Sending your kids alone on an international flight can be daunting. With thousands of airlines worldwide, and policies varying widely, I’m here to help!
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There are currently 5,000 registered airlines worldwide and just about that many unaccompanied minor policies. I recently put together a Concise Domestic Unaccompanied Minor Guide that summarized the policies of the 14 mainline airlines in the US.
But, since my most vivid memories of traveling alone as a child involve international travel, I decided to attempt to do the same for that. However, since there are many more international airlines than domestic ones, I need to break up in information. Since airlines have grouped themselves by alliance, I am going to do the same here. Remember, alliances are partnerships that can be used to book connecting flights or to save money–amongst other purposes.
Note: all information is current as of this writing. Always contact the carrier directly to confirm.
Much of the general overview is similar to my other articles on the topic.
Common General Policies
As mentioned, policies vary widely, but a few are common enough that they are worth mentioning. Each airline listed in linked to its own website, and the contact phone number is for a US based office unless otherwise indicated.
Booking
Tickets booked for minors travelling alone generally can not be booked online. However, some airlines require everything to be done online. Qantas doubles the fee if it is done at the airport, for example. Many airlines also have specific fare classes that are eligible for unaccompanied minors and your child might not be allowed to board if booked differently.
If you are planning to travel on the same flight, but in a different cabin (business vs economy, for example), you may still need to pay for the unaccompanied minor service for your child.
Furthermore, there is usually a limit to the number of children travelling alone allowed on each flight, so be sure to book early.
When booking code share flights or flights that connect to other airlines, always check the policy of EVERY airline involved in the process. You don’t want to get turned away at the airport.
Check-In
You must get to the airport with your child and all the accompanying documentation several hours before the flight. Depending on the airport, you may be allowed to accompany your child through security and all the way to the gate. However, regardless of at what point you have to say good-bye, you must still wait until the plane is in the air–just in case.
Forms and Fees
Generally there will have to be someone over 18 years old dropping off and picking up the child. When international travel is involved there is a lot of paperwork. Some airlines even require as many as 6 copies of everything. Most airlines have their forms available on their websites.
Furthermore, you should check with the countries that your child is travelling to/from to confirm what documents they need to enter/exit the country. This also varies widely. You can check with the local embassy/consulate or the country’s website. But, be sure to leave yourself sufficient time since you may need to get documents notarized and officially translated.
3 Essentials for a Minor to Travel Internationally Without Parents
The guardian will need to complete customs and immigration forms for the minor at check-in as well.
Fees vary and are listed below in US dollars when the airline has done so. Not all airlines accept US dollars, but most will accept US credit cards. If you are paying outside of your home country, be sure to do so with a card that does not incur a foreign transaction fee. This card comes with a $200 airline incidental credit that may be able to cover the fee, earns bonus points when paying the airline directly, and doesn’t have a foreign transaction fee.
Service
The service provided by the airlines varies widely. Some just provide a bit of extra supervision. Others will provide some sort of special seating, extra food/snacks, in-flight entertainment, assistance with connections, and any other assistance the child may need. Your child may even get to spend time in a special unaccompanied minor airport lounge.
One World
I decided to start with the One World alliance because I have flown on one of these airlines most recently (and because it comes first alphabetically and is the shortest list 😉)
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines has 3 age categories in their Junior Jetsetter program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. The unaccompanied minor fee is waived for any child with any Mileage Plan elite status.
Contact: 800-252-7522
Ages 5-7
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $50 each way per child
Other rules: non-stop/direct flights only; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM
Ages 8-12
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $50 each way per child for non-stop/direct
$75 each way per child for connecting flights
Other rules: travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM; unless no other option is available, no connections to the last flight of the day, or layovers of more than 2 hours
Ages 13-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $50 each way per child for non-stop/direct
$75 each way per child for connecting flights
Other rules: guardian contact required and gate escort when possible; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM; unless no other option is available, no connections to the last flight of the day, or layovers of more than 2 hours
American Airlines
American Airlines has 3 age categories in their unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children ages 2-14 can be accompanied by someone 16 or over.
