minimum age to travel alone on emirates

Emirates Unaccompanied Minors: Exactly How it Works

The rules for children flying alone on Emirates Airline flights in and out of Dubai

Are you looking at sending your kids to Dubai to stay with relatives, or perhaps you live in Dubai and want the kids to go home to their family over the summer?

Whatever your reasons and needs for sending children alone on a flight, we know it can be a daunting prospect for both you and your child(ren).

But we have been there ourselves, needing to make these choices and putting our faith in Emirates Airlines to deliver our precious cargo. We can safely tell you from our own experience that it’s been a resounding success.

We have spoken to our fellow expat mums, too, who have sent kids to and from the UK, Australia, the USA and other countries in Europe, each with similar success stories to share. We’re going to share with you exactly how the Emirates Unaccompanied minor system works with real-life examples.

Who Can Fly as an Unaccompanied Minor With Emirates?

What are the steps to book emirates unaccompanied minor, what happens with unaccompanied minors on emirates, landing process for unaccompanied minors, what about other uae airlines.

Let’s look at this by age group:

• Children aged 5 to 11 years old . The child must pay for a full-price adult ticket, and then the service is included as complimentary.
• You can still opt to use this service for a young person 12 to 15 years old . You have already paid for a full airfare from 12 years old; an additional fee (currently USD 50) is added to the ticket for each leg of your journey requiring the unaccompanied minor service – i.e. return trips USD 100.
• Note that it is optional for a Young Person, classified as a 12-15-year-old, to use the service; if they are confident enough to navigate international airports on their own or travel with someone over 16, you can avoid paying the fee, but they won’t get any perks such as lounge access and priority boarding.
• Under 5’s cannot fly as unaccompanied minors ; they can only travel without their parents if they travel with another adult, classified as a person over 16 years old.
• If you want to sit in Business/First and leave the kids back in economy on their own (hey, no judgment here!), then you need to pay full fare for a child 5-11 years old, and they will be treated as unaccompanied minors.

If you have booked your kids’ flights online, contact the airline afterwards to confirm that they will be unaccompanied minors:

• If you originally booked them as kids (5-11 years old) and need to change to unaccompanied minors, be sure to contact Emirates in advance and pay the fare differential to an adult fare.
• If they are a young person (12-15 years old) be sure to call or go to a service centre and pay the fee for young persons, it will NOT automatically be included when the ticket is booked.
• There is, surprisingly, nothing else you need to do now until you get to the airport. They will be ready and waiting for you approximately 3 hours before your flight.

NB: You need to book the service any time from booking the ticket to 12 hours before departure (especially for 12-15 year olds); Don’t just turn up and expect to avail the service on the day; the airline has safety procedures to follow and are unlikely to accommodate last minute requests.

Find details of your nearest Emirates office here or you can also do this over live chat, which you’ll find on the Emirates website > Help and Contacts.

Some fine print to also be aware of:

• You can only use the unaccompanied minors service for young passengers (5 to 15 years old) when it’s an Emirates-operated flight, i.e. no codeshares.
• Maximum connection time, if required, is 4 hours, or 8 hours if the connection airport is DXB and they are boarding another Emirates flight.
• If they are flying internationally with Emirates, then connecting to a domestic airline, the guardian would need to pick the child up from the airport where the Emirates flight ends.
• If you have children in the 5-11 age group and 12-15, you will need to pay the young person fee if you’d like the kids to stick together; a 12-15-year-old cannot be classified as the younger ones guardian until they are over 16.
• If you cancel your flight and have separately paid the young person fee already, you cannot get a refund, so be certain about your flying date before paying.
• There are a few country-specific exceptions and rules on minor travel; make sure you check these before booking to ensure you can use the service to/from that country.

Leaving from Dubai International Airport (DXB) , there is a separate check-in desk in Terminal 3 for unaccompanied minors (it sits between the main economy check-in and the Business/First check-in areas).

Parents or guardians will escort children to this separate check-in area and fill in declarations and any landing documentation that may be required. This is the point that you fill in the contact details for the adult collecting them.

The staff will print out boarding passes and tag their baggage; at this point they will retain your child’s passport and boarding passes and keep them in a labelled document wallet (siblings are kept together).

NB, if they are not quite ready to begin their solo adventure, once they are all checked in, they can stay with you land side until approximately 90 minutes before the flight when they must return to the Unaccompanied Minor check-in area.

From here, all children travelling unaccompanied in that time slot will move together to passport control, each child/set of siblings with their own document wallets with the Emirates crew member.

At this point, it’s time to say your goodbyes, and Emirates takes over for the rest of their journey.

After passport control, they will get time to enjoy the unaccompanied minors lounge (mine always complain not long enough!). Much like the adult lounges at DXB, though they have video games, free wifi and snack options. (Note, if they started in a different airport and are stopping over during a meal time in DXB, they’ll be fed in the same lounge).

Once their flight is boarding, they will be collected from the lounge by a crew member from their specific flight and given priority boarding. They will be placed in a row that is close to airline staff. They will try place them on their own or with a gap between other passengers but be aware of full flights, it’s not always possible.

** Note that the parent/guardian, per their stated rules, must stay at the airport until the flight has departed (though ground staff have told us differently on two occasions now, that once they have cleared immigration, you are able to leave the airport; UAE residents, you will no doubt get the ‘ping’ on your mobile letting you know when this has happened if they’re under your sponsorship).

Once the flight has taken off, I highly recommend nervous parents you download Flightrada24 Flight Tracker on your phone ( Google Play | App Store ) so you can track exactly where their flight is up to for your peace of mind!

Can I communicate with my child on board? Unless you want to invest in the expense and potential complications of your child attempting to use wifi on board, you won’t have any further communication with your child until they reach their guardians at the other end.

Children are supported by crew throughout the landing process. They will likely need to wait until last to disembark with a crew member who will be carrying all their documentation and will see them through passport control and baggage collection.

Any landing documents you need should be filled out by the parent before landing and will come with the crew member in charge in an envelope along with their passports – if you can’t access or don’t fill in a landing card this can be time consuming and difficult for the staff as they’ll need to pry the answers out of your no doubt nervous child!

After they have their baggage, the crew member will see them through to arrivals, where the responsible guardian at the other end will sign off that they have taken custody of the child.

Make sure the collecting adult/guardian has photo identification with them!

Make sure they snap a photo of your solo voyagers and send it straight to you, and they can go about their new adventure!

Air Arabia and Fly Dubai do not allow unaccompanied minors under the age of 12, unless they are accompanied by another passenger who is at least 16 years old.

Click over here to learn more about Etihad Airways’ unaccompanied minor policies for flights in and out of Abu Dhabi; they are very similar to Emirates, although they allow young persons up to 17 years of age – but they charge double!

We hope this will leave you feeling a little more confident about using the Emirates Unaccompanied Minors system. Will they arrive safely, yes! But will you miss them like crazy and cry as soon as they can’t see you (if not before?) Most likely!

Don’t worry parents, you’ve got this!

Flying with Emirates?

You may also like to learn more about:

• The new Premium Economy cabins on many Emirates flights
• Understanding alcohol service on board Emirates
• Got a flight with a long layover in Dubai? You might be eligible for Dubai Connect

Before you go… More important things you should know when planning a trip to Dubai

• Pop into our essential planning information page, it includes everything you need to know about getting around Dubai , a handy guide on what to pack , and top tips for first-timers on the do’s and don’ts, laws, and customs to be aware of.
• Check out this incredible list of 150+ places you should visit when you’re in Dubai .
• Pick up a Dubai Pass from iVenture or a Go City Dubai Pass to save up to 50% on top Dubai attractions.
• Don’t forget to pack your travel insurance !!!
• Discover the best areas to stay in Dubai , or bag a bargain on your accommodation here:

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Emiratesfares

How to Book Unaccompanied Minor Flight on Emirates?

Do you have to send your little one for a solo trip? Choose Emirates Airlines for a remarkable experience. And why not? With Emirates Airlines Unaccompanied Minor policy, you can be worry-free for the safety and comfort of your child flying alone.

Since the airline understands your concerns about sending your kid alone on a flight, it has devised an unaccompanied minor (UMNR) approach. This is in the best interest of kids as well as their parents/ guardians.

So, go through the account below and learn more about the Emirates UMNR approach. With the airline’s flexible approach for unaccompanied minors, you can send your kid alone with peace of mind.

What is Emirates Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy?

Kids of multiple age groups can travel solo on Emirates, thanks to its customer-friendly UMNR policy. If you are sending your kids with the airline, here are Emirates airline unaccompanied minor policy highlights. These will help you know the terms and conditions to follow –

• Kids from 5 to 11 years of age can travel solo.
• However, kids of this age group are also considered unaccompanied if they are in a travel class different from their parent or guardian.
• Young Passengers (YP) are kids between 5 and 15 years of age.
• Those who are between 12 and 15 years old, can travel as unaccompanied minors on special request.
• Parents/guardians must fill in and sign the declaration of Indemnity form for international travel with Emirates for the kid’s safety. Emirates Airport Offices give these forms.
• When connecting to another airline as per the itinerary – 4 hours
• Transferring to another Emirates flight at Dubai International (DXB) – 8 hours

Please note

Connection time over 8 hours is subject to the airline’s approval.

• Overnight stay at the connecting airport is prohibited for Young Passengers. However, a guardian/parent (as per the documents) can take care of the kid at the transit point, as per Emirates’ approval.
• A fare-paying guardian (18 years old or above) must accompany kids with special needs and assistance.

Your child will have a remarkable trip, right from check-in to meet their parent/guardian when they reach the destination airport.

How to Book Unaccompanied Minor Flights with Emirates?

If you are looking forward to booking a flight ticket with Emirates for a minor to travel unaccompanied –

• Contact the airline’s customer service representatives.
• Make sure to do it up to 12 hours before the departure of the selected flight.
• Alternatively, you can purchase tickets for your little ones through the local Emirates office or connecting the airline through its  Live Chat feature.

Once you have made the reservations,

• Your request is confirmed within 24 hours.
• Make the payment as required.
• Sign and print the unaccompanied minor form and submit at the airport counter of Emirates Airlines during check-in.
• Complete your flight change request with the airline at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure of your kid’s flight.
• Changing the flight from connecting flight to direct or vice-versa, paying the fees again is required.

What is the Fee for Unaccompanied Minors on Emirates?

When you are collecting all the information required for booking tickets for UMNRs with Emirates, it is good to know how much unaccompanied minors fees that Emirates charges. You have to pay this fee during check-in at the airport counter. For your reference, here is the Emirates fees overview as per the age limit and travel restrictions for nonstop or connecting flights.

• 5 to 11 years – $50 per child, mandatory (each leg)
• 13 to 17 years – $50 per child, optional (each leg)

To know more, call Emirates unaccompanied minor contact number, which is 091670 03333 or +1-860-200-8875 .

How does the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Policy Work?

With the policy devised smartly for UMNRs, Emirates has made it convenient for kids to travel solo and parents to stay worry-free. However, there is more to this policy. To help you give clarity, here is a glance at those –

Assistance at the airport

A staff member meets your kid at Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors check‑in desk. They assist your kid with security and immigration. At the flight’s door, they handover the kid to  the cabin crew.

Priority boarding

To give more time to settle onboard, unaccompanied minors are allowed to board Emirates flights first. This also helps the cabin crew to assist them with stowing luggage and assisting them in other ways.

Care on the flight

Emirates takes good care of Young Passengers onboard. While booking, inform the airline about your kid’s seat preferences and dietary requirements. If the little travelers are flying on their birthday, Emirates celebrates it as well. Simply order a cake 48 hours before the flight. So, those who want to know does Emirates allow unaccompanied minors, the answer is a big Yes. Additionally, your kid gets the best care possible throughout their solo Emirates trip.

Support when they land

When the flight lands at the destination airport, your kid is assisted well before a parent/guardian reaches to receive them.

In Conclusion

In a nutshell, you can send your child for a comfortable and safe trip with Emirates. Throughout the journey, your child is given proper attention and care. So, you can have peace of mind with Emirates Airlines Unaccompanied Minor that covers your kid in the best way possible.

You May Visit:

Emirates Missed Flight Policy

Emirates Low Fare Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i check-in for unaccompanied minors.

Your kid can check-in at the airport counters of Emirates Airlines. Accompany your child while checking in and stay with them until their flight’s departure.

What is Emirates Unaccompanied minor baggage allowance?

The standard Emirates baggage policy is applicable for your kid as you pay an adult’s fare for their booking. So, your kid can carry two checked bags for free. Each bag must be within 115 linear inches and 70 lbs.

Can I book my kid’s seat in advance?

Yes! Emirates allows you to book your kid’s seat up to an hour before the scheduled flight departure. Contact a customer service executive for more details.

Can I make changes to the Young Passenger paid services with Emirates?

Yes, Emirates allows you to make changes to the services booked originally for date, route, or flight.

Which documents should an Unaccompanied Minor carry to fly with Emirates?

Kids traveling as unaccompanied minors on Emirates flights must carry their & their parent’s/ guardian’s ID proofs, their passport or birth certificate, and the Declaration of Indemnity form.

How to change a kid’s unaccompanied minor booking with Emirates?

Travelers can visit the Manage Bookings section on Emirates website or call its customer services team to change flight dates and times.

Emirates minors flying alone

Does emirates offer services for children traveling alone.

The Unaccompanied Minors service for children traveling alone will ensure your child will enjoy a smooth and stress-free journey from start to finish with Emirates friendly, helpful staff.

When are children traveling alone considered Unaccompanied Minors?

Children under 5 years of age are never allowed to travel as Unaccompanied Minors . Children with special needs or requiring special attention may travel on Emirates flights only accompanied by a fare-paying passenger who is 18 years of age or older.

Children above 5 and under 15 years of age who are not accompanied by an adult are eligible for the Unaccompanied Minors service . For children between the ages of 5 and 11 , the Unaccompanied Minor service is mandatory .

Although any passenger aged 12 or over is considered an adult for the purposes of fares, a passenger between the ages of 12 and 17 is not eligible to accompany a child in the absence of a passenger who is 18 years or older. In such a case, both passengers are considered Unaccompanied Minors, and the applicable adult fare applies for all.

Between 12 and 15 years of age (up to, but not including, their 16th birthday), children are considered Young Passengers and entitled to Unaccompanied Minors service only if specifically requested by the parent .

Also, Emirates considers Unaccompanied Minors children under 8 years of age traveling in a different cabin class than their parents, as well as children under 11 years old traveling in a different cabin class to their parent or guardian when they have a child under 8 with them . When there are children both over and under the age of 8 traveling together in a cabin class different from their parents’ cabin class, then all the children will be considered Unaccompanied Minors.

Unaccompanied Minors Service

You must contact your local Emirates office to book your child’s flight . At the time of booking, you can inform Emirates what kind of seat and meal your child prefers so that the necessary arrangements can be made. Because Air Canada does not accept Unaccompanied Minors from other airlines, the service may be booked up to Toronto only .

When another airline is included in the itinerary , the maximum permitted connecting time is 4 hours . When the transfer point is Dubai , where the dedicated Emirates’ Special Handling Unit can take care of minors, the maximum permitted connecting time is 8 hours . Emirates will not accept Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passengers for journeys with transfer connections involving either an overnight stay at a transfer point or a transfer between two airports at the connecting point, unless arrangements (confirmed by the local Emirates office) have been made for the child to be met and cared for at the transfer point or if the minor is travelling with an adult escort.

There are separate check-in facilities where parents must present the child for check-in at least 2 hours prior departure . Emirates reserves the right to refuse travel if the applicable form (Declaration of Indemnity) is not fully completed, signed and submitted by the parent/guardian of the Unaccompanied Minor. The parent/guardian must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.

