Letting kids fly alone with an airline is concerning, but some airlines make it easier. United Airlines unaccompanied minors service is also designed for those worried parents. With this service, your kids aged 5 to 14 can travel alone on a plane without any hassles. They may even be taken care of throughout the flight.

But how do you plan an Unaccompanied minor’s journey with United Airlines, and what are its rules? Take the detailed information below into account and make sure your little ones can travel in comfort even when not accompanied by an adult.

What is the United Unaccompanied Minor Policy?

Planning travel for young children alone requires careful planning and consideration. Before you book their flights, comply with the United Airlines unaccompanied minor policy and ensure they can fly without any problems. Here are some major pointers you need to take into account:

• Any child from age 5 to 14 can travel unaccompanied if you purchase United’s unaccompanied minor service. It is optional for children between 15 to 17 years old.
• There will be an additional charge along with the base fare to allow children to fly alone.
• Minors can only fly on a nonstop United or United Express-operated flight.
• Kids below 5 years of age can not travel alone at all. They must be accompanied by someone 18 years old or above.
• Remember that if a child from 5 to 14 years old is traveling with another one aged 15 to 17 years, purchasing unaccompanied minor service is still mandatory for the younger kid.
• The kids should not have any medical disease or trouble when traveling alone.
• You must submit an unaccompanied minor form to finalize the booking or it may be required later at the airport.
• Make sure to provide details of the person dropping the child off at the airport as well as of the person who will pick him up.

How to book United Airlines for Unaccompanied Minors?

To book flights for Unaccompanied minors, you need to visit the United Airlines website or call their customer service team. The airline may require you to fill out a form at the airport, but you can first book flights by following a simple process. Here’s how you can book United Airlines flights for Unaccompanied Minors via any of the available options.

Procedure to Book United Unaccompanied Minor Program on the Website

• Open the United Airlines website 
• Log in or sign in to the site.
• Click on the advanced search and find a new page open.
• Complete all the prompts as useful.
• Select the 5-17 age group from the “Select adults, seniors, and children” dropdown menu.
• Click on the minus from the adult count
• Hit the apply bar. 
• Complete the further details. 
• Select United and United Express flights. 
• Tap on the Find Flights tab.
• The new page will be visible, Click on “View Unaccompanied Minor.”
• Navigate the link for the Unaccompanied Minor Form.

If you face any difficulties in seeking and completing the form, you can request United Unaccompanied Minor Assistance on a call. 

Book a United Flight for your Eligible Unaccompanied Minor On Call

• Go to the website of the airline and seek the precise contact details to connect with United Airlines Representatives.
• Giving a call will let you connect with them and proceed with Unaccompanied Minor Reservations through them.
• Provide the details as they request you on a call.
• Follow their instructions to pay for booking on call. 
• Be on call as long as they confirm you with the Unaccompanied Minor Booking confirmation. 

United airlines picks seats for Unaccompanied minors within 72 hours of your booking confirmation to make sure they are seated in the care of an airline staff member.

How Much Is The United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee?

United Airlines charges a $150 to $900 fee for unaccompanied minor service depending on the number of children requiring this service and the type of trip, i.e., One-way or Round trip. Refer to the table below to know it in detail:

Table Source: https://www.united.com/en/us/fly/travel/accessibility-and-assistance/unaccompanied-minors.html#howdoes

Important United Airlines Guidelines For Unaccompanied Minor Service

• Write all the phone numbers the child may need on a paper and give it to him. Add yours (or of the person going to drop him at the airport) and the adult meeting them at their destination.
• Let them understand to wait on the plane as a United airlines plane staff will walk with them at take-off.
• Make sure to charge your child’s phone or tablet to full to avoid any hassles midflight.
• For Unaccompanied minors on International travel, you must fill out a form before going through customs.

Taking Unaccompanied Minors To The Airport For United Flights

• Arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes before the minimum check-in deadline to make sure your kids get on the plane safely.
• United Airlines unaccompanied minors should check in at the airport.
• The airline agents at the desk verify their documents and contact information and then provide them with a wristband with an envelope full of necessary documents related to their trips.
• When your kids are flying out of a US airport, the airline will give you a gate pass to go in with them to the gate,
• You must remain at the gate unless your kid’s flight departs.
• For some international flights, you may not be able to get past check-in due to additional restrictions. If your child is going to that destination, an agent will meet you at the ticket counter and take them.

United Airlines first let Unaccompanied minors board the flights and take their seats to settle in before other passengers hop in.

Things to Know About Unaccompanied Minor While on Travel

• Flight attendants monitor your children during travel and take care of them according to their needs. 
• United Airlines suggests that parents or guardians pack some snacks with their children, abiding by the TSA guidelines. Besides this, airlines also provide complimentary snacks on planes.
• Your kids’ favorite entertainment options may vary depending on the flights. The United app is another option for your kids to enjoy movies or shows during their travels.

Points to Consider About United Unaccompanied Minors Arrival

• The airline attendants make the minors wait on the airplane until the United Airlines unaccompanied minors assistance team comes to get them off the plane. Further, the personnel take your kids to the person picking them up, whether it is parents or guardians. 
• Minors traveling on domestic flights don’t need to bypass customs; however, the authorized escort must have a gate pass from the ticket counter to undergo security. The escort should also pick up their juniors at the arrival gate. 
• International minor United Travelers have to bypass customs; meanwhile, the escorts can meet their child at the arrival gate after customs clearance.
• The authorized escort must stand at the gate before 30 minutes of flight arrival. This guideline applies to domestic and international fliers’ escorts. 

What are United Airlines Safety Measures for Unaccompanied Minor?

If you are doubtful and experience stress about your kids traveling alone, read the points below to learn how United Airlines’ safety measures for unaccompanied minors ensure safe and secure travel.

• United Airlines requires contact information for both escorting persons and parents or guardians when someone books a flight for their unaccompanied minor on a call or website.
• The airline does not require any ID proof for unaccompanied aged 5-14 to present at the check-in counter; however, the parent must carry any form of identification, such as birth certificate and school ID, as an age proof. 
• The authorized escort or parents must carry any valid Identification Documents when dropping off or picking up the children at the airport.
• Make sure that you have a copy of the kids’ reservation details. Then, it will be easier for the authorized escort to pick up or drop off the children. 
• When booking an unaccompanied minor fare, inform the United Airlines staff if the minor has medical conditions or requires special treatment.