You’ve decided to send your child on an international flight on his own. Now what? Check out all the details for your unaccompanied minor on a SkyTeam Alliance flight.
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There are thousands of airlines worldwide. Each has its own unaccompanied minor policy. Much of the general overview is similar to my other articles on the topic. So I am not going to rehash it all here. However, I will remind you that you will always need to check the rules for each airline your child will be travelling on as well as each country s/he will be traveling to/from/through and issuing the passport.
Check our my other articles that cover the regulations of the various airlines.
Concise Domestic Unaccompanied Minor Guide
One World Alliance Unaccompanied Minor Policies
Note: all information is current as of this writing. Always contact the carrier directly to confirm.
SkyTeam Alliance
Here is a breakdown of the unaccompanied minor options for each of the SkyTeam Alliance airlines. I have tried to include the fees in US dollars when possible. And, I have included the US contact number if there is one.
Aerolineas Argentinas
Aerolineas Argentinas has 2 age groups in their unaccompanied minor program. Children under 5 years-old must travel with their parent or someone 18 or over in the adjacent seat. Children 5-11 who are not traveling with such a person must utilize the unaccompanied minor service. The fee chart is quite detailed.
Contact: +54-11-4940-4798 (WhatsApp)
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: see below
Other Rules: nonstop flights or connecting flights lasting up to 5 hours operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas; not available in the following cases: connecting flights with overnight layovers, connecting flights with connections between Aeroparque and Ezeiza Airports in Buenos Aires (AEP/EZE), minors traveling with pets minors traveling with Child Restraint Systems (CRS) onboard, unaccompanied minors with a medical condition that requires the involvement of the Medical Department of the Company
Ages 12-15
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: see below
Other Rules: nonstop flights or connecting flights lasting up to 5 hours operated by Aerolíneas Argentinas; not available in the following cases: connecting flights with overnight layovers, connecting flights with connections between Aeroparque and Ezeiza Airports in Buenos Aires (AEP/EZE), minors traveling with pets minors traveling with Child Restraint Systems (CRS) onboard, unaccompanied minors with a medical condition that requires the involvement of the Medical Department of the Company
AeroMexico
As mentioned above, always check the regulation of the country of departure and arrival for children traveling alone. Mexico, in particular, may require notarized documents to do so. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied on AeroMexico.
Contact: 800-237-6639
Ages 5-14
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: $700 MXN per child within Mexico
$155 USD/EUR/GBP per child for international destinations
$150 USD per child to/from the US
Other Rules: seasonal rate increases apply; number of unaccompanied minors permitted per flight is dependent on the type of aircraft
Age 15
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional, below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $700 MXN per child within Mexico
$155 USD/EUR/GBP per child for international destinations
$150 USD per child to/from the US
Other Rules: seasonal rate increases apply; number of unaccompanied minors permitted per flight is dependent on the type of aircraft
3 Essentials for a Minor to Travel Internationally Without Parents
Air Europa
Air Europa’s unaccompanied minor program makes a distinction between domestic and international flights. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 844-415-3955
Ages 5-11 (domestic)
Ages 5-14 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: see below
Other Rules: these services must be requested in advance, at which point you’ll need to provide the contact details of the people responsible for dropping off and picking up the child; layover must be 5 hours or less
Ages 12-17 (domestic)
Ages 15-17 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: see below
Other Rules: these services must be requested in advance, at which point you’ll need to provide the contact details of the people responsible for dropping off and picking up the child; layover must be 5 hours or less
Air France
“Kids Solo Service” is the name of the Air France program, and it draws a distinction based on route. Booking through the app is recommended. This way you can follow your child’s journey in real time and share the information with the pick-up person. Children 0-3 years old (or 4 depending on the destination) years old can not fly unaccompanied. Kids Solo service is limited and not available on every flight.
