Everything You Must Know About Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Program: Policy & Process
Do you wish to send your child alone with the best airline? You must read the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy. Book your child without any worry. It ensures the safety and protection of your child. Similarly, Unaccompanied Minors are permitted to travel only on non-stop/the same-plane service. Southwest Airlines allows the children flying alone less than the age group of 12 to be Unaccompanied Minors. The minors aged 12 through 17 flying alone to be young passengers. You must read the complete article to book the ticket of your child with Southwest.
What is the Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Program?
- The children between 5 and 11 come in the category of unaccompanied minors.
- Southwest Airlines offers UMNR Service for children traveling alone, and the service is mandatory.
- Unaccompanied minors less than 12 years old must pay an extra fee. They can pre-board the plane.
- You have to clarify you are the parents/guardians of the children at the time of reservation.
- You must have a parent’s authorization to act on their behalf when you are a guardian.
- Parents/guardians have to fill out Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor form. Also, you must confirm the person who will drop off and pick up your child at the designated airport.
- Additionally, the airline asks you to provide age proof, including a bith certificate, to acquire the benefits of the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy.
- The legal parents/guardians need to wait at the gate and must have valid government photo identification proof to pick up the child.
- The specified person must report to the departure gate 45 minutes prior to the planned departure and wait at the airport until the plane departs.
- The designated pick-up parent or guardian must arrive forty-five minutes ahead of time.
- An unaccompanied youngster can fly on nonstop flights that do not need changing planes.
- Unaccompanied minors cannot travel to/ from international locations.
- You need to take extra precautions for the unaccompanied kid between the route of Hawaii and the U.S. mainland.
Note: Your youngster is in good hands as an unaccompanied kid with Southwest Airlines. Book a flight and feel at ease. To learn more about Southwest Airlines, continue reading.
What are the restrictions of age for children traveling alone?
Children from 5 to 11 are the only ones who can fly single on Southwest Airlines without the company of another passenger. Southwest Airline Unaccompanied Minor Service is available for children travel alone which is required.
The Unaccompanied Minor program is not available for children of 12 years. Children between 12 and 17 can travel on domestic flights. It can happen without the presence of an adult companion of 18 years old. Children under the age of eighteen cannot travel alone on foreign flights.
How to book Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Program?
Southwest Airlines provides various ways to book a flight for your child, and all the ways are mentioned below:
Online Reservation
- Head to the main website of Southwest Airlines.
- Enter the details such as the origin and the destination of the flight.
- Choose a suitable flight from the various options.
- Fill in the needed information in the blank space.
- You have to pay a Southwest unaccompanied minor fee to confirm the reservation.
- The airline will send you the UNMR form.
- You must fill out the required details in the form and will acquire the confirmation email from the airline regarding the booking of your child.
Note: A minor is considered an Unaccompanied Minor from ages 5-11 only. The Unaccompanied Minor Policy Southwest Airlines includes specific restrictions to maximize safety.
Offline Reservation
You can also get in touch with the Southwest customer service team by calling their number. You can dial 1-860-498-9674 and speak to a live agent to get assistance. Follow the below mentioned steps for the same.
- Dial the Southwest UNMR phone number at 1-860-498-9674.
- You can dial 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792) for Southwest.
- Follow the IVR steps on the call.
- You will connect to a live person within a short time.
- Share all the needed information with the concerned person.
- Choose the desired payment mode and pay the applicable charges to proceed with the booking process.
- The Southwest representatives will provide you with the unaccompanied minor form.
- At last, you have to share the ID of the Minor through the email address to complete the reservation.
At The Airport
We all get concerned when it comes to sending our child alone. However, you can be stress-free when you make a Southwest Airlines booking for your child. Moreover, you can easily book a flight up to three hours before the scheduled departure. The airline agents may ask you to provide some important documents to confirm the booking. Along with this, you must complete Southwest unaccompanied minor form to do the same.
Useful Tips To Prepare Your Child For Traveling Alone
You need to get them ready for flying solo on Southwest once you have decided to send your child on the flight by themselves. You need to remember a few things for this. Additionally, it will make your child’s flight more enjoyable.
- The person picking up your child at the airport should have their contact details with them.
- Give children a copy of their schedules to prevent any kind of trouble.
- Bring some treats and snacks for your child.
- Children’s electronic gadgets should be charged because there won’t be any power outlets during the flight.
- Download the Southwest mobile app to keep track of the children’s flight status.
Documents Required For Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Reservation
You have to provide the main documents to Southwest the time of reservation. It helps the airline to determine the age of the child. Ensure the safety of the child during the journey. The documents you must have of your child are as follows:
- A photocopy of the Unaccompanied Minor itinerary.
- The filled Unaccompanied Minor form.
- Proof of the age of the minor (the birth certificate of the child, etc.).
- Your valid, government-issued ID.
What is Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Fee?
- Children between 5 and 11 years old need to travel solely on the Southwest flights. They must pay a fee of $50 for a one-way trip. The fee is $100 for the round-trip along with the extra flight fare.
- Ensure that the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor fee is refundable on the cancellations and the changes.
- Additionally, the airline will only refund the UNMR fee to your travel funds accounts, and you can use it for future travel.
Note: You can acquire a cheap fare and a safe flight for your Minor when booking a flight with Southwest Airlines. Pay the unaccompanied minor fee for children from 5 to 11 years.
Things to remember after arriving at the airport
Make sure to get to the airport early so the kids can get familiar with the airline staff. Name the crew members and instruct them to get in touch with them at any time. Proceed to the main lobby of the airport upon your arrival to finish the check-in process.
- If necessary, check the bags for your child.
- You need to pay Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor fees in any situation. Children aged 5 to 11 must pay $50 for a one-way trip and $100 for a round-trip in addition to the standard adult ticket.
- Send in the smaller documents alone.
- Obtain your child’s travel pass.
- Make sure you have an escort pass so you can pass the security checkpoint pretending to be your child. They also need you to go with them to the gate.
Is the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor fee refundable?
Southwest is aware of all of its needs and requirements of the customers among the most caring airlines. For this reason, in the following situations, it reimburses the unaccompanied minor cost without hesitation. make a complaint to Southwest
- You will receive your money back to cancel an unaccompanied minor reservation.
- You must go to the Southwest Airlines Manage Booking website to cancel the reservation of your minor.
- You may get a refund for the flight cancelled by the airline. You choose not to rebook.
- The adult does not count as an unaccompanied minor when your kid is traveling with an adult of 18.
Bottom Line!
Ready to book your child with Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor service? Check out the Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy rules and book your child with the airline without any stress. It will make your child feel unforgettable moments while flying. You can get in touch with a live person for any assistance 24/7.