Dedicated Emirates staff will accompany the Unaccompanied Minors from check-in to the aircraft. Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passengers are always the first to board , so that the cabin crew can seat them and stow their hand baggage. On board the aircraft, as time permits and upon special request, the cabin crew will be happy to take Polaroid photographs of your child. Upon arrival, an Emirates employee will meet all Unaccompanied Minors at the aircraft door and help them through formalities before handing them over to their designated guardian. The parent/guardian collecting the Unaccompanied Minor at the airport must provide proof of identification .

Special Regulations for Unaccompanied Minors

Children traveling to Canada alone are strongly advised to hold a letter of travel consent that should contain authorization to travel, destination in Canada and length of stay, and signer’s address and telephone details. This letter must be signed by a legal guardian or parent with legal custody.

Minors up to the age of 13 years (inclusive) who are Italian nationals and traveling outside Italy unaccompanied are required to carry with them authorization (Dichiarazione di Affido) from the local police (Questura) or an Italian embassy or consulate (if their parents reside abroad). Without this authorization, which cannot be issued by the airport police, they will not be permitted to leave Italy.

French minors leaving France unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian must have an official authorization to exit the country to present along with a copy of the identity document of the parent or guardian who signed the authorization.

Unaccompanied Minors under 12 are entitled to Unaccompanied Minors service as long as they are traveling on a full adult fare ticket (no additional fees apply) . Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minor service is not available in conjunction with a child discounted ticket. A full adult fare must be purchased whenever a child is considered Unaccompanied Minors.

For children over 12 for whom the Unaccompanied Minors service has been requested, the fee is USD 50 per Unaccompanied Minor for each leg of the journey.

More information here >>

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Unaccompanied minors: Can children travel by themselves on flights?

Following one family’s distressing experience, we take a look at the rules around whether under 18s can travel alone, article bookmarked.

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Air travel for unaccompanied children is possible, but there are various rules and regulations around it - meaning those aged under 18 can encounter issues with their journeys.

In Australia last month, 11-year-old Jack Garland was due to travel with his 13-year-old sister Scarlett from Sydney to the Gold Coast, when he was unexpectedly denied boarding and left at the airport .

The siblings had been scheduled to travel with their father, but last-minute work engagements prevented him from taking the trip.

The pair’s mother, Emma Garland, claims she checked beforehand with Qantas, through whom she’d booked the tickets, that the two could travel unaccompanied by an adult.

But she says that, once they had boarded the plane, Jack was removed with no explanation given to his sister.

Jetstar clarified that it does not allow 11-year-olds to travel without a parent or guardian over 18.

“While we enjoy welcoming young passengers on board our flights , Jetstar does not offer an unaccompanied minor service and young passengers must meet certain requirements in order to travel independently with us, including being of secondary school age,” said a spokesperson.

“A secondary school passenger can travel independently but must be at least 15 years old to accompany a child under secondary school age.”

So are Jetstar in the right, and how do you know what the rules are when it comes to children boarding planes without an adult?

What are the rules around unaccompanied minors?

Each airline may set its own rules when it comes to allowing or not allowing unaccompanied minors, including the documentation parents must provide, how they book, and the flights children may take.

The minimum age a child must be to fly alone is five.

In general, airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service insist that it is used for children between five and 11, while it’s an optional extra that parents can request for children aged 12 to 15. However, there are exceptions.

There are also some restrictions around flight length, timings and stopovers - so booking your child under 16 on a flight with a long layover during the night, for example, may not be possible.

Unaccompanied children are not normally allowed to take the last flight of the day, in case of any delays that might strand them overnight in a foreign airport.

Parents need to check with their individual airline for their rules and services around UNMRs.

Emirates, for example, offers an unaccompanied minors service for children aged between 5 and 11 flying without their parents; parents of 12-15 year olds can also request the service, which involves a specially supported check in, boarding the plane first and staff checking in on the child mid-flight.

Meanwhile, British Airways only allows children aged 14 and up to travel unaccompanied; it asks the parents of under-16s to contact them directly to arrange an unaccompanied minor journey (these cannot be booked on the airline’s website). They must also complete a parental/guardian consent form before travel.

On the other side of the pond, American Airlines specifies that children aged five to seven can only travel unaccompanied on nonstop flights; meanwhile, children from eight to 14 can transit through a select number of US airports.

As a rule of thumb, UNMR services are most often available on long-haul flights with larger carriers, and less often on budget and short-haul carriers.

For example, Ryanair does not allow unaccompanied flyers under 16, saying: “We cannot provide an escort or special facilities.”

On easyJet, children up to 15 cannot board a flight unless they are accompanied by an adult, which they define as 16 years or older. “EasyJet does not provide an escort service or special requirements for unaccompanied children,” says the carrier.

If you’re booking through a third party site such as Flight Centre, check to see if they have a dedicated phone number for UM bookings.

What should parents know about booking travel for an unaccompanied child?

Different countries require different documentation when it comes to children entering or transiting through their airports alone; check with the relevant country’s authorities to make sure an unaccompanied minor has everything they need before travel.

BA advises: “The Iata Travel Centre can advise you what documentation is required for entry to each country. Just make sure you use the date of birth of your child to ensure the extra requirements are displayed.”

It’s important to be organised and book this service early ‒ there’s usually a cap on the number of unaccompanied children, typically six, allowed on any given flight.

