Is your child willing to experience their first solo air travel but you are worried for their safety? If so, you don’t have to worry anymore, as Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy is here for you. Also, our experts are here to guide you, simply dial +1-844-402-8105 and talk to our Tours N Travel Pro experts.
Southwest Airlines is one of the most preferred airlines, as they strive to offer the best services to the passengers to make their journey comfortable and smooth. To reduce the stress of the parents of children travelling alone, the airline offers an extensive policy named Southwest airlines unaccompanied Minor policy. Under this policy, the airline guarantees the safety and security of the young solo traveller throughout the journey.
So, if you are willing to book tickets for your kid, be sure to go through the crucial aspects of Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy. Dive into this blog and explore the other various aspects like booking procedure, process, and much more.
Explore Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy
Before navigating to book tickets for minors under the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy, the parents must check out the following crucial aspects to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel for their kids:
As per the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy, all kids ages 5 to 11 are required to travel under this service if travelling alone.
However, this service is optional for kids aged 12 to 17 years.
While booking flight tickets for minors, you must ensure that you are a guardian or parent of the child. If you are a guardian, you are required to take permission from the parent.
Southwest Airlines offers various advantages to children travelling alone under this policy, so it is compulsory to provide a copy of the birth certificate.
As per the airline policies, it is compulsory for the parent or guardian to fill out the Southwest Airlines minor form. Also, be sure to fill out the details of the person responsible for pickup and drop-off.
The person responsible for the drop off of the child must ensure to reach the airport at least 45 minutes before the flight departure time. Also, they need to wait until the flight takes off.
Southwest Airlines will not allow unaccompanied minors to fly on connecting flights.
As per the airline policy, minors are also not allowed to fly to/from international destinations.
How to book tickets under Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy
To ease the process, Southwest Airlines offers various online and offline methods to book flight tickets for minors. You can easily book the tickets using the website or by dialing the customer service number. Take a look at the step-by-step guide to booking flight tickets:
Flight booking via the website
Start by navigating to Southwest Airlines official website.
Then, head to the flight booking option.
Enter the details as per the travel plans, like flight route, date, number of passengers, etc.
A list of flights will appear on the screen.
Select the flight that is most suitable as per the travel itinerary.
Afterward, enter the details of the minor traveller, such as name, age, etc.
Once done, the unaccompanied minor charges will be automatically applied if the child is travelling alone.
Pay the charges, and you will receive a Southwest Airlines minor form with your registered mail ID.
Fill in all the necessary details accurately and conclude the process by submitting it.
Lastly, you will receive a confirmation mail from the airline, including the flight booking details.
Flight booking via call
To connect to the Southwest airline representative, call on their number.
Thereafter, follow the IVR instructions to connect the call to the airline executive,
Once connected, ask them to book flight tickets under the unaccompanied minor policy.
Provide all the details as per the travel plans, like flight route, date, number of passengers, etc.
They will offer you a list of available flights as per your preferences.
Select the flight that is most suitable as per the travel itinerary.
Provide the details of the minor traveler, like name, age, etc.
Once done, the unaccompanied minor charges will be automatically applied if the child is traveling alone.
Complete the payment using your preferred mode.
Thereafter, the airline executive will fill in all the details in the unaccompanied minor form on your behalf.
Provide all the details and documents as asked by the representative.
Once everything is done, you will receive a confirmation mail from the airline, including the flight booking details.
How do I prepare my child for the unaccompanied minor travel?
Once the flight tickets are booked for the minor, parents need to prepare them for the flight to ensure a seamless journey. To prepare a kid for the journey, parents must need to do some things:
Make copies of your kid’s travel itinerary.
Make sure to install the airline’s mobile app to keep updated on the kid’s flight status.
Provide the details of the person responsible for pickup at the destination.
Pack favourite snacks for the kids to enjoy during the flight.
Be sure to charge all your kid’s devices.
Things to remember while dropping off the kid at the airport
Take a look at the instructions related to the drop-off of the child at the airport for a smooth experience:
Parents, along with kids, must ensure to arrive at the gate at least 45 minutes before the flight departure time. Talk to the airline employee at the gate and inform them that you are here to drop the kid off.
Share all the crucial paperwork information you got from the ticket counter.
Before boarding the flight, the airline executives will take the kid to the flight to introduce them to the flight attendants.
Parents must be sure to stay at the airport until the flight departs. The airline representative will inform the parents when they can leave the airport.
Tips to Follow While Picking Up the UM From the Destination Airport
An adult person must be at the airport and responsible for picking up at the destination. Make sure to give all the details of your child to the adult. Follow the below-given steps for a smooth pickup procedure for the unaccompanied minor:
Firstly, go to the Suggested Airport Arrival Times section and check the flight arrival time.
After that, head to the ticket counter, get the gate pass, and go through the security check-ins.
The person must be sure to reach the airport at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure time.
Talk to Southwest Airlines and tell them you are here to pick up a minor from the airport.
You will have to show proof of valid ID to the airport authority to hand over the kid.
Conclusion
Overall, Southwest Airlines’ minor policy is a very safe option for the kids while they are traveling alone. As the airline offers various additional services and amenities to the kids to make their journey more comfortable and smooth. Along with that the airline also follows strict guidelines starting from the boarding point till reaching the final destination, so that parents can be at peace of mind while their kids are traveling. So why wait? Book tickets for your kid right away and make their journey memorable.
Frequently Asked Question
Original or photocopies of government-issued identification (e.g., passport, birth certificate, government-issued photo identification card) are the only acceptable forms of proof of age. Electronic screenshots, phone images, or immunization records are not acceptable.
Typically, minors under the age of 18 do not have to present identification for domestic US travel. Airlines will accept identification from the responsible adult on behalf of the minor(s). For international travel, minors under the age of 18 must present the same travel documents as the adult.
Up to two adults travelling with a child six years old or younger may board during Family Boarding, which occurs after the "A" group has boarded and before the "B" group begins boarding. There should be enough open seats to enable the child to sit next to at least one accompanying adult.
If your child is travelling alone by air, the airline may require you to submit an unaccompanied minor form and pay a fee for unaccompanied minor service. This service provides an airline employee escort for your child at the airport and on board the plane.
Children don't usually need a passport or photo ID for domestic flights; however, it's not a bad idea to have photo identification for your children when you travel together. All airlines require the same documentation for children as they would for adults on international flights.