Contact: 800-433-7300
Ages 5-7
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way per sibling group
Other rules: non-stop flights only
Ages 8-14
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way per sibling group
Other rules: non-stop flights or those connecting through 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) and Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
Ages 15-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $150 each way per sibling group
Other rules: non-stop flights or those connecting through 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) and Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
British Airways
British Airways does not allow passengers under 14 years old to travel alone. Children 0-13 may be booked on the same reservation with someone 16 or over. A parent/guardian must complete a consent form and provide other documentation for young travelers flying on their own (i.e.: ages 14-15).
Contact: 800-247-9297
Don’t forget to pick-up a couple things for your child’s flight!
Cathay Pacific
Cathay Pacific has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-5 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 833-933-2244
Ages 6-11
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $130 each way per child Hong Kong to/from Europe, South Asia, Middle East & Africa, South West Pacific, The Americas
$65 each way per child for all other sectors
Ages 12-17
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $130 each way per child Hong Kong to/from Europe, South Asia, Middle East & Africa, South West Pacific, The Americas
$65 each way per child for all other sectors
Finnair
Finnair’s unaccompanied minor program makes a distinction between flights within Finland and international flights (and a further distinction for flights to/from the United States). Children 0-4 can travel within Finland with an accompanying family member who is at least 16 years old; for all other flights, they must be accompanied by someone at least 18 with parental/guardian consent.
Contact: 929-474-6049 (New York); 323-694-7646 (Los Angeles)
Ages 5-11 (5-14 when traveling to/from the US)
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: €40 per leg per child within Finland
€60 per leg per child within Europe
€120 per leg per child long haul
Ages 12-17 (15-17 when traveling to/from the US)
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: €40 per leg per child within Finland
€60 per leg per child within Europe
€120 per leg per child long haul
Iberia
Iberia has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children ages 0-11 can be accompanied by someone 16 or over.
Contact: 800-772-4642
Ages 5-11 (5-13 when travelling from Italy)
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee for direct flights: €45/$55/£40 each way per child domestic (excluding the Canary Islands)
€70/$85/£65 each way per child Canary Islands, Europe, Middle East North Africa
€120/$145/£110 each way per child Americas, Southern Africa, Asia
Fee for flights with connections in Madrid: €70/$85/£65 each way per child domestic (excluding the Canary Islands)
€100/$120/£90each way per child Canary Islands, Europe, Middle East North Africa
€150/$180/£135 each way per child Americas, Southern Africa, Asia
Ages 12-17 (14-17 when travelling from Italy)
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee for direct flights: €45/$55/£40 each way per child domestic (excluding the Canary Islands)
€70/$85/£65 each way per child Canary Islands, Europe, Middle East North Africa
€120/$145/£110 each way per child Americas, Southern Africa, Asia
Fee for flights with connections in Madrid: €70/$85/£65 each way per child domestic (excluding the Canary Islands)
€100/$120/£90each way per child Canary Islands, Europe, Middle East North Africa
€150/$180/£135 each way per child Americas, Southern Africa, Asia
Japan Airlines
Japan Airlines has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-5 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children ages 0-11 can be accompanied by someone 12 or over.
Contact: 0120-25-0001 (toll free in Japan)
Ages 6-7
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $150 each way per child
Other rules: cannot include the last flight of the day from the final connection city or overnight connecting flights, unless it’s the only scheduled flight offered
Ages 8-11
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $150 each way per child
Other rules: cannot include the last flight of the day from the final connection city or overnight connecting flights, unless it’s the only scheduled flight offered
At Haneda Airport, Nihon Kotsu’s “Kids Taxi” service has specially trained taxi drivers that will pick up and drop off your child from/to Haneda Airport.
5 Fundamental Tips for Flying with Kids
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 1300 88 3000 (inside Malaysia); +603 7843 3000 (outside Malaysia)
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: contact airline directly before booking as conditions under which minors are permitted to travel, however, may differ based on point of departure
Other rules: can not include flights involving transfers with stopovers of more than 24 hours, unless, parents or guardians have arranged for the child to be picked up at the transfer point
Ages 11-14
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: contact airline directly before booking as conditions under which minors are permitted to travel, however, may differ based on point of departure
Other rules: can not include flights involving transfers with stopovers of more than 24 hours, unless, parents or guardians have arranged for the child to be picked up at the transfer point
Oman Air
Oman Air offers unaccompanied minor service for children ages 5-16. Connections of greater than 6 hours will necessitate the parent/guardian making arrangements for supervision during the layover.
