AIRLINE POLICIES FOR UNACCOMPANIED MINORS TRAVEL
Be sure to check with your airline for updates for the policies stated below.
The TSA says we can now travel with small pocket knives, so no telling what other changes may be out there.
AMERICAN
Domestic and International (1-800-443-7300)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 8 with adult fare
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – N/A
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight – 8
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $60 direct/ $75 connect. Int’l: $60 N/S $90 for segments
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – No Fee
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in at least 1 hour early (Domestic); Check- in at least 2 hours early (International)
BRITISH AIRWAYS
International (1-800-247-9297)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 6 with adult fare
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – Required for ages 5 to 11
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -12
Fees for Escort Service Each way – No fee
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – No Fee
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Skyflyer’s Club for regularly traveling child; permanently records information; travel documents of child held by flight attendants
CONTINENTAL
Domestic and International (1-800-231-0856)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 8 with adult fare
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – Required for ages 5 to 14 Domestic; 5 to 11 International
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight – 15 Domestic; 12 International
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $60.00 each way Domestic; No Fee International
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – $75.00; no fee if e-ticket
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in 2 hours early Domestic; 2 hours early International
DELTA Domestic
(1-800-221-1212)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – Not permitted
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – N/A
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -12
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $40 each way for direct
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – $100.00; no fee if e-ticket
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in 2 hours early; child has envelope with personal information
DELTA International
(1-800-221-1212)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – Not permitted
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – N/A
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -12
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $90 each way for direct
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – $100.00
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in 2 hours early; Child wears ID tag
KLM (Royal Dutch)
International (1-800-374-7747)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 to 14 with adult fare; must purchase ticket with adult escort
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 5 to 14 with adult fare; must purchase ticket with adult escort
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – Required for ages 5 to 14
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -15
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $40.00 Direct; $75.00 Connecting
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – $75.00
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in 2 hours early; escort helps child through gates and customs
LUFTHANSA
International (1-800-645-3880)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 5 with adult fare
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – Required for ages 5 to 10
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -11
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $22.00 each way
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – $45.00
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in 2 hours early; child wears ID tag & has envelope with personal information; child seated in special section of the plane so attendants can see them
NORTHWEST Domestic
(1-800-225-2525)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 5 with adult fare
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – Required for ages 5 to 14
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -15
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $40.00 Direct; $75.00 Connecting
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – No Fee
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in 90 minutes early; Child can not be on the last flight of the day
NORTHWEST International
(1-800-447-4747)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 5 with adult fare
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – Required for ages 5 to 14
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -15
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $60.00 Direct; $90.00 Connecting
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – $75.00
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in 2 hours early; escort helps child through gates and customs
SOUTHWEST
Domestic (1-800-435-9792)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 12 with adult fare
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – No service available
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -12
Fees for Escort Service Each way – N/A
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – $25.00
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Flight Attendant escorts child and stays with them until pick-up by guardian
UNITED
Domestic and International (1-800-241-6522)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 5 with adult fare
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – Not Permitted
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – N/A
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -12
Fees for Escort Service Each way – $30.00 each way
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – $60.00 Domestic; $75.00 International
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance – Name, address, phone number of drop-off and pick-up person
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Check-in 1 hour early (Domestic); Check-in 2 hours early (International); Child can not fly on last flight of day
GREYHOUND BUS LINES
(1-800-231-2222)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Direct Flight – 8 to 11 with adult fare (12 is an adult)
Youngest Age for Unaccomp. Minor on Connecting Flight – 12 switches buses; 8 to 11 just making stops
Escort Provided by Carrier for Connecting Flight – No service available
Youngest Age for Unescorted Connecting Flight -12
Fees for Escort Service Each way – N/A
Pre-pay charge to Receive ticket at Airport – No fee
ID Required for Pick-Up – Photo ID Required
Information Airline will Require in Advance –
Miscellaneous Specific Information – Unaccompanied child must depart from and arrive at destinations with Agency office open; Child can not ride at night; Trip can not exceed 5 hours; Legal guardian must sign liability release and consent form
1. CONTENTS
Travel Policies for Unaccompanied Minors
Top Safety Tips for Children Traveling Alone
List of Things Child Should Not Bring on Board
Dressing For Air Travel
Southwest Airlines – Tips for Children Traveling Alone
Southwest Airlines – Updated Travel Information
Press Release & Article on New Policy on Passport Application for Minors
Travel Affidavit
Changes since September 11th
A. Airlines
1. Total time needed to travel
2. Availability of flights
3. Major airlines no longer permit unaccompanied minors when connecting flight required.
4. Baggage
5. Gun Toting / Full Military Dress People Everywhere
6. Security Procedures (Constant need for ID)(Gate Policies)
B. Family Courts
1. Informal Survey – no real changes. No policy changes. Everything still “case-by-case.”
2. Possible Impact (Food for Thought and Discussion)
A. Will Courts be more inclined to decrease “distant” parent’s periods of possession?
B. Will Social Workers / Mental Health Professionals be more inclined to recommend a decrease in “distant” parent’s periods of possession?
C. Are residency restrictions more likely to occur than before September 11th
D. Are residency restrictions less likely to be lifted on a modification?
E. Consideration of different transportation / visitation methods?
F. More Detailed Decrees / Orders
Resources
www.southwest.com
http://travel.state.gov/travel_ warnings
DFW Airport: www.dfwairport.com or call 972.574.8888
Love Field: 214.670.6156
Statewide Interstate Travel Hotline: 1.800.452.9292
Statewide Road Conditions: www.dot.state.tx.us (Click on “road conditions”)
Local Road Closures: 214.374.4100
www.greyhound.com or 1.800.231.2222
www.amtrak.com or 1.800.872.7245
http://travel.state.gov/passport assistance
Passport Services
CA/PPPT/PAS
1111-19th St., N.W., Suite 260
Washington, D.C. 20524
202.955.0231
202.955.0230 (fax)
