child travelling alone virgin australia

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Virgin Australia: Children Flying Alone

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What is unaccompanied minor service (UMNR)?

Young children traveling without a parent or legal guardian are considered to be unaccompanied minors. Most airlines provide a service to assist these children from their point of departure to their final destination.

What age does my child have to be to qualify as an unaccompanied minor?

The service is mandatory for children ages 5-11 traveling without an adult who is at least 15 years old. Children ages 12-15 years are not required to travel as unaccompanied minors, but the service is optional for this age group as well. Children under 5 years of age are not allowed to travel unless accompanied by an adult who is at least 15 years old.

What are the fees associated with this service?

• Domestic Flights: 55 AUD/NZD each way
• International Flights: 95 AUD/NZD, 145 FJD, 160 TOP, 180 WST, 550 SBD, 2,400 THB, 7,450 VUV, or 935,000 IDR each way

Are there any flight restrictions?

• Virgin Australia will carry a maximum of six unaccompanied minors per flight.
• Unaccompanied minors cannot be booked on connecting flights.

How do I book this service

Contact the Guest Contact Centre (internet discount fare will be honored) and provide the following information:

• Booking password (this password must be quoted by any caller wishing to make future changes to the flight details, or drop off, and pick up details.)
• Child's name, age, and gender
• Sender's name, address, phone number, and relationship to child (and if the Sender is not the parent or legal guardian, their age)
• Receiver's name, address, phone number and relationship to child (and if the Receiver is not the parent or legal guardian, their age)
• Any special instructions (allergies, medical conditions, fear of flying, etc.)

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

Practical Tips for Traveling with Babies, Toddlers & Kids |

Kids On A Plane

Virgin Australia Pregnancy, Infant and Children Travel Policy

Virgin Australia   is Australia’s second-largest airline and directly serves 29 cities in Australia with hubs at Brisbane Airport, Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport. Here’s a summary of Virgin Australia’s pregnancy, infant and children travel policies.

*This is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most up to date airline policies. For specific questions on traveling with children on Virgin Australia, please click here or contact the airline directly.

Expectant Mothers

Many women fly while pregnant and have no difficulties. If you are pregnant and intend to fly we recommend that you discuss your travel plans with your doctor before you fly – particularly during the later stages of pregnancy.

If you are 28 weeks pregnant or more, you will be required to carry a letter from your doctor or midwife, dated no more than 10 days prior to travel, outlining the estimated due date, single or multiple pregnancies, the absence of complications, and your fitness to fly for the duration of the flight(s) booked.

We require you to travel with medical clearance during pregnancy if the following applies:

Medical Clearance Required

• Any pregnancy with complications will require medical clearance
• Within 5 days of normal vaginal delivery (Exclusion: caesarean)

Unacceptable for travel

Flights greater than 4 hours

• Single pregnancy – after the 36 th week
• Multiple pregnancy – after the 32 nd week
• Within 48 hours of delivery Normal Vaginal Delivery (NVD)

Flights less than 4 hours

• Single pregnancy – after the 38 th week
• Multiple pregnancy – after the 36 th week

Infants (under 2 years old)

Virgin Australia does not allow infants under three days old to fly.

Any guest 23 months or younger is classed as an infant, and must be accompanied by a guest 15 years of age and over, or the parent/legal guardian – who is 13 years of age and over.

Infants travel free on our domestic and international short haul service; and at 10% of the fare (excluding taxes, fees and surcharges) on our international long haul service – but only if they do not occupy a separate seat.

If you wish, you may purchase a seat for your infant for extra comfort. This seat will be charged at a child’s seat rate: of 75% of the fare (excluding taxes, fees and surcharges) on our international long haul service; and at full price on our domestic and international short haul services.

Children (2 to 11 years old)

Any guest over 2 years of age, who is not yet 12 is classed as a child and must occupy a seat with their own ticket.

Children (between 2-11 years of age), in addition to the checked baggage allowance, are permitted one car seat or booster seat per child as checked-in baggage, free of charge and irrespective of weight.

Baggage Allowance for Infants

Guests travelling with an infant may carry-on an extra bag containing articles for use in the cabin such as nappies or baby food.

Specific infant equipment can be carried free of charge on Virgin Australia domestic flights. All other infant baggage is included as part of the parent’s/guardian’s baggage allowance.

Items of specific infant equipment include, but are not restricted to:

• Pram/stroller
• Portable cot
• Baby capsule

Bassinets and baby car seats cannot be taken aboard Virgin Australia flights. Infant restraint belts are available on all aircraft and must be worn by infants on take-off, landing, during turbulence and whenever the seat belt sign is illuminated.

Strollers, Bassinets and Child Restraint Devices

One infant stroller and one infant or child safety seat can be checked for each fare-paying guest at no charge. We do not allow strollers in the cabin of the aircraft but you may check strollers planeside at the boarding gate for no additional charge.

To facilitate the comfort of your infant, bassinets are available onboard our international long haul flights and domestic flights operated by A330 aircraft – subject to availability. Our bassinets are designed for infants only, and size and weight restrictions, as recorded in the tables below, apply.

Bassinets are limited, so please request a bassinet for your infant at the time of booking. Pre-allocation of bassinets is on a first come, first served basis.

Bassinet dimensions are as follows:

Child Restraint Devices:

Virgin Australia accept the carriage of selected child restraint systems (which include car seats and harness type restraints) onboard. Approved CRSs must be certified for carriage in an aircraft and meet the acceptance criteria described below.

Note: To be considered for travel, a CRS must meet one of the below labelling/marking requirements stipulating that it meets the below standards. Wording on labels will be consistent with wording outlined below.

Comply with United States FAA design standard FMVSS No. 213

• Have two markings: ‘This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards” and in red lettering: ‘This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft’.

Be approved under United States FAA process TSO-C100b

• Be permanently and legibly marked ‘TSO-C100b’.

Be approved under United States FAA process 21.305(d)

• Be clearly marked showing FAA approval under 21.305(d) and bear the label ‘FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.305(d)’.

Be approved under United Nations ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) Regulation No. 44

• Be clearly marked with a circle around the letter ‘E’ followed by the distinguishing number of the country which has granted approval.
• Be clearly marked with the approval number showing version ECE R44/03 or ECE R44/04.

Be clearly marked with a label showing the CRS has been certified to CMVSS 213 or 213.1

• Rear-facing restraint systems are certified to CMVSS 213.1.
• Forward-facing restraint systems are certified to CMVSS 213.
• Convertible restraint systems are certified to both CMVSS 213 and 213.1.

Car Seat Acceptance Criteria

In addition to the above, car seats must meet the following criteria prior to being considered for travel:

• Be designed so they can be secured with a fastened lap belt only
• Not exceed a width of 40.6cm (16 inches)
• Be designed to restrain the weight of a child using the device – which unless otherwise specified on the label is 9kg or less for rear facing restraints and 18kg or less for forward facing restraints
• Must be in good condition, showing no signs of damage
• Have a single release harness that secures your child’s lap belt, and torso and shoulder straps – it cannot be unreasonably easy for children to undo
• Be quick and easy to secure or remove your child
• Have a solid back and seat

If accepted for carriage, car seats must also be:

• Fitted to the aircraft seat by parent/guardian
• Must not impede guest access to aisle or exit routes (this includes protrusion over the seat cushion edging)
• Seat allocated according to airline seating rules

Important Information: Australian Design Standard As/NZS 1754

Seats that comply with Australian design standard AS/NZS 1754 are currently unsuitable for carriage on Virgin Australia aircraft, as they require a top tether in addition to the fastened lap belt to secure the three-point attachment.

Australia is one of a few countries with the requirement for a three point attachment and compulsory bolt/anchorage in vehicles to attach car seats. These bolts are not part of an aircraft configuration; therefore, without an approved modification Australian standard car seats currently cannot be secured to our aircraft seats.

CARES Child Restraint

Virgin Australia does not provide, but permits use of the CARES Child Restraint onboard for infants and children. This device must have the original label intact and must be used in accordance with operating instructions.

The CARES restraint is approved for use on aircraft and is manufactured by leading aviation restraint manufacturer AMSAFE.

Special Services

Cabin crew will heat bottles and assist you with preparing and washing bottles or pacifiers. There are no private areas set aside for breastfeeding, but you are welcome to feed your baby in your seat.

Baby-changing tables are available in selected onboard washrooms. For your own comfort and the comfort of fellow guests, we ask that you use these facilities rather than change your baby at your seat.

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• Best Travel Beds for Babies, Toddlers and Young Children
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• Travel Advice

Is your child safe to fly alone?

NAVIGATING your way around an airport can be difficult for even a seasoned flier but have a heart for kids who have to travel alone.

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NAVIGATING your way around an airport and boarding planes can be difficult for even a seasoned flier but have a heart for kids who have to travel alone.

Apart from the confusion at the airport, wondering where to check in, which gate your flight is departing from or where you collect your bags from, there's the constant worrying about each sound and shudder when you're in the air.

There are many reasons why a child or minor may have to travel unaccompanied, whether travelling to participate in a sporting event, attend school or visiting a parent or relative who lives in another state or country.

With cheaper flights encouraging more travel, the number of unaccompanied minors is growing.

But although the prospect of flying alone can be concerning for the child and parents or guardians alike, many airlines have procedures in place to ensure the safety of unaccompanied minors.

Different airlines will charge different fees for unaccompanied minors, while some will provide extra services to watch over them while they fly.

As the managing director of family travel agency Travel With Kidz, Wendy Buckley fields questions about children travelling alone on a daily basis.

She says most unaccompanied minors are already frequent international flyers.

"They're good flyers and they're quite confident," says Buckley.

She says while the process is safe, there are issues that can arise that "parents don't think of".

"You have to think of the worst case scenarios in everything," says Buckley.

"It's all very well when things go right, but you have to have back up plans, you need to question yourself over is the child capable of taking care of themselves, are you endangering their safety?"

Buckley says the main problem is with transit stops in foreign countries, which she discourages.

She says parents need to get the most direct route and always expect the unexpected - bad weather, mechanical problems, strikes, security issues, sickness of a passenger, and any other problem which could affect a plane leaving or arriving on time or could cause a plane to be diverted to a different airport.

"You have to take full responsibility for an aircraft breakdown, a snow storm, a serious delay that is beyond your control and there needs to be a back up plan for the child.

"(for example) if you've left them at the airport, the plane's taken off and then due to a mechanical breakdown, they have to turn the aircraft around and then you've decided to board a ship and go on a holiday for a week and they turn up in Sydney."

To help parents and guardians make an informed choice, here's a rundown of the major airlines' different policies on unaccompanied minors:

Tiger Airways

Like most budget airlines, Tiger doesn't provide escort or special facilities for minors flying unaccompanied from Australia.

