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Travel Tips
Arranging for a child to fly unaccompanied requires coordination and planning. Begin by talking to an airline representative to learn what services your air carrier offers children traveling alone. Policies vary. The minimum age allowable for unaccompanied flight depends on whether the flight is nonstop, direct or connecting. Some airlines will sanction unaccompanied international trips, but most carriers let children fly alone only on domestic flights.
The airline you choose probably will charge a fee for providing unaccompanied minor passenger services.
Parents will need to fill out an airline’s unaccompanied minor form. Every airline will need to know:
- The name and age of the escorted child
- The name, address and telephone number of the parent or guardian who will bring the child to the departure gate
- Emergency contact telephone numbers
- The name, address and telephone number of the adult who will be responsible for meeting and picking up the child at the destination airport
Airlines may require a parent or guardian to take the traveling child to the airline departure gate and to wait there until passengers board the plane and it takes off.
When a child is released to the airline’s supervision, a representative will make sure the child boards the flight with all necessary documentation and tickets. Onboard, a flight attendant will see to the child’s needs and will safeguard tickets and other paperwork.
At the destination city, an airline agent will meet the plane and receive the child from the flight attendant. After the minor passenger disembarks, the airlines will release the child to the adult designated to pick up the unaccompanied minor and will not release the child to anyone else. This person must have valid photo identification. Parents should let traveling children know who will be picking them up at their destination.
- Check your airline to learn whether it will allow unaccompanied children on connecting flights or on nonstop flights only.
- Flights for unaccompanied children usually cannot be booked online, via an airline’s Web site.
- Children may need proof-of-age documents.
- For international flights, children will need proper documentation for the country they are visiting (passports, visas, immunization records, etc.)
- Airlines are sensitive to flight delays and diversions. If there is delay or any chance that an unaccompanied minor will miss a connecting flight, the airline may refuse service or reschedule the flight. Airlines might not accept an unaccompanied minor on the last flight of the day.
- Provide children with cash, with a telephone calling card and with contact numbers for emergencies.
- Airlines will not administer scheduled medications to children flying alone. Children must be able to give themselves medicine.
- Advise children flying alone to stay in their seats while passengers unload. Once all passengers are off the plane, an airline representative will meet and escort the child to the adult who is designated to receive the child.
- Escorts for unaccompanied teenagers usually are optional, although age limits vary among airlines.
Recommendations for parents:
- Review trip itineraries and explain all aspects and potentialities of the trip to teenagers unaccustomed to airline travel so they will know what to expect during their journeys.
- If teenagers need help during their trip, advise them not to ask questions of strangers but to ask airline or airport personnel only.
- Traveling teenagers should have emergency contact telephone numbers. Have teenagers call you when they arrive at their destination.
- Plan for all trip expenses so teenagers have the necessary resources for meals, ground transportation and incidentals. Consider giving them cash for unexpected expenses (delays).
Visit your airline’s Web site for its policies on children passengers.
Contact your airline of choice for information about children passengers and for procedures governing children flying alone. Each airline has its own policies for children’s fares and services. These policies generally are available on airline Web sites. Unless teenage children are flying alone, airlines probably will not require children younger than 18 to have identification for flights. Check to find out what ID requirements your airline has for children passengers.
As a general rule, airlines classify children under age two as infants and allow one infant per adult to sit on an adult’s lap. These infant passengers are called “lap children.” Currently, on domestic flights, lap children fly free, and some airlines allow a passenger as young as age 12 to hold an infant during a flight.
Most airlines will charge 50 percent of the normal adult fare for an infant who is in a car seat and occupies an airline passenger seat. All airlines require any infant seat or child restraint device to be FAA approved and to be certified for aircraft use. Because policies vary among airlines, check with your air carrier for its children and infant fares.
- Bring a child’s favorite toy, a puzzle, a coloring book or a storybook — anything that can be easily packed and that will help entertain a child on a flight. You should bring headsets for any electronic entertainment (DVDs, CDs, games, etc.)
- A cabin window might interest children, so consider reserving window seats.
- Often, children are susceptible to ear pain caused by cabin pressure adjustments. Airlines suggest giving children food or drink during take off and landing. Chewing gum and ear plugs might also ease discomfort.
- If you need a baby meal, request it when making flight reservations.
- Some airlines will warm up baby bottles onboard. Express flights may not have this capability.
- In some instances, a child’s age must be documented (e.g., for fares)
- Bring an adequate supply of diapers. Some aircraft will have bassinets or changing tables. Confirm with your air carrier.
- If you are traveling with an infant or a child younger than 15, you cannot sit in an aircraft exit row.
