Kids travelling alone can be stressful for a parent. However, every popular airline worldwide has a separate policy for kids or minors travelling alone. This policy is named the Unaccompanied Minor Policy, stating rules and regulations for booking flights for kids below 15 years, and the airline ensures kids’ safety and comfortable journey throughout the flight. One such amazing airline is Southwest, which understands the heat of the situation and ensures your child’s safety and well-being at every step of their journey. Knowing and understanding the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Travel Policy is crucial for parents and guardians when arranging air travel for their kids. If you are willing to book your kids’ first trip with SouthWest Airlines, you are surely in the right place. This guide will teach you all the aspects and key highlights of Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy.
Understanding the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy
SouthWest Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minor Policy is a comprehensive guide that ensures your child’s safety and a great travelling experience. The airline strives to provide its best services to make your child comfortable while travelling alone. However, there are certain rules and regulations to which the passengers need to adhere. Let’s walk through these rules and regulations in detail:
- Children under 5 to 11 are considered Unaccompanied Minors, while children 12 to 17 are Young Travellers. Hence, the Unaccompanied Minor program is only available for children aged 5 to 11.
- All Minors below 17 cannot fly on international or connecting flights.
- Ensure reserving your child for a non-stop flight or a flight with stops that don’t require changing planes.
- Minors are not monitored continuously but periodically. Hence, children with enough maturity and requiring limited adult supervision can travel unaccompanied with Southwest.
- You will be charged a service fee for Unaccompanied Minor travel.
Services Provided by the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy
SouthWest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy is a set of services working together to ensure a secure, smooth, and comfortable flying experience. Let’s walk through these services in detail:
- On arrival at the airport, a Southwest representative assists the Minor with check-in. Proper documentation is also checked to ensure the young traveller is handled with care.
- Minors get priority boarding for properly settling into their seats comfortably in flight.
- The child is introduced to the flight attendants as an unaccompanied minor, and the crew looks out for the child throughout the journey without interfering much with their space.
- While de-boarding, Southwest handovers the Minor to the authorized Guardian per the documents.
The Airline has strict processes to ensure the child is safely reunited with the family, reflecting Southwest’s care for the child’s security. Apart from this, the policy also highlights certain protocols regarding drop-off and pickup.
As the Guardian or parents, you must adhere to certain points to make the Young traveller’s trip calm and easy. It is a prerequisite that you and the Guardian responsible for pickup are in direct contact with the Airline for anything urgent. Let’s go through these protocols in detail:
While Drop-off
- Reach the airport at least 45 minutes before your flight departure. Check in with the Airline representative and inform them you are dropping off a UM.
- Provide the required documentation received at the ticket counter.
- The form will be attached to a UM lanyard, which the child must wear at all times while onboard.
- You will have to wait till the flight takes off, you will be informed when to leave.
- Then, inform the individual designated for pickup at the destination about the child’s flight departure.
At Pickup
- Stay updated with the flight’s arrival time. Reach the airport at least 45 minutes before the flight’s arrival for pickup, buying yourself enough time to issue a gate pass at the ticket counter.
- You must possess a valid ID and your child’s flight details to obtain a gate pass.
Understanding the Procedures for Booking SouthWest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Services
Now that you have gathered all the necessary information for Unaccompanied Minor’s effective travel with Southwest Airlines, making an effective booking is essential. Southwest provides simplified methods to purchase a UM ticket either online or offline. Follow the step-by-step guide to do so:
Via Website
- Visit Southwest’s official website www.southwest.com
- Book the tickets using a procedure similar to that of a normal traveller.
- Fill the details of the child and follow the website’s prompts
- While checking out, you’ll be asked if an adult accompanies the child.
- If not, they will automatically be considered as Unaccompanied Minor.
- Proceed to make payment, and you’re done.
Via Call
- Dial Southwest’s Unaccompanied Minor Booking Phone Number.
- When connected to the representative, provide the child’s details
- You will be asked to submit the required documents to make a reservation.
- After successful booking, the agent will confirm it and send you the itinerary via text or mail.
At Airport Kiosk
Alternatively, you can make the reservation at the airport desk and ask the representative to assist you. Provide the details and documents; they will book your child’s ticket immediately.
Analysis of the Unaccompanied Minor Travel Fee
Parents or Guardians must pay the Unaccompanied Minor fee for each minor travelling, which is quite affordable. Along with the airfare, the fee of $50 for one-way (or $100—round trip) is applicable for availing of Unaccompanied Minor Service.
The Summary
Parents and guardians willing to book air travel for their kids under 12 years old with Southwest Airlines must be aware of the Unaccompanied Minor Policy. Southwest Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minor Policy is a comprehensive guide stating specific instructions or requirements that parents and guardians must follow to ensure a safe and secure air travel experience for their kids.
Therefore, parents and guardians must follow each tip and step highlighted in this guide to enhance their kids’ first air travel with Southwest.