For minors aged 12 to 14, a signed indemnity form must be provided by a parent or guardian at the point of check-in at each departure airport and parents and guardians must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.

Minors younger than 12 years old are not permitted to fly alone, while those aged 15 to 17 may travel unaccompanied.

The general rule at Jetstar is that passengers must be able to travel independently.

According to the airline's website, "children requiring supervision will not be regarded as able to travel independently".

"The airline does not have the systems, staff or facilities required to assume responsibility for assistance and supervision of passengers."

For domestic and international flights between Australia, Jetstar requires unaccompanied minors to be attending secondary school and considered independent to travel alone by their parents or guardians.

Proof of their secondary school attendance may be required at check-in.

Otherwise, the minor must travel with an accompanying passenger, who must be at least 15 years old.

Virgin Blue

Children aged five to 11 years must satisfy an Independent Travel Criteria - they must be able to eat, go to the toilet and administer medication without assistance - to fly Virgin Blue .

Children aged 12 to 15 years may travel as unaccompanied minors if requested by the parent or guardian.

Unaccompanied minors are not allowed on connecting flights and there's a limit of six unaccompanied minors per flight.

Bookings must be made via the Guest Contact Centre and an unaccompanied minor form must be presented at check-in.

The child must be checked-in and collected by a sender and receiver, aged 18 or older.

An unaccompanied minor fee of $20 applies on domestic flights and $40 for international flights.

With Qantas , children aged six to 11 can be considered unaccompanied minors and children aged 12 to 15 may fly as unaccompanied minors at the request of parents and guardians.

Five year olds can also fly internationally unaccompanied, provided the flight isn't over six hours.

Children must be dropped off and picked up from the airport upon departure and arrival by a parent or guardian.

The Qantas website instructs parents and guardians to allow children to take a small toy on the flight and charge them with the responsibility of looking after it, in order to make them feel secure.

During the flight, Qantas crew will check on the child and make sure they're entertained - children are given a complimentary inflight kids' kit.

At transit stops, children remain in the care of cabin crew or ground staff and on arrival, a Qantas crew member will meet the child until they are picked up by a parent or guardian.

The Qantas website instructs parents and guardians to ensure children are aware.

"Make sure your child knows who is to meet them upon arrival at the final destination. Explain to your child how important their passport and tickets are, and ensure that they can recognise both," the website says.

Considers children aged between five and 12 to be unaccompanied minors but will provide the service to those aged 12 to 16 if requested by parents or guardians.

Unaccompanied minors will require a full adult fare ticket and an indemnity form.

At the time of booking, Emirates will record the child's seat and meal preferences and if travelling on their birthday, a cake is prepared.

Emirates has staff dedicated to unaccompanied minors who will accompany them to the aircraft and stow their baggage (unaccompanied minors are boarded first), but parents or guardians are required to be present at check-in.

On arrival, staff will take children to their designated guardian.

Conditions apply when unaccompanied minors book connecting flights and details are available on the Emirates website.

Cathay Pacific

Classifies children aged six to 12 as unaccompanied minors and will include children aged 12 to 18 at the request of parents or guardians.

Cathay , which charges for the unaccompanied minor service, will not accept children on flights that involve a transfer exceeding five hours and connecting flights must arrive or depart from the same airport.

Parents or guardians must remain at the airport until the flight is airborne and may be required to pick the child up in the case of lengthy delays.

Cathay staff will care for the child during the flight and until the designated guardian collects the child on arrival.

If more than six unaccompanied minors travel on the same flight, a Flying Guardian will be appointed to manage the group.

Singapore Airlines

Classifies those aged five to 17 as unaccompanied minors and require parents or guardians to fill out a special assistance form.

On its website , the airline assures guardians that the child will be cared for from flight check-in until arrival at the final destination.

British Airways

Requires children aged five to 12 be registered with their Skyflyer Solo service, which cannot be booked online, and for which a fee is charged.

Five year olds can only travel on direct, non-stop flights while children aged six and up can travel on any flight, although restrictions on transfers apply.

The airline website reminds guardians that rules for children travelling alone vary by country, so it's important to check the regulations of local country authorities.

A staff member will host the child through the flight until met by a designated guardian on arrival and if a large number of unaccompanied minors travel on the same flight, an escort will be appointed to manage them.

If you go Visit travelwithkidz.com.au .

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Australian airline Qantas has announced a major change for passengers flying overseas — and the best bit is that it won’t cost you a cent.

A major Australian airport has been named the best in the Pacific the same week a huge project kicks off with big changes for Qantas passengers.

Just days following the “biggest ever” change to the airline’s frequent flyer program, Qantas has dropped another major feat.

Virgin Australia introduces the Passenger Promise

Virgin Australia is offering customers some reassurance in these turbulent times. Customers are, and always have been, the number one priority of the airline and it’s taking some extra steps during this time to protect them.

Virgin Australia has introduced the Passenger Promise , which outlines changes to the normal customer journey to minimise the risks associated with COVID-19.

Virgin Australia has increased flexibility on all new and existing bookings to give their guests peace of mind. This includes no change fees on travel until 31 January 2021.

Customer safety has never been more important to Virgin Australia. The airline requires all passengers to complete a pre-departure COVID-19 health questionnaire. 

To limit face-to-face interaction, passengers are encouraged to check-in online wherever possible via the Virgin Australia app or on the Virgin Australia website.

Self-service kiosks at the airports are being sanitised regularly. Virgin Australia has closed some kiosks to help passengers maintain social distancing.

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Guests will be encouraged to scan their own boarding passes when boarding a flight to reduce unnecessary contact. Boarding will also be staggered into zones to help passengers maintain their distance.

Virgin Australia’s aircraft are fitted with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, which have a similar performance to those used in medical environments and clean rooms. They are effective at removing more than 99.9% of microbes from the air.

Customers will be encouraged to bring and use their own face masks and hand sanitiser for their journey. Wherever possible, Virgin Australia will try to keep an empty seat between guests travelling alone. 

During the coronavirus pandemic, Virgin Australia has helped to reunite a puppy with its family after they were separated the lockdown and donated essential supplies to people in need .

Visit Virgin Australia to find out more.

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Children Flying Alone: What Every Parent Should Know About Unaccompanied Minors

The Editors

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

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If you are allowing your child to fly alone as an unaccompanied minor, be sure to take every necessary precaution to ensure his or her safety. Millions of children fly alone each year, the majority without incident. But there are occasional horror stories, like the time American Airlines lost track of a little girl in the Miami Airport . That’s why it’s vital that both you and your child are fully prepared for the trip. Read on for important family travel tips on children flying alone.

How Old Do Kids Have to Be to Fly Alone?

Airlines generally consider children between the ages of 5 and 14 who travel without a parent or guardian to be “unaccompanied minors.” For kids between 15 and 17, unaccompanied minor service is typically optional.

Many airlines will not allow children 7 and under to make connections at all, but in the event a minor is old enough to change planes, they will be assisted by airline personnel. Some airlines—Southwest, for example—will not allow any minor (5 – 11) to change planes. JetBlue and Spirit will not allow any children under 15 to make a connection. Southwest and Spirit do not allow unaccompanied minors on international flights, while most other airlines do. Unaccompanied minors are often prohibited from taking codeshare flights.

If you intend to send an unaccompanied minor by plane, you will be required to fill out a form detailing the child’s name, age, and other relevant information. Upon arrival, your child will be escorted from the aircraft by an airline representative and released to the responsible adult named by you prior to departure.

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General Age Guidelines for Unaccompanied Minors

Airline rules vary, but here’s a good idea of what to expect. Note that the ages listed below reflect your child’s age on the date of travel, not at the time of booking.

Children ages 1 – 4 may fly only when accompanied by an adult. A child must be at least 5 to fly solo.

Kids ages 5 – 7 can take a direct flight to a single destination but not connecting flights.

Those 8 and up may change aircraft on some airlines, and will typically be escorted by airline personnel to their connecting flight.

Anyone under the age of 17 who is flying alone on an international flight may be required to produce a signed letter of consent from a parent or responsible adult.

As these guidelines vary slightly by airline, be sure to contact your carrier for specific information.

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Unaccompanied Minor Fees

Airlines charge anywhere from $35 to $150 each way for an unaccompanied minor fee. The exact amount will depend on the airline, the age of the child, and whether the flight involves connections. Some airlines charge a fee per child, while other carriers will allow multiple children to travel together under a single fee.

Below are the fees charged each way for unaccompanied minor service on some of the major U.S. airlines.

• Alaska: $50 per child for nonstop flights; $75 per child for connecting flights
• American: $150 (covers siblings, if applicable)
• Delta: $150 for up to four children
• Hawaiian: $35 per segment per child within the state of Hawaii; $100 per segment per child between Hawaii and another North American city
• JetBlue: $150 per child
• Southwest: $50 per child
• Spirit: $150 per child
• United: $150 for up to two children; $300 for three or four children; $450 for five or six children

Other Considerations for Minors Flying Alone

Some airlines do not allow unaccompanied minors to fly on the last connecting flight of the day, or on so-called “red-eye” flights between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Be sure to read each airline’s policies carefully before booking.

After filling out some paperwork and paying the appropriate fees at check-in, one parent or guardian will receive a special pass that will allow him or her to get through the security checkpoint. The parent or guardian must accompany the child to the gate and wait there until the plane takes off.

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Important Tips for Children Flying Alone

Never wait until you have reached the airport to inform the airline that you have a minor traveling unaccompanied. Always provide this information to customer service over the phone, and have them inform you of all your options, fees, and so forth.

Try to purchase your child a nonstop ticket to minimize the chance of travel snafus, even if he or she is old enough to make connections. If a change of planes is necessary, aim to use a small, less intimidating airport for the transfer. That said, some airlines restrict which connecting cities are permitted for children flying alone.

Make sure your child carries plenty of emergency information. For example, leave instructions on how to handle flight delays or cancellations, including emergency contacts and a means to pay for necessities, such as overnight accommodation. Your child should also carry identification, such as a copy of his or her birth certificate.

Familiarize your child with his or her itinerary and make sure all travel documents are kept in a safe place—especially if they’ll be needed for a return flight.

Try to book a morning flight. If it is delayed or canceled, you have the rest of the day to make alternate plans.

Small children may have trouble with checked baggage. If possible, stick with a single carry-on bag and a personal item. If not, take a careful look at your child’s checked bag stubs to be sure that the luggage claim ticket and luggage tag match your child’s final destination.

Get to the airport earlier than usual to ease check-in and get children accustomed to their surroundings. If possible, show them where help desks are located and teach them to recognize uniformed employees.

Make sure your child has a photo of the person meeting him or her, as well as that person’s full name, address, and phone number. You will need to provide contact information to the airline as well. The adult meeting your child at the destination airport should carry photo identification.

