Flying is an adventure, especially for young travelers! If you're looking to book a flight for a child on Southwest Airlines who will be traveling without an adult, you've come to the right place. Southwest has specific policies and procedures for "Unaccompanied Minors" (ages 5-11) and "Young Travelers" (ages 12-17). Let's dive in and make this a smooth process for everyone involved!
Step 1: Understand Southwest's Young Traveler Policies – Are You Ready for Takeoff?
Before you even think about booking, it's crucial to understand Southwest's rules for young travelers. This isn't just about getting a ticket; it's about ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for your child.
What's the Difference Between an "Unaccompanied Minor" and a "Young Traveler"?
Unaccompanied Minor (UM) - Ages 5-11: Southwest Airlines considers children aged 5 through 11 traveling without an accompanying adult (someone 12 years or older) as Unaccompanied Minors. For these young ones, the Unaccompanied Minor service is mandatory. This service provides a level of supervision and assistance from Southwest Employees throughout their journey.
Young Traveler - Ages 12-17: Children aged 12 through 17 are considered "Young Travelers" and are generally allowed to travel alone on Southwest flights without the mandatory Unaccompanied Minor service. However, it's important to note that Southwest does not provide continuous supervision for these older children. They are expected to be mature and capable of navigating the airport and flight process independently, including checking in, going through security, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage. While they can fly solo without the UM fee, parents/guardians are still responsible for ensuring they arrive on time and have the means to contact them if there are any travel disruptions.
Key Restrictions and Requirements for Unaccompanied Minors (Ages 5-11):
Nonstop or Direct Flights Only: Unaccompanied Minors can only fly on nonstop flights or direct flights that do not require a change of planes. They are not permitted on itineraries with connecting flights. This is a critical point for their safety and ease of travel.
No International Travel: Southwest does not permit Unaccompanied Minors to fly to or from international destinations.
Service Charge: There is a mandatory Unaccompanied Minor service charge for each way of travel. Be prepared to pay this fee when booking. As of recent information, this fee is typically $100 one-way for U.S. Mainland travel and $35 one-way for interisland Hawaii travel. This fee is per child, per way.
Maturity Level: Southwest emphasizes that only children with sufficient maturity who are able to travel with limited adult supervision should fly as an Unaccompanied Minor. They should be capable of asking a Flight Attendant for help if needed.
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| How Do I Book A Young Traveler On Southwest Airlines |
Step 2: Gathering the Essentials – Prepare for a Smooth Booking
Once you've confirmed that your child meets Southwest's criteria for a young traveler, it's time to gather all the necessary information. Having this ready will make the booking process much smoother.
Information You'll Need:
Child's Full Name and Date of Birth: Ensure this matches their identification exactly.
Flight Details: Desired departure and arrival airports, dates, and times. Remember, for Unaccompanied Minors (5-11), it must be a nonstop or direct flight without a plane change.
Parent/Guardian Information (Dropping Off):
Full Name
Relationship to the child
Address
Phone numbers (including area code)
Valid Photo ID (required at the airport)
Receiving Party Information (Picking Up at Destination):
Full Name
Relationship to the child
Address
Phone numbers (including area code)
Important: They will need to present a valid photo ID at the airport to pick up the child.
Alternate Receiving Party Information (at Destination - Optional but Recommended):
Full Name
Relationship to the child
Address
Phone numbers (including area code)
Payment Information: For the flight ticket and the Unaccompanied Minor service charge (if applicable).
Documentation to Prepare:
Child's Proof of Age: While not always required for boarding, it's highly recommended to carry a copy of the child's birth certificate or passport, especially for Unaccompanied Minors, as Southwest may ask for age verification.
Copies of Itinerary: Have multiple copies for yourself, the child, and the receiving party.
QuickTip: Reread for hidden meaning.
Step 3: Booking the Ticket – Your Journey Begins!
Now for the main event – booking the flight! Southwest offers a few ways to do this for young travelers.
