When Kids Fly Alone
Your little one is in command! From check-in to landing, we are your young explorer's trusted co-pilot.
Who is an unaccompanied minor?
Children between the ages of 5 and 12 travelling alone, domestically or internationally with us, are considered as unaccompanied minors.
We adore our youngest travellers. However, to prioritise their safety and comfort, we do not extend our unaccompanied minor services to children under five years. We request they remain in the comfort of their guardians throughout the journey. If a group of children aged 5-18 years is travelling together, the children aged 5-12 years will be considered unaccompanied minors. To ensure a smooth journey, kindly indicate the designated adult who will drop and pick up the child in the ‘Unaccompanied Minor’ form.
Booking your child's solo adventure
There are a few formalities that need to be completed before your little globetrotter sets off for the journey:
- The parent/guardian must submit four copies of the filled in ‘Unaccompanied Minor’ form at the nearest Air India ticketing office. We recommend submitting the form at least three days before the scheduled departure date. For departures from international stations, you may directly proceed to the check-in counter with the required documents.
- Please ensure you arrive at least three hours prior to the departure time to complete all formalities along with the necessary documents on the date of travel.
- A child travelling as an unaccompanied minor will be charged the full fare of an adult in both domestic and international sectors. Air India does not charge an additional fee for the Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) service, and it is offered on a complimentary basis. However, please note that for the UAE sector, a service fee of 184 AED will apply as imposed by the ground handling authority. Additionally, if you directly report at Dubai (DXB), a processing fee of 100 AED will also be charged by the ground handling authority.
Ensuring your child’s safety:
- The designated parent/guardian must escort their child to the airport and be available to receive them upon arrival.
- The designated parent/guardian will need to present a valid photo ID when dropping off and picking up their child.
Assistance through the airport
Designated Air India staff will become your child’s airport buddy. They will help navigate together from the check-in counter, completing all the airport formalities, to the comfortable seat of the aircraft.
Our staff members are experts in aviation and will be eager to answer your child's queries.
Care on the flight
- Our skilled cabin crew are your child’s concierge in the sky. From fastening seatbelts to stowing up hand baggage and aiding in lavatory visits, they have got it all under control.
- As for the inflight experience, air travel can sometimes bring queasiness and a nip in the air. So, ensure you pack your kid's go-to essentials in their backpack.
- Are you concerned about your little one's meal preferences? We have a unique child meal option and are here to cater to any dietary requirements.
- Due to safety reasons, we do not allow unaccompanied minors to be seated in the emergency exit row.
After they land
On landing, the designated Air India staff will guide your little one through all the airport formalities, including immigration and customs (for international journeys).
Once the formalities are over, our staff will safely deliver your child to you or the designated guardian, as mentioned in the 'Unaccompanied Minor' form.
Minor in different classes of travel
If your child travels in a different class but with you or a guardian on the same flight, they will receive the same care as an unaccompanied minor.
They will take their seat before the other passengers have boarded the flight. After landing, we will reunite you with your little one at the airport.
Is your child on a multi-city flight?
Multi-city flights can feel like a whirlwind. While our crew members are there to assist your child, we need your support with the following:
- Please complete and sign four copies of the UMNR form for each departure airport before the journey.
- We request you or the designated guardian be at the airport well in advance, allowing us to complete all the necessary formalities in time.
- Unaccompanied minor services are provided for flights operated by Air India only.
Age policy for travel between India and Gulf countries
The age range for unaccompanied minors varies between United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf countries:
- In the UAE, children between 5 and 18 years old are considered unaccompanied minors.
- In other Gulf countries, children between 5 and 16 years are considered unaccompanied minors.
Minors travelling to and from the UK
Minors travelling to the UK
For young travellers under 18 years travelling without the parents or a designated guardian, the UK Border Force requires a consent form signed by both parents. For the latest information on the regulations, please click here.
Minors travelling from the UK
For young travellers under 18 years travelling without the parents or a designated guardian, please sign the consent form before you travel abroad.
Before you travel
- You need to request permission from everyone responsible for the child.
- If you are yet to receive permission from everyone with parental responsibility for the child, you must seek court permission.
Please click 'here' to read more about the formalities and procedures.
When you travel
- Please fill out and bring the consent form with you.
- Carry a valid photo ID of both parents.
- You need to carry your child's birth certificate.
Alternatively, if you are travelling to or from UK, you can send the documents mentioned above to aitraffic.lhr@airindia.com.
Please ensure that this is done at least four hours before departure.