Pack some snacks for your child such as chips, sandwiches, trail mix, or other finger foods like grapes or berries. You may also want to purchase juice or water for your child after you pass through the security checkpoint.

Be sure your child has plenty of things to keep him or her entertained in flight, such as a tablet stocked with games or a few favorite books .

Give your child a little cash to cover incidental expenses in the event of an emergency.

Just because a 5-year-old is permitted to fly solo, that doesn’t mean that your 5-year-old will be able to handle flying alone, especially if your child hasn’t flown before. Parents should use common sense and make a decision based on their own child’s level of maturity.

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Airline Policies for Unaccompanied Minors

Click on the link below to find your airline’s policy on children flying alone.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

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UNACCOMPANIED MINOR AND YOUNG PERSON TRAVELLING ALONE POLICY

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How to Fly Your Kid Solo, Free of Stress

By Alexander Nazaryan

For many parents and guardians, putting a child on a flight alone may seem terrifying. Belligerent passengers, delays, turbulence: All loom large in a caregiver’s imagination.

Life sometimes leaves no other option. Hudson Crites , 17, of Marshall, Va., was 10 when he started flying unaccompanied to visit his father in Kansas and later Georgia, said his mother, Chelsea Tippett. But the extra attention from airline staff made Hudson “feel special,” Ms. Tippett recalls. Other than a single tarmac delay, he has had no problems.

On rare occasions, children have had troubling experiences. In December, Spirit Airlines accidentally flew a 6-year-old to Orlando, Fla., instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers. Spirit apologized, fired the gate agent responsible and offered reimbursement to the boy’s grandmother for her travel to Orlando. But while the boy was unharmed, his grandmother expressed worry that he had been kidnapped .

If you decide to fly your child unaccompanied, you’ll discover that each airline has its own procedures, fees and routes open to children. While some may find the process complicated, flying alone may be exciting for your child, instilling some independence. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you book, know the process

Regardless of the airline or route, flying an unaccompanied minor differs from an adult or a family catching a flight. Airlines require a trusted pre-authorized adult to be at the departure and arrival gates, and will ask you at booking to provide contact information for those adults. They will also need to present identification at the terminals.

The journey begins at the originating airport’s airline ticket counter. There, airline staff will check your identification and check in the child, perhaps handing them a lanyard or wristband to wear. The agents will provide you with a pass to get through security with your child. You will accompany them to the gate, where you will hand them off to a gate agent. You must stay at the gate until the plane takes off.

In the air, the flight crew will keep watch — but will not babysit, or sit with, your child. If the flight has a connection, a crew member will walk your child off the plane and a gate agent will take him or her to the next gate.

At the arrival airport, the child will be handed off by staff to the authorized guardian or parent who should have already checked in at the ticket counter with proper identification, gone through security with their gate pass and be waiting at the gate.

To learn more about this process, read the Department of Transportation’s online guide, “When Kids Fly Alone,” followed by the website of your selected carrier.

Choosing an airline and paying an extra fee

Before purchasing a ticket, experts advise you to consider an airline’s on-time performance. “Solid on-time performance is hard-earned, and signals a carrier that has tight control of its operation,” said the Ask the Pilot author, Patrick Smith. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has those numbers.

Booking procedures vary. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines require you to call. United Airlines allows bookings online. JetBlue Airways does online bookings, too, but asks for three printed copies of its forms upon arrival at the airport.

International flights may call for a notarized consent letter describing where the child is traveling, with whom they’ll stay and how long they’ll be there.

On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey.

Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the flight is nonstop; a connection adds $25. On Delta, one $150 fee will cover up to four children, and American’s $150 covers all siblings, with no cap on number. United charges $150 for one child, or two children flying together.

Restrictions: There are plenty

U.S. carriers allow children to fly as unaccompanied minors once they turn 5 and before they turn 18. But regardless of your child’s age, make sure he or she is ready by discussing the trip details and your expectations of their behavior. No policy can replace your judgment.

The low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air don’t allow unaccompanied minors, Other airlines have restrictions that, in the broadest terms, differentiate between young children and teenagers. American and Delta restrict children under 8 from routes requiring connections. Both airlines allow children between 8 and 14 to take some connecting flights.

On American, no unaccompanied minor is allowed to take an overnight flight requiring a connection, or a flight that includes a connection on its final leg that also happens to be the last such flight that day (“unless it’s the only flight,” the company adds). Minors are not allowed on code-share flights.

United and Delta have similar rules. Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit don’t allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights.

JetBlue prohibits minors from flying to Europe, and limits the number of unaccompanied minors in one party to three. Spirit does not allow children on flights to Central or South America. Southwest doesn’t allow children on any international flights. American, United and Delta let minors fly abroad, but restrictions on connections, code-shares and overnights limit options.

American and Delta allow children to opt out of flying as unaccompanied minors once they turn 15 — that is, the child can fly without the assistance of airline personnel. JetBlue ends unaccompanied minor service at 14, while Alaska has an opt-out option at 13. Southwest boasts the lowest opt-out age: 12.

However, you should be able to accompany your child to the gate even if they’re not flying unaccompanied. American requires that you do so for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, even if they’ve opted out.

What to pack

Have a plan to head off your child’s hunger, boredom and thirst. If they are older, make sure they have emergency money and a charged phone.

When her two daughters, then 9 and 11, flew to Denver, Joey Conover of Charlottesville, Va., had a long list for their carry-ons.

“Pack a backpack with iPad, headphones, lightweight book to read, a pad of paper and colored pencils (markers might smear), a small travel game, water bottle (bring empty and fill in airport), snacks, some kind of surprise fidget or animals to play with, hoodie, and a lovey,” she wrote in an email.

“Write your name and phone number on the inside of their arm in Sharpie and put a parent’s business card in a luggage tag on both suitcase and backpack,” Ms. Conover said. (A sheet of paper with all their identification, and their guardian’s contact information, also works. Simply stick in an easy-to-access pocket.)

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

What it's like travelling with kids as a solo parent

Feb 17, 2020 • 6 min read

Travelling solo, with kids. It sounds like an oxymoron – how can you be alone when you have little people with you? – but as any parent who has hit the road without a co-pilot knows, it’s very much a one-person show. Being a single-parent traveller will bring a host of unexpected challenges, all of which can be overcome. Believe it or not, travelling solo with kids is even better than travelling solo. 

Hitting the road alone

Some parents have to travel solo with kids because their partner is working, not interested in travelling, or are otherwise incapacitated. Others travel with their kids because they’re single parents. If that’s the case, you’re probably used to some of the logistics required, but you might not be prepared for the experiences you’re to have.

Early nights

When you’re operating on a child’s timeline, dinner is usually eaten early, which means restaurants are empty, with no need to book. Many countries have a  dining-out culture  that means kids are well catered for with smaller portions of healthy delicious meals (not just chicken nuggets and chips). Waitstaff in many countries are exceptionally kind and friendly to children; you may see them sneak a secret caramel or lollipop at the end of the evening. 

Read more:  Unlikely destinations for an unforgettable family holiday

Going out at night is nearly impossible, unless you can find a reliable, trustworthy sitter. But who has the energy to stay up all night after a full day of travelling experiences? Children in bed early wake up early too – so get your rest when you can. If you’re craving some socialising you can also check into accommodation with common spaces, like larger guesthouses and hostels. Striking up a conversation and finding out about other people’s travels is obviously  easier in social accommodations  than at a hotel or AirBnB. 

Managing sickness

Getting ill is never pleasant, but it’s something you need to be prepared for. Before you depart make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit with all the essential medicine you’ll need if you get struck down by a tummy bug, someone gets a cut or a bruise, or worse.

Old-school as it may sound, a  phrasebook is your best friend  in a medical emergency when you don’t speak the host country’s language. If all else fails, you can point to the descriptions you need to describe symptoms or request medicine at a pharmacy or a clinic. Unlike phones, books never run out of battery charge or get their screen smashed if you drop them. Also make sure you’re  properly insured before you leave , so you can seek professional help without worrying about the cost.

Have some rainy-day activities in your travel kit – not just for rainy days, but for any days you’re on the road and not well enough to go out. Staying at accommodation that also serves food, especially breakfast, is also a good idea, so you don’t need to go out if you’re feeling under the weather.

“Where’s your mother/father?”

Ask any parent who’s travelled alone, and they’ll report being asked this with great regularity. Having a short backstory at the ready will help satisfy nosy parkers. Be prepared for more  serious questions when you cross borders , though. You may need to take your children’s birth certificates with you (especially if you do not share a family name with them), as well as a letter from their co-parent saying you have permission to travel with them.

Curiosity may be behind some of the questioning, but child protection is paramount. If someone wants to know why you’re on a bus from Liverpool to London without your children’s mum, try to remain courteous, rather than outraged – there are some kids out there not as fortunate as yours.

Be mindful what you  share on social media  too. The current thinking for child safety is to hold back any holiday snaps until you’re back home, even if you do have all your accounts locked down to private settings. If you do want to share, be very aware of what information you put out there. A hilarious near-miss tale might be amusing in retrospect, but your co-parent back home may be having heart palpitations. 

Will I be lonely?

This is the perennial question for anyone setting off on a solo trip. The answer is always yes and no. There will be moments in life when you will feel lonely. Sometimes these moments arise even in the company of others; while on the road, the company will include your children. Making new memories, enjoying new experiences, and developing new perspectives together is a beautiful way to continue to deepen your lifetime bonds – but you will also meet new people.

Much to my surprise when I’ve travelled with my kids, strangers are usually open and friendly, not hostile and suspicious as I feared – just as they are with solo travellers. Children will play with other children, even without a shared language. They can easily strike up a game of tag or hide-and-seek, or kick a ball around, without needing to understand what the other is saying. 

Read more:  Strangest places in the US to take your kids

Adults, both locals and other travellers, are often more than willing to help you out in any way they can, even if you’re coping just fine. In cultures where the care of children is a shared enterprise don’t be surprised if your guesthouse hosts insist on minding your kids while you have a nap or eat a meal in peace.

Be warned, though: in more patriarchal societies, both male and female solo parents will raise some eyebrows – women are not expected to do this work alone, and men don’t often show their parental side in public spaces. You may be a curiosity, and not always a welcome one. 

New perspectives

In different places you may also be exposed to parenting philosophies that are at odds with your own. In  Hong Kong  I was amazed at how well-behaved other children were, and tried to achieve the same with my own kids (‘You will stand in this queue in the cold for an hour without complaint: see how the other kids are doing fine’) but one does not become a strict parent overnight.

In  Morocco  I was told by a well-meaning but old-fashioned parent that physical punishment was the appropriate response to a fussy eater. I am not sure my high-school French was enough to explain why this was not what I had read in my ‘new age’ parenting handbooks. 

