Under 5 years - 'Flying Solo' service is unavailable, however, the child MUST travel with someone over the age of 18 years. 5-12 years - 'Flying Solo' service is available and can the child can travel on all flights. 13-18 years - The child can travel alone or we would be happy to offer the 'Flying Solo' service.
Children between the age of 5 (five) and 12 (twelve) years, as on the date of travel must either be accompanied by a companion aged 18 (eighteen) years or more, as on the date of travel, or must book Flying Solo service.
Airline policy :
In airline policy an unaccompanied minor is typically an airline passenger aged between 5 and 14 years old (airline regulations vary) who travels without an accompanying adult. Minors whose accompanying adult travels on the same flight but in a different class may also be classified as unaccompanied minors. A parent or guardian who requests for this service fills out a release form, identifying another guardian who will pick up the minor at the destination airport. Airline personnel are responsible for escorting the child through immigrations and customs and boarding the flight in time. A fee may be payable for this service.
During the flight, no special attention is given to the minor until the flight enters final descent to the destination. On descent, the minor is moved to the nearest exit, which could be in business or first class, so that he or she can leave the aircraft at first opportunity and be transferred to the local ground staff. After clearing immigrations and customs, the child is released only to the adult identified on the paperwork.
Some airlines have controversial unaccompanied minor seating policieswhich discriminate against adult male passengers on the basis of gender. Said policies are believed to be a response to reports of in-flight sexual assault, and subsequently the call from parents for airlines to better safeguard their children while traveling as a UM. The policies bar unaccompanied minors from being seated next to adult males and have led to significant criticism and successful legal action.Some airlines, including , will not carry unaccompanied minors.
Parents of children who need one-on-one support during their journey, or who are excluded from airline UM-programs for other reasons, can hire independent child travel companion services. These specialized companies employ dedicated chaperones, often with a background of child care or nursing, who can fly with the child to the destination, even on longhaul international flights.
