if you might have difficulties articulating / expressing yourself verbally to airport staff or cabin crew.

Services on board to support our customers who are deaf and blind

• When you get on board please introduce yourself to the crew so that they can support your needs and individual requirements.
• To help those who are blind a personal safety briefing will be given to you by our crew.
• It’s important that you know fully what to do in the event of an evacuation so if you need the crew to give instructions in more detail please don’t hesitate to ask.

Passengers with a non-physical disability

If you have any non-physical disabilities (Autism, Asperger, etc.) and require assistance to get to the departure gate or on board the aircraft please book an assistance service according to your needs.

If you are travelling alone you must be able to follow the instructions of the crew. If you can’t follow the instructions of the crew you must travel accompanied by a carer or a travel companion.

Seat allocation

For further information concerning seat allocation please click here .

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Unaccompanied minors

WestJet is pleased to offer an unaccompanied-minor program for children, aged 8 to 17, who are travelling alone.

Unaccompanied minor program

The information below is intended to help you determine if this program is right for your child. There are a few critical points to cover, but it will only take a few minutes to prepare your child to boldly go where they've never gone before.

Qualifying for the program

Please note: if your child does not meet the qualifications below, you may want to use our  Guardian fare program  which allows you to accompany your child to/from destination at a discount.

• Children must be at least eight years of age at the time of travel.
• This is a  mandatory  service for children travelling alone who have had their 8th birthday but have not yet reached their 12th
• This is an  optional  service for children travelling alone who have had their 12th birthday but haven't had their 18th birthday yet
• are deaf or blind;
• require the use of a service dog;
• have an allergy that requires them to travel with an epinephrine auto-injector (for example an Epi‑pen®);
• require assistance to take essential medication;
• have a disability which requires them to travel with a familiar guardian (these children may qualify to travel using our  guardian fare program );
• are not able to communicate (verbally or in writing) in English or French.

Flight availability and restrictions

In order for an unaccompanied minor to travel, the flight must:

• be for travel between two Canadian cities. We do not offer unaccompanied minor service on flights to the United States or other international destinations . You may want to consider using our  guardian fare program  for flights outside of Canada..
• be a WestJet flight (i.e.: operated by WestJet). This program cannot be used on flights operated by our  airline partners .
• not require a connection to a different flight (as indicated by multiple flight numbers).
• not depart before 5:30 a.m. or arrive after 10:00 p.m. (where we have more than one flight per day to the destination).
• one that does not take place overnight - also known as a “red-eye.”

Please note that Air Miles and RBC points bookings are ineligible for Unaccompanied minor bookings.

Reserving unaccompanied minor travel

• To request unaccompanied minor travel, please complete our  online form . We'll review your request and reply by email to you within 48 hours. Once we've responded, you have 72 hours to confirm your reservation and to pay for the flight and $100 fee plus taxes per direction. If the payment is not processed within 72 hours, a new request must be submitted online. 
• WestJet can accommodate up to four unaccompanied minors per flight.
• As part of your child's flight, we may provide a headset, a snack and a drink. On routings where our buy-on-board service is available, your child may also receive a snack or other  buy-on board items .

Identification and information required

• In order to reserve travel for an unaccompanied minor, we require the child's date of birth, gender, and full name as it is shown on their  identification .
• We also require the full names (as shown on government identification), addresses, and cell phone numbers (or other contact number) for the guardians transporting your child  to and from  the airport.
• At check-in, we require a photocopy (not the original) of either the child's birth certificate or one other piece of government issued  identification showing the child's date of birth and gender. The photocopy will be sent with the child and will be required for the return flight as well.
• The person picking up your child upon arrival must be older than 18 years of age and will be required to present one piece of government-issued photo identification.
• After your unaccompanied minor booking has been completed, we will email an unaccompanied minor form to the person who has reserved the flight(s). This form is required for both directions of the child's journey.
• Please complete the form prior to arrival at the airport. Incomplete forms may cause delays and missed flights.

Packing and travel tips

• Your child is permitted the regular  carry-on and checked baggage allowance . A pet may not travel with an unaccompanied minor. Our  checklist  contains some useful packing tips.
• To see what your child can and cannot take on a flight, visit our  restricted items website .
• You may wish to pack additional snacks or ensure your child has enough spending money for a meal. While the fee to travel with an unaccompanied minor includes some snacks, unexpected delays may cause travel to take longer than anticipated. If you are planning on sending additional snacks, just be aware that not all items are permitted through security; please see  www.catsa.gc.ca  for more information.
• Create an emergency contact list for your child. A calling card is a quick and handy resource if your child needs to contact someone. Your child should know how to make a collect long-distance call to you or to the parent/guardian meeting the flight.