Read more:  5 destinations to see wildlife with your kids

What surprised me the most travelling solo with my kids was the interactions I had with younger adults who were more willing to embrace kids and a solo parent than I expected. After playing my kids at table tennis at a hostel in  Australia , a bunch of carefree backpackers reminded me that I once thought family life meant sliding into a suburban dystopia. But in fact, people all over the world keep working, travelling and living life just as they did before they started a family.

If you want to get a feel for travelling with your kids but you’re not ready to go on a fully independent adventure,  there are now tours available  that will let you having life-changing experiences along with other like-minded families. 

If making new friends while getting outside your routine and comfort zone is the only reason you want to do it, it’s the only reason you need. Bon voyage!   

Subscribe to our  Lonely Planet Kids newsletter  and get 30% off your first Lonely Planet Kids book purchase.

This article was first published February 2020 and updated February 2020

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How to Stay Calm When Your Child Is Traveling, According to TripSavvy Parents

Pro tip: Avoid watching "Taken" at all costs

We’re celebrating the joy of solo travel. Let us inspire your next adventure with features about why 2021 is the ultimate year for a solo trip and how traveling alone can actually come with  amazing perks . Then, read personal features from writers who have traversed the globe alone, from hiking the Appalachian Trail, to  riding rollercoasters , and  finding themselves  while discovering new places. Whether you’ve taken a solo trip or you’re considering it,  learn why a trip for one  should be on your bucket list.

For many parents, the thought of their child traveling alone—especially for the first time—brings up a complex mix of emotions. Fear, anxiety, excitement, pride, you name it. Even seasoned travelers who have explored the world on their own can't help but worry when it's time for their kids to travel on their own. But it doesn't have to be that way. As a team of travel pros, the parents of Team TripSavvy have a lot of experience with solo traveling kids—here's what they had to say about staying calm while your child is off on their own. (The first tip is to avoid watching "Taken" at all costs, trust us.)

Courtesy of Ellie Storck

Sharing My Location Gives My Traveler Parents Peace of Mind

My parents both got a taste for solo travel via epic cross-country road trips in the 1970s, which explains why I love them—the '70s, road trips, and my parents—so much. 

“My first really impactful solo experience was in 1975, the year after I graduated from high school,” my dad said with a grin. “I took a gap year and worked and did various things. And one of the things I did was get on a train to cross the country to San Francisco to visit my sister." Starting in New York, he spent three days crossing the country on his own. "It was a lot of fun because there were a lot of young people on the train and we all kind of glommed together into a unit. We took over the viewing car, which was double-decked, and sat on the top deck with all the views, and we just camped out there—slept there, ate there, hung out, played music.” 

My mom’s first solo trip was more of the explore-the-wild-west ilk. “I never was traveling alone until college when I went to Windham in Putney, Vermont,” she told me. “When I was done with college and moved home to Annapolis, I drove with a friend through Colorado and to the southwest. We stayed with friends here and there as we drove. We had to drive through the desert at night, so the car didn’t overheat.”

Even though they have considerable experience, as a woman traveling around the world on my own, it comes as no surprise that my parents get nervous. “I never worried about you doing well with decision making,” said my mom, “but rather running into someone who would take advantage of you.” My dad had similar concerns   a la Liam Neeson’s "Taken:" "As a father, I imagined all the worst-case scenarios. But I knew that I had a lot of confidence in you, so I wasn’t that worried beyond the usual stuff.”

He and I reminisced about when we figured out how to use the location sharing settings on our phones when I traveled to Japan alone two years ago. That technology made it simple for them to know where I was at all times, and it was pretty funny getting a text from him saying, “Oh, wow, you’re at the base of Mount Fuji!” — Ellie Nan Storck, hotel editor

Courtesy of Astrid Taran

I Send My Mom Selfies From My Location

My mom was a prolific traveler throughout her twenties, so she’s always encouraged me to travel as much as possible. But when I started traveling solo, she definitely had some reservations. “I need to be able to contact you at all times,” I remember her telling me before one of my first solo trips. “So make sure to answer my texts immediately.” Like many parents, my mom is constantly concerned about my whereabouts. Add in the potential factor of me being in a different country—let alone a country where I didn’t speak the native tongue—and she was more than a little antsy. When I asked her why she needed constant text updates from me, she replied, “So I can make sure you’re alive.”

In 2005, 18-year-old American teenager Natalee Holloway disappeared on a high school trip to Aruba. You couldn’t turn a television on or open a newspaper and not hear about it. At the time, I was a young teenager myself and had already been bitten hard by the travel bug. Natalee’s disappearance and its subsequent international news coverage was a dark shadow cast upon millions of American teens. I remember a group of parents protesting a high school class trip to Italy that spring, terrified to let their children out of sight. Before heading off on weekend road trips with friends, my mom would ask me to write down the name of where I’d be staying and make me promise to call promptly upon my arrival. 

These days, things have changed. I have a cell phone, which is constantly at my side. “The digital age has its benefits,” my mom conceded. When she traveled through Europe in the ‘80s, she wrote letters home every week, dropping them off at the consulate. “I would send my mother photos of all the places I’d been,” she said. It took me a second to realize she meant physical photos. “So she would know I’m okay.” Today, I’m able to send my mom a selfie from my location in a matter of seconds—no need to wait for photos to develop. It’s the least I can do to grant her peace of mind. — Astrid Taran, senior audience editor

Courtesy of Taylor McIntyre

Regularly Scheduled Contact Is a Must for My Parents

I took my first solo trip right after college, where I backpacked for a year, on my own, through 30 different countries in Europe. That was the first time I left the country, save for a quick road trip to Canada with my friend. Before the trip, I remember my parents being visibly nervous but trying to put on a brave face that would often break as I hopped from one country to the next. 

"We were nervous and frightened the whole time," my mom said. Of course, my dad referenced "Taken" and how, if I were put in danger, he was no Liam Neeson. I asked if they didn’t want me to do that trip. My dad paused. "No, no. I always raised you to be independent and to live out your dreams. I wanted you to do it," he said, "but I was nervous for you.”

Even now, they still get nervous when I travel, but, according to them, it’s a parent thing, and one day, I will understand. “As a parent, you always have that feeling. Even when your brother goes out driving somewhere, it’s just a parent thing.” 

My mom said what helped her keep it together during that year was hearing from me, whether that was a long-distance call or a post on Facebook. Her advice for other parents in her shoes?  “Make sure they have an international phone plan and set up regularly scheduled contact.” As for my dad, his sage words were, "Don't travel alone. Get a buddy." —Taylor McIntyre, visual editor

Courtesy of Sherri Gardner

I Establish Codewords in Case I Need to Subtly Ask for Help

Much like me, my parents are worriers. Like the kind of worry where if I take too long to respond to a text or miss a phone call without advance warning, my parents assume I'm incapacitated. So when I left out on my first solo trip in South Korea, I needed to send my flight itinerary and hotel reservation as well as call them at least once a day, every day. And even then, my parents, especially my dad, found it difficult to relax completely until I was back home.

I was surprised to learn that he was worried even when we traveled together. As a disclaimer, he did confess to watching "Taken" dozens of times in the two years between the film's release and our first international trip and it definitely didn't help that we were going to Paris, where the movie was set. While walking the streets of Paris he "kept looking around like 'No one's gonna snatch my baby.'"

When asked what advice he has for worried parents, he says "number one is to set out your safe words so that kids can let their parents know that something's wrong without saying outright that something is wrong. It's also important to understand why they want to go where they want to go." This desire to understand manifested itself as intense interrogations about what neighborhoods would I be exploring, had I researched crime rates, where I would be staying, what is it like for single women there, what would I do if I lost my passport, and so on, and so on. It was frustrating for me but these conversations gave whenever him peace of mind that I did my due diligence.

But his most important tip for soothing parental anxiety? "Give them experiences when they're younger. I don't think I could've survived you going to Korea if we hadn't done Paris and if you hadn't gone to Cuba or studied in London. Each individual trip along the way builds up experience that you can use when you go on the next one." —Sherri Gardner, associate editor

Courtesy of Laura Ratliff

My Parents Are More Afraid of My Everyday Life—Go Figure

When I first wanted to ask my parents about their thoughts on this story, I couldn't get ahold of them for three days. Odd perhaps to some, but to me, this was entirely normal.

You see, almost two years ago, my parents retired, sold their suburban home in Dallas, and bought a 37' RV that would become their new home. Since then, they've traversed the country, rarely spending more than a week or two in one place, except during peak pandemic, where they stayed put in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Perhaps their largely off-grid travels are simply a way to get back at me for jet-setting throughout my late teens and 20s? Not so, said my dad. "Honestly, I worried the most about you when you moved to New York City," he admitted. That move—which occurred over a decade ago—has been followed by more than 400,000 miles of travel, much of it solo, that clearly hasn't bothered them a bit. (And, no, he no longer worries about my life in New York City, although he does worry about me driving the car I purchased last year instead of walking or taking the subway.)

The only other time he admitted to worrying when I was on the road? "It's kind of corny," he said, "but when you went to Paris when you were 15. It was just after Sept. 11, and the whole world seemed a little in flux... But I knew you would go and be fine." Little did he know that even I, the brave, smug teen, was a little nervous on that trip too, but of course, I never would've admitted it at the time. —Laura Ratliff, senior editorial director

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4 reasons why Virgin Australia is the best for families

By: Author Alison Godfrey

Posted on August 14, 2018

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A terrible flight with kids can really suck. Tired, cranky children do not make good tourists.

Some airlines know this and go out of their way to make families happy. We’ve tried and tested all the Australian airlines and found that Virgin Australia comes out number one.

We rate Virgin Airlines number one with families. Picture: Shutterstock

Here are four ways that Virgin has the edge when it comes to a flight with kids.

1. Sleep Aids

Virgin is the only Australian airline that allows parents to use sleeping devices on board. Sleep aids are inflatable cushions or portable leg rests that covert plane seats into little beds. Brands include Fly LegsUp, Fly Tots Bed Box and PlanePal.

Some airlines banned the devices back in 2017. But Virgin conducted a proper safety assessment and gave them the tick of approval. If you ask parents of little ones, these devices make a flight with kids far more manageable. 

So take your Plane Pal or Bed Box onto Virgin. Let your kids get some sleep on the way to the destination. If only they came in adult sizes!

2. In-flight Wi-Fi

Do your kids love playing Fortnite? Watching YouTube? Netflix? They can do all of those on board a Virgin flight. 

The choice of in-flight entertainment is so much larger when you have WiFi. 

For parents, it also means that you can catch up on the news from home, keep in touch with loved ones or continue to binge watch your favourite show. Trust us, this will be the best $20 you spend on a flight with kids.

3. Strollers

Virgin airlines allow you to take a stroller onto your flight as carry-on luggage. We checked. It’s fine.

