What is the correct process be to board an unaccompanied minor?

If traveling under unaccompanied-minor procedures, he or she will be escorted onto the airplane during pre-boarding. Airline policies call for a positive hand-off of your child from one employee to the next. At the destination, the person meeting your child may have to show ID (many airlines require photo ID).



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At the airport
  • A birth certificate or passport as proof of the child's age.
  • The adult's government-issued photo ID with their current address.
  • Your phone number so we can contact you.
  • The name, address and phone number of the adult meeting your child at their destination.


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Check in with an Employee at the gate and let them know you're picking up an Unaccompanied Minor. If the UM's flight is scheduled to arrive after the ticket counter and/or security checkpoint is closed, proceed to the Baggage Service Office to let the Agent know you're picking up a UM.

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Although rules vary by airline, in most cases, an unaccompanied minor is a child between the ages of 5 and 14. You can expect to pay up to $150 for an unaccompanied service from the airline to help with the travel logistics.

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Therefore, your child will likely be asked by an immigration officer or airline staff member will ask for a letter of consent if he or she is traveling without both parents. A Child Travel Consent Form is a legal document that allows a minor child to travel without both parents or legal guardians present.

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Most U.S. airlines will permit children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel unaccompanied. Kids ages 5 through 11 who are flying alone must usually travel pursuant to special “unaccompanied minor” procedures. On some airlines, these procedures are required for unaccompanied children as old as 14.

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Ryanair does not allow unaccompanied minors under 16 years to travel. Children under the age of 16 years must always be accompanied by a passenger over 16 years. Escort and special facilities are not available on Ryanair flights.

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United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requests written consent from both parents or the parent who is not accompanying the minor for minors (those less than 18 years of age) traveling to the U.S. alone or accompanied by only one parent. This written consent must be in English.

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Most US based airlines (but not all of them) offer flights for unaccompanied minors. For a fee, the airline and its employees provide limited supervision on board flights for the child. They also help the child in making flight connections, when applicable.

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The legal parent or guardian must stay at the airport until the flight has departed. We offer priority boarding to unaccompanied minors so they can board the aircraft first.

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Domestic flights If they don't have to go through customs, you must get a gate pass at the ticket counter to go through security and pick up your kids at their arrival gate. You'll need to be at the gate 30 minutes before their arrival time.

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Children 13, 14 and 15 years old may travel unaccompanied in accordance with the Amtrak Unaccompanied Minor Policy. Unaccompanied minor travel is permitted only on Amtrak trains. Travel is not permitted on Thruway motorcoach service, or on any other connecting services.

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Children between the ages of 16 and 18 years old can travel by themselves, as long as they've got all the usual travel documents and meet all the legal requirements (please see below).

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