Unaccompanied Minor Service: A Complete Guide
Important: Unaccompanied Minor service is subject to airline policies, availability, and applicable fees. When booking the flight and unaccompanied minor service, inform the agent about the child's age and travel arrangements so the appropriate service can be requested.
Your kid’s solo air travel can be safer and more comfortable with the unaccompanied minor (UM) service.
At Cheapfaremart, while booking a flight for your kid, you can purchase the unaccompanied minor service of the carrier to ensure a hassle-free travel for the kid and a worry-free time for yourself.
Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Service & Scope
The unaccompanied minor (UM) service is designed to help children travel safely when flying without a parent or adult guardian. The service may include:
Identification Tags and Trackable Wristband: The child may receive a special UM badge, trackable wristband, or travel pouch to help airline staff identify them during the journey.
Escort to the Departure Gate: An airline representative or authorized airport staff member helps the child move through the airport and reach the departure gate.
Early Boarding Assistance: The child may be allowed to board before other passengers, giving them extra time to settle into their seat and become familiar with the cabin crew.
In-Flight Assistance: Flight attendants keep an eye on the child during the flight and provide general assistance, such as helping them understand cabin instructions or locate the lavatory.
Connecting Flight Assistance: If the airline permits connecting flights for unaccompanied minors, authorized staff help the child move between gates and board the next flight. Airlines like Delta have kids-only lounges too. Some airlines limit UM travel to nonstop flights only.
Arrival Assistance: Airline staff help the child leave the aircraft and guide them through the arrival airport.
Baggage Claim Assistance: Where included, staff help the child reach the baggage claim area and locate their checked luggage.
Assistance During Travel Disruptions: If a flight is delayed, canceled, or changed, airline staff follow the applicable UM procedures to assist the child and communicate with the parent or guardian.
How to Get the Unaccompanied Minor Service?
The booking of unaccompanied minor service is allowed on phone only. Here is the standard process to follow.
Step 1: Eligible Flights and Documentation Details
We are available on the flight reservation number +1-844-869-5222. Our travel experts can guide you on airlines and routes that accept unaccompanied minor flight booking, the age-specific eligibility and documentation needs. Book your ticket along with a designated UM service.
Alternatively, if you haven’t purchased the UM service at the time of booking, you can contact us to purchase the UM service subject to airline’s policy.
Step-2: Provide the Child's Details for the UM Policy Purchase
Enter the child's full name, date of birth, and other required information. Our expert may need details about the parent or guardian dropping off the child and the authorized adult picking them up.
Step 3: Complete the Required Forms
Fill out the airline's Unaccompanied Minor form, including emergency contact information and the child's travel details. Some airlines require these forms to be completed at the airport.
Step 4: Pay the UM Service Fee
If the airline charges a service fee, complete the payment according to its policy. The fee may be charged per child, per direction, or per journey.
Step 5: Confirm the Service Request
Check that the Unaccompanied Minor service is confirmed for every eligible flight segment. Review the booking details and keep the confirmation information accessible.
Step 6: Preparing for travel
Whether this is the first solo flight of your child or a repeat one, it’s important for you to discuss what to expect. Here are some helpful tips to prepare:
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Educate your child about the identification of the UM staff
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Write down phone numbers for your child.
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Pack games, books and money in one small carry-on.
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Pack snacks for your child to enjoy during their flight.
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Attach an ID card and contact information to your child’s carry-on bag or jacket.
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Fully charge any electronic devices, and don’t forget to pack chargers and headphones.
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Tell your child to wait for the authorized service staff to walk them off the plane when they land
Step 7. Check-in and required documents at the airport
Arrive at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time of your child’s flight and speak with a ticket counter agent. Generally unaccompanied minors are not allowed to do online or at the kiosk check in.
When asked, fill out an unaccompanied minor form and any necessary Customs and Immigration documents for the day of departure. This form must remain with your child during their journey. At check-in, parents / guardians will also need to provide:
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A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child’s age
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The adult’s REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of ID like a passport or U.S. military ID
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Your phone number to help airline’s staff contact you
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The name, address and phone number of the adult meeting your child at their destination
Unaccompanied Minor Service: Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do all airlines offer unaccompanied minor service?
Most U.S. airlines offer unaccompanied minor services. The age requirements, service fees, and travel rules vary by airline.
Q. At what age can a child travel alone on a flight?
The minimum age for a child to travel alone depends on the airline. Some airlines like American Airlines allow children as young as 5 years old to travel with mandatory UM service.
Q. Is Unaccompanied Minor service mandatory for children traveling alone?
The unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for children under 14 on many airlines and is often allowed only on nonstop flights. Some airlines make UM optional for kids above 15 on certain routes.
Q. Can I book UM service after purchasing a flight ticket?
Yes. Many airlines allow parents or guardians to add UM service after booking. However, advance notice, availability, and booking procedures vary by airline.
Q. How much does Unaccompanied Minor service cost?
UM service fees vary by airline, route, and the number of children traveling. US-based carriers like American Airlines and Delta Air Lines charge $150 each way, plus flights within the U.S. are subject to a 7% tax., in addition to the ticket price.
Q. Can children using UM service travel on connecting flights?
Some airlines allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights, while others restrict them to nonstop or direct flights. Connection rules may also depend on the child's age and the airlines operating the itinerary.
Q. What documents are required for a child traveling alone?
Children may need a valid passport or other accepted identification, a completed UM form, and the contact details of the parent or guardian dropping them off and picking them up. International travel may require additional documents, such as a visa or parental consent letter.
Q. Can a parent accompany the child to the departure gate?
Airlines may allow an authorized parent or guardian to accompany the child to the departure gate after completing the required check-in procedures. A special airport escort pass may be required.
Q. Can parents stay at the airport until the child's flight departs?
Many airlines require the parent or guardian dropping off the child to remain at the airport until the flight has departed. Confirm the exact requirement with the airline.
Q. Who can pick up a child traveling under UM service?
The child must generally be picked up by the adult named in the reservation or UM documentation. The authorized adult may need to show valid identification before the airline releases the child.
Q. What happens if a child's flight is delayed or canceled?
The airline follows its procedures for assisting unaccompanied minors during flight disruptions. Parents or guardians should remain reachable and maintain updated contact information with the airline.
Q. Does UM service include supervision throughout the entire journey?
Airline staff provide assistance at designated stages of the journey. Educate your child to tell a flight attendant if he or she needs assistance or feels discomfort. However, UM service does not generally mean continuous one-on-one supervision or personal care throughout the flight.
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