Option A: Booking Online (for Unaccompanied Minors Ages 5-11)
Yes, you can book Unaccompanied Minors online at Southwest.com!
Go to Southwest.com: Navigate to the official Southwest Airlines website.
Enter Flight Information: Fill in the departure and arrival airports, dates, and number of passengers. Crucially, select the correct number of children traveling.
Specify Child's Age: During the booking process, you will be prompted to enter the child's date of birth. This is where Southwest's system identifies them as an Unaccompanied Minor if they are between 5 and 11 years old.
Unaccompanied Minor Service Charge: The system will automatically add the mandatory Unaccompanied Minor service charge to your total.
Provide Contact Information: You will be required to input the detailed contact information for both the drop-off and pick-up individuals (including the alternate, if desired). Accuracy here is paramount!
Review and Purchase: Carefully review all flight details, passenger information, and fees before finalizing the purchase.
Option B: Booking via Phone or at the Ticket Counter (Recommended for First-Timers or Complex Situations)
While online booking is convenient, if you're new to this or have specific questions, booking by phone or in person can offer extra peace of mind.
Call Southwest Airlines Reservations: Dial their customer service number. This is often the best route for personalized assistance.
State Your Intent: Clearly inform the representative that you wish to book a flight for a young traveler who will be traveling alone (specifying if they are an Unaccompanied Minor or a Young Traveler).
Provide Details: Have all the information gathered in Step 2 readily available to provide to the agent. They will guide you through the process, ensuring all necessary fields are completed.
Confirm Policies: Don't hesitate to ask the agent to reconfirm the Unaccompanied Minor policies, fees, and procedures.
Receive Confirmation: Once booked, ensure you receive a confirmation email with all the itinerary details.
Step 4: Preparing Your Young Traveler – The Big Day Approaches!
The booking is done, but the preparation isn't over! This step is about getting your child ready for their independent travel experience.
What to Pack:
Small, Manageable Carry-On: Something they can easily carry themselves, containing essentials like a change of clothes, a favorite book or small toy, and any necessary medications.
Snacks and Water Bottle: While some snacks might be available for purchase on board, having their own familiar snacks and a refillable water bottle is a great idea.
Contact Information: A written list of important phone numbers for you, the receiving party, and any emergency contacts. Ensure they know where this is and understand its importance.
A Fully Charged Phone/Tablet (Optional): For entertainment and communication, but with a clear understanding of airline rules regarding electronics.
Important Documents in a Visible Pouch: For Unaccompanied Minors, Southwest will provide a special lanyard and pouch for their itinerary and UM paperwork. Ensure this is worn visibly.
Discussing the Journey:
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
Talk Through the Process: Explain each step of the journey: check-in, security, finding their gate, boarding, the flight itself, and meeting the receiving party.
Who to Ask for Help: Emphasize that Flight Attendants are there to help them. Teach them how to politely get attention or use the call button if they need assistance.
Stranger Danger: Reinforce the importance of only interacting with uniformed airline personnel and not wandering off with strangers.
Stay Calm: Reassure them that it's normal to feel a little nervous, but they will be well-cared for.
Step 5: Day of Travel – From Drop-Off to Take-Off
The day is here! Following these steps will help ensure a smooth departure.
Arriving at the Airport:
Arrive Early: For Unaccompanied Minors, arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time. This allows ample time for check-in and security. For Young Travelers (12-17), typical airport arrival recommendations apply (usually 1.5-2 hours for domestic flights).
Head to the Southwest Ticket Counter: This is where you'll initiate the Unaccompanied Minor process (if applicable) and get a gate pass.
Obtain a Gate Pass (for Unaccompanied Minors): As the dropping-off parent/guardian for an Unaccompanied Minor, you must obtain a gate pass from the Southwest ticket counter. This pass will allow you to go through security and accompany your child to the departure gate. You will need to show a valid photo ID to get this pass.
