Have you ever wondered at what age your child can embark on a solo adventure with Southwest Airlines? Perhaps you're a parent planning for a family separation due to college, a summer camp, or a visit to relatives. It's a question many parents grapple with – the balance between fostering independence and ensuring safety. Let's delve deep into Southwest Airlines' policies regarding children flying alone, ensuring you have all the information you need for a smooth and stress-free journey for your young traveler.
Understanding Southwest's Policies for Young Travelers
Southwest Airlines categorizes young passengers flying alone into two distinct groups: Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) and Young Travelers (YTs). The policies and services provided for each group differ significantly, primarily based on age and the level of supervision Southwest provides.
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| How Old Do You Have To Be To Fly Alone On Southwest Airlines |
Step 1: Determine Your Child's Age Category – The First Crucial Step!
Before you do anything else, the absolute first step is to figure out which category your child falls into. This will dictate everything from booking procedures to airport protocols.
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Unaccompanied Minors (UMs): Ages 5-11
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Children in this age range must travel as Unaccompanied Minors if they are flying alone. This service is mandatory for their safety and well-being.
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Southwest provides a dedicated service for UMs, ensuring they are escorted by Southwest Employees throughout their journey, from check-in to pick-up at their destination.
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There is a mandatory Unaccompanied Minor service charge for each way of travel.
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Young Travelers (YTs): Ages 12-17
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Children in this age range are considered Young Travelers. While they can travel alone, Southwest's Unaccompanied Minor procedures do not apply to them.
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A Young Traveler is expected to have sufficient maturity and capability to travel independently, handling tasks like checking in, navigating security, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage without constant adult supervision or assistance from Southwest Employees.
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There is no mandatory service provided by Southwest for YTs, although they are still subject to certain travel restrictions.
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Children Under 5 Years Old:
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Children under five years of age are not permitted to travel alone on Southwest Airlines. They must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 12 years old.
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Step 2: Understanding Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Travel (Ages 5-11)
If your child is between 5 and 11 years old and flying solo, this section is vital. Southwest's Unaccompanied Minor service is designed to provide a secure and supervised travel experience.
Sub-heading: Booking Your Unaccompanied Minor's Flight
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Direct or Non-Stop Flights Only: Unaccompanied Minors are only allowed on non-stop or direct flights that do not require a change of aircraft. This is a critical restriction to ensure their safety and minimize potential complications during connections.
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How to Book: You can book an Unaccompanied Minor's reservation online at Southwest.com, with a Southwest Employee at the ticket counter, or by phone through Southwest Reservations. When booking online, you'll be prompted to indicate if the child is traveling without an adult over 12.
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Unaccompanied Minor Service Charge: Be prepared to pay the UM service charge for each way of travel. This fee is in addition to the regular airfare. Multiple UMs traveling together on the same reservation will each incur this charge.
Sub-heading: Preparing Your Unaccompanied Minor for Travel
QuickTip: Go back if you lost the thread.
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Essential Information: When making the reservation, you'll need to provide the following information:
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The child's full name
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Your relationship to the child
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The child's address
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Telephone number(s) for both the originating and destination contacts
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The child's date of birth
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Documentation: You must have a valid, government-issued ID (such as a birth certificate or passport) for the child to verify their age at check-in.
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Copies of Itinerary: Make copies of the itinerary for both the UM and the person picking them up at the destination.
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Packing Smart: Pack a small bag with essentials like snacks, a book or entertainment, a comfort item, and any necessary medications (with clear instructions). Ensure the child knows not to wander off and to ask a Southwest Employee if they need anything.
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Talk to Your Child: Prepare your child for the experience. Explain that they will be looked after by airline staff, what to expect at the airport, and how to behave on the plane. Emphasize that they should always follow instructions from Southwest Employees.
Sub-heading: Dropping Off Your Unaccompanied Minor at the Airport
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Arrive Early: It's crucial to arrive at the airport well in advance of the scheduled departure time. Review Southwest's suggested airport arrival times.
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Ticket Counter Check-in: Unaccompanied Minors cannot check in online or at a self-service kiosk. You must check in at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter.