“Fold up strollers/compact strollers may be permitted as cabin baggage free of charge; however, must meet the cabin baggage policy. The cabin baggage allowance is up to 7 kg per person,” a Virgin Airlines representative told Family Travel.

These are the dimensions your stroller must fit for domestic flights:

These are the dimensions your stroller must fit for international flights:

The Silvercross travel stroller would fit perfectly onto the plane. It’s folded dimensions are:  Height: 55cm, width: 30cm, depth: 18cm.

But wait, we’re not done yet.

Unaccompanied minors

From the airport to the destination, we take every step to make sure your child is safe and comfortable during their trip.

Age at time of travel

6 to under 12 years old If your child is aged 6 to under 12 years old, registration as an unaccompanied minor is mandatory unless they are accompanied by an adult passenger who is at least 18 years old.

12 to under 18 years old You are not required to make any special arrangements for your children aged 12 to under 18 years old when they travel. However, you can still register them as unaccompanied minors if you wish for added care and attention.

Booking and fees

You can book a flight with unaccompanied minor service for a child travelling alone by contacting Customer Care or your travel agent. Please note that the service can’t be requested online.

Unaccompanied minor service must be booked at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled flight departure time. When requesting the service, please provide all relevant information, including:

• Adult's full name at point of departure
• Adult's full name at point of arrival
• Contact information (mobile phone number) for departure and arrival

Connecting flights

If your child is travelling on connecting flights operated by us – arriving at and departing from the same airport – the connecting time should be within five hours. Please note: the service is unavailable for unaccompanied minors transfering between flights operated by us and other airlines.

For flights arriving at and departing from different airports or with a connection time of 24 hours or more—unaccompanied minor service needs to be arranged separately for each journey in the booking with the respective operating airlines. Please contact the airline directly for details on their unaccompanied minor policy before purchasing tickets.

An additional fee will be charged per unaccompanied minor per flight sector at the time of requesting the service.

^The fee is paid in the local currency equivalent based on the exchange rate on the date of purchase. Bookings from certain countries/regions, including India and Nepal, may incur a sales tax.

Travelling as an unaccompanied minor

Below you will find the step-by-step instructions for the journey of an unaccompanied minor.

After the unaccompanied minor service has been booked, please log into Manage Booking and complete the unaccompanied minor service form online. You’ll need to take printouts of the form for each journey.

Please review the country-specific regulations listed below on this page. Prepare all required documents ahead of time, as some countries have restrictions for children travelling with guardians or as unaccompanied minors.

Check-in You’ll need to be present at one of our counters for check-in and document checks. At 90 minutes prior to departure, we will escort your child through security and immigration procedures and take them to the departure gate. Please stay at the airport until your child’s flight has departed.

Boarding The unaccompanied minor will be guided to their seat by our airport team member.

Connecting flights For connections involving a change of aircraft, the unaccompanied minor will be escorted between flights. An airport team member will remain with the minor during the entire connection period.

The adult nominated to meet your child at the destination airport, as specified in the unaccompanied minor service form, will need to provide proof of identification before we release your child to them.

Should the person at the airport attempting to collect the unaccompanied minor be different to the person nominated on the form, we will contact the parent or guardian to verify the identification of the pickup person at the destination.

Country-specific regulations

Certain countries have specific restrictions for children travelling as unaccompanied minors, as listed below. Please note that the regulations described below are subject to change, and that the country/destination you are travelling to may not be listed.

Extra documentation varies depending on the country you are travelling to, so please check with the relevant government authorities to make sure you have everything you need before you travel.

Any minor less than 18 years old that is either a citizen or a resident of France shall obtain authorization to leave France for any journey without a parent or legal guardian. The customer must hold their own passport, a permit to travel form (L'autorisation de sortie du territoire) signed by a parent or legal guardian and a photocopy of a valid identity document of the parent or legal guardian who provided his or her signature for the permit to travel form before they can be accepted to travel.

This requirement applies to flights departing France only.

Although not a regulatory requirement, the Irish government advises that anyone less than 18 years old who is not travelling with an adult 18 years or older, should have the following documentation:

• A signed letter from the parent or guardian giving consent for travel with their contact details
• A photocopy of a valid identity document of the parent or guardian
• Evidence of the parent or guardian relationship with the child
• A death certificate in the case of a deceased parent
• Full address of where they will be staying
• Full contact details of who they will be staying with

In the event where a minor is accompanied by an adult with a different surname or by a person that is not their parent or guardian, Immigration may request for further information on the relationship between the minor and accompanying adult. In the event that a child is travelling with only one parent, Immigration may request evidence of consent from the other parent.

Parents are advised to carry evidence (originals or photocopies) of the following where applicable:

• A birth or adoption certificate, or guardianship papers showing the relationship with the child
• A copy of a document identifying the parent or guardian
• A marriage or divorce certificate in cases where the adult has a different surname to the child
• A signed letter from the parent or guardian giving consent for travel with a specific person and their contact details

Until 14 years of age, minors traveling on an Italian passport/travel document: 

• must travel accompanied by at least one parent or guardian or
• if travelling with someone other than the parent / guardian mentioned on page 5 of the minor’s passport, must carry with them, an authorization ( Dichiarazione Di Accompagnamento ) signed by both parents and issued by a competent authority (e.g. police headquarters in Italy or a consular office abroad). or
• if travelling alone, is required to travel as an Unaccompanied Minors on all Cathay Pacific operated services. They must also carry with them, a completed authorization (“ DichiarazioneI DiI Accompagnmento ”) signed by both parents and issued by a competent authority (e.g. police headquarters in Italy or a consular office abroad) including the name of the airline (i.e. Cathay Pacific) to which the minor is entrusted.

For more information, please contact: European Union Open a new window

All children under 15 years of age who are not citizens residing in the Philippines and are not accompanied by a parent with the same surname are required to carry proof of their relationship. Any other adult (such as relatives or friends with the same surname) cannot take the role of the escort.

A “Waiver of Exclusion Ground” (WEG) is required for any child under 15 years of age not residing in the Philippines and travelling without a parent. Parents and Guardians are required to contact their nearest consular representation of the Philippines to arrange the necessary documentation before travel.

When travelling as an unaccompanied minor

• An unabridged birth certificate / equivalent document (original or copy
• A letter of parental consent from one or both parents or legal guardian, court order or death certificate, as appropriate
• Copies of identification documents or passport of one or both parents or legal guardians and the persons where the child will stay, including visa or residence permits (if required)
• Contact details of parents or legal guardians and the persons where the minor will stay in South Africa

Review updated requirements from the government of South Africa here or on our Passports and visas page.

For more information, please contact:

South African Department of Home Affairs

Local South African Embassy

Statement from Mkuseli Apleni, Director General Home Affairs, South Africa

Note: Third party websites are included for your information and reference only. Cathay Pacific Airways takes no responsibility for the content and accuracy of any such websites.

All children less than 18 years old shall meet the following requirements to be permitted entry to the United Arab Emirates:

• If not travelling with a parent or guardian with the same surname, they shall have an official document (such as a birth certificate in original or photocopy) available to prove their relationship
• If travelling with an adult (18 years old or above), a letter of authorisation signed by the parent or guardian together with a copy of the birth certificate or an affidavit will be required. The United Arab Emirates does not provide a standard format for the letter of authorisation.
• If travelling alone and aged from 6 to less than 18 years old, they are required to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor for their entire journey.

Any person unable to fulfil the above requirements will be refused entry and fines may be imposed on the airline.

All children under 16 years of age travelling alone to the UK must provide one of the following:

• Written consent from their parent or guardian and their contact details
• Proof of where they will be staying in the UK and contact details of the person they will be staying with in the UK
• Student documentation
• A letter from school to indicate the name of the person meeting them on arrival and their contact details

For more details, please visit the UK government website .

More about help for passengers

• Disability and mobility assistance
• Travelling with children
• Elderly passengers
• Medical assistance
• Pregnant women
• Travelling with animals

Helpful links

Baggage information

Select your seat and print your boarding pass to save time at the airport.

Contact us and FAQs

Do I Need A Passport Or ID For My Child To Fly?

Last updated on Mar 1st, 2024 by Renu Dahiya

Planning an exciting family trip sparks a multitude of questions, but one particular concern often looms large: “ Do minors need ID to fly ? Or What ID and documents does my child need to fly?” Navigating the world of air travel can feel like solving a complex puzzle, especially when it comes to travel documentation for our little adventurers. Fear not, intrepid explorers! We’re here to guide you through this maze of travel regulations, shedding light on what identification and documents your child may need to embark on their own sky-high adventure. So, let’s get started!

ID Requirements To Fly Within Australia & Outside Australia

In Australia, travellers aged 18 and above must possess a valid government-issued identification to board an airplane, as per the guidelines. While flying on international flights like Sydney to Delhi flights necessitates a passport or passport card, domestic flights require a driver’s license or another form of government ID featuring a photograph .

However, the rules surrounding identification for children under the age of 18 present a distinct scenario. Depending on their age and the destination, these young adventurers may not be required to carry a child passport or any ID at all. 

Given the plethora of information available, comprehending these regulations can become overwhelming and perplexing. That is precisely why we are here to alleviate your concerns, offering a comprehensive breakdown of requirements. Here, you will know precisely what your child will (or will not) need when taking flight.

Child ID Requirements For International Flights 

When it comes to international flights, the requirements are crystal clear. Regardless of age, if your destination lies beyond borders, presenting a valid child passport becomes imperative at various checkpoints, including check-in, airport security screening, and upon arrival . Even if your child is just a month old, they will need a baby passport to embark on this global adventure. 

Travel Visas

It’s essential to note that if your destination necessitates a travel visa, your child will need to apply for one as well . Since both kids passport issuance and visa processing take time, it’s advisable to complete these procedures well in advance. However, if you find yourself needing to embark on an international trip immediately after your child’s birth, expedited passport and visa services are available for an additional fee.

Child Travelling With One Parent Internationally 

If you’re planning to fly internationally with your child, and both parents will not be travelling together, additional permission forms will be required. The specific requirements may vary depending on the airline and destination country. The crucial element is a notarized parental consent form signed by both parents, accompanied by a copy of the non-travelling parent’s passport or valid identification . 

In the unfortunate event of a deceased parent, the living parent or guardian must sign the consent form and provide a copy of the late spouse’s death certificate. However, if the parent can provide proof of sole custody, a custody agreement signed by both parents may suffice.

Child ID Requirements For Domestic Flights

Unlike international travel, the requirements for domestic flights may not always be straightforward. While it may be tempting to carry your child’s passport on every flight, it may not be necessary in all situations. Losing a passport during a trip is something we all hope to avoid. So, why burden yourself with it when it’s not required?

