Traveling with your unaccompanied child The guide to know everything
Many airlines allow children to travel alone by plane to most destinations served by their flights. This is called an 'unaccompanied minor' or 'UM'. In this case, what is the minimum age for traveling alone? What are the conditions? How do you prepare your child? We explain everything to you!
From what age can a minor travel alone by plane?
It is the airlines that determine the age at which a minor can travel alone. In principle, most of them refuse unaccompanied passengers under the age of 12. But this is not taking into account the UM services that are often offered: many airlines offer assistance for children from the age of 4 or 5.
For example, Air France offers the mandatory Kids Solo service between the ages of 4 and 11 for France and overseas, or between the ages of 5 and 14 for international flights. Beyond that, minors can travel unaccompanied on these flights.
Low-cost airlines like EasyJet and Ryanair, on the other hand, generally do not offer UM service and accept unaccompanied minors from the age of 16.
Check with your airline to find out the minimum age allowed.
Organizing the air travel of an unaccompanied minor (UM)
Required documents
In order for a minor to travel alone, certain documents are essential:
- Airline tickets,
- Identity card or passport,
- Any necessary visas for the trip,
- Authorization to leave the country (AST) signed by one of the holders of parental authority,
- Copy of the identity document of the parent who signed the AST
- Form indicating the name and contact details of the person designated to pick up the child upon arrival
Good to know: the authorization to leave the country is also mandatory for all trips that simply have a layover in a foreign country.
Booking the UM service
The UM service of your airline may be free or optional, and depends on the age of the minor passenger and the destination of the trip. It is therefore advisable to contact the airline in advance to find out these conditions and make a reservation.
Attention: for connecting flights, be sure to contact all the airlines involved to ensure the proper care of your children.
Preparing your child before the trip
Before your child travels alone by plane, give them all the necessary information for their trip and explain all the steps, from check-in to baggage claim.
Also prepare a bag for them with everything they will need at the airport and on board:
- Required documents,
- Name and contact details of emergency contacts,
- An empty water bottle that they can fill once they have passed security checks,
- Food if necessary,
- Things to keep them occupied during the flight (book, coloring book, games, tablet, etc.)
To properly prepare their luggage for the plane, be sure to check the regulations, especially regarding liquids in the cabin.
Dropping off your child at the airport on the day of departure
Your child is now ready to depart! But what are the steps to follow on the day itself? The procedure is generally as follows if they are enrolled in the UM service:
- Go to the terminal at least 60 minutes before the flight's check-in deadline.
- Find the area dedicated to UM reception and fill out the information form,
- Complete the check-in formalities,
- Then return to the designated meeting point for unaccompanied minors to hand over your child to the airline staff.
If the minor passenger is traveling without the UM service, accompany them to the entrance of the security control area and inform them of the gate number for the flight.
It is then recommended for parents to stay at the airport until the plane departs.
