Unaccompanied Minors Policy for International Flights: Essential Guide for Children Traveling Alone

Minors traveling alone on flights has been made easy with the unaccompanied minors policy. Parents and guardians need not stress and worry while minor passengers fly under the upscale assistance and support of airline staff during the journey.

This article is a handy guide to unaccompanied minors policy followed by various airlines. It contains detailed travel guidelines, prerequisites, and significant takeaways for minor passengers traveling alone for different airlines.

Guardians need not worry about their children traveling alone as the airlines have all the necessary guidelines for a safe and smooth flight.

Some of the important information that needs to be known before you book a UMNR ticket with various Airlines is detailed below.

1. American Airlines

• American Airlines furnishes its unaccompanied minor services to passengers under 18 years traveling alone. The required age for American Airlines Unaccompanied Minor is 5 to 18 years. Children below 5 years are restricted from flying alone. It is optional for minors aged 15-17 years.
• Minors flying alone on American Airlines Flights should check in 3 hours before the scheduled departure of international flights. Children flying alone are not allowed on night flights of American Airlines.
• Minors are allowed to fly only on non-stop flights. However, passengers aged 15 to 17 years are permitted to travel on connecting flights.
• The additional fee for UMNR is $150 + additional charges + taxes on one-way international flights

2. Delta Airlines

• Delta Airlines extends its unaccompanied minor services to passengers below the age of 18 years. However, an adult must accompany the minor through check-in and pick up the child at their destination.
• Children aged 5 to 7 are allowed only on non-stop flights, whereas minors aged 8 to 18 years are permitted alone on connecting flights. They are assisted by a delta or business partner employee while changing flights.
• The UMNR fee is $150 each way for up to 4 children.

3. United Airlines

• United Airlines Unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for children aged 5-14 and optional for 15-17 traveling alone.
• United Airlines provides minors under the UMNR  policy wristband and special envelopes for their documents right from the check-in point. It has a cordial staff who will assist the children flying from an international airport.
• The fee for UMNR service depends on the number of children traveling. It is $150 for 1-2 whereas $450 for 6 children one way.

4. Air Canada Airlines

• Air Canada Airlines provides unaccompanied minor services only on non-stop flights.
• The service is available to minors traveling alone aged 8 to 17. However, it is optional for passengers aged 12-17 years traveling alone.
• Unaccompanied minors are prohibited from carrying a pet in the cabin.
• A service fee of $100-$118 is paid for availing of the UMNR  service one way.

5. Vistara Airlines

• Minor passengers aged 5 to 12 fall under the category of UMNR traveling alone. They can avail of UMNR  services provided by Vistara Airlines, including the utmost safety and comfort of flying alone with the assistance of airline staff.
• However, passengers aged 13 to 18 will be identified as young flyers when an adult waives off the unaccompanied minor handling. This service entails USD 60 on international travel.
• Parents must ensure that all Unaccompanied Minor passengers carry the correct photo identification, which is mandatory for traveling alone on Vistara Airlines.

6. Qatar Airways

• According to the guidelines of Qatar Airways, minors aged 5 to 15 are eligible to avail of the UMNR  service. Children below 5 will not be allowed to travel alone.
• Advance approval at least 48 hours before departure is mandatory to avail of the UMNR services. If the child has any special needs or is differently abled, all details must be mentioned to the airlines at the time of booking.
• Minors traveling alone under the UMNR services are entitled to a full baggage allowance.
• In the case of connecting flight, the child will be accompanied by a staff member throughout the process.
• The unaccompanied minor service fee is free of cost for Qatar Airways. However, an adult fare must be purchased for the minor traveling alone.

7. Lufthansa Airlines

• Children between 5 and 11 can fly unaccompanied by availing of Lufthansa care service.
• For the Lufthansa care service for unaccompanied children, in addition to the price of the flight, a care service charge applies, given the route and number of children traveling together.
• On reaching the airport, minor passengers will be provided a small yellow bag that can be used to carry all important documents throughout the journey.
• Free baggage allowance is permitted in accordance with the same size and weight as provided to adults per class. However, adults may be required to accompany the child to the gates at the airport.

Additional Points to Keep in Mind

• Children suffering from behavioral and developmental issues, lack of ability to communicate with airport staff, or physical condition that involves high chances of inflight emergency are excluded from the UMNR scheme by the airlines.
• The number of unaccompanied minors traveling on a single international flight is limited across various airlines. Some of the operational reasons that exclude UMNR travel include international flights with stops or the ones having overnight layoffs.
• If a minor passenger is excluded from the UMNR services falling under health or operational criteria, there is an alternative to hiring independent child companions specialized in child care. 

Final Thoughts

The service charge and guidelines for unaccompanied minor varies across airlines. However, the UMNR policy aims to provide a safe and hassle-free experience to minors traveling alone on domestic and international flights.

Additionally, minor passengers whose accompanying adults are traveling on the same flight but in different classes can avail of the UMNR service by paying an extra fee. The UMNR policy is highly inclusive and takes care of all minor passengers with the best facilities, right from check-in to arrival.