In terms of cost, unaccompanied minors are usually sold as adult air fares, sometimes with a fee for the UNMR service.

The solo child is often seated close to a crew bulkhead or galley area, close to a toilet and with empty seats beside them if available.

In most cases, airlines will demand information on and contacts for the “sender” and “receiver” - the adults who will accompany the child to the departure airport and pick them up from the arrival one. In most cases, cabin crew will not be able to hand over a child to anyone other than an official pick-up contact shared with the airline beforehand - even if they can prove they are a family member.

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Kids on planes: What you should know before booking a flight for unaccompanied minors

In many families, parents or grandparents occasionally have to send kids from one family group to another , creating situations in which kids fly alone. Airline standards about the minimum travel age for children flying alone vary, though, and policies for unaccompanied minors on flights is one area where the big U.S. airlines do not march in lockstep.

How old do you have to be to fly alone?

The minimum age for children to travel alone as adults paying adult fares varies: Kids have to be 12 years old to fly alone on domestic flights with Hawaiian, Southwest, Air Canada, and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, Spirit and United. 

International age limits also vary by airline, and some airlines don’t allow unaccompanied minors on international flights.

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Can kids younger than 5 years old fly as unaccompanied minors?

For a variety of reasons, including the fact that flying with kids can be difficult even under the best conditions, children younger than 5 years old cannot travel as unaccompanied minors under any circumstances. For children between 5 years old and whatever the minimum adult age is on their chosen airline, most airlines provide special unaccompanied minor service for a fee. 

Of the 12 large North American airlines, only Allegiant and Frontier do not offer unaccompanied minors the option to fly. Many airlines also offer unaccompanied minor service for children a few years over the minimum adult age, which can be a good fit for families nervous about teenagers traveling alone.

Unaccompanied minor services and fees

Unaccompanied minors are carefully controlled and monitored by airline personnel throughout the boarding, flight, and arrival phases of the trip. Airlines require that unaccompanied minors be delivered to the airline by adults with the proper documentation and retrieved at their destination by other documented adults.

Typically, airlines avoid booking unaccompanied minors on the last flight of the day or on flights likely to be disrupted by weather or other factors . Also, bookings on code-shared flights are not allowed. Most airlines limit unaccompanied minor service to nonstop or direct flights. Alaska, American, and Delta allow unaccompanied minor bookings on some connecting flights for kids ages eight and older, with various schedule and route limitations. 

The big U.S. airlines charge a base fee of $150 each way (though sometimes the fee covers multiple children traveling together) plus the applicable adult fare; other airlines charge the same or less. On the airlines that allow unaccompanied minors on international bookings, conditions around children flying alone on those flights are even more stringent. Most big international airlines offer similar services, though specifics vary by airline and country.

Parents of responsible tweens and young teens would do well to compare flights and airlines , since the minimum age at which children can travel unaccompanied ranges so widely. Also, with unaccompanied minor fees in the range of $150 each way, having a family member buy a round-trip ticket to accompany kids one way on a short trip may actually be less expensive.

Minimum age to travel alone: Taking the train

Thinking about sending your child on the train instead? The minimum age to travel on Amtrak without an adult is 16 on most routes. However, Amtrak offers unaccompanied minor service between staffed stations on some trains for children between the ages of 13 and 15.

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FamilyVacationist.com  covers family  vacation ideas ;  family travel destinations ;  all-inclusive resorts ; and must-have  travel accessories  for families of all shapes, sizes and orientations. The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

• From what age are children allowed to travel alone? Explainer

From what age are children allowed to travel alone?

Comparing airlines

From what age can your child fly alone?

There can be various situations in which it is not convenient or possible for you to accompany your child for a trip. For example, if you are divorced and your ex-partner lives abroad. Or perhaps the grandparents have emigrated and your child wants to spend a school vacation with them. Just going back and forth to accompany your child can cost a lot of time and money. Can and should they travel on their own? What are the rules? What about a chaperone?

The rules for children traveling alone (2023)

Legally, children as young as 12 are allowed to fly alone. But the rules vary per airline. The main difference per airline are:

• Age from which your child may fly alone
• Unaccompanied minor service
• The cost of supervision

We have listed the rules of a number of airlines for you. Useful if you still need to book your flight.

British Airways – between 5 – 12 years old

• Children under 14 years old are not allowed to fly alone. They must be accompanied by someone 16 or older.
• British Airways offers an unaccompanied minor service for children from 5 to 12 years old which is mandatory for this age group.
• Flights within UK and Europe: £35/€40.
• Flights to/from Russia/CIS, Middle East, Africa and Saudi Arabia: £70/€80.

Lufthansa – 5 years and up

• Children aged between 5 and 11 may only fly unaccompanied if they are using the unaccompanied minor service, or travel with someone 12 years or older.
• The service can also be used for passengers between 12 and 17.
• Costs vary between €85 and €150.

Transavia – from 5 years old

• Children from 5 to 11 years old may only travel with Transavia accompaniment.
• Between the ages of 12 and 18, you may also fly your child without additional supervision.
• The cost for accompaniment is €55 per child per one-way trip.

Ryanair – not under 16 years of age

• Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to fly alone.
• Children under 16 are required to be accompanied by someone at least 16 years old.
• Ryanair does not offer chaperones.

easyJet – not under 16 years of age

• Children under 16 are not allowed to fly alone.
• Children under 16 are required to be accompanied by someone over 16.
• easyJet does not offer a companion.

