Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Travel

Southwest Unaccompanied Minors- Air Travel Policy and Rules to Book Flights for Minors

Feeling concerned about sending your child onboard without any company or parental supervision? Don’t be, as Southwest Airlines makes minor travel easier and safer. The Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor policy allows you to send your child onboard without any trouble. If your child is of age 5 to 11 years, he is considered a minor, and if traveling unaccompanied, he may need this Southwest service.

Use our exclusive guide to understand Southwest Airlines rules for unaccompanied minors. We shall also explain how you can book a flight for young travelers between ages 12 and 17. So, read on to understand the requirements and necessary procedures.

What Age Can A Child Fly Alone On Southwest?

If you are wondering about Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor age, know that the airline has this program available for children between 5 and 11 years old. If you are sending a kid within this age group to fly alone with Southwest, you must book him under unaccompanied minor service.

These children traveling are subject to specific policies and procedures to ensure their safety and well-being during their travel. Also, remember that children below 5 are not allowed to travel alone on Southwest Airlines, and children between the ages of 12 and 17 are considered adults and can travel without the restrictions placed on unaccompanied minors.

Can a 16-year-old fly alone with Southwest?

Yes, any passenger of age 12 through 17 can travel alone. Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor service for age 12 is not necessary, and so is for 16. According to the airline, children between the ages of 12 and 17 are considered adults and can travel without the restrictions placed on unaccompanied minors. Therefore, a 16-year-old is allowed to travel alone on Southwest Airlines and is not required to follow unaccompanied minor procedures.

How To Book A Flight For A Minor On Southwest?

When you are ready to go for a Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor booking, there are many ways to do it. You can book your minor child’s flight under Southwest’s UM service in one of these ways:

Booking Southwest Unaccompanied Minors Online

You can easily book your child from age 5 through 11 under the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor program. Here are the steps that you need to follow:

• Visit the official website of Southwest Airlines.
• Provide your kid’s details required for booking.
• When you move to checkout, inform the airline if your kid will be accompanied by a young traveler.
• If no one is to accompany them, the airline will provide them with a ticket as an unaccompanied minor.

You need to fill out the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor form in order to complete the travel booking for your minors. When you receive the booking details, do not forget to give the booking confirmation number to the designated person for your child’s pickup and drop-off.

Booking Unaccompanied Minor Flights At the Airport

You are welcome to booking Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor tickets at the airport. The airline may require some additional information from you, but you are good to go as long as you complete these steps:

• Complete the travel documentation required.
• Pay the Unaccompanied Minor service fee.
• On booking completion, share the confirmation number with the person who will receive your kid or drop them off at the airport.

Check your email spam section when you do not see any booking confirmation email in the inbox. Also, contact the Southwest team for help any time you need it.

Call Southwest Customer Service to Book UM flights.

• To book a flight ticket for your unaccompanied kid below 12, simply call a Southwest representative on its customer service number 800-435-9792.
• Share the details required with the representative.
• Complete the payment.

That’s all you need to book Unaccompanied minor on Southwest airlines and ensure they are flying without any hassles. Dial the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor phone number in case of queries or requests for a perfect travel for your child.

What Information Do I Need While Booking Unaccompanied Minors On Southwest?

When making the reservation for an unaccompanied minor, you will be required to provide specific information and pay an unaccompanied minor service charge. This information includes:

• Your Child’s name, age, and any relevant medical conditions or special needs
• The name and contact information for the person dropping off and picking up the child at both the departure and arrival airports
• Any required documentation, such as government-issued identification for the child or the person picking them up.
• You also need address and phone numbers, including the area code.

Hand over proof of age when you arrive at the airport boarding area, and complete all the necessary documentation beforehand.

How To Prepare For Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minors Travel?

Once you have booked and need the Southwest unaccompanied minor service, there’s a lot you need to do. To prepare before bringing an unaccompanied minor to the airport when flying with Southwest Airlines, do the following:

• Make copies of the child’s itinerary
• Pack snacks
• Download the Southwest app
• Charge electronic devices
• Provide contact information
• Review U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines

Always check the rules for unaccompanied minors on Southwest flights before sending them aboard and without any parental supervisor or guardian.

What Do I Need to Know About Southwest Unaccompanied Minors Airport Arrival?

The airline suggests that you must arrive at the airports during the suggested arrival timings with your unaccompanied minor. After that, when you are at the airport, here’s what you need to know:

• Check your child’s luggage; if any
• Provide all the documents
• Pay the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor charge of $50 one-way.
• Obtain the boarding pass and get a lanyard meant for unaccompanied minors.
• Also, get a gate pass to accompany him to the security checkpoint.
• Give your valid identity proof and form with a copy of your child’s itinerary.
• The child will be escorted through security by a Southwest Airlines employee to the gate and boarded onto the aircraft.
• Remember to stay in the gate area until the flight departs, and the airline staff will let you know when you can leave the boarding area.
• Also, call the person picking up your child to tell them that the flight has departed.

The Southwest unaccompanied minor boarding will also depend on several factors. Always try to reach the boarding area before the boarding begins to let your child board first. Otherwise, the airline will first transfer all other customers and let them board between or after boarding groups.

What are the Pickup Instructions for Southwest Airlines UM Travelers?

When your child is flying under unaccompanied minor travel Southwest, you need instructions for the person picking them up as well. The person Picking up the Southwest unaccompanied minor should follow these basic rules before going to pick up.

• Check the airport arrival times beforehand.
• Get to the ticket counter early and obtain a gate pass to pass through the security checkpoint.
• Arrive at the gate at least 45 minutes before the arrival.
• Talk to a Southwest employee at the gate.
• Provide Valid ID proof to confirm the entry.

The airline agent will escort the child and hand him over to the person after verifying the unaccompanied minor form. In case you do not meet any Southwest Airlines rules for unaccompanied minors, the child will not be able to travel.

How Does Southwest Handle Unaccompanied Children in the Air?

When the child is on the plane with Southwest Airlines booking, here is what his experience will be like:

• Unaccompanied children are given priority boarding to allow them to get settled in their seats before other passengers board the plane.
• Southwest assigns a specific seat for the child and ensures that they are seated next to an adult in case they need assistance during the flight.
• The Child should wear the lanyard throughout the flight so that the employees can be in the know whenever needed.

After the flight arrives, a Southwest employee will escort the unaccompanied minor from the plane and take him to meet the person at the gate assigned to pick him up.

How Much is the Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Fee?

The Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor cost is USD 50 each way makes USD 100 for a roundtrip (each kid). The standard flight charges for each unaccompanied minor are separate from this fee by Southwest.

Please note: The airline has made the service charges/fee for an unaccompanied minor refundable in case,

• You don’t rebook if your flight gets canceled due to some reason
• A passenger of 12 years or more age accompanies your kid
• You cancel your unaccompanied minor’s booking on a Southwest flight

If two unaccompanied minors are traveling on the same booking, the Southwest unaccompanied minor fee will be USD 50 for each kid, each way.

Final Words

This is how you book flights for an unaccompanied minor on Southwest Airlines. If you got any questions, you can speak with a live agent and get the necessary help. In case you need quick help and do not have time for the waiting queues on call, try connecting with Tripohlz and book effortlessly.

Frequently Asked Questions