Entertainment

• You may want to pack your child's favourite toy or blanket, iPod, book or video game.
• Please keep in mind that there will be times when our flight crew will not permit these items to be used.

At the airport

• We require you to be at the airport a minimum of 90 minutes before the scheduled departure time. This will allow us time to review your completed unaccompanied minor form, complete additional documentation and  make sure your child has been checked in and is ready for departure. If you have the proper identification to go through security, most airports will allow you to use a gate pass to escort your child to the gate area. Only one gate pass for one person can be issued.
• You are required to remain in the gate area (or airport if a gate pass has not been issued) until you are advised by a WestJet agent that the aircraft has departed. You are also required to be available (via phone) until the aircraft has arrived and your child has been transferred to the care of the pick-up guardian in their destination city. It's a good idea to arrange your schedule so that you can remain at the airport if departure is delayed. Please make sure the parent/guardian putting your child on the return flight also understands this requirement.
• Ensure that guardians transporting your child to and from the airport have a copy of the child's itinerary and their own identification .
• We recommend you also include a  baggage tag  on the inside of your child's carry-on and checked baggage with your name and your child's name, in case they accidentally leave it on the aircraft or in the airport.
• Before your child boards, you may want to give them a small snack and have them use the restroom near the gate area.
• Be aware that your child will be pre-boarded, and will be the last guest to leave the aircraft upon arrival.

Picking up your child from the airport

• We require that the guardian picking up your child arrives at the airport at least 30 minutes  before the flight's scheduled time of arrival.
• Children will be brought to the arrivals area and the guardian will be required to present their government-issued identification  before the child is released to them.

Flight interruptions

Caring for your child is extremely important to us. WestJet has processes in place to ensure the safety and care of your child at all times regardless of the reason for the flight interruption.  Children travelling under this program are prioritized for the next available flight if their original flight is cancelled and we will provide all care needs, transportation, food and accommodations as required.

How to help your child travel safely

• Prepare your child for their trip by telling them when they are travelling, what time their flights are, their destination, and who will be dropping them off and picking them up.
• Let your child know that they are required to follow the instructions of our flight crew at all times. For their safety, the identification they are given must be easily visible from the time they are accepted for travel, over the duration of the flight, and until they are released into the care of the parent or guardian.
• It is important that you tell your child that they must remain seated after the aircraft has been parked at the gate as a flight attendant will assist them in exiting the aircraft after all other guests.
• We recommend dressing your child in loose, comfortable clothing. Dressing them in layers will allow them to adjust to the temperature onboard in case they are too warm or cold. It's a good idea to put your child's name on the inside of their clothing and to pack a change of clothing in their carry-on bag.

WestJet Vacations package bookings

We do not offer the unaccompanied minor program for children travelling as part of a WestJet Vacations package booking.

Helpful links

Children travelling alone

Is your child travelling without an accompanying adult? That must be very exciting for them! With our Unaccompanied Minor service, we’ll guarantee your child receives assistance from our ground and cabin crew. Check when to arrange it and how it works.

Unaccompanied Minor service

We do our very best to ensure your child travels as comfortable as possible, even when travelling on their own. We’ll make sure they reach the correct plane, keep an eye on them during the flight, and help in case of delay or other disruptions.

The service is available for all direct flights. Transfers for children travelling alone are allowed on KLM, Air France, and Delta Air Lines flights only.

Mandatory for kids 5 to 14 years

Is your child aged 5 up to and including 14 and travelling without an accompanying adult of 18 years and older? Or is your kid travelling in a different travel class than the accompanying adult? Please note that you’re always required to book the Unaccompanied Minor service on top of the regular ticket.

Optional for youth 15 to 17 years

For kids aged 15 up to and including 17 years old, the Unaccompanied Minor service is optional. If you choose not to book the service, we’ll consider your child an adult passenger.

In case of flight delay or cancellation, we’re happy to help if your child mentions their age and their need for assistance to our KLM staff. However, for dedicated supervision in case of flight disruptions, make sure to book the Unaccompanied Minor service.

How it works

If your child will be travelling alone, you can book their ticket with the mandatory or optional Unaccompanied Minor service via the KLM website. Make sure to arrange the trip at least 24 hours before departure.

Personal details

After booking the service, your provided details about the persons bringing and picking up your child to and from the airport will be available in My Trip. This way, we can make sure your child’s journey is a smooth one.

