Important information about 12-17 year olds traveling alone.
Please note: Orbitz cannot book a ticket for an unaccompanied
minor under 17 years old. To do so, contact the airline directly.
Steps to booking on Orbitz
- Book a direct, non-stop flight for minors traveling alone whenever possible. Many airlines impose restrictions for unaccompanied minors traveling on connecting flights, the last flight of the day or the red-eye flight. Contact the airline directly to book a ticket for
an unaccompanied minor (12-17).
- Many airlines charge a mandatory fee: $40 each way for non-stop or direct flights and $75 each way for flights with connections. International fees vary. These fees cover the additional paperwork and staff needed to accommodate an unaccompanied minor. Some airlines impose these fees and restrictions for minors under 15 only.
- Once you've booked your ticket for an unaccompanied minor (12-17) contact the airline and follow its specific guidelines.
- Fill out all the appropriate documentation including the contact name, address and phone number for the responsible adults who will be escorting the minor to and from the arrival and departure gates and the emergency contact. Forms are available from the airlines and must be filled out prior to departure.
- Obtain Security Authorization. Most airlines require that an adult stay with the minor until takeoff and that another adult meet the minor at the gate. Call your airlines for further details about how to proceed through airport security without a ticket.
- On the day of departure arrive at the airport 90 minutes prior to departure to check in the unaccompanied minor, hand in the paperwork, pick up the security pass and arrive at the gate.
- Reconfirm with the adult responsible for picking up the minor at the arrival gate. This adult must be listed in the unaccompanied minor's travel documentation. Many airlines will not release a minor into the custody of someone who is not on the documentation. Changes to the documentation need to be done in writing in advance of travel.
- Provide the minor with appropriate means of contacting someone in case of an emergency (numbers, cell phone, money, etc.).
- Some additional restrictions may apply for international travel. A birth certificate, passport, notarized permission letter from the parents/guardian and/or a visa may be required. Check with the airline as well as the State Department's foreign entry requirements: http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html.
Airlines contact information:
- Airtran: Passengers over 12 are considered adults and there are no specific requirements that apply.
- Alaska: Unaccompanied minors are permitted on non-stop, direct and connecting flights. You can request assistance but it's not required. See Alaska Air's policy
- America West: Passengers up to 14 years old are considered unaccompanied minors and may fly on non-stop flights only with a $40 fee each way. See America West's policy
- American Airlines: Younger minors are only allowed to fly non-stop; older minors are allowed to make connections. All minors need to be met at the arrival gate by an adult. See American's policy
- ATA: Unaccompanied minors 12-17 may travel on connecting flights and are required to complete the necessary forms and pay the applicable fees ($40/non-stop, $80/connections). See ATA's policy
- Continental Airlines: Unaccompanied minors will not be allowed on the last connecting flight of the day or flights that depart between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. (unless it's for international travel). See Continental's policy
- Delta Airlines: Service fees of $40/non-stop and $75/connecting flights are charged each way for unaccompanied minors 5-14. They adhere to a strict documentation policy and the minor must be accompanied to and from the gates. Call Delta for more information (800) 221-1212.
- Northwest Airlines: Service fees for domestic and International flights. Some flight restrictions apply -- no red eye or last flight of the day. Brochures available at ticket office or call (800) 358-3100. See Northwest's policy.
- United Airlines: An adult must accompany the minor to the departure gate and remain through take-off. They require documentation that identifies, names, address and contact phone numbers for the responsible adult who will meet the minor at the arrival gate. See United's policy.
- US Airways: Minors between the ages of 12 and 17 traveling alone are considered young adults and are not required to purchase unaccompanied minor services from US Airways. Upon request, unaccompanied minor services will be provided by US Airways for $40/non-stop and $75/connecting flight each way. Flight connections to other airlines are permitted and additional fees may be required. See US Airways' policy