In most cases, children under the age of 18 can board a domestic flight without needing a photo ID as long as they are accompanied by an adult . However, certain circumstances may require a photo ID for minors or an official document. Let’s explore these requirements by age group to determine what documentation, if any, your child will need to fly.

Newborn Baby

Acceptance of newborns varies among carriers, with most airlines allowing infants as young as two days old to travel. If you find yourself boarding a plane with an infant under two weeks old, the airline may request a note from your physician stating that the child is healthy enough to fly . Specific requirements can vary by airline, so it is advisable to contact your carrier before travelling. 

0 To 2 Years Old Infant

Once the two-week mark has passed, the primary age consideration is whether your child has reached 2 years of age. Children under the age of 2 can fly for free as lap children on domestic flights when accompanied by an adult. While you won’t need to present an ID for your child during security checks, the airline may require proof of their age during check-in to verify eligibility for the lap child policy . 

Carrying a copy of their birth certificate is recommended unless your child already has a passport that can serve as proof of their birth date. Rest, it is always recommended to check with your airline about their ID requirements before heading to the airport. 

2 To 18 Years Old Minor

Once your child reaches the age of 2, they will be required to pay the full airfare and will no longer be eligible to fly as a lap child. This also means they won’t need to provide proof of their age, alleviating the need for additional identification. Minors aged 2 to 18 will not require an ID to pass through security. They only need a boarding pass to board the plane when accompanied by an adult .

Although not mandatory, it may feel more comfortable to travel with some form of identification for your children, regardless of the destination. This could involve carrying a printed copy of their birth certificate or passport, or at the very least, having a photo of their passport stored on your mobile device.

Minors Travelling Alone

When it comes to minors travelling alone, the specific requirements can sometimes be unclear, varying across different airlines. To obtain accurate information for your child’s solo trip, it is best to directly contact your chosen carrier. However, there are some fundamental guidelines that tend to be consistent throughout the industry.

Child Travel Consent Form

A crucial document in these circumstances is the child travel consent form, which serves as proof that the child is authorized to travel unaccompanied. This form typically requires details about the person dropping off the child and the individual responsible for picking them up at the final destination. 

Consent Letter

If the child is travelling alone, a consent letter signed by both parents may also be required. In cases where a parent has passed away, the living parent or guardian must sign the consent form & letter and attach a copy of the deceased spouse’s death certificate. It’s important to note that these requirements may vary, particularly for international travel.

5 To 14 Years Old Minors Traveling Alone

While children between the ages of 5 and 14 are generally not required to present an ID during check-in, it is always advisable for them to carry some form of identification during travel. If your child already possesses a passport, sending them with a copy can prove valuable in case of an emergency.

15 To 17 Years Old Minors Traveling Alone

Children aged 15 to 17 may be asked to provide identification, which can include various documents, such as –

• A birth certificate
• Credit card
• Driver’s license
• Learner’s permit
• Organization ID (e.g., athletics club, theatre group)
• Passport card
• Proof of auto insurance in the passenger’s name
• Social Security card
• Library card

When it comes to the question of whether children need identification to fly, the guiding principle is clear: It’s always better to err on the side of caution. If you have an identification document for your child, it’s advisable to bring it along. While it may not be required in all situations, having the necessary identification can prevent any potential boarding complications.

Seize the opportunity to embark on exciting adventures with your young traveller and discover the wonders of this beautiful world together!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: does my baby need a passport.

A: If you plan to take your child on an international flight, a valid passport will be required.

Q: Can my child travel alone?

A: Yes, travellers aged 12 or above can travel alone. Rest, you have to check with your specific airline for details on minor travel. The child will be allowed to fly, but there may be paperwork, fees, or rules that you should keep in mind. 

Q: Do minors need a driver’s license or state ID to fly domestically?

A: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) does not mandate identification from minors under 18 travelling within the United States alongside a companion. However, the companion must possess valid identification.

Q: Do you need a passport for a domestic (National) flights?

A : For domestic booking just take government-issued photo ID such as driving license and other ID card. You don’t need to carry any passport when flying domestically.

Q: What things to avoid when flying with kids? 

A: When travelling with children, it’s common for parents to bring along an excessive amount of stuff. However, even with early boarding, finding room for everything can be a challenge, and the planning process can become a nightmare. That’s why it’s important to be selective and pack only the most essential items.

Q: What ID does an unaccompanied minor need to fly?

A: If a minor is travelling without their parents, a signed parental consent form, consent letter and valid ID will be required.

Now that you’ve gathered nearly all the essential knowledge about “what are the requirements for children to fly?”, it’s time to embark on exploring the wonders of our magnificent planet with your sweet little explorer. 

If you have any additional travel-related queries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us in the comments section below. Our dedicated team at MyTicketsToIndia is committed to providing you with comprehensive assistance and addressing all your concerns.

As one of the premier travel agencies, we take pride in offering remarkable deals on cheap flights to India from Australia and vice versa, ensuring the lowest airfares available. So, if you’re seeking to book air tickets for your next adventure, don’t hesitate to connect with our travel experts . We’ll be delighted to assist you in saving significantly on your travel expenses. 

About Renu Dahiya View All Posts

Renu Dahiya is a passionate writer who worships her profession. Her love for writing has encouraged her to pursue her career as a writer. Her friends call her a “travel worm” and always come to her to know some interesting traveling tips and destinations. Renu is a repository of knowledge about traveling who knows which place should be visited in which season. Oh yes, she is insanely in love with dancing too. Writer, traveler and dancer, a perfect combination! Without a doubt, she is a complete package.

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Flight information, infinity mileagelands, business travel, please select your country / region of residence, unaccompanied minors.

EVA AIR provides various types of special assistance to make your flight safe and comfortable.

Unaccompanied Minor

Unaccompanied minors aged 5 to 12 years may travel with EVA Air. To ensure the safety of children traveling alone, we request that parents/guardians inform us that they are booking a flight for an unaccompanied minor at the time they make reservations. Parents need to fill out a UM form, including local contacts at both departure and arrival pick-up points.

• In Business Class on each flight, EVA Air will accept a maximum of only one unaccompanied minor between the ages of 8 and 12 years of age.
• An unaccompanied minor is not allowed to use the VIP lounge facility at London/Amsterdam/San Francisco airport due to alcohol regulations. EVA will provide meal coupons to the unaccompanied minor.
• If the itinerary includes a transfer/stopover that exceeds 4 hours, arrangements must be made in advance by a parent or guardian for an authorized person to meet/pick up the child upon arrival at the stopover/layover point and stay with the child until he/she can be checked back in to continue the trip.
• An unaccompanied minor should hold a UM Applicable Fare ticket or pay the difference to make up the UM charge. For detailed information about the UM applicable fare ticket, please contact your EVA ticketing office or travel agent.
• All children under the age of 12 will be considered unaccompanied minors, even if they are traveling with other young flyers under the age of 16.
• If segments of the unaccompanied minor's trip involve other airlines, we recommend that you contact those airlines for their specific procedures.
• Certain countries /regions have specific restrictions for children travelling as unaccompanied minors. Extra documentation varies depending on the country you are travelling to or from, so please check with the relevant government authorities to make sure you have prepared the required documents before you travel.

In addition, certain countries/regions also have special document regulations for passengers under the age of 18 who travel alone. Please pay attention and confirm with the relevant government authorities before you travel.

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Children travelling alone & travellers requiring assistance, traveller assistance..

If any of the following applies to yourself or anyone you are making a booking for, please contact the Mix & Match Travel Call Centre on 1800 719 668 within Australia, +643 357 3021 from outside Australia or [email protected] who will be able to ensure you receive the right information for your circumstances: - Visually impaired/blind passengers - Deaf or speech impaired passengers - Mobility impaired passengers.  Anyone who needs help boarding or de-boarding, including requiring wheelchair assistance. - Require an escort or care-giver for any reason - Need to carry medication, medical supplies or equipment - Are suffering from any illness or disease that may make it unsafe for you to fly or others to fly with you, for example chicken pox, measles.

Most pre-existing medical conditions will not prevent you from flying. However if you have a pre-existing medical condition, each airline has their own restrictions around pre-existing medical conditions. To find out what constitutes a pre-existing medical condition and whether it will effect your eligibility to fly, please call us on 1800 719 668.  Please always check with your doctor or health professional prior to travel for their advice. It is best to book via our Mix & Match Travel Call Centre on 1800 719 668 or [email protected] if any of the following apply: - You are travelling with a newborn - You have had recent surgery Other points to note: - DVT - Deep Vein Thrombosis, if you feel you are at risk of DVT please contact your doctor before travel - If you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy you may need to carry confirmation from your medical professional stating it is safe for you to fly

Children/infants travelling without an accompanying adult 18 years or older.

Please contact the Mix & Match Travel Call Centre on 1800 719 668 within Australia, +643 357 3021 outside of Australia or [email protected] if any of the following applies to yourself or the people you are booking, as they cannot be booked online. - Children (0-11 years old) travelling alone or travelling without an Adult 18 years old or over - Passengers aged 12-15 years who wish to be classified as an unaccompanied minor.  Please note that not all airlines accept unaccompanied minors or young travellers alone, and some have specific requirements for their bookings.  Many carriers will only accept unaccompanied minors or young travellers on flights with no transit or connecting flights. Most airlines that do accept unaccompanied minors or young travellers alone charge a fee.  Please contact us for the current fees for your travel.   All unaccompanied minor travel must be approved by the airline prior to booking. When booking accommodation, there must be at least 1 adult staying in each room booked. Travelling to South Africa: There are strict rules for children under the age of 18 travelling with or without parents. Please contact us for full details.

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If any of the following applies to yourself or anyone you are making a booking for, please contact the Mix & Match Travel Call Centre on 1800 719 668 within Australia, +643 357 3021 outside Australia or [email protected] who will be able to ensure you receive the right information for your circumstances: - Travelling with animals, including guide dogs - Travelling with dangerous goods/objects. For a list of goods that are classed as dangerous please call or email us - Need to carry medication, medical supplies or equipment - You need to transport a large amount of luggage or large items such as sporting gear, musical instruments

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• Help centre

Flying with children

Travelling with young children can be a daunting task. But rest assured, we’re on hand to help your trip fly by as smoothly as possible with a few handy tips.

From what to pack onboard, to inflight family entertainment, we’re known for our family ethos for a reason. Let’s get your trip off to a flying start.

On this page

What are the different child ticket options?

Firstly, what type of ticket do you need that best suits your needs?

Check out the basics before we delve into the good stuff.

Babies up to the age of two are classed as infants. They'll usually fly in the comfort of your lap, so we only charge 10% of the adult fare (plus any taxes, fees or charges). 

If you do require a seat for your infant, you’ll need to book that with us directly. Please  Contact us .

While you are there you can also request a  bassinet or cot , subject to availability.

You must be 12 or over to look after a lap infant onboard, and it's only one baby per lap please, or things get a bit too wriggly.

