More and more children are traveling alone, whether due to busy parents or family being far away. Emirates and Etihad Airways in the UAE have introduced special services to ensure these young passengers are safe and comfortable during the flight. But the experience can be stressful for both children and parents.
This article aims to address your concerns and answer your questions about children traveling alone, including age restrictions, baggage allowances and connecting flights. We also explore what measures airlines are taking to ensure a smooth journey and which airlines in the UAE offer this service.
Emirates
The Dubai-based airline offers an Unaccompanied Minor service for children between 5 and 11 years old who are traveling alone. Children over 12 years old can fly alone without this service, but for unaccompanied children between 12 and 15 years old, a parent or guardian must specifically request the service.
Unaccompanied Minor Fares
Children between 5 and 11 years old traveling alone must book an adult fare and receive the Unaccompanied Minor service. Children over 12 years old always travel on an adult fare and can travel alone without the service. However, parents can book the service for children between 12 and 15 years old for a fee of USD 50 per route.
Help at the airport
If parents or guardians are bringing their young children into Dubai International Airport (DXB), they can go directly to the Unaccompanied Children’s Lounge near the check-in area. The parent or guardian dropping off the child will need to show identification and the guardian will also be asked to sign a consent form.
A dedicated Emirates member will meet your child and help them through security and immigration before meeting the cabin crew at the aircraft door. Families and young passengers always board the plane first. Once your child has landed, a team member will meet them at the aircraft door.
Important information for parents:
If your child is connecting on another airline, the maximum connecting time permitted is 4 hours. If you are connecting to another Emirates flight at Dubai International Airport (DXB), the connecting time is 8 hours. Any connections longer than 8 hours require Emirates approval.
However, young passengers are not permitted to stay overnight at a connecting airport unless an adult guardian meets and cares for them at the transfer point, which also requires approval.
Children with special assistance or care needs must be accompanied by a paying guardian aged 16 or over.
Before the child travels, the parent or guardian must complete and sign a waiver of liability form. This form is available from Emirates Airport offices.
The child’s parent or guardian must remain at the airport until departure. They must also provide proof of identity when accompanying the child on departure or when collecting the child at destination. The child’s passport will be held by the airline for the duration of the service.
Etihad Airways
The Abu Dhabi-based airline offers a service for unaccompanied minors aged between 5 and 17 years old departing on Etihad-operated flights. The service is mandatory for children aged between 5 and 11 travelling alone. Children must book an adult ticket. The service is free for unaccompanied minors.
Children aged between 12 and 17 years old can travel on an adult ticket, but parents may wish to pay for the service. It costs $100 one way for direct flights and $150 one way for connecting flights.
How do I make a reservation?
Book your child’s ticket and note down the booking reference number. To request the Unaccompanied Minor service, please follow the steps below:
Complete the Unaccompanied Minor service request form in English.
The airline will contact you within 24 hours to process your application. If your child is between 12 and 17 years old, you will be asked to pay the fee at this point.
Print a copy of the completed application, sign it and take it with you to the airport.
Please do all this at least 24 hours before your child’s flight as requesting the service at the airport may incur a charge.
Assistance at the airport
A member of the Etihad team will accompany your child through immigration, baggage claim and customs. Someone will stay with your child until they board the ship. In addition, your child will be collected on arrival at the scheduled departure time. The receiving parent will need to show identification.
Etihad Airways cabin crew will ensure your child has a safe and enjoyable journey. Entertainment abounds with the E-BOX and activity pack. Children will need to bring their own mobile phone or tablet to watch the E-BOX on our A320 or A321 aircraft.
Children under the age of 5 are not eligible for our Unaccompanied Minor service and must travel accompanied by a parent or guardian. The guardian must have the child’s parents’ permission, be over 18 years old and travel in the same cabin as their parents.
What to do before your child flies alone
Before you leave for the airport, make sure your child has all the paperwork they need for the flight, including passport, visa and health documents. Make sure you also have a printed copy of the completed Unaccompanied Minor form to hand.
Children must arrive and check in at the airport at least two hours before departure. Parents must remain at the airport until their child’s flight has departed.
Connecting flights
Your child will continue to enjoy our service as long as Etihad Airways operates the connecting flight. If you are connecting to another Etihad Airways flight, your child will be collected from Abu Dhabi and escorted to the lounge.
Baggage allowance, seating
As the child is travelling on an adult fare, their baggage allowance will be as per the standard baggage policy. Parents can also reserve their child’s seat any time after booking tickets up to one hour before they fly. Otherwise, the airline will automatically allocate a seat for free.