Bring your child to the check-in desk at the airport at least 2,5 hours before departure. You’ll have to stay at the airport until your child’s flight has departed.

Make sure to bring a valid type of identification for your child and the person taking your child to the airport. Please also provide 4 printed, filled-out, and signed copies of the form stating the details of those bringing and picking up your child. All 4 forms need to be signed by the parent or guardian, as well as the people bringing and picking up your child.

You can print the filled-out form directly from My Trip or download and print the PDF version of the document.

During the trip

Before departure, our staff will accompany your child to their seat in the aircraft. During the flight, our cabin attendants will keep a close eye on your child. We’ll bring them to a designated lounge for children travelling alone if they have a long transfer.

After arrival, we’ll accompany your child to the arrival hall to bring them to the person you have authorised to pick them up. They need to bring a valid type of identification matching the information on the form you filled out. Note that they need to sign the form before departure.

To use the Unaccompanied Minor service, you’ll pay the price of an adult’s ticket plus a service surcharge. For direct flights, this will be between EUR 100 and EUR 150. All flights with a transfer have a surcharge between EUR 200 and EUR 300. For return tickets, you’ll pay the fee twice.

Frequently asked questions

From what age can kids fly alone.

From 15 years old, teenagers can fly alone, optionally with the Unaccompanied Minor service for additional comfort. From 5 to 14 years, children can also fly without having an adult accompany them in the same travel class. For children between 5 and 14, the Unaccompanied Minor service is mandatory. Then, our ground and cabin crew will make sure the journey is pleasant. Check our website for the details and costs of the Unaccompanied Minor service .

Read more about

Ticket options for kids.

Travelling with your child? Find out which ticket option is available for your little one, depending on their age.

Travel documents for kids

You might need some additional travel documents for your children.

Travelling with kids

Get a glimpse of what your kids can expect during their flight.

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Flight search

Manage my booking.

Check your flight details. Specify your dietary requirements, choose seat on board, order a premium meal, request an invoice or change your flight.

Online check-in begins 36 hours before the scheduled departure. Choose one of the check-in options/methods. 

If you have been denied boarding or if your flight has been cancelled or delayed for at least two hours, ask at the check-in counter or boarding gate for the text stating your rights, particularly with regard to compensation and assistance.

Starting your journey at one of the following airports? Online check-in is available only on the local airport website. Select a city and check in:  Dubrovnik (opens in a new tab) ,  Podgorica (opens in a new tab) ,  Sarajevo (opens in a new tab) , Skopje (opens in a new tab) ,  Split (opens in a new tab) ,  Tirana (opens in a new tab) , Zadar (opens in a new tab) .

Are you traveling from Baku (GYD) in Azerbaijan or from Athens (ATH) in Greece ? Choose a seat via online check-in option, then proceed  to the counter at the airport  so we can verify the required documents. We will then give you a  boarding pass with a QR code .

Check out information on flights, delays, cancellations and changes in flight schedule.

Child travelling unaccompanied

General rules.

• Children under 12 are allowed to travel unaccompanied only with the assistance of our ground and cabin crew.
• Children over 12 may travel unaccompanied or, at the parents’ request, take advantage of our qualified assistance.
• Children under the care of a person over 16 do not have to use the service.
• Unaccompanied minors under the age of 16 who are traveling alone (with or without the assistance purchased)  are not allowed to transport animals (either on board or in the baggage hold).

The service may be booked at LOT sales offices  or through our LOT Contact Center.

Please note that the assistance service is NOT available on code-share flights.

Your child’s age

Children under 5  years old.

Children aged 8 days to 5 years may travel unaccompanied only with a qualified escort.  The assigned cabin crew member accompanies your child from the baggage and ticket check-in until the child is picked up by a designated adult at the destination airport. If you wish to use the escort service, you will have to cover the cost of the flight attendant’s ticket.

Children aged 5 to 12 years old

For children aged 5 to 12 travelling unaccompanied, we offer special assistance. Care is provided by a LOT Cabin Crew member, as well as passenger service ground staff designated at the airport.

Young people aged 12 to 17 years old

Young people between the ages of 12 and 17 can travel independently without requiring special assistance . If you choose not to book assistance, your child will be treated as an adult and independent passenger. In case of a flight delay or cancellation, we are happy to assist if your child informs LOT staff of their age and the need for assistance.

If you desire comprehensive care from ground staff and crew throughout the trip, including assistance during any flight disruptions, you can purchase a special assistance service for unaccompanied minors. This assistance will be organized similarly to that provided for children aged 5 to 12.

