April 1, 2007
Traveling with Unaccompanied Minors
Unaccompanied Minors’ who are they? To be very precise, they are children who are traveling alone. Categorizing a minor differs from airline to airline. Some airlines have grouped minors in the age group of five to eleven years (5 to 11) and some airlines have kept it to 15 years old. Most of the flights allow unaccompanied minors today and have proved a great help, too. However, sitting back relaxed with this thought that your minor will reach safely is not enough in a world that is changing its pace so quickly.
Many renowned flights pay special attention to the minors traveling onboard. From the moment your child arrives the airport until the child reaches the destination, the responsibility completely lies on the crewmembers. Your child gets the privilege of boarding the plane first so that he or she gets a comfortable placement. Many airlines have customary forms that need the unaccompanied minor’s details and a letter of authority from the guardian. They are also given some identity tag for instance, so that the crewmembers have no difficulty identifying them.
There are many travel agents too, that take special attention to this segment of fliers, because of late, the frequency of flying of an unaccompanied minors have risen steadily, especially during the rush of closing and reopening of schools. Safety and the security of your unaccompanied minor are very important, that is why no compromises should be considered, when it comes to the security of your child.
A few things to keep in mind, which will make your child’s, trip a pleasure –
• Give your child a detailed pre-hand knowledge about the trip.
• See that your child is not too tired even before he or she has boarded the flight.
• You can reserve a window seat for your child, though many flights have already given this privilege to an unaccompanied minor.
• Hand over a bag, filled with snacks, chocolates, few comics, or a favorite game to your child.
• Belt a pouch across your child’s waist, and keep all necessary information in it, you can also hand over one to the airline crew.
• Make the other person on the minor receiving end, aware of all the detail and the required flight formalities.
• While considering your child’s flight, check out for a nonstop flight, as this will save a lot of unwanted trouble.
• Avoid connecting flights and flights during the night.
There might be further queries and additional information required to plan your unaccompanied minors travel. You can contact your airline for further information.
Filed under Travel Tips and Tricks by TheYTB.com Admin
Comments on Traveling with Unaccompanied Minors »
admin @ 9:41 pm
Good morning
Thanks for the information about child's flying alone, but I have one more question?
If a child is less than a year, do they pay full price and also what kind of documentation they need from ages 1-18 I do not know what is what they need
for ID.
Ana Maria Reyes
Sylmar, Ca
admin @ 9:44 pm
Traveling with babies
Some airlines have rules about how old an infant must be to travel. A birth certificate may be required before an infant is allowed to board.
Under FAA regulations, so-called "lap children" are allowed to fly free. These are infants younger than 2 years old who sit on a parent's lap during flights. If a vacant seat is available beside the parent, the child can occupy the seat if the parent provides an FAA-approved child restraint seat. (Some airlines are offering half-price tickets for parents who want a seat for their infants – and don't want to gamble on one being available.)
Many airlines are now requiring proof of age – either a birth certificate or passport – for infants who fly free or on discounted fares.
admin @ 9:44 pm
Jumble of rules
While virtually all airlines have rules that apply to "unaccompanied minors" on flights, no two airlines have the same policy.
In most cases, children must be at least 5 to fly alone. They're considered "minors" up to age 11, 12 or 14, depending on the airline. All airlines provide extra supervision of minors flying alone. Only Southwest and JetBlue do it for free. The other airlines charge between $30 and $90 – each way – for the service.
admin @ 9:45 pm
Brief summaries
We checked out child travel policies for several of Lindbergh Field's busiest airlines. The rules outlined here apply for domestic travel only:
Alaska – Half-price fares available for parents who want seats for infants younger than 2; older children pay full fare.
Fees for unaccompanied minors, ages 5-12 years old, are $30 one way for nonstop or direct flights, $60 one way with connecting flights. Children must be at least 8 to be allowed on connecting flights. No unaccompanied minors on flights departing after 9 p.m. Learn more at http://www.alaskaair.com.
American – Infants must be at least 2 days old to fly. There's a half-price fare for infants younger than 2 years who occupy their own seats; older children pay full fare.
Fees for unaccompanied minors, ages 5-14, are $40 each way for nonstop or same-plane service; $75 each way for trips that include connecting flights; $90 each way for flights to and from Mexico. Children must be at least 8 to be allowed on connecting flights. Learn more at http://www.aa.com.
America West – No discounted fares for infants who occupy their own seats. Fees for unaccompanied minors, ages 5-14, are $40 each way. They're allowed only on nonstop flights. Learn more at http://www.americawest.com.
Delta – A medical release is required before infants younger than 7 days are allowed to fly. (SkyWest connections prohibit infants less than 8 days old.) No discounted fares for infants who occupy their own seats.
Fees for unaccompanied minors, ages 5-14, are $50 each way; $75 each way on flights that connect to another airline. No unaccompanied minors allowed on last connecting flights of the day. Learn more at http://www.delta.com.
JetBlue – No discounts for infants who occupy their own seats. No fees for unaccompanied minors. Nonstop and direct flights only (no change of planes) for unaccompanied minors, ages 5 to 11. Learn more at http://www.jetblue.com.
Southwest – A birth certificate is required to validate the age of infants younger than 2 years old. A medical release is required before an infant younger than 14 days is allowed to fly. Infant fares are available for those younger than 2 who occupy their own seats.
No fees for unaccompanied minors, ages 5-11 years old. They pay adult fares and are allowed only on nonstop or direct flights. Youths 12 and older can fly unaccompanied at any time. Youth fares available for those 12 to 21, child fares for those 2 to 11, traveling with an adult. Photo IDs required. Learn more at http://www.southwest.com.
United – Half-price fares available for infants under 2 who are guaranteed a seat; older children pay full fare.