Unaccompanied Minors
Home Preparation and Safety Unaccompanied Minors
Traveling under the age of 15
Travelers under the age of 15 are typically required to enroll in an “Unaccompanied Minor” service. The rules and requirements for these services vary by airline, so it is important to review the airline’s policies before booking airfare. Understanding how the service works and how to properly set it up will help ensure your teen’s travel experience goes as smoothly as possible. For many younger travelers, this may be their first time flying independently, and Travel For Teens wants to make sure it is a safe and positive experience.
If your traveler is required to fly as an unaccompanied minor, please contact Travel For Teens ahead of time so we can coordinate with you and ensure we have the appropriate staff available at the departure and arrival airports. When a student travels as an unaccompanied minor, additional coordination is often required at the airport. In some cases, we may need to schedule additional staff to assist with these responsibilities. If additional staffing is required, any related costs may be billed to the parent.
For parents dropping off an Unaccompanied Minor on an unchaperoned flight, you should be prepared to escort your child to the gate using a gate pass issued by the airline and remain at the airport until the airline has taken full responsibility for your child. Please note that Travel For Teens staff are not able to escort unaccompanied minors through security or to the gate for parent drop-offs on unchaperoned group flights.
Opting in to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor (ages 15-17)
Travelers ages 15 to 17 are not required to use the Unaccompanied Minor service with the airlines we typically use. However, many airlines allow travelers in this age group to opt in to the service voluntarily. Some families choose to use the service for first-time or less experienced travelers for additional peace of mind. As always, Travel For Teens is happy to help you understand the process!
If you decide to opt in to the service, you will need to follow the rules and requirements set by the airline. The details of Unaccompanied Minor services vary from one airline to another, so it is important to review the airline’s policies before booking airfare.
Please also contact Travel For Teens ahead of time so we can coordinate with you and ensure we have the appropriate staff available to manage the additional responsibilities at the departure and arrival airports. When a student travels as an unaccompanied minor, extra coordination is often required at the airport. In some cases, we may need to schedule additional staff to assist with these responsibilities. If additional staffing is required, any related costs may be billed to the parent.
Understanding how the Unaccompanied Minor service works and how to properly set it up will help ensure your teen’s travel experience runs smoothly. For many travelers, this may be their first time flying independently, and Travel For Teens wants to make sure it is a safe and positive experience!
Booking Flights Through Travel For Teens
Families who choose to book flights through Travel For Teens will receive support from our flight booking partners when coordinating their traveler’s flights and any required Unaccompanied Minor service. Our agents can assist with adding the service to the reservation, understanding airline-specific requirements, and ensuring the appropriate pickup person information is included.
If a pickup person must be listed at the time of booking, a temporary placeholder contact may be added and updated once Travel For Teens provides the confirmed staff information closer to departure.
Our agents can also assist with managing airline schedule changes and ensuring the traveler’s flights align with the designated group flight path when applicable.
Families who choose to book flights independently will be responsible for arranging the Unaccompanied Minor service directly with the airline and ensuring all required information is submitted according to the airline’s policies.
Support at Every Step: Booking Options Compared
| Booking Through TFT ($200 Booking Fee) |
Booking Independently | |
| UM Setup | We handle the airline requirements and pickup details for you. | You must coordinate all UM paperwork and fees directly with the airline. |
| Pickup Info | We use a placeholder and update the airline once staff is confirmed. | You must provide a “fill-in” contact and manually update it later. |
| Schedule Changes | Our agents handle all airline communications, delays, or re-bookings. | You are responsible for navigating all airline delays or cancellations. |
| Hub Support | Full Support: TFT staff are on-site at JFK, MIA, LAX, and SEA to assist. | Staff are at hubs, but cannot meet your traveler at your specific home airport. |
| Peace of Mind | 24/7 dedicated support chat from booking until arrival. | You manage all logistics and emergencies directly with the airline. Of course, we are always here to offer any support! |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor with an airline?
Traveling as a “UM” with an airline means that the airline will personally monitor a minor throughout the duration of a flight.
It also means that a designated adult must remain in the airport until the flight is in the air, and then once they land at their destination a designated adult must sign for their release.
All airlines have their own unique rules and requirements for the Unaccompanied Minor service. Travel For Teens works hard to stay informed, but airlines can change these policies at anytime. We always recommend going to the airline in question directly for their requirements and restrictions.
Traveling as a “UM” with an airline means that the airline will personally monitor a minor throughout the duration of a flight.
It also means that a designated adult must remain in the airport until the flight is in the air, and then once they land at their destination a designated adult must sign for their release.
All airlines have their own unique rules and requirements for the Unaccompanied Minor service. Travel For Teens works hard to stay informed, but airlines can change these policies at anytime. We always recommend going to the airline in question directly for their requirements and restrictions.
