As a parent of 1 pre-teen and 2 teenagers, I sometimes feel like my entire spring is spent planning their summer camps. Finding a camp that fits well with our summer goals is actually not so hard. The most time-consuming aspect is figuring out all the travel arrangements for residential programs. It is not always possible for my husband or me to travel with them. So figuring out the Unaccompanied Minor policies can take the better part of several weeks. For example, my younger son is participating in a program in Virginia. I was so excited to find a ticket into Charlottesville for about $150. I was ready to book the ticket when I realized that their age minimum to fly as an adult is 15. For my well-traveled 13-year-old, there would be an additional fee of $100 and the flight must be non-stop!! Yikes! Where can you fly non-stop on US Airways? Certainly not to Charlottesville, VA, unless it’s already in driving distance.
To save families some time on figuring out the unaccompanied minor airline policies, here is a summary:
American Airlines:
Children 8 through 11 years of age must travel with another passenger at least 16 years of age or they will be considered Unaccompanied Minors. For travel on American Airlines, American Eagle, and AmericanConnection unaccompanied children may travel on nonstop, direct and connecting flights. If the itinerary includes a connection to/from another airline, including codeshare and oneworld partners, the unaccompanied children will not be accepted.
Children 12 through 17 years of age – Use of the Unaccompanied Minor service is not required, but is available upon request.
via American Airlines Offers Information For Traveling With Children And Infants On AA.com
Delta:
The Unaccompanied Minor Program ($100 fee) is required for all children 5-14 years old when traveling alone. Ages 5-7 can only travel on nonstop flights. Ages 8-14 can travel on nonstop and connecting flights. The program is optional for children age 15 – 17.
Southwest:
Children ages five through 11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older must travel as an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) on Southwest Airlines. Southwest will charge $50 each way ($100 roundtrip) in addition to the air fare per child for UMs to travel.
United:
Children 5 to 11 years of age who are not accompanied by someone who is at least 18 years of age on the same aircraft are considered unaccompanied minors. Ages 5 to 7 may only travel on nonstop flights. Ages 8 to 11 may travel on any flight (nonstop or connecting) operated by United or United Express. However, travel will not be allowed on the last connecting flight of the day — unless the connecting flight is the only published service to that destination. Unaccompanied minors are not accepted on flights which require an overnight stay in order to make a connection.
Virgin America:
Children 5-14 may travel unaccompanied on non-stop flights only. Virgin America assistance is required. Young adults 15 through 17 are considered adults unless the parents or guardians wish unaccompanied minor services to be provided by Virgin America. The charge for Unaccompanied Minor service is $75 for short-haul flights (flights less than 2 hours in duration), $100 for long-haul and medium-haul flights (flights more than 2 hours in duration), or $125 for International flights on Virgin America (arriving or departing from Mexico). Unaccompanied Minor reservations cannot be made online.
Where is your student going this summer?