An additional fee for the special assistance and escort service will be added to the price of the ticket. It is billed per route (for each flight, e.g. Krakow–Warsaw and Warsaw–New York) and per child (even if siblings are traveling together). You can find more information through our   LOT Contact Center .

PLN 250/EUR 60/USD 65 + VAT

Domestic fligts (Poland)

PLN 350/EUR 85/USD 90

Europe and Middle East

PLN 550/EUR 125/USD 135/CAD 170/JPY 18000/KRW 180000/HUF 52000

North America and Asia

Required documents.

Parents or guardians of children travelling unaccompanied must print and fill in the Request for Carriage form, on the basis of which they complete the form received at the check-in counter.

Request for Carriage form

The child must be escorted to the airport by a parent or guardian. Please remain at the airport until take-off in the event of an unexpected flight cancellation.

• We have prepared a special Family Check-In counter for all children travelling with LOT. You should report to the check-in counter no later than 60 minutes before departure of international flights or 30 minutes before departure for domestic flights.
• The parent fills out the Request for Carriage document at the counter.
• The child will receive a special neck bag, which will contain their documents, passport and boarding pass.
• Your child’s luggage will be marked with a special tag that will make spotting the luggage at pick-up much easier.
• Your child will remain under the care of a ground crew member from check-in until boarding.
• The ground crew will escort your child through a fast-track security check.
• Your child will board the plane before other passengers.
• On board the plane, your child will be under the care of our cabin crew.
• The ground crew will pick up your child from the plane and help them collect their baggage.
• After landing, a designated ground crew member will lead your child to the exit and leave them only with the person you designated.
• Travel from Italy
• Travel from Spain

Travel from France

• Travel from Germany or Austria
• Travel from/to the Republic of Moldova

Children under 14 travelling unaccompanied must present a declaration signed by both parents, which may be obtained from any police station in Italy.

Minors travelling unaccompanied must have a valid travel document. Additionally, if they are travelling with an identification card and not a passport, they must have written permission signed by their parents or by their biological parent or person who holds parental rights. The permission must be certified at any police or Guardia Civil station, in court, by a notary or a city council after presenting the family book or birth certificate. The permission form can be found on the Guardia Civil website.

Minors from EU countries (in this case 27 Member States + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and those entering Spain with a personal identification (instead of a passport) also need written parental permission.

Children and youth under 18 may travel unaccompanied only with the permission of parents or guardians, who must fill out the AUTHORISATION TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY document.

Please be advised that the procedures differ slightly from other airports, namely: 

Berlin, Stuttgart, Hamburg – the child is accompanied from the check-in counter to the gate by a parent or guardian.

Düsseldorf – the child is accompanied from the check-in counter to the gate by a parent or guardian, or, in the event the parent or guardian is unwilling, the child is accompanied by a member of passenger service staff, after the check-in counter is closed.

Munich, Frankfurt – the airports have check-in counters for children travelling unaccompanied and a passenger service agent is responsible for providing full service. A parent or guardian may be asked to accompany the child to the gate.

Vienna – the child is accompanied from the check-in counter to the gate by a parent or guardian, or by a passenger service staff member (in some cases only after the check-in counter is closed).

The parent or guardian must remain at the airport until take-off.

The service is not available for children who are citizens of the Republic of Moldova.

Authorisation to leave the country document

DOCX (30 KB)

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Frontier: Children Flying Alone

• Planes & Seat Maps

What is Frontier's 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 5-14 traveling without an adult who is at least 15 years old. Children ages 15-17 years are not required to travel as unaccompanied minors, but the service is optional for this age group as well. Children under 5 years of age are not allowed to travel unless accompanied by an adult.

What are the fees associated with this service?

The Fee for an Unaccompanied Minor is $100 USD per direction, per child, that covers extra handling, an in-flight beverage, and a snack.

Are there any flight restrictions?

• Unaccompanied Minors are only allowed to travel on non-stop flights, including international flights.

How do I book this service

The Unaccompanied Minor Service cannot be booked online. You must call Frontier Airlines Reservations at 800-432-1FLY (1359).

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

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Children travelling alone

For children, being on board is generally an exciting adventure. If your little ones are well prepared beforehand, you as parents can also travel stress-free. Special regulations apply to children travelling alone.

Children travelling alone by air

Parents often worry when their child goes on this particular adventure. There are various reasons why a child would need to fly alone, but there is no need to worry about it. Our unaccompanied minors (UM) service takes care of your child before, during and after the flight when they have to travel alone. This service is compulsory for a UM under 12 years of age.