TUI – as of 5 years old

• TUI has an unaccompanied minor service for children from 5 to 12 years which is mandatory for this age group.
• From 12 to 18 years old, children may travel unaccompanied (excluding the Antilles). Chaperones can be booked as an optional extra.
• When you book online, a custodian costs €60 per child for a single trip, on all short/medium flights. If you pay at the airport, a chaperone costs €75.
• The service costs €120 per child for a single long-haul flight. If you pay at the airport, it’s €135 for a single trip.

Emirates – from 5 years old and up

• Emirates also offers the Unaccompanied minor service for children 5 to 12 years old.
• From 12 to 18 years old, the option can be booked, but it is not mandatory.
• Emirates also accompanies children with transfers, if they do not exceed 4 hours for non-Emirates flights and 8 hours for Emirates flights.
• The cost is $50 per flight. So if it includes a layover, you will pay $100 per child.

Qatar Airways – starts at 5 years old

• Children between 2 and 4 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
• Children between the ages of 5 and 15 years old may travel alone with the airline’s Unaccompanied Minor service.
• Qatar Airways provides dedicated staff to accompany the child throughout the trip. The parent or legal guardian will be required to pay for a return ticket for the airline employee who will be accompanying the child.

KLM – from 5 years old

• The unaccompanied minor service is available for children between 5 and 14 years old.
• For children between 14 and 18 years old, the unaccompanied minor service is not required. If you decide not to book this service, your child will fly the same way as an adult.
• The cost per one-way flight is €100 to €150. If there is a transfer in between, you pay an extra charge of €200 to €300.

Turkish Airlines – from 2 years old and up

Turkish Airlines has different rules than the other airlines.

• As early as 2 years old you can let your child fly alone
• Between 2 and 7 years, the unaccompanied minor service is mandatory
• From 7 years your child may fly unaccompanied.
• Turkish Airlines does not charge for the unaccompanied minor service.

What does unaccompanied minor service entail?

The unaccompanied minor service (also called UM) means that your child will be accompanied from the time you drop your child off at check-in until he or she is transferred to the authorized person at destination.

After all paperwork is checked at check-in, your child will be taken to boarding by airline ground staff. At boarding, children are usually allowed to board first and are supported by the cabin crew.

The cabin crew helps your child finding his or her seat and is there for your child if there is anything during the flight. Some services include an additional drink.

When the plane lands, your child will be guided by the local ground staff. They will also make sure the luggage is picked up and they will escort your child to the authorized person.

Your child is flying alone and the flight is delayed

If your child’s flight is delayed, the attendant will also make sure that your child passes the time and provides guidance while waiting.

Your child is flying alone on a connecting flight

Is your child flying alone and has a transfer along the way? Most airlines also offer supervision when the time between the two flights is up to 4 hours. The rules concerning this point differ per airline. To be sure, check with the airline before booking a flight with a transfer.

Children’s lounges

At several airports there are special children’s lounges to pass the time. Some children’s lounges are minimalistic, but there are also children’s lounges with entire indoor playgrounds, Play Stations and snacks. This depends on the airport.

It can be nerve wracking, of course, when your child flies without you. Here’s a list of things to keep in mind when flying alone or with the UM service.

• Be at the airport at least 2.5 hours before departure (this varies per airline, but be there on time).
• As a parent or guardian, wait until the plane has taken off in case the flight is cancelled last-minute.
• Make advance arrangements at home for parental consents indicating your permission for your child to fly alone. It must also indicate who will pick up your child.

Copies of passports are required, as are signatures.

• Provide identification for your child.
• Identification of the person picking up your child from the airport. If this person cannot provide identification or the authorizations are not correct, your child will be put on the next flight home.
• Want to use an unaccompanied minor service? Book at least 24 hours in advance.
• If your child is accompanied by a teenager and you are not using the unaccompanied minor service, pay attention to the rules per airline. Sometimes a 16-year-old companion is allowed, sometimes the companion must be at least 18.

What if you are a teenager who wants to travel without your parents?

Are you 15 years old and would like to go on vacation or a city trip with friends and without your parents? Then pay attention to where you book your trip! Ryanair and easyJet do not allow you to fly without parents or a companion who is at least 16 years. So find a friend to accompany you if you are the only one under 16.

Are you under 16 and would like to fly without your parents? Always check with the airline first. If you are still nervous about flying alone, many airlines offer the unaccompanied minor service described above.

Conclusion: age restrictions differs from airline to airline

Airlines have different rules. While one airline may not allow passengers under the age of 16 to board unaccompanied, Turkish Airlines allows your child to travel alone at the age of 2.

The cost for this also differs per airline, but is not unreasonably high. Sometimes it’s even cheaper to arrange a chaperone, than to book an extra seat!

From the moment you hand over your child to personel, they are taken care of. Some airports have even created special lounges where your child can spend their time, under supervision of course.

Compensation in case of delay or cancellation

Will your child be flying alone soon? Then you simply pay for a seat and, in addition, possibly the cost of supervision. If there is an issue with the flight your child has rights in accordance with Regulation 261/2004. This means you can claim and receive compensation of up to €600 per passenger. In the event of a flight cancellation, you will also be reimbursed for the cost of the unaccompanied minor service.

Compensation for flight problems

Cancelling your flight because you have a cold is not a valid reason for compensation. Are you going to fly anyway, but your flight is cancelled or delayed ? You may be entitled to compensation.