Contact: 800-237-2747
Ages 4-11 (within Metropolitan France, to/from Overseas France, or Intra-Caribbean)
Ages 5-14 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: included in the ticket price
Other Rules: connections are possible at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris-Orly (ORY) and Lyon (LYS); routes with connections that do not currently offer the Kids Solo service include travel to/from China, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong; the Kids Solo service is available for travel to/from Noumea (NOU), departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) via Tokyo-Narita (NRT) or Singapore (SIN)
if the itinerary has only one connection
Ages 12-17 (within Metropolitan France, to/from Overseas France, or Intra-Caribbean)
Ages 15-17 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: €45 within Metropolitan France direct
€45 within Metropolitan France direct
€50 to/from Overseas France or Intra-Caribbean direct
€65 to/from Overseas France or Intra-Caribbean with connection(s)
€80 direct international direct
€100 direct international with connection(s)
Other Rules: connections are possible at Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Paris-Orly (ORY) and Lyon (LYS); routes with connections that do not currently offer the Kids Solo service include travel to/from China, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong; the Kids Solo service is available for travel to/from Noumea (NOU), departing from Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) via Tokyo-Narita (NRT) or Singapore (SIN) if the itinerary has only one connection
China Airlines
China Airlines is one of the few airlines that allows the accompanying adult to fly in a different cabin of service and not have to pay the unaccompanied minor fee. However, this only applies to passenger at least 8 years old. Children under 5 can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 800-227-5118
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: Calculated based on a percentage of the adult fare in the fare database
Other Rules: unaccompanied minors can only fly in economy or premium economy; Adult FIT fares with RBD W/U/Y/B/M are applied to UM tickets; AWARD TICKET/AD/ID tickets are excluded from the application of UM travelling; booking must be made at least 72 hours in advance
Ages 12-17
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $75 per child each way
Other Rules: must be reserved 24 hours in advance; can be cancelled before departure for a 20% service fee
China Eastern
China Eastern limits the number of unaccompanied minors it will accept per flight based on the aircraft type. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. China Eastern Airlines has to consent to your request to allow an unaccompanied minor to fly. It must be applied for one week ahead of time with the marketing department and permission must be granted by the receiving airport who will verify the receiving guardian prior to confirming. Rules apply to flight operated by China Eastern or Shanghai Airlines
Contact: 212-685-8685
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: adult fare must be purchased; additional fee will be assessed if receiving party is late
Other Rules: seats on all connection must be confirmed in advance; connecting flight must be same day at a main hub (Pudong, Hongqiao, Kunming or Xi’an); connection can not exceed 150 minutes unless it is the first connecting flight
Ages 12-15
Unaccompanied Minor Service: other services available
Other Rules: apply at the local office
Czech Airlines
Czech Airlines allows children to travel alone from age 12, unless they are travelling to/from countries with higher restrictions by law. Children 0-5 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: +420-284-000-602
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: 2350 CZK/€95 (or local equivalent) per child per flight segment; includes meals and drinks
Other Rules: adult fare ticket must be purchased; request for unaccompanied minor service must be made when booking the ticket no less than 48 hours before departure; service availability will be confirmed within 24 hours
Ages 12-17
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: 2350 CZK/€95 (or local equivalent) per child per flight segment; includes meals and drinks
Other Rules: adult fare ticket must be purchased; request for unaccompanied minor service must be made when booking the ticket no less than 48 hours before departure; service availability will be confirmed within 24 hours
5 Fundamental Tips for Flying with Kids
Delta Air Lines
Delta Airlines has 3 age categories in their unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 800-325-8847
Ages 5-7
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: $150 each way up to 4 children
Other Rules: some non-stop flights only; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM (some exceptions)
Ages 8-14
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: $150 each way up to 4 children
Other Rules: some non-stop and connecting flights; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM (some exceptions); travel not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day
Ages 15-17
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $150 each way up to 4 children
Other Rules: non-stop and connecting flights; travel may not begin between 9 PM and 5 AM (some exceptions); travel not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day
Garuda Indonesia
Garuda Indonesia has 2 age categories in its unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-5 years old can not fly unaccompanied.
Contact: 800 342-7832
Ages 6-7
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: fee applies per sector; see below
Other Rules: direct flights only
Ages 8-12
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: for non-stop flights, fee applies per sector; see below
Other Rules: can include non-direct flights
ITA Airways
ITA’s unaccompanied minor service should be booked at the same time the ticket is issued. Children 0-4 are not eligible for the service.