You can also book this service on request for minors aged between 12 and 17 years. Please note that in case of flight irregularities (e.g. flight cancellations of onward connections) children aged between 12 and 17 years will not receive special assistance if the UM service was not previously booked for them.

You can book the UM service for children and adolescents on direct connections. For transfers, we offer this service on flights that are operated by SWISS and Edelweiss.

If your planned itinerary includes flights that are operated by airlines other than SWISS, please contact our ​Service Centre before booking the ticket to ensure that the UM service is available.

This is how it works

The prices for the UM service apply for flights that are operated by SWISS. The fare is calculated per child and sector. Outbound and return flights are counted as two separate flights.

Be well prepared

Talk to your child about the planned trip in plenty of time. Answer their questions and encourage them to look forward to their adventure. Explain exactly what will happen on the journey and who will be waiting for them at their destination. Make sure your child is well rested before travelling and has everything they will need in their hand baggage.

• If parents still request the UM service, the UM fee applies for the minor in question and the accompanying passenger(s)

Travelling with children

• General information
• At the airport with children
• On board with children

Help and questions

Our Service Centre will be happy to help with any further questions. Contact them by phone or e-mail.

Download Handling Advice Form

Unaccompanied children can only travel with multiple copies of the signed form.

Police investigating after 'American Idol' alum, singer Mandisa found dead in home

Christian music sensation Mandisa has died at 47.

The singer was found deceased in her home on Thursday, a rep for Mandisa confirmed to USA TODAY on Friday.

“At this time, we do not know the cause of death or any further details. We ask for your prayers for her family and close-knit circle of friends during this incredibly difficult time," her team said via email.

Officers were investigating her death, a spokesperson for the Franklin Police Department told the USA TODAY Network on Friday after the Christian singer and "American Idol" alum was found dead.

"Mandisa was a voice of encouragement and truth to people facing life’s challenges all around the world. She wrote this song for a dear friend who had passed in 2017. Her own words say it best. 'I'm already home, You've got to lay it down 'cause Jesus holds me now—And I am not alone,'" a statement posted Friday on her official Facebook account read.

The California native first rose to fame on Season 5 of "American Idol," when she finished within the Top 10.

Later, she released her debut album "True Beauty" and went on to become one of the most recognizable voices in the Christian music industry. The five-time Grammy Award nominee snagged the best contemporary Christian music album award for her 2013 album, "Overcomer," featuring the popular title song.

Passages 2024: Dickey Betts, Eleanor Coppola, Roberto Cavalli, more stars we've lost

Reps for the show issued a statement to USA TODAY about the loss of Mandisa on Friday.

"Mandisa was an adored icon on American Idol and in the music industry. She had become a platinum-selling artist and had won several Grammys for her music. Her passing has left everyone on the show heartbroken, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family," the statement read.

Robin Roberts mourns loss of Mandisa, who she listened to during cancer treatments

In 2017, during an interview with Robin Roberts on "Good Morning America," Mandisa recounted her struggle with a deep depression three years prior. Mandisa said she became depressed after the death from breast cancer of her best friend LaKisha "Kisha" Mitchell , who was also a background singer for the star.

“It got pretty bad to the point where if I had not gotten off that road I would not be sitting here today,” Mandisa told Robin Roberts on “ GMA .” "I was this close to listening to that voice that told me, ‘You can be with Jesus right now, Mandisa. All you have to do is take your life.'"

Roberts, who listened to Mandisa's song "Stronger" during her own breast cancer treatments, mourned Mandisa's loss in a Facebook post Friday, recounting how the "Idol" alum was present during her first day back on "GMA" after her cancer battle.

"My heart is heavy hearing about Mandisa. Incredibly blessed that she was there my first day back on GMA after my long medical leave. Her beautiful music and spirit lifted me and countless others. Sending prayers and condolences to her family & loved ones." she said, adding a link of Mandisa's performance .

Mandisa's death shared by Christian radio station: 'Struggles are over'

Mandisa's death was first shared in a blog post by Christian radio station K-Love.

In a statement, K-Love Chief Media Officer David Pierce said she "loved Jesus, and she used her unusually extensive platform to talk about Him at every turn" and asked for prayers for the star's family and friends.

"Her kindness was epic, her smile electric, her voice massive, but it wasno match for the size of her heart. Mandisa struggled, and she was vulnerable enough to share that with us, which helped us talk about our own struggles. Mandisa’s struggles are over. She is with the God she sang about now. While we are saddened, Mandisa is home," the statement read.

Contributing: Melonee Hurt and Craig Shoup; The Tennessean