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Required Documentation: At the ticket counter, you will need to present your valid government-issued ID and the child's valid government-issued ID (birth certificate or passport). You will also complete and sign an Unaccompanied Minor form (Southwest WN-1061).
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Gate Pass: If you wish to accompany your child to the gate, you can request a gate pass at the ticket counter. You will need to show a valid, government-issued ID to obtain this pass. It's highly recommended to accompany your child to the gate and wait until the flight has departed.
Sub-heading: Onboard Expectations for the Unaccompanied Minor
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Preboarding: Unaccompanied Minors will typically preboard the aircraft, allowing them to settle in before other passengers.
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Flight Attendant Supervision: While onboard, Flight Attendants will be aware of the Unaccompanied Minor and will provide general oversight. However, they are not dedicated chaperones and cannot provide constant, one-on-one supervision. The child must be mature enough to follow instructions and alert a Flight Attendant if they need assistance.
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No Monitoring During Flight: Southwest does not monitor UMs during the flight in the sense of constant vigilance. The child is expected to be able to follow instructions and communicate their needs.
Sub-heading: Picking Up Your Unaccompanied Minor at the Airport
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Arrive Early: The designated person picking up the UM must arrive at the destination airport at least 45 minutes prior to the scheduled arrival time.
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Gate Pass for Pick-up: To meet the UM at the gate, the pick-up person will need to go to the Southwest ticket counter to obtain a gate pass. A valid, government-issued ID will be required.
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Identification Verification: The Southwest Employee at the gate will verify the identity of the pick-up person against the information provided at the time of booking.
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Communication: Notify the person who dropped off the UM at the originating city once the child has been safely picked up.
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Flight Irregularities: In the event of a flight delay, diversion, or cancellation, the Unaccompanied Minor will remain under the care of Southwest Airlines until they can be reunited with their designated pick-up person. Ensure the contact numbers provided are active and reachable.
Step 3: Navigating Young Traveler (YT) Travel (Ages 12-17)
For children aged 12-17 traveling alone on Southwest, the process is considerably different. Southwest considers these individuals capable of independent travel.
Sub-heading: Key Considerations for Young Travelers
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No Special Service: As mentioned, Southwest does not offer a specific "Young Traveler" service with dedicated supervision. YTs are treated as adult passengers in terms of airport navigation and onboard expectations.
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Maturity is Key: Southwest explicitly states that a Young Traveler must possess the maturity and capability to travel alone. This includes:
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Checking in for their flight
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Navigating through security checkpoints
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Boarding the aircraft
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Deplaning independently
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Claiming their luggage
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Knowing how to request assistance from a Southwest Employee if needed.
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Domestic Flights Only: Young Travelers cannot fly to or from international destinations alone on Southwest Airlines.
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No Overnight Connections: Itineraries for Young Travelers cannot involve overnight connections.
Sub-heading: Making a Reservation for a Young Traveler
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
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Online Booking: You can typically book Young Traveler flights online without special unaccompanied minor prompts, as they are considered adult passengers by the system.
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Information Needed: You'll still need the child's full name, your relationship to the child, their address, telephone number(s), and date of birth. By purchasing the ticket, you affirm you are the parent/guardian or authorized to act on their behalf.
Sub-heading: Preparing a Young Traveler for Their Journey
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Copies of Itinerary: Provide your Young Traveler and the pick-up person with copies of the itinerary.
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Online Check-in/App: Encourage your YT to check in online 24 hours before the flight or consider purchasing EarlyBird Check-In® for a better boarding position. Ensure they have the Southwest app on their phone to monitor flight status.
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ID for Security: While not always strictly required for domestic flights for minors, it is highly recommended that a Young Traveler carries some form of identification, such as a school ID, a copy of their birth certificate, or a non-driver's ID. This can be helpful if there are any questions or issues at security or the gate.
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Airport Navigation: Discuss the airport process with your YT: where to go, how to read departure boards, and what to do if they get lost or their flight is delayed.
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Emergency Contacts: Ensure your YT has readily accessible emergency contact information for both the drop-off and pick-up individuals.
Sub-heading: Airport Procedures for Young Travelers
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Check-in: YTs can check in online, at a kiosk, or at the ticket counter.
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Security: They will go through the security checkpoint like any other adult passenger.
