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Children Flying Alone: What Every Parent Should Know About Unaccompanied Minors
It’s not uncommon to be amazed at Japanese kids going out alone. But for children flying alone, we feel scared above all else. It is undoubtedly a worrying experience for our kids and also for us. Especially for us.
But then there is the time when a family trip is just impossible. The only way to help our kids and ourselves is to equip them with as much knowledge and information as possible. We will help you with just that in this article.
To our little readers: Hello there! If you are reading this with your parents, there is no need to worry. Flying is a great experience, the best even. There are snacks, movies, games, etc., everything you’ve always wanted to do before your homework. Now is the time! Listen to your parents and adults on the fly. You will be in a new and beautiful city in no time.
The hardest part is letting them go. But with the proper preparation, we can let them explore new horizons by themselves. Photo by LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS - stock.adobe.com
Disclaimer: This article was written in March 2023. The policies might be different by the time you read this. Make sure to double-check with the airlines to avoid any unwanted scenarios.
Important policies
For the unfamiliar, the unaccompanied minor service is offered to ensure the flying experience for kids that are not accompanied by adults.
Generally, the adults need only to carry the kids to the airport. Next, approved airline personnel will arrive to pick up the children and accompany them throughout the flight, from check-in through boarding and upon arrival at the destination airport.
With this, the parents can have peace of mind letting their children travel far distances. However, the policies and documents might be different from the usual requirements and are a little bit complicated. Hence our guide today!
1. Age requirements
It depends on the airline of your choice, but there are age requirements most of the time. Normally, the kids have to be over 5 to be able to travel alone. If the kids are younger than that, most airlines won’t offer unaccompanied minor services (UMS).
Here is a list of age requirements for some airlines in the UK:
British Airways
- Must travel as UMs: 5 to 11 years old
- Optional: 12 to 17 years old.
- Does not provide the unaccompanied minor service
- Children aged 16 or over are allowed to travel alone.
- Does not provide unaccompanied minor service.
- Children aged 16 or over are allowed to travel alone.
- Must travel as UMs: 5 to 15 years old.
- Must travel as UMs: 5 to 11 years old
- Optional: 12 to 16 years old.
- Does not provide the unaccompanied minor service
- Children aged 14 or over are allowed to travel alone.
If you are flying from/to the U.S., here is the list for you:
American Airlines- Must travel as UMs: 5 to 14 years old
- Optional: 15 to 17 years old.
- Must travel as UMs: 5 to 14 years old