Tips For Unaccompanied Minors Flying with Emirates

Emirates Airlines will transport your child without a parent or guardian, provided they must be at least 5 years old if you pay for the Emirates unaccompanied minor service. 

Here’s a full rundown of how you can book the flight for your minor travelling alone on the Emirates flight. In addition, what are the rules and guidelines that you, as a parent, need to comply with when booking a flight for your minor, the age restrictions for travel, and more. 

Also we have covered certain tips that help you while booking the unaccompanied minor travel, plus tips for your child that help him/her with the hassle-free travel.

Age Restriction Under the Unaccompanied Minor Program

As per Emirates unaccompanied minor policy, children between the age of 5 and 11 can fly alone, and to be booked on the adult fare. 

The service also applies to the children who are flying in the different cabin class from their parent/guardian. 

The minors would be considered as accompanied if they are flying with parents/guardians or adults who are at least 16 years or older.

Passengers aged between 12 and 17 can make a special request to sign up for Emirates minor traveling alone program.

Terms and Conditions Applied for Minors Travelling Alone

Parents/Guardians must be aware of the following rules before booking the travel for their minors flying alone – 

• The service is mandatory for children aged between 5 and 15 years. 
• The ‘minors travelling alone’ would be applicable to the Emirates-operated flights. 
• The maximum connecting time is 4 hours if the child is connecting to another airline as part of the itinerary. 
• The maximum connecting time is 8 hours if the child is transferring to another flight at Dubai international airport (DXB).
• An unaccompanied minor is not permitted to spend the night at the connecting airport unless the parent/guardian is accompanying them during the trip. 
• Children who require special assistance or care must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old.
• Before your child can fly with the Emirates, a legal parent or guardian must complete and sign a ‘Declaration of Indemnity’ form for the child’s safety and protection. These forms are available at Emirates Airport Offices.
• The parent or guardian must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.
• The parent or guardian accompanying the child to the airport or picking the child must produce evidence of identification. 
• It is the parent/legal guardian’s responsibility to help complete the check-in request for the children travelling alone.

How to Book Unaccompanied Minor Flights with Emirates?

You can normally book the child’s flight on the Emirates portal, or call the Emirates customer service. After booking the flights – 

• Submit the unaccompanied minor form. 
• The airline will confirm the request within 24 hours. 
• The airline requested a payment for the children aged 5 and 17. Parents/guardians need to pay 50 USD each leg on direct as well as connecting flights. 
• Sign and print the form, and submit it at the airport counter at the time of check-in. 

Please note – If you change the flight under the ‘Emirates minor travelling alone’ service, you will be required to submit the form. 

Make sure that the request to change Emirates flight for minors must be completed at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure. If you change the booking from direct to connecting flight or vice-versa, you will be asked to pay fees again.

Emirates Fee for Unaccompanied Minor

Emirates unaccompanied minor fee paid at the time of check-in at the airport counter. Here is the overview of the fees based on the age and travel restrictions – 

Tips For Booking Flight for Unaccompanied Minors

Make sure you follow this tips before booking a flight under Emirates Airlines unaccompanied minor policy – 

• Make sure that your child is mentally and emotionally prepared – One child may be ready to fly solo at the age of 8, while another will not be ready until they are 16. In addition, there are certain hurdles in the way such as diversions, delays, or involuntary cancellation. 

• Keep the flight itinerary short and straight! – Always try to find a direct flight. That way you will make the minor’s travel seamless. Invest in flights that leave earlier in the day to allow for possible delays, or diversions rebookings that might not require an overnight stay if they occurred to arrive later in the afternoon or evening.

• Choose the most convenient spot in the plane – Select a seat that is closest to the flight attendants. Although you want to seat your child as close to the front of the aircraft as possible, it may be subject to availability.  In any given circumstances, attempt to keep them close to the crew’s seats.

• The flight attendant will only do a frequent visit to your child – Once you sign up for the Emirates minor travelling alone service, the flight attendants would not do a constant babysit to your child. The crew staff will keep an eye on your child, and check frequently to see if they need anything, but your unaccompanied minor will not be under the constant supervision by any means.  

• Head to the airport early – You must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before departure to complete the paperwork for your child.

Tips for Kids When Travelling Unaccompanied with Emirates

Here are some of the do’s and don’ts for your unaccompanied minor, and as a parent/legal guardian you must make them aware of the following considerations – 

• Pay attention and ask questions – Just like you send your child to the school, making them aware of the fact that they won’t be having a parent there to do things for you. So, you have to encourage your child to pay attention while travelling alone, and ask questions if they are unsure of everything. 

• If anything is wrong, speak up – This part of the tip is unlikely to happen, but it is still an important thing to make your child aware. Instruct your child about any unforeseeable circumstances where someone puts them in an uncomfortable situation, and how they need to be proactive and not remain silent in those situations. Make sure that your child  should try their best to speak up, loudly and numerous times if necessary, to get themselves out of a volatile situation. Encourage them to seek help from a flight attendant or another adult.

• Parents make sure that they don’t leave the gate until their child is airborne – Things happen, and there are a variety of situations where the child ends up at a gate without a guardian. If all goes according to plan, parents must remain at the departure gate until the plane is safely in the air. Also, the parent/guardians at the greeting end must remain at the arrival gate until the plane lands. 

You may be worried that your child will be flying miles above the ground without any assistance, but with Emirates unaccompanied minor service your child is in safe hands.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs