But things can and do go wrong recently. Last month, a 6-year-old boy in Philadelphia was put on the wrong Spirit Airlines flight and ended up in Orlando instead of Fort Myers, Florida. A few days later, 16-year-old boy boarded the wrong Frontier Airlines flight And instead of landing in Cleveland, it landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A month ago, a Florida mother filed a lawsuit claiming her two sons were left in a “cold prison-like room with no food, water, or blankets” after a layover on American Airlines. The airline has been cancelled.
If you are a family in need of these services, here are some things you should know about airline unaccompanied minor policies.
Who is considered an unaccompanied minor?
Children over the age of 5 may register for companion services, and children under that age are generally prohibited from traveling alone. According to the Ministry of Transport. Airlines typically allow minors to register for solo traveler services up to the age of 17.
The DOT has no specific regulations regarding the travel of unaccompanied minors, so policies regarding this, including minimum and maximum ages, are typically set by individual airlines. Most airlines allow him to travel alone if he is over 15 years old, but some allow him from 12 years old. If you are younger than this, airlines usually require parental permission to travel alone.
These steps also vary depending on whether your child is flying domestically or internationally.
What is the airline’s policy regarding unaccompanied minors?
Some airlines may not accept reservations for minors traveling alone who are connecting to the last flight of the day or connecting to another airline. Some airlines may not allow children traveling alone on connections at all. Other policies include:
- american airlines: Children between the ages of 5 and 14 traveling alone must apply for Unaccompanied Minor Services. The airline says this is best suited for people between the ages of 15 and 17. They can take advantage of early boarding, visit children’s lounges at airports in major cities, and be escorted between flights until an authorized adult can pick them up. I landed. Unaccompanied children aged 5 to 7 are only allowed on direct flights. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 can travel on some connecting flights.
- delta airlines: Children aged 5-7 are welcome Solo travelers can only take direct flights, while 8 to 14 people can take some connecting flights. If you are connecting, a Delta or business partner employee will escort you to these stops. You will also be given a wristband that will allow you to pass through Delta checkpoints until you board your flight. You’ll need to bring a photo ID and contact phone number, as well as the name, address, and phone number of the adult you’ll be meeting at your destination.
- united airliness: Children between the ages of 5 and 14 are only allowed to travel alone on direct flights and must use the airline’s Unaccompanied Child service. You can also meet the pilot, be escorted to your seat, and check in with the flight attendants during your trip. For international flights, a staff member will meet you at the ticket counter and guide you. Once the plane has landed, a member of staff will pick up your child from the designated person. The procedure for this differs between domestic and international flights.
- southwest airlines: The airline’s Unaccompanied Minors program is only for children between the ages of 5 and 11 and is not permitted to travel on connecting flights. It is possible for multiple children to travel on the same booking, but each child will be charged a separate travel fee. Children aged 12 and over can take advantage of the airline’s Young Traveler program.
- frontier airlines: Children under the age of 15 cannot travel alone and must be on the same reservation as an accompanying adult.
What are the service fees for unaccompanied minors?
Airfares for unaccompanied minor services are based on round-trip or one-way travel and may be higher for international flights. Some airlines may only charge you if you have a connecting flight. If he also brings two or more children on the same booking, depending on the airline he may only be charged one fare. According to the DOT, these fees are separate from the cost of the airfare itself. American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines prices start at $150 per flight.
How should parents arrange flight details?
Most airlines require reservations for children traveling alone and typically do not allow standby travel. DOT recommends contacting the airline in advance about child meal reservations if meal service is available. Delta recommends packing snacks, games, books and other entertainment for unaccompanied minors and attaching his ID card and contact information to his carry-on bag or jacket.
Parents should also ask the airline about giving their children electronic tickets, regardless of whether the airline offers paper tickets. Electronic tickets can be scanned with your phone or device. This prevents you from losing or forgetting your ticket. For international flights, some countries require consent forms for unaccompanied minors, and in some cases, notarization, the DOT said. Parents should check with the destination country’s embassy or consulate for specific requirements.
How do unaccompanied minors pass through TSA?
If your child is traveling alone, they must check in at the airport ticket counter. Parents can also choose a “gate pass” to take their child through Transportation Security Administration inspection and to the departure gate. Some airlines require this. Parents may also be required to submit an unaccompanied minor form.
Setting up services for unaccompanied minors can take time, so parents and children should arrive at the airport as soon as possible to complete these steps.
Each adult heading to the gate will need a government-issued photo ID, and you’ll need to give this information to the person meeting your child at the destination airport or on your return flight. Airlines and travel agents are not responsible for ensuring that your child has the necessary international travel documents, but they may be able to provide helpful information.
What responsibilities do airlines have for unaccompanied minors?
The airline will only release your child to the person listed on the child’s solo travel form. Please do not have someone else pick up your child at the last minute as this person will need to show identification.
Additionally, many airlines do not allow employees to administer medications to passengers, so if your child needs medication that they cannot take on their own during a flight, DOT will ask your doctor to discuss alternatives. We recommend that you do so. The airline also stressed that while the airline strives to create a safe and comfortable environment for children, these services do not include constant supervision or entertainment during the flight.