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Gate Pass for Escort: If a parent/guardian wishes to escort a Young Traveler to the gate, they can request a gate pass at the ticket counter, presenting a valid government-issued ID. Staying at the gate until the flight departs is a good practice.
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Arrival: The pick-up person should arrive at the airport early and can proceed to the baggage claim area or, if they have a gate pass, meet the YT at the gate.
Step 4: Crucial Reminders for ALL Young Travelers
Regardless of whether your child is an Unaccompanied Minor or a Young Traveler, remember these important points:
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Communication is Key: Keep lines of communication open with your child, the drop-off person, and the pick-up person throughout the travel day.
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Be Reachable: Ensure that the contact numbers provided to Southwest Airlines are for individuals who will be readily available and can answer their phones during the entire travel period, in case of flight irregularities.
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Southwest Does Not Monitor YTs: It's worth reiterating that Southwest Airlines does not provide monitoring services for Young Travelers (ages 12-17). Their ability to handle unforeseen circumstances is entirely their responsibility.
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Flight Disruptions: In the event of a flight delay, diversion, or cancellation, Unaccompanied Minors will be cared for by Southwest. Young Travelers (12-17) are expected to handle these situations independently, seeking assistance from Southwest Employees as needed.
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Southwest's Right to Refuse Travel: Southwest Airlines reserves the right to refuse travel on flights that may be delayed, diverted, or canceled due to weather or other operational disruptions, particularly for Unaccompanied Minors and Young Travelers, if they deem it unsafe or impractical.
10 Related FAQ Questions (How To's)
How to book a flight for an Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest Airlines?
You can book online at Southwest.com, by calling Southwest Reservations, or at the airport ticket counter. Be sure to select the option indicating the child is traveling alone, and confirm that the flight is non-stop or direct.
Tip: Take mental snapshots of important details.
How to find out the Unaccompanied Minor service charge for Southwest Airlines?
The Unaccompanied Minor service charge is a separate fee applied per child, each way. You can typically find the current pricing on the "Optional Travel Charges" page of the Southwest Airlines website or by asking a Southwest representative when booking.
How to get a gate pass to escort my child to the gate on Southwest Airlines?
To obtain a gate pass, you must go to the Southwest Airlines ticket counter at the airport and present your valid, government-issued ID. Inform the agent you need a gate pass to accompany a minor to their departure gate.
How to prepare my child for flying alone as an Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest?
Talk to your child about what to expect, pack a small bag with essentials, review the airport process, and emphasize the importance of listening to and asking for help from Southwest Employees.
How to ensure my Young Traveler (12-17) is prepared to fly alone on Southwest?
Ensure they have copies of their itinerary, know how to check in, navigate security, and understand to approach a Southwest Employee if they encounter any issues. Provide them with emergency contact numbers.
How to check if a flight is eligible for Unaccompanied Minors on Southwest Airlines?
QuickTip: Revisit posts more than once.
Unaccompanied Minors can only travel on non-stop or direct flights that do not require a change of aircraft. You can confirm this when booking online or by speaking with a Southwest representative.
How to contact Southwest Airlines regarding Unaccompanied Minor policies?
For specific questions or to book an Unaccompanied Minor reservation, you can call Southwest Airlines Reservations or visit their official website's "Help Center" section for information on "Unaccompanied Minors Traveling (Ages 5-11)" or "Young Travelers Traveling Alone (Ages 12-17)."
How to pick up an Unaccompanied Minor at the destination airport on Southwest?
The designated pick-up person must arrive at the airport at least 45 minutes prior to arrival, go to the Southwest ticket counter to obtain a gate pass (with valid ID), and then proceed to the gate to meet the child.
How to handle flight delays or cancellations when my child is flying alone on Southwest?
For Unaccompanied Minors, Southwest will care for them until they can be reunited with their designated pick-up person. For Young Travelers, they are expected to handle disruptions independently, seeking assistance from Southwest Employees. Ensure your contact numbers are reachable.
How to confirm the identity of the person picking up my Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest?
Southwest Airlines requires the designated pick-up person to show a valid, government-issued ID at the gate to verify their identity against the information provided at the time of booking, ensuring the child is released only to the authorized individual.
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