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What is Unaccompanied Minor Service?

Most airlines provide a service to assist children traveling without a parent or legal guardian from their point of departure to their final destination. Emirates' service provides the following:

• Let Emirates know at time of booking what kind of seat and meal your child prefers and they will make the arrangements. They'll even prepare a cake if your child is travelling on his or her birthday.
• For children travelling alone, Emirates provides separate check-in facilities on departure, with staff dedicated to accompanying them to the aircraft. Parents or guardians must present the child for check-in at least two hours prior departure.
• Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passengers are always boarded before other passengers, so that the cabin crew can seat them and stow their hand baggage.
• Upon special request, Emirates will take Polaroid photographs of your child on board the aircraft, as time permits.
• On arrival, an Emirates employee will meet all unaccompanied children at the aircraft door and help them through formalities before handing them over to their designated guardian.

What age does my child have to be to qualify as an Unaccompanied Minor?

Children under 5 years of age are not allowed to travel unless accompanied by an adult who is at least 16 years old. Children aged 5-12 travelling without a parent or legal guardian are entitled to Unaccompanied Minor Service (as long as they are travelling on a full adult fare ticket). Children from 12 years of age up to, but not including, their 16th birthday, are also entitled to Unaccompanied Minors service if specifically requested by the parent or guardian (and as long as they are travelling on a full adult fare ticket).

What are the fees associated with this service?

Emirates will provide fee information at time of booking.

Are there any flight restrictions?

Contact Emirates for more information.

How do I book this service?

Call Emirates Reservations.

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Rules and facilities for pregnant women, children and infants

Be aware of these rules and facilities if you are travelling during pregnancy or with an infant or a child.

Related eServices

Travelling during pregnancy, travelling with infants and children.

• Book a baby bassinet - Etihad Airways
• Unaccompanied Minors service -  Emirates Airline.

According to Etihad Airways , women expecting one or multiple children can travel during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy without a medical certificate. From the beginning of the 29th week to the end of the 36th week, they need to submit a medical certificate. From the beginning of the 37th week onwards, they would not be accepted for travel.

Please check travel guidelines for pregnant women , with single or multiple pregnancy.

At Emirates Airline , travelling after the 36th week is not allowed, unless with a special permission from the Medical Department of the airlines.

Air Arabia allows travel until 35 weeks, if the expectant woman provides a medical certificate indicating the number of weeks of her pregnancy. After the 36 week, they are not allowed to travel.

Fly Dubai  allows normal travel of expectant mothers until the end of 28 weeks. Travelling after 28 weeks is not allowed, unless with an official medical report sufficient to Fly Dubai. After the end of 36 weeks, travelling is not allowed.

For more information, please contact the airlines concerned.

Related links:

• FAQs - Etihad Airways
• FAQs - Emirates Airline
• FAQs - Fly Dubai 

Airlines have special rules and facilities for infants and children.

A baby under two years is an infant according to the website of Emirates Airline. According to the website of Etihad Airways, an infant can fly if he:

• is more than seven days
• was born without complications
• was not born premature.

If the infant was born premature or with complications, parents must submit the MEDIF form and medical report.

As per Emirates Airline , infants less than seven days old will be allowed on board in the case of travel for emergency medical reasons (in incubators) or if the mother is travelling on compassionate grounds.

Airlines provide special services if you are travelling with an infant. Read about them on the websites of:

• Etihad Airways
• Emirates Airline.

As per the websites of airlines based in the UAE, following flying rules apply for children:

• Children below the age of 5 years cannot travel alone
• Children between the ages of 5 and 12 can travel alone using the 'unaccompanied minor' service from the airlines*
• Unaccompanied minors are required to pay adult fares.

*Exception to this rule :

Air Arabia does not allow children between the ages of 5 and 12 to travel alone. Another passenger who is at least 16 years old must accompany them.

Fly Dubai does not allow children under 12 years of age to travel alone unless the child is accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least 16 years old.

Useful links:

from Etihad Airways

• A child-friendly journey  - Etihad Airways
• Unaccompanied minors  - Etihad Airways

from Emirates Airline

• Travelling with infants  - Emirates Airline
• Travelling with children  - Emirates Airline
• Unaccompanied minors  - Emirates Airline

from Air Arabia

• Flying with infants - Air Arabia
• Unaccompanied minors - Air Arabia

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At What Age Can You Travel Alone Internationally?

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Most airlines in the United States will allow children under the age of five to fly alone. When traveling alone, children aged 5 to 11 must normally follow particular “unaccompanied minor” protocols. These measures are needed on certain airlines for unaccompanied children as young as 14.

You might also be thinking, Can a 16 year old fly alone internationally?

If a child under the age of 18 wishes to travel overseas without both parents, a Letter of Consent may be required.

Similarly, Can a 14 year old fly alone internationally?

Unaccompanied children between the ages of 5 and 14 may only fly nonstop to most national and international locations . The cost of unaccompanied minor service is $100.

But then this question also arises, Can you travel internationally if you are under 18?

Children who go outside of the United States If a child under the age of 18 wishes to travel overseas without both parents, a Letter of Consent may be required.

Can a 17 year old travel alone internationally?

On international flights, several airlines automatically apply the unaccompanied-minor procedures to children under the age of 17 and collect the normal unaccompanied-minor fee if applicable. In most cases, children must have the same passport, visa, or other international entry papers as adults.