Do all travelers under 15 need to use the Unaccompanied Minor service?
Most major U.S. airlines require travelers under the age of 15 to use the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service when flying without a parent or guardian. However, policies vary by airline, so it is important to review the specific airline’s requirements before booking airfare.
If your traveler is flying on the designated group flight path into or out of a hub airport, the Unaccompanied Minor service will likely be required if they are under 15. Travel For Teens is happy to help guide families through this process.
Most major U.S. airlines require travelers under the age of 15 to use the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service when flying without a parent or guardian. However, policies vary by airline, so it is important to review the specific airline’s requirements before booking airfare.
If your traveler is flying on the designated group flight path into or out of a hub airport, the Unaccompanied Minor service will likely be required if they are under 15. Travel For Teens is happy to help guide families through this process.
What are parents responsible for?
Once an airline ticket is purchased through Travel For Teens where a UM service is required or will be used, a parent or guardian will need to contact the airline to formally arrange this service.
Although this service can be set up at the airport on the travel day, we strongly recommend doing it a week in advance. This will help prevent travel stress for both you and your teen.
Most airlines will charge a fee ranging from $150 – $300 for this service.
Travel For Teens cannot set up this service since we do not have legal custody over your child, but we will be happy to help in any way we can.
Tickets purchased directly from Travel For Teens do not include any fees associated with the airlines unaccompanied minor costs.
Parents of Unaccompanied Minors must be prepared to stay with their child at the airport until the airline gives permission for the parent to leave the airport.
Once an airline ticket is purchased through Travel For Teens where a UM service is required or will be used, a parent or guardian will need to contact the airline to formally arrange this service.
Although this service can be set up at the airport on the travel day, we strongly recommend doing it a week in advance. This will help prevent travel stress for both you and your teen.
Most airlines will charge a fee ranging from $150 – $300 for this service.
Travel For Teens cannot set up this service since we do not have legal custody over your child, but we will be happy to help in any way we can.
Tickets purchased directly from Travel For Teens do not include any fees associated with the airlines unaccompanied minor costs.
Parents of Unaccompanied Minors must be prepared to stay with their child at the airport until the airline gives permission for the parent to leave the airport.
What can I expect from Travel For Teens?
The specific Travel For Teens staff person meeting your child may not be finalized until one week before their flight. We appreciate your patience and will provide their required contact information once it is finalized.
At the time you book your child as an unaccompanied minor, we may be able to give you the name of the designated adult we expect to be in charge on that day but please know that name could change. You can typically update the designated adult details with the airline right up until check in. However, changing this person after the flight has taken off is very difficult.
Once the service is set up with the airline, you can expect Travel For Teens staff to do their part in meeting and/or escorting your child through the airport.
We are always happy to answer questions about this service, how to make the arrangements and what to expect when you get to the airport.
The specific Travel For Teens staff person meeting your child may not be finalized until one week before their flight. We appreciate your patience and will provide their required contact information once it is finalized.
At the time you book your child as an unaccompanied minor, we may be able to give you the name of the designated adult we expect to be in charge on that day but please know that name could change. You can typically update the designated adult details with the airline right up until check in. However, changing this person after the flight has taken off is very difficult.
Once the service is set up with the airline, you can expect Travel For Teens staff to do their part in meeting and/or escorting your child through the airport.
We are always happy to answer questions about this service, how to make the arrangements and what to expect when you get to the airport.
Who is listed as the pickup person for my traveler?
Airlines require a designated pickup person for travelers using the Unaccompanied Minor service. For outbound flights, the pickup person will typically be a Travel For Teens staff member at the arrival airport. For return flights, the pickup person is usually a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult.
Travel For Teens provides the confirmed pickup person information closer to departure to ensure the most accurate staff details are given to the airline.
Airlines require a designated pickup person for travelers using the Unaccompanied Minor service. For outbound flights, the pickup person will typically be a Travel For Teens staff member at the arrival airport. For return flights, the pickup person is usually a parent, guardian, or another trusted adult.
Travel For Teens provides the confirmed pickup person information closer to departure to ensure the most accurate staff details are given to the airline.
When will I receive the Travel For Teens pickup person information?
Travel For Teens provides the confirmed pickup person information approximately one week before departure. This allows us to ensure that the correct staff member is listed with the airline based on final travel logistics and staffing assignments.
If the airline requires a pickup person at the time of booking, families may enter a temporary contact (such as a parent or guardian) and update the reservation once Travel For Teens provides the confirmed staff information.
Travel For Teens provides the confirmed pickup person information approximately one week before departure. This allows us to ensure that the correct staff member is listed with the airline based on final travel logistics and staffing assignments.
If the airline requires a pickup person at the time of booking, families may enter a temporary contact (such as a parent or guardian) and update the reservation once Travel For Teens provides the confirmed staff information.
