At What Age Can A Child Fly Alone On Southwest?

Southwest Airlines allows children 12 to 17 years old to travel alone as ‘young travelers’. According to the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy, children who are 13 years old can fly with the airline. Southwest is one of the most chosen airlines, known for its customer service, along with safety and security concerns. However, if you are not sure and are aware of the policy, then get in touch with the airline customer care department.

What Is Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Policy?

Worried about your children travelling alone? Do not worry anymore, plan your trip with Southwest Airlines, they offer an unaccompanied minor policy for children who have to travel alone without any parent or guardian. Read through the list of important regulations that you are supposed to stick to when you are booking a ticket under Southwest Airlines UMNR Policy.

An unaccompanied minor should be able to fly alone, including checking in, boarding, deplaning, passing through security lanes, and claiming baggage without supervision. This is applicable for all types of flights.
Southwest Airlines won’t observe the young travelers unless one reaches out to them. So make sure that your child is supposed to look out for assistance if he/she need it during the journey. And in case the child feels a need to contact his/her parents, then the staff members can help the child in getting connected.
If you are the one who is going to purchase the tickets for the minor, then make sure that you, who is the parent or has the right to book the minor's ticket through the website of the airlines.
Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee is applicable to confirm the booking of the younger traveler.
Southwest maintains the right not to allow children to continue on flights that are canceled, delayed, or diverted for any reason.
Children under 18 years of age do not need to provide any ID within the United States, but those 18 years or older must show a valid ID during check-in. Documents could be the U.S. passport, Driver’s License, or any other valid identification.

Ways To Book Southwest Flights For Minors

If you are looking for ways to book a Southwest Flight for your kid, then you are at the right place. Generally, there are two ways of booking flight tickets for unaccompanied minors on Southwest Airlines. They are as follows:

Online Bookings

Open the website of the airlines of Southwest Airlines.
Go to the booking section, fill in travel details like journey date, destinations, age of the unaccompanied minor, etc.
When you check out, you will be asked whether they are traveling with an adult; if not, then your kid will be entitled to avail of the unaccompanied minor tickets.
Next, under the Southwest Airlines UMNR Policy, the guardian is supposed to make a separate request for UMNR, and following one has to pay the service charge.
Check your shared email ID for the confirmation mail.

Phone Call Bookings

Dial the Southwest Airlines customer service department number at 1-800-435-9792.
State your query about booking tickets for unaccompanied minor bookings along with the required travel details and contact information.
You will get the best quotes as you are using the minor services. Know that you have to make a request for the same to take the UMNR.
Share your payment details, like bank or credit card, as convenient to you. The Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee is $100 or more, which will be informed to you on the call only.
After the payment is done, you will receive an email for confirmation.

Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy: How does it work?

Parents or guardians can book the flights with Southwest Airlines for their minor, just by visiting the website or by dialing the customer care phone number. After the payment of $100 for each way, you will receive an email.

Boarding and Deboarding Rules- Southwest Airlines is the greatest option for children traveling alone because it has specific restrictions for each. The following are all of the crucial terms and conditions you should be aware of to ensure you meet all of the eligibility requirements for Southwest minors booking.

UMNR Drop-Off Requirements- Similarly, at the pickup location, a parent or guardian must arrive at the airport early (no later than 45 minutes before landing) to acquire the escort pass and be present at the arrival gate number. Additionally, the individual must carry a government-issued photo identification card.

Southwest Airlines requires a completed Unaccompanied Minor (UM) form for children aged 5 to 11 traveling alone.
Form must be filled out prior to check-in and includes essential details such as the child's name, date of birth, flight information, and contact information for guardians at both departure and arrival locations.
Parents or guardians must have a valid government-issued photo ID and the child's proof of age, like a birth certificate or passport, at check-in. Additionally, a $100 fee per child each way applies for the UM service, which ensures the child receives supervision throughout their journey.
Completed form should be submitted to a Southwest Customer Service Agent at the airport.
For convenience, the UM form can be downloaded and printed from Southwest's official website.
It's important to arrive at the airport early to allow sufficient time for check-in procedures and to obtain a gate pass to accompany the child to the departure gate.

How Much Is The Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Fee?

According to the Southwest Airlines UMNR Policy, the fee is $100 for every one-way unaccompanied minor from the age group 5-11 years. However, if you have any doubts, connect with the Southwest Airlines customer care department at +1-800-435-9792.

Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy is created to provide a smooth flight experience to the minor and to the parents as well, who are worried about their kids traveling alone. However, all the needed information is detailed above and can be referred to while booking the flight with Southwest Airlines. Hopefully, the detailed information on minor ticket booking will help you with your child's flight booking.

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