A Guidance on the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor 2024

Do you require your kid to travel alone with Southwest but are worried about their safety? If yes, you must understand about Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy and its amazing benefits. Moreover, it is cheap to fly with children on Southwest.

The Unaccompanied Minor program is only for children between five through 11 years old. Unaccompanied Minors cannot make the EarlyBird Check-in as the childrens are required to pre-board the flight. In this blog, we will learn everything you must know about the UNMR policy, fees, and rules.

Highlights of Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Rules

Southwest has set up some guidelines that you must follow to send your child alone for traveling. Read all the mentioned points carefully:

  • Unaccompanied Minor procedures do not apply to unaccompanied travelers ages 12 through 17.
  • The children between 4 and 11 years will be considered unaccompanied minors According to the UMNR policy of Southwest. Kids below five years cannot fly.
  • Southwest Airlines enables children from 5 to 12 years old to fly solely by another passenger up to 12 years old.
  • Children between 4 and 11 years can travel alone with Southwest Airlines and pay $50 for a one-way trip.
  • Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor program applies to children between 4 and 11 who can travel alone.
  • Parents need to provide the complete details for the individual who will pick. They drop the child at the airport as per the rules of Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor age.
  • The airline will ask you to provide the required documents at the time of boarding the flight related to your children.

How do I book a ticket for unaccompanied minors on Southwest?

There are different ways available to make Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor booking with ease:

  • Book the UNMR tickets on Southwest.com
  • Dial Southwest phone number 1-800-435-9792
  • Make the reservation at airport (Southwest Ticket Counter).

Moreover, You must confirm with the airline whether the child will be flying with any adult whose age must be 18 at the time you mention the age of your little one online. If not, you will have to fill the Southwest UNMR form and pay the applicable fee. You can even book a ticket for your child when you use rapid reward points to complete the reservation. A minor is considered Unaccompanied Minor from whose age is between 5 to 12 only.

Parents/guardians must have the below information when they are ready to fill Southwest Airline unaccompanied minor form.

  • The complete name for the child
  • Your relationship with the child
  • The complete address of the child
  • Provide the contact number along with the area code
  • The correct date of birth for the child
  • Complete needed information about that person who will pick up and drop off the child.
  • The contact details for another designee at the destination of the child.

What is the age limitation for the children Fly alone with Southwest Airlines?

The airline only allows children from 5 to eleven to travel like minors with an adult of 18 according to the rules of Southwest airlines unaccompanied minor age limit. The airline enables unaccompanied minors between 4 and eleven to fly solely. Similarly, the airline offered the UNMR service for the children going alone and was compulsory for the children.

Besides, the Southwest unaccompanied minor service is not available for children 12 years or older flying alone. Children between 12 and 17 can travel without an adult of 18 on domestic flights. However, the minors below 18 cannot travel alone unaccompanied on international flights.

Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor Fee

Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor cost $50 only for direct way flights and the $100 for the round-trip tickets. The unaccompanied Minor is only available for children 5 to 12 years old who are flying solely. It is the addition of the flight cost for each child. Similarly, the total cost will be $220 when the airfare costs $120, and the children are traveling as unaccompanied minors round trip. Moreover, this fee is much less than the airline charge. For example, you need to pay $150, and thus, you can save a couple of hundred dollars on a trip ticket.

How Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Service Works?

When scheduling a ticket for a youngster traveling alone, unaccompanied minor paperwork must be finished before going to the ticket counter at the airport. Unaccompanied Minor form has all the details required to make it easier for the youngster to be transferred between the persons listed:

  • Child (name, date of birth, gender, destination, flight number).
  • Alternate contact at destination (name, relationship, phone).
  • Parents/guardians at the destination (name, address, relationship, phone).
  • Parent/guardian at the origin (name, address, relationship, phone).

Restrictions

Unaccompanied minors are only permitted to fly on non-stop or direct flights operated by Southwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines maintains the authority to decline the admission of unaccompanied minors for the flight that are expected to end early or avoid the child’s destination due to operational difficulties or bad weather. Flights to and from international locations are not eligible for the Unaccompanied Minors Service.

Drop-off and Pick-up

Make sure you give yourself enough time at the airport so that you can check in, get through security, and get to the departure gate at least 45 minutes ahead of time!

The parent/guardian who drops off unaccompanied Minor must check in at the only ticket counter upon arrival at the airport. To obtain the boarding pass and escort pass, the child and the person leaving them off at the ticket counter must reconfirm, even when Unaccompanied Minor carries no baggage to check and has already checked in online or at the self-service kiosk.

The following documentation must be presented at the ticket counter:

  • Proof of the age (the birth certificate of the child, etc.).
  • A copy of the Unaccompanied Minor’s itinerary.
  • Your valid, government-issued ID.
  • The completed Unaccompanied Minor form.

The filled-out form will be attached to Minor lanyard, which the young passenger is required to wear the entire journey. You can go through security with your child’s escort pass in hand and follow them to the departure gate.

At Departure

The Customer Service Representative must be informed that you will drop off your child like a unaccompanied minor. The minors board the aircraft early in the general boarding process, accompanied by a representative from Southwest Airlines who will pair them up with a flight personal. The youngster will be led onto the plane after all the passengers have boarded/in between boarding groups when you do not have time to preboard.

Until the airplane takes off, you will need to stay at the gate area. When the parent/guardian meets unaccompanied Minor at the destination, they need to acquire a pass at the flight ticket desk, show a photo copy of the child’s itinerary, and a valid government-issued ID.

The Unaccompanied Minor’s pick-up representative needs to reach the gate 45 minutes ahead of time. Informing a Southwest Airlines worker that you are bringing up to unaccompanied minor is appropriate. A uniformed Southwest Airlines employee will escort the child off the aircraft and bring them to meet the approved parent/guardian, who will need to sign a release form and provide a valid photo ID.

Conclusion!

This is how you can easily book a safe and comfortable journey for your child by booking Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor facilities. It is advisable to read the guidelines and other important aspects related to the policy. It enables your kid to fly and reach the destination smoothly.

Southwest Airlines is always available to assist passengers with their queries/issues. Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor fee is $50 for children between 4 and 12 years. You can directly connect with us to get special assistance regarding the issues. The agents will assist you with the best solutions within a short time.

Frequently asked questions FAQ’s:

At what age can a child fly alone on Southwest?

Southwest only allows children from five to 11 years old for the minor program. You must be aware of the terms & conditions set down by the airline for minors travel alone.

Do the unaccompanied minors avail priority boarding Southwest?

The minors whose age is less than 12 years old have to pay an extra fee for unaccompanied minors. They can pre board their flights.

Explain the rules for unaccompanied minors

Most U.S. airlines including Southwest will allow children who have reached their fifth birthday to travel as minors. The kids between 4 and 11 can fly alone and book minor service.

Can a 12-year-old fly alone?

The airline aims to offer a safe and positive journey to your child. The airline children aged 5 to 14 fly alone by using Southwest Airlines UNMR service.