Contact: 877-793-1717
Ages 5-13 (domestic)
Ages 5-14 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: see below; price can vary based on the time of purchase; the supplement for flights to/from Japan for minors aged 5 to 11 to be verified at booking
Other Rules: should there be connecting flights, the minor cannot be booked onto the last flight of the day to his/her destination from a stopover airport, unless that flight is the only flight departing that day
Ages 14-17 (domestic)
Ages 15-17 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional, below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: see below; price can vary based on the time of purchase
Other Rules: he service will also be guaranteed for connecting flights, even if, should a connection have been missed, ITA Airways has to board the minor on a flight different from the one originally booked
Note: as mentioned several times, always check the legal requirements of the country your child is travelling to/from in addition to the one issuing the passport. For example, ITA’s website mentions specific documentation requirements for Italian citizens travelling abroad.
3 Reasons We Want Dual Citizenship
Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways does not allow children ages 0-4 to travel without an accompanying adult. For unaccompanied minor ages 5-14, the service must be reserved 24 hours in advance and be confirmed for all airlines on the itinerary.
Contact +254-705-474-747 (WhatsApp)
Ages 5-14
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: must book an adult fare plus an undisclosed handling fee; the fee does not apply on domestic flights (NBO, MBA, KIS, LAU, MYD, EDL) or for Kool Fliers members
Other Rules: no overnight stopover/connection; no connections on ‘flights’ operated by train/ bus; can not include a connecting flight on American Airlines for travel to/from the United States; no change of airport allowed; no connection longer than 5 hours
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
KLM does not allow children ages 0-4 to travel without an accompanying adult. There are 2 age categories for the unaccompanied minor program. Service should be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
Contact: 800-618-0104
Ages 5-14
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: must book adult fare plus the following fee
€100-150 for direct flights
€200-300 for flights with connections
Other Rules: connecting flight only permitted on KLM, Air France, or Delta
Ages 15-17
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: must book adult fare plus the following fee
€100-150 for direct flights
€200-300 for flights with connections
Other Rules: connecting flight only permitted on KLM, Air France, or Delta; if not using the service and there is a delay/cancelation, child should mention his/her age when asking for assistance (but will still not have dedicated supervision)
Korean Air
Korean Air has different categories for its unaccompanied minor program based on whether it is a domestic or international flight. Children ages 5-12 can be accompanied by someone 13 or over for domestic flights. However, for international flights, children 5-11 must be accompanied by someone 18 or over. Service should be arranged at least 24 hours in advance.
Korean Air allows the service fee to be paid with airline miles.
Contact: 800-438-5000
Ages 5-12 (domestic)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: standard adult fare
Other Rules: may not be available when connecting to other airlines; not available on codeshare flights
Ages 5-11 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: standard adult fare plus KRW 150,000 each segment (USD 150, CAD 150 and IDR 2,140,000 for flights departing from the US, Canada, and Indonesia, respectively) or 15,000 miles
Other Rules: may not be available when connecting to other airlines; not available on codeshare flights
Ages 12-16 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: standard adult fare plus KRW 200,000 each segment (USD 200, CAD 200 and IDR 2,860,000 for flights departing from the US, Canada and Indonesia, respectively) or 20,000 miles
Other Rules: may not be available when connecting to other airlines; not available on codeshare flights
Middle East Airlines
Middle East Airlines has 3 age categories in their unaccompanied minor program. This program actually includes children under age 5.
Contact: +44-20-7467-8000 (UK)
Under Age 5
Unaccompanied Minor Service: special escort service is required
Fee: $100 per sector
Other Rules: this is a dedicated one-on-one flight attendant
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: $100 per sector
Other Rules: no connecting or codeshare flights
Ages 12-16
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional
Fee: $100 per sector
Other Rules: no connecting or codeshare flights
Saudia
Saudia allows children ages 0-11 to be accompanied by someone at least 15 years old. Airlines has 3 age categories in their unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Tickets for unaccompanied minors cannot be issued through call centers.
Contact: 800-472-8342
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: must book adult fare
Other Rules: reservations must be confirmed to final destination; overnight stops only permitted if parents make all arrangements for the duration; connections may not exceed 6 hours; confirm rules of connecting airlines
Ages 12-15
Unaccompanied Minor Service: if there is any doubt of the minor’s ability in means of traveling alone, or if the minor is accompanying another child under 12 years of age; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: must book adult fare
Other Rules: reservations must be confirmed to final destination; overnight stops only permitted if parents make all arrangements for the duration; connections may not exceed 6 hours; confirm rules of connecting airlines
TAROM
TAROM’s policy is an example of where local law varies depending on the citizenship of the passenger. Romanian Law makes a distinction, based on age, as to what is considered an “unaccompanied minor” when it comes to its citizens. Romanian citizens under 18 years old need notarized permission from both parents to travel out of the country and are subject to the unaccompanied minor policy. Whereas the service is only obligatory until age 12 for Romanian citizens travelling to Romania.