Contact: 201 205 2115
Qantas
Qantas has 2 age categories for domestic flights and 3 for international flights. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Children 0-11 can be accompanied by a sibling age 15 or over. Qantas suggests that you list all passengers under age 18 not registered in the Unaccompanied Minor Program as “Young Passengers”, so they are identifiable to crew in the event of a delay or disruption.
Contact: 800-227-4500
Age 5
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $50AUS per child per destination, domestic with a transit time of less than 4 hours between any 2 connections
$90AUS per child per destination, international where flight time is less than 6 hours
Note: service not available for children age 5 on international flights of 6 or more hours on length
Other rules: can not include an overnight stopover, the last flight of the day, connecting flights departing from different airports in the same city, a flight not operated by Qantas (even if it has a QF flight number), transit time between any two connecting flights that is more than 4 hours
Ages 6-11
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $50AUS per child per destination, domestic with a transit time of less than 4 hours between any 2 connections
$90AUS per child per destination, international
Other rules: can not include an overnight stopover, the last flight of the day, connecting flights departing from different airports in the same city, a flight not operated by Qantas (even if it has a QF flight number), transit time between any two connecting flights that is more than 4 hours
Ages 12-15
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $50AUS per child per destination, domestic with a transit time of less than 4 hours between any 2 connections
$90AUS per child per destination, international
Other rules: can not include an overnight stopover, the last flight of the day, connecting flights departing from different airports in the same city, a flight not operated by Qantas (even if it has a QF flight number), transit time between any two connecting flights that is more than 4 hours
Note: fees should be paid at time of booking. If paid at the airport, they are doubled.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways takes a unique approach to their unaccompanied minor service. They have 2 levels of service and you must book one for any child 5-15. Under 5 can not fly without an adult and over 15 is not eligible for either service.
The basic unaccompanied minor service ensures your child gets on the plane, is taken care of during transit and on the flight(s), and hand him/her over to the designated guardian upon arrival. This service is free, but you MUST book an adult fare.
For the escort service, a dedicated airline employee will escort your child throughout his/her journey. As a result, you will also be charged a return ticket for the company employee who will accompany your child.
Contact 877-777-2827
Royal Air Marcoc
Royal Air Maroc requires children ages 0-3 to travel with someone over 18 years-old or their parent/legal guardian. There are 2 age categories for the unaccompanied minor program.
Contact: 800-344-6726
Ages 4-11
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: €50 for direct flights
€100 for flights with connections
Other rules: not available in the case of flights with a connection of 8 hours or more and requiring accommodation, as well as in the case of flights with a transit outside Casablanca
Ages 12-16
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: €50 for direct flights
€100 for flights with connections
Other rules: not available in the case of flights with a connection of 8 hours or more and requiring accommodation, as well as in the case of flights with a transit outside Casablanca
Royal Jordanian
Royal Jordanian requires all forms be completed at one of their offices before a ticket can be issued for an unaccompanied minor. Also, as mentioned earlier, every country has their own rules for minors entering/exiting their borders. Jordan has very specific rules for Jordanian children travelling without their fathers.
Royal Jordanian has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-2 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: +962-6-5100000
Ages 3-5
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $60 to/from RJ Gateways
Other rules: flights to Royal Jordanian gateways only; unaccompanied minors may only check-in at Queen Alia International Airport(not able to check-in at the Amman City Terminal)
Ages 6-12 (6-14 when travelling to/from the US)
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: $30 to/from Aqaba
$60 to/from RJ Gateways
$100 to/from US and Canada
Other rules: flights to Royal Jordanian gateways only; unaccompanied minors may only check-in at Queen Alia International Airport(not able to check-in at the Amman City Terminal)
Sri Lankan Airlines
Sri Lankan Airlines has 3 age categories in their unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 732-205-0017
Age 5
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: must purchase adult fare ticket
Other rules: single sector flights only
Ages 6-11
Unaccompanied Minor service: required
Fee: must purchase adult fare ticket
Ages 12-15
Unaccompanied Minor service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: must purchase adult fare ticket
Other rules: must be requested by parents
My older children have flown independently domestically, but this summer I’m planning to send them alone internationally. As you can see above, whether or not we will use an unaccompanied minor service will depend on the airline we use. Thinks it’s a necessity for a teen? Let me know!
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