Child fares apply for children aged between two and eleven years old at time of travelling.  

After you've booked your child seat, you can pre-select a kid's meal created especially for ages 2 to 12. Find out more here .

Young Adult

Young person fares apply for children aged between 14 and 16 years old at time of travelling.  

Please refer to our page on  Young Persons Travelling Alone  for more information about our policies on young people travelling without a parent or guardian.

What you need to know before boarding your flight

• Seating options
• Checked baggage
• Hand luggage allowance
• Liquid allowance

Seating options for babies

All cots/bassinets should be requested in advance. If you already have a booking, please log in to My Booking where you can speak to an advisor via web messaging to request a cot/bassinet.

If you've not yet made your booking and wish to check the cot/bassinet availability before you book, please Contact us   and let the advisor know you would like to request a cot/bassinet.

Available bassinets will be allocated in the order we receive the requests for each flight. Your seat number will be allocated ahead of Online Check In opening.

Children's baggage allowance

For children and infants who have their own seat, the same baggage allowances as adults will apply. Click here for details.

For infants on a lap (without their own seat) they’ll get one checked bag, except in Economy Light where no baggage is included.

If you're flying Economy Light, you may purchase one bag per infant at 50 GBP / 75 USD if you booked on or after 28th July 2021 or 45 GBP / 60 USD if you booked before 28th July 2021.

You can also bring a collapsible pushchair and car seat in addition to their free bag allowance. We will take this from you at the gate and pop in the hold.

At London Heathrow, all pushchairs (with the exception of Special Assistance pushchairs) are collected from the baggage reclaim.

Children's hand baggage

Babies and toddlers aged 0-23 months are entitled to one bag each weighing up to 6kg (or 13lb). Any children aged 2+ years are entitled to the same amount of hand baggage as an adult.

When travelling with infants or children you can bring a fully collapsible pushchair (which we can take from you at the gate and pop in the hold) and car seat, in addition to the free check in allowance. If you are travelling to London Heathrow, please be advised that pushchairs (with the exception of special assistance pushchairs) won’t be delivered to the aircraft door when you arrive and will be available to collect from baggage reclaim.

Alternatively, pushchairs that are a maximum of 23 x 36 x 56cm (that’s around 9 x 14 x 22 inches) when folded are permitted in the cabin with you as your hand baggage.

Please note pushchairs carried onboard are part of your hand baggage allowance, not an additional item. If your buggy does not fit in the baggage sizer at check in or at the boarding gate, the pushchair will be tagged by ground staff and checked in either at check in or the boarding gate. You must be able to place your foldable pushchair in the overhead bins unaided.

Liquid exceptions for infants and children

Including food and medication.

The following liquids are allowed in amounts greater than 100ml. Please bear in mind that you still shouldn’t bring excessive amounts:  

• Baby food and formula milk, when the infant for whom the food or milk is intended for is present. 
• Liquid expressed breast milk can be carried even when the infant is not present, provided that the milk is in containers not exceeding 2000ml (2 litres). The milk must not be frozen, and there is no limit on the amount of containers that can be carried. When the infant is not present, gel/ice packs can also be carried in order to keep the milk cool. 
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications, whether in liquid, gel or aerosol form, including eye drops and saline solution for medical purposes. Read more about travelling with prescription medications on our Special Assistance page .
• Liquids or gels for passengers with disabilities, diabetes, or an appropriate medical condition 
• Items used to augment the body for medical or cosmetic reasons, such as prosthetic breasts and bras containing gels.

Onboard your flight

Kids entertainment.

Vera is the name of our inflight entertainment system onboard your flight. Here you'll find a designated Kids section to keep your kids entertained with movies, TV, audio and games suitable for small eyes and ears.

If there is content isn't suitable for your little travellers, we've included a parental block as part of our inflight entertainment system. For help with setting this up, just speak to a member of the cabin crew on board. 

• Feeding babies

Kids meal options

If you'd like to order any children's meals you need to do so separately which can be done easily online in My Booking . You can do this any time from booking up to 24 hours before your flight.

We’ve created our kids’ menu with the fussiest child in mind, so it includes a variety of familiar dishes that are sure to tickle their tastebuds. It's designed for children who are aged from 2 to 12 years old and have their own seat. 

Kids meals aren't always vegetarian, so if they're veggie they should go for the adult vegetarian option rather than a kids meal.

If you don't order one before you fly it's ok, they'll be able to choose from the delicious options available onboard.

Our nut allergen policy

We adhere to allergen guidance under European and UK food legislation, which may be different in other jurisdictions. The allergens declared refer to the ingredients only, the food items may contain traces of allergens since they are processed on or with equipment that processes products that may contain allergens.

We cannot guarantee the absence of food allergen or peanut traces in our meals, both on board and at the airport.  A list of food allergens contained in meals served on flights departing from the UK and USA is available on board from your Cabin Crew.

Our suppliers are based all around the world and not every country has the same legal requirements for providing allergen information. On flights to the UK, allergen labelling on pre-packaged items may not reflect all of the allergens required to be declared in the UK. For passengers flying from the USA, we also adhere to the three additional Nuts listed under US Allergen advisory information.

Peanuts are never knowingly included in any of our meals on board. However, our meals are not produced in a nut-free environment so may contain traces.

All other nuts may also be served on our flights to other passengers as part of the menu ingredients and/or the snack service, in any cabin. We also can’t stop other passengers from bringing (or eating) their own food onboard, which may include nuts.

In view of the above, we strongly encourage passengers to take all necessary precautions to prepare for the possibility of inadvertent exposure.

If you have a severe allergy, please see our Special Assistance pages.

Feeding your baby onboard

Mothers are welcome to breastfeed onboard. Our crew will make you as comfortable as possible, and can provide an extra blanket or a seat in the galley if you'd like some more privacy. We can’t store expressed milk, but we have ice and ice buckets if you need to keep it cool for later use.

If you're bringing baby food, milk or formula in your hand baggage, make sure you read about the airport security guidance on how much and what you can bring.  Here's the guidance for the UK .

If you're flying from  London Heathrow  you can reserve your baby milk or formula and collect it at the airport

If you need milk warming up, just let the cabin crew know and they’ll be happy to do it, by warming it in hot water then leaving it to cool.

Travelling with an infant on your lap – You can request a pureed baby meal (suitable up to 12 months old) via My Booking. We only offer a baby meal, so if your little one has moved on to solid food please bring something along with you for them to eat.

Travelling with an infant in their own seat – You can request a baby meal or a child meal.

How to claim if your baggage has arrived damaged or has missing items

Our ground staff in the baggage hall will assess the damage and, in some airports, try to settle your claim immediately by arranging a replacement bag (if your bag is no longer useable) or by referring you to our repair company.

If you wish to make a claim with us for damaged baggage and missing items, you must complete our Damaged Baggage form & attach PDF - Damaged baggage or missing contents within seven days of the baggage being placed at your disposal.

If you wish to make a claim with us for damaged baggage, you must complete this form to ensure payment can be claimed.

We do everything we can to take care of your baggage when it is in our care but unfortunately, cosmetic, or minor damage can occur. We are unable to accept claims for this kind of damage which includes scuffs or dents that do not affect the structure of the bag.

If you prefer to send by post

Please Complete our Baggage Claim Form for damaged bags and/or contents and send to the below address, ensuring a copy of any receipts are sent as we will not be able to send back original copies.

UK Postal address                                                     US Postal address

Virgin Atlantic                                                           Virgin Atlantic Customer Care                                                         Customer Care

The VHQ                                                                     5787 Vineland Road                       

Fleming Way                                                             Suite 204, Orlando   

Crawley                                                                     Florida, 32819

RH10 9DF                                                                   

Additional information

Helpful tips

Children Travelling Alone

Children under 7 years old must travel with a guardian aged 18 or over on all services.

Children aged 7-12 can travel without a parent or guardian aged 18+ on selected direct services only. We call this travelling as an  Unaccompanied Minor .

If you’re booking travel for an unaccompanied minor, we need to know who is dropping them off and picking them up, and how to contact them. We collect this information from you in the Unaccompanied Minor Form . We also ask you to read our Unaccompanied Minor Policy below and sign the form to say you understand it.

Booking online?

• If you’re booking a child fare online, fill out the online Unaccompanied Minor form on the passenger details page. This will give us all the information we need and you won’t have to fill out any other forms.
• If you book a child fare together with another fare type but there is no 18+ guardian, you’ll need to fill out an Unaccompanied Minor form  separately. Please return a copy to us before travel via fax or email , and print another copy for the child to carry with them on the day of travel.

Booking over the phone or at an agent?

• If you book over the phone we will either email you a copy of the form, or tell you to download the form  here on our website.
• Your agent will either give you a physical copy of the form to fill out, or tell you to  download the form here on our website.
• Please return one copy to us before the date of travel via fax or email , and print another copy with the child to carry with them on the date of travel.

Download Form

Unaccompanied Minor Policy

InterCity cannot be held responsible for unaccompanied minors before, during or after bus journeys which means that:

• The child will be dropped off at their destination when the bus arrives. It is the responsibility of the legal guardian to ensure that somebody is there to meet them.
• The person collecting the unaccompanied minor needs to be at the bus stop at least 15 minutes before it is scheduled to arrive.
• The bus will not wait and will leave as scheduled.
• Drivers cannot supervise unaccompanied minors during rest stops. It is the unaccompanied minor’s responsibility to ensure that they get back on the bus on time.
• Children can only travel as unaccompanied minors on selected direct services. Children travelling on routes requiring a transfer must travel with a guardian aged 18 or over.
• Unaccompanied minors can travel on the following services: - InterCity (IC), InterCity Link (IL), except overnight services 6503 and 6504 - GreatSights services 7627, 7629 and 7230 only
• Unaccompanied minors are not permitted to travel on Hastings - Tauranga service IC6606, on any other GreatSights service or any services run by an operator not listed above.
• We will not accept any changes to unaccompanied minor bookings unless they are confirmed by the parent/guardian.
• Children aged 14 or under cannot travel on any tour service without a guardian aged 18+.

Preparing for the trip

Take a look at our unaccompanied minor stop info page for handy details about some of our most popular stops, to help make sure your child gets off at the right stop.

We've also put together an info sheet for children travelling alone (and their parents). It has helpful tips for preparing for a bus trip, including what to bring and what to do during the trip to stay safe and have fun. It also has some activities on the back! 

We recommend reading the info sheet with your child and giving them a copy to take on the bus.

Download info sheet

More Resources

• Wondering whether your child is ready to travel alone? Take a look at this checklist
• View our  child fare information
• If you have any questions about child fares or unaccompanied minors, feel free to  contact us

• Help centre
• Aerial with children
• Young persons travelling sole

Young Persons Travelling Only

We know ensure occasionally a teen person (14-16 years) will need to journey with Virgin Atlantic solo. It’s actual important that and the customer and their parent / guardian understand on policies and what’s need of them. Health, safety press security usual comes first.