The unaccompanied minor service is not available to children under age 5.
Contact: 646-213-9595
Ages 5-11 (domestic)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: €60 per segment
Other Rules: service must be confirmed for all flight segments; connections can not exceed 5 hours (3 hours with Air Europa)
Ages 12-17 (domestic)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: €60 per segment
Other Rules: service must be confirmed for all flight segments; connections can not exceed 5 hours (3 hours on Air Europa)
Ages 5-11 (all international for foreign citizens and inbound for Romanian citizens)
Ages 5-17 (international outbound for Romanian citizens)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: €100 per segment
Other Rules: service must be confirmed for all flight segments; connections can not exceed 5 hours (3 hours on Air Europa)
Ages 12-17 (all international for foreign citizens and inbound for Romanian citizens)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: €100 per segment
Other Rules: service must be confirmed for all flight segments; connections can not exceed 5 hours (3 hours on Air Europa)
Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines has 2 different options for the type of accompaniment available. There is the standard unaccompanied minor service that provides escort through the airport and some supervision throughout the flight. There is also an “accompanied cabin crew” service which is an escort service of a dedicated crew member. This option allows younger children to travel without their parents/guardian.
Unaccompanied minor service should be arranged at least 24 hours prior if by phone and 36 hours if done online. The accompanied cabin crew service should be booked at least 3 days prior for domestic flights and 5 days for international flights.
Contact: 866-677-8909
Ages 2-5 (domestic)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: VND 500,000
Accompanied Cabin Crew Service: required
Fee: applicable adult fare on the same class of service of UM and appropriate surcharges
Ages 6-11 (domestic)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: VND 500,000
Accompanied Cabin Crew Service: optional
Fee: applicable adult fare on the same class of service of UM and appropriate surcharges
Ages 12-17 (domestic)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: VND 500,000
Accompanied Cabin Crew Service: optional
Fee: applicable adult fare on the same class of service of UM and appropriate surcharges
Ages 2-5 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: $50
Accompanied Cabin Crew Service: required
Fee: applicable adult fare on the same class of service of UM and appropriate surcharges
Ages 6-11 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: $50
Accompanied Cabin Crew Service: optional
Fee: applicable adult fare on the same class of service of UM and appropriate surcharges
Ages 12-13 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required if child is Vietnamese national on flights from Vietnam to foreign destinations or foreign/statelessness on flights from foreign destinations to Vietnam
Fee: $50
Accompanied Cabin Crew Service: optional
Fee: applicable adult fare on the same class of service of UM and appropriate surcharges
Ages 14-17 (international)
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: $50
Accompanied Cabin Crew Service: optional
Fee: applicable adult fare on the same class of service of UM and appropriate surcharges
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic does not have an unaccompanied minor program. Children under age 14 can be accompanied by someone 16 or over. Children at least 14 years old can travel unaccompanied. All passengers under age 16 travelling alone (i.e. those age 14-15) must have a completed consent form. Book directly with Virgin Atlantic.
Contact: 800-862-8621
Xiamen Air
Xiamen Air has 2 age categories in their unaccompanied minor program. Children 0-4 years old can not fly unaccompanied. Arrangements should be made 24 hours ahead of time; 48 hours of done online.
Contact: +86-592-2226666
Ages 5-11
Unaccompanied Minor Service: required
Fee: adults apply 50% of the full fare (domestic)
fares are charged according to the fare rules of the unaccompanied child of the class of cabin seat purchased (regional and international)
Other Rules: non-transfer flights only
Ages 12-15
Unaccompanied Minor Service: optional; below applies when utilizing the service
Fee: adult fare plus 200 CNY per leg (domestic)
adult fare plus CNY 300 per leg (non-transcontinental and regional)
adult fare plus CNY 400 per leg (transcontinental)
Other Rules: additional SGD 25 per leg to/from Singapore routes
Have you sent your kids on an international flight on their own? Would you? When would you feel ready to send them without an unaccompanied minor service? Let me know!
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