Unaccompanied minors flying: here are the airlines that allow it and the rules to follow

Spring-summer is travel time, and traveling by air is an exciting experience granted even to the boys and underage girls who have to take a flight unaccompanied For family, vacation or study purposes.

To date many airlines Allow minors to travel alone, provided, however, that certain rules and conditions are met varying from vector to vector. In addition, service rates for the unaccompanied minors vary according to the age and itinerary of the child.

Let's find out, among the major European flag carriers that fly unaccompanied minors, what rules they have in place.

Unaccompanied minors on ITA Airways

The service is called "Unaccompanied minor" and concerns minors aged between 5 and 13 years old departing for domestic destinations and children between 5 and 14 years old for international destinations, traveling alone or with an accompanying minor or accompanied by an adult on a different class of travel.

When checking in-as stated on the ITA Airways website-you must have the following documents:

• one photocopy of identification document Of the person accompanying the child to the airport
• a document of the child valid for travel
• the unaccompanied minor form "AFFIDAVIT" completed and in the case of international travel of a child under 14 years of age:

1. for minors under the age of 14 in possession of an Italian nationality document, a Declaration of Accompaniment signed by the parents or guardian and endorsed by the Questura (or abroad by the Italian Consulate or Embassy) is required for expatriation from the place of residence, where the name of the airline to which the minors are entrusted must be indicated. The form is available only in Italian;
2. for minors with documents of other nationalities (non-Italian), you need to check on the website of the Embassy or Consulate of your country of destination.

Minor passengers who are traveling alone and are over the age to use the mandatory service can apply for service activation: "Voluntary unaccompanied minor."

Also, for children traveling alone, at Fiumicino Airport's Terminal 1, the Lounge Fantasy: a 120 square meter space open every day of the week from 05:30 to 22:00, fully available to small flyers, with many services dedicated to unaccompanied minors.

It is called Kids Solo the service proposed by Air France for the children traveling alone. Thanks to this service, children between the ages of 4 and 17 for the domestic flights and among the 5 and 17 years old For international flights, they can travel alone.

On flights in metropolitan France, children 4 to 11 years old inclusive who travel alone must be compulsorily registered as unaccompanied minors (UM - Unaccompanied Minor). They are assisted by Air France staff and take advantage of the Kids Solo service. This service is included in the ticket price.

Unaccompanied minors on British Airways

BA allows Only children at least 14 years of age to travel alonei, on domestic or international flights.

While children under the age of 14 are not allowed to travel alone. To travel, they must be accompanied by an adult at least 16 years of age who is on the same or related reservation.

British Airways, the company specifies, "assumes no parental responsibility regarding children traveling alone."

Children must be able to move independently at departure and arrival airports and travel unaccompanied.

Here are the necessary documents for children at least 14 years old:

• the consent form Boys traveling unaccompanied, completed and signed by a parent/guardian.
• copy of an identity document with photograph and signature of the parent/guardian who completed the consent form, e.g., passport or driver's license;
• All necessary travel documentation such as passport, visa and return trip ticket (if needed).

In addition, children must always travel with:

• The necessary Health certificates and/or medications.
• means of payment, valid abroad, for any expenses;
• a cell phone to communicate with the parent or guardian and the person he or she will meet at the destination. Phones and devices must be fully charged, with sufficient credit and active international roaming for overseas travel.

Unaccompanied minors on KLM

The service "Unaccompanied Minors" is mandatory for children aged 5 to 14 years old traveling alone. While for children aged 15 to 17 inclusive, the service is optional. If you decide not to book the service, the child will be considered as an adult passenger.

Mandatory or optional Unaccompanied Minor service is booked through the KLM website. It is necessary to book the service at least 24 hours before departure.

The cost of the Unaccompanied Minor service is the price of an adult ticket, plus a service surcharge. For direct flights, the surcharge is between 100 euros and 150 euros. The surcharge for all flights with transit is between 200 euros and 300 euros. For round-trip flights, the surcharge cost is double).

Unaccompanied minors on Iberia

With Ibera, the service must be booked at least 48 hours in advance of the departure time. Again, this is mandatory for children ages 5 to 11, and optional for those ages 12 to 17.

In conclusion

These are just a few of the European companies that allow children and teens to travel alone, the list also includes the companies low cost, as Ryanair e Wizz Air.  In particular Ryanair not Allows the boarding of unaccompanied minors under 16 years of age. I minori between 14 and 16 years of age possible to travel when accompanied by an adult and devant to carry a personal identification document. While in Wizz Air Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult At least 16 years of age. No services are provided to unaccompanied minors on board.

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