Children under the age of 5 must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian , or someone who is at least 18 years old. The younger traveler is still regarded an unaccompanied minor if he or she is 5-14 years old and the older traveler is 15-17 years old.

Children must be 12 years old to fly alone as adults on domestic flights with Hawaiian , Southwest, Air Canada , and WestJet; 13 years old on Alaska; 14 years old to fly as an adult on JetBlue ; and 15 years old on Allegiant, American, Delta, and Frontier.

A Filipino kid entering the Philippines , whether accompanied by a non-parent or unaccompanied by an adult, is not subject to any restrictions. If the kid will be traveling without an adult, the parents should check the airline’s regulation on the minimum age for unaccompanied travel for children.

Passengers under the age of 18 who are traveling to or from Mexico alone or with someone who is not their parent or guardian . Minors under the age of 18 who enter or leave Mexico without their parent or guardian are obliged to submit an official document, according to Mexican legislation .

Federal Laws and Regulations So long as the youngster is permitted to use the credit card , any minor with access to the Internet and a credit card may theoretically buy an airline ticket and travel alone without violating any federal rules . 06.12.2017

easyJet . EasyJet does not allow minors under the age of 14 to travel alone. To travel with the airline , children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or older. 27.11.2019

Young adults between the ages of 15 and 17 may fly alone on any United or United Express® aircraft, or they can use our unaccompanied minor service . The unaccompanied minor service charges $150 each way for every two youngsters going.

Children above the age of 12 may ride alone and pay adult fares . For youngsters aged 12 to 15, the charge for using our Unaccompanied Minors service is USD 50 for each leg of the travel.

On SUN-AIR-operated flights, children above the age of 12 may travel solo, however young passengers aged 12 to 16 can select the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service .

Ticketing for Minors Who Are Not Accompanied Unaccompanied minors are children between the ages of 5 and 14 who travel alone. By the day of travel on JetBlue, the youngster traveling alone must have turned five years old.

From the age of five, most airlines allow children to fly alone utilizing an unaccompanied minor service . Minors between the ages of 12, 14, 16, and 18 may fly without assistance depending on the airline.

British Airways will allow young passengers to travel if they are accompanied by someone aged 16 or older (on the same or connected booking ). Regardless of when the booking was made, all young passengers under the age of 16 who are traveling alone must sign a parental/guardian permission form before flying.

age of eighteen

234. Emancipation occurs when a person reaches the age of majority. Unless otherwise stated, majority begins when a person reaches the age of eighteen.”

The “can a 17 year old fly alone internationally” is a question that many people ask. The answer to this question is that it depends on the country you are traveling to and your age.

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The “ can a 17 year old fly alone without parents permission ” is a question that many people have been asking. The answer to the question can be found here.

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Children travelling alone

If your child is about to embark on their first adventure without you, here’s everything you need to know to help make sure it goes smoothly. 

How old does a child have to be to fly alone?

We allow children aged 14 or older to travel alone with us on domestic or international British Airways flights. 

Children under 14 years old cannot travel alone with us. They must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or over on the same or a linked booking to travel with us. 

Our partner airline SUN-AIR of Scandinavia follow different guidelines. Please see below for more information.

Booking flights for children under the age of 16

A child aged 14 or 15 years old travelling alone will be booked to travel as an adult. To book their ticket, please get in touch via our  Contact Us  page as you’re unable to book this online. 

The young traveller will be making their own way through departure and arrival airports and boarding their flight(s) without assistance or a chaperone. We’re unable to accept parental responsibility for the young person. 

Our partner airlines may have different regulations, age limits and charges, so please check with them directly.

What your child needs to travel alone

All children aged 14 or 15 travelling alone must carry with them:

• A  British Airways consent form  (pdf, 124kb, English only), completed and signed by a parent/guardian. 
• A copy of photographic identification of the parent/guardian who completed the form showing their signature, such as passport or driving licence. 
• Any required travel documentation, such as valid passport(s), visas and proof of return travel.  Check what they need for their destination .

These three documents must always remain in the child’s possession while travelling. 

We also advise your child carries with them:

• Any required medication and/or health certificates.
• Method of payment for any expenses.
• A way to communicate with their parent or guardian, as well as the person they are meeting at their destination. Please ensure all phones and devices are fully charged, with sufficient credit and roaming activated.

At the airport

You can accompany your young traveller up to the security gate. Anyone not flying with us is unable to go past this point, because we cannot offer gate passes at any of our airports. Airport colleagues will be able to tell you the latest time your child can stay with you before they need to go through security and onto their departure gate. 

We recommended that you wait until their flight takes off before leaving the terminal.

It can help to look at the airport terminal maps with your child before arriving at the airport so they’re familiar with their journey. Some airports do offer paid assistance to help customers to their boarding gate. Please visit the airport’s website for more information. 

Children travelling alone on SUN-AIR flights

SUN-AIR, our partner airline, allows young children between the ages of five and 11 years to travel without a parent or legal guardian provided you contact the airline in advance. Children over the age of 12 can travel unaccompanied on SUN-AIR operated flights, although young flyers between 12-16 years can use the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service on request.

You’ll need to book and pay for the SUN-AIR Unaccompanied Minor service in advance. You can’t book this service online, so please contact SUN-AIR for more information and to make your booking.