On on side:

Unseren policy and mandatory requirements

The minimum age regarding a person permitted to travel alone on Virgin Atlantic is 14 years of age at the time on travel. We have recently updated magnitude policies meaning we none take accept children aged 13 or under journey alone, or unaccompanied minors.* When a child has reached this minimum age in traveling alone absence unaccompanied-minor method, the airline does nay require evidence of parental ...

If a young person lives accompanied by someone who is aged 16 or over (on who same or a linked booking), Pure Atlantic will allow them toward travel.

All young persons matured lower 16 and travelling alone must have their parent or attendant finish a consent form once journey, any of when the booking was made. This consent application is available here . A copy a the parent/guardian’s current passport (or other form of photographic identification showing one signature) must also be attachments to this form and bring to the airport.

If you would like to make a engagement for a person under the age of 16 which is travelling turn their own, please contact Maiden Ocean directly to make of booking. Our your airlines may have different regulations, age limits and charges.

When travelling with children on aforementioned same flights but in a different cabin, the following criteria must be followed:

Children aged with 14 and the day before her 16 th birthday can travel for a differently baby on the same flight as an adult aged 16+.

Children grown under 14 must travel with an adult aged 16+ into the same shack.

*if a booking for a 12 - 13 your old travelling alone was made and tagged on or before 24 November 2022, fork future travel, we will honour this and support their travel plans. They must and have a exit consent form in order to travel. On and per 25 November 2022, we will not allow bookings for 12 - 13 year olds travelling alone.  

What in expect during the journey

ADENINE young individual (14-16) travelling the their own will have the same responsibilities for einen mature. All means they determination need to be confident and competent in making their way through departure the arrival domestic and boarding my flight(s) without a chaperone . Whilst we maintain a duty of care for them while they fly with us, Virgin Atlas cannot accept parenting responsibility for the young person’s journey through that airport and onward destination.

The parent or guardian accompanying the young flyer to the airport is required into hold until their flight departs before leaving the terminal.

It’s very important which and young name does not leave the airport for all purpose until they have arrived their getting and met that designated adult collecting them, unless they’re accompanied by a Virgin Atlantic employee or uniformed police officer.

Young persons travelling along does check in online. They must come to who airport with a parent or legal caregiver, where our airport team becoming check them in. Help Center | Westen Airlines

Young persons travelling alone is be met on travel at of aircraft door by a Immaculate Atlantic representative plus escorted through Habits & Immigration at of following airports: • Barbados • Cape Municipality • New York JFK • Johannesburg • Montego Bay • Orlando • St Vincent • St Lucia When Kids Fly Alone

What a young person travelling alone should bring

The parent / fighter should guarantee that the young person carries with them at all times:

Any necessary travel project such as valid passport(s), visas real proof of return travel (as required).

AN signed Virgil Atlantly consent form and copy of parent/guardian’s passport alternatively others form of photo-based identification pointing a signature attached to which form.

Optional required medication and/or health certificates (including COVID-19 documentation if the destination need this).

The ability to communicate with their parent/guardian and/or who person collecting them at the destination (please ensure all phones/mobile devices are fully charger, with sufficient credit and rosin is activated).

The means of payment shouldn it be necessary for any expenses en route – optimum adenine credit card.  

We is not be capably go apply the young person if:

They aren't checked in by an parent instead legal watchman

They won't be collected forthwith by a parent or attendant upon arrival

They will be connecting off button towards next flight. An journey must be ‘point toward point’ without a transfer

They does not take a gestural Virgin Pacific agreement form and copy of parent/guardian’s passport conversely other form of photographic identification showing a signature append to the art.

Thither shall required medicine and/or health certificates which don’t have pre-clearance from our Special Assistance squad.

They how not have the corr documents for travel.

Young people journey alone with medizinisch conditions or allergies

Sum young persons travelling single with medical conditions or allergies, must declare these to our Special Assistance teams at least 72 hours before tour – simply completed a special assistance contact form . On some occasions, our Special Assistance team mayor query for supplementary documents into confirm fitness to fly or evidence from a parent/guardian that the child is able to manage yours conditioning independently.

The young person must be able to recognise their own symptoms and administer any required medication/treatment. If they are unable to recognise their own symptoms or administer medication, few must travel with ampere safety assistant and cannot travel unaccompanied.

If the young person travelling alone is unable to manage their condition independently, wee may refuse travel without a safety help accompanying them, what who parent/guardian would then needed to arrange themselves.  Unescorted Minors UMNR

Delays, Cancellations or Diversion

From time to set there may be disruption to and published schedule. If wealth have any indication that the young person’s flight may not operate as plan, we willingly advise the parent / guardian and suggest that him book go for another day.

If a delay occurs en track, once the young person’s journey has started, Virgin Atlantic will click to person the aforementioned destination who is determined to pick up the young person and/or the person listed in the emergency contact. We will continue to trial contact before contact is made. We want your child to have a safe and positive trips. For safety, were require child age 5 – 14 traveling alone to use our unaccompanied minor service. This ...

Under exceptionally uncommon circumstances, an unscheduled overnight stop may be required (e.g. for severe weather results the a diversion to another airport). In these situations, ours will provide overnight accommodation and meals for the young person, please note that the Teen Person will be required to stay in a hotel room single and may require to travel to the hotels accompanying. When children travel alone in Delta flights, we take every step to make sure your child lives safe, cozy and enjoy a optimistic travel experience.

You will be contacted with pertinent information if this unusual circumstance occurs.

Young Persons travelling down Arbados

Young people (under 18 yearning old) entering Us alone or with an adults other than their parent or legal guardian must have a written consent letter from adenine parent or legally sentinels (the legal guardian must attach formal proof of guardianship), signed and sealed by a notary community.

Who write must indicate the duration of stay, identify the accompanying adult (with address and calling number) and/or authorized adult any will get the child on arrival (with their handle both phone number).

Young Persons & Children how at, out of, or via South Africa

For 1 June 2016, the South African welcome business have changed and requirements for children under 18 years off age travelling into, out of, or transiting through Dixieland Africa, with or lacking a parent or guardian. Please makes sure you have all the correct paperwork: Fly - United Airlines

South African requirements for children travelling alone

Home » News » Virgin Australia helps Starlight Wish grant 13,000th wish to sick children

Virgin Australia helps Starlight Wish grant 13,000th wish to sick children

Starlight Children’s Foundation and Virgin Australia transformed the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, Hamilton Island, into “Happiness Island” to celebrate their monumental 13,000th Starlight Wish milestone.

To mark the occasion, Starlight, Virgin Australia and Hamilton Island brought together 10 sick kids and their families from across Australia for an unforgettable VIP weekend full of fun, laughter and special memories in one of Australia’s most sought-after holiday destinations.

To kick off the festivities, families were welcomed into the Virgin Australia lounge by Starlight Ambassadors, media personality Darryl Brohman and singer-songwriter Timomatic, before taking a fun-filled flight up to the picturesque Hamilton Island, where they were warmly welcomed by the kids of Hamilton Island Community School.

The celebrations continued with an official welcome dinner emceed by TV personality, Matty J, a surprise intimate performance from Kita Alexander and a spectacular fireworks display.

Throughout the weekend the Hamilton Island Community provided the kids and families with unforgettable experiences, including a thrilling Whitehaven cruise, a bowling and pizza night, and a sunny beach BBQ!

Enjoying the festivities will be Starlight Wish recipients:

 9y/o  Tyson from Sydney with chronic granulomatous disease

 9y/o  Xavier from Brisbane who is in remission from stage 3 bladder cancer

11y/o Talan from Cairns who has rare perthes disease

11y/o Abigail from Adelaide with a congenital heart defect

12y/o Landon from Sydney who has chronic kidney disease

14y/o Lorelei from Southern Highlands NSW who had a life-saving kidney transplant

15y/o Jack from Sydney who was diagnosed with brain cancer

21y/o Xander from Hobart who has rare genetic disorder joubert syndrome

21y/o Chyma from Mt Isa who has rheumatic fever

Starlight Wish. (Supplied)

Also receiving her wish for the very first time, was 15y/o Lara from Canberra, who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Lara wished for a relaxing family holiday to Hamilton Island – which was granted at “Happiness Island” as Starlight’s official 13,000th Wish!

When sick kids’ worlds are filled with hospital and treatment, a Starlight Wish is an incredible gift of happiness, giving sick kids something fun to look forward to and creating new memories to treasure forever.

“At Starlight we recognise being sick shouldn’t mean missing out on the happiness of childhood,” CEO, Starlight, Louise Baxter, said.

“Happiness is one of the strongest determinants to how we perform in education, employment and long-term healthy life behaviours.”

“For 35 years, Starlight has been granting children their life-changing Starlight Wish.

“Since Virgin Australia came on-board, we have seen these important moments of happiness and connection truly soar – taking children and their families on holidays they couldn’t otherwise experience.

“These adventures create lasting memories and provide a sense of hope when it is needed most.”

Travel and holiday wishes are the most popular wish choice, with almost half of Starlight Wishes involving air travel with official Wishgranting partner, Virgin Australia.

Virgin Australia Chief Marketing Officer, Libby Minogue said, “Since our partnership began in 2010, Virgin Australia has helped Starlight grant almost 3,000 wishes, flying kids to unforgettable experiences and holidays across the country.”

“Set against the incredible backdrop of Hamilton Island, the 13,000th Starlight Wish milestone was one to remember.

“From a pre-flight experience in our Lounge, to games onboard and surprise mid-flight entertainment, it is an incredible privilege to make the journey even more wonderful for Starlight kids and their families.”

Over the last decade, Hamilton Island has welcomed over 250 sick kids for their Starlight Wish. This year alone, 12 sick kids have travelled to Hamilton Island for their Starlight Wish, with at least 12 more booked to travel before the end of the year.

“We’re delighted to see Hamilton Island play a role in the celebration of 13,000 Starlight Wishes, and grateful for the opportunity to partner with Starlight and Virgin Australia to make a meaningful difference in the lives of these deserving kids,” CEO, Hamilton Island, Pete Brulisauer, said.

“I’m also pleased to see the Hamilton Island Community come together to support this event, from our school and local fire brigade to the various businesses that operate on the island.

“A big thank you to AV Partners and Skylighter Fireworks for the services they provided in kind to make this a truly special event.”

Starlight relies on corporate partnerships and the community to help fulfill life-changing Starlight Wishes. With over 700 sick kids still waiting for their Starlight Wish this year, the need for ongoing support continues.

To help fulfil more life-changing Starlight Wishes, visit   www.starlight.org.au

Email the Travel Weekly team at [email protected]

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