At the Gate:
Check-in with Gate Agent: Once you're at the gate, immediately check in with a Southwest Gate Agent and inform them that you are dropping off an Unaccompanied Minor.
Verify Paperwork: The agent will review the Unaccompanied Minor form and ensure all information matches the child's itinerary. This form will be placed in the special lanyard that the child must wear.
Pre-Boarding: Unaccompanied Minors typically board the aircraft before general boarding begins. An Employee will escort your child onto the plane and introduce them to the Flight Attendant who will be responsible for them.
Stay Until Take-Off: You must remain in the gate area until the child's flight is in the air. The Gate Agent will inform you when it's safe to leave.
Notify Receiving Party: It's a good idea to call the person picking up the child to let them know the flight has departed.
Step 6: Arrival and Pick-Up – A Happy Reunion!
The final stage of the journey involves a safe and efficient pick-up at the destination.
Role of the Receiving Party:
Arrive Early: The designated receiving party should arrive at the destination airport at least 45 minutes prior to the flight's scheduled arrival time. Factor in time for parking, checking in, and passing through security.
Head to the Southwest Ticket Counter for Gate Pass: Similar to the drop-off process, the receiving party must obtain a gate pass from the Southwest ticket counter to meet the child at the gate. They will need to present a valid photo ID.
Check-in with Gate Agent: Upon reaching the gate, the receiving party should immediately check in with a Southwest Gate Agent and inform them they are picking up an Unaccompanied Minor.
ID Verification: The Gate Agent will verify the identity of the receiving party against the information provided during the booking process.
Child Escort: A Southwest Employee will escort the Unaccompanied Minor off the aircraft and release them only to the authorized receiving party after verifying their identification.
Baggage Claim (if applicable): If the child checked any luggage, the receiving party will then assist them with baggage claim.
By following these steps, you can ensure your young traveler has a safe, comfortable, and memorable experience flying solo on Southwest Airlines.
10 Related FAQ Questions
QuickTip: Pause at transitions — they signal new ideas.
How to book a flight for a young traveler on Southwest Airlines?
You can book flights for young travelers (including Unaccompanied Minors ages 5-11 and Young Travelers ages 12-17) directly on Southwest.com by selecting the appropriate number of children and their ages, or by calling Southwest Airlines Reservations or visiting a ticket counter.
How to determine if my child needs to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest?
Children aged 5 through 11 traveling without an adult aged 12 or older are required to travel as Unaccompanied Minors. Children aged 12-17 are considered Young Travelers and can travel alone without the mandatory UM service.
How to find out the Unaccompanied Minor fee for Southwest Airlines?
The Unaccompanied Minor service charge for Southwest Airlines is typically $100 one-way for U.S. Mainland travel and $35 one-way for interisland Hawaii travel, per child. This fee is automatically added when booking an Unaccompanied Minor.
How to ensure my Unaccompanied Minor has a nonstop flight on Southwest?
When booking online, ensure you select only nonstop flight options. If booking by phone, explicitly state that your Unaccompanied Minor requires a nonstop or direct flight without a change of planes, as connecting flights are not permitted for UMs.
How to obtain a gate pass to drop off or pick up an Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest?
Both the dropping-off and picking-up parent/guardian for an Unaccompanied Minor must go to the Southwest ticket counter at the airport and present a valid photo ID to obtain a gate pass to access the departure/arrival gate.
Tip: Avoid distractions — stay in the post.
How to prepare my child for traveling as an Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest?
Pack a manageable carry-on with essentials, provide written contact information, discuss the airport and flight process, and emphasize that they should ask uniformed Flight Attendants or Southwest Employees for help if needed.
How to check in an Unaccompanied Minor at the airport for a Southwest flight?
Arrive at the Southwest ticket counter at least 2 hours before departure. Inform the agent you are checking in an Unaccompanied Minor, present your ID, and they will assist with the necessary paperwork and provide a gate pass.
How to ensure my child is safe during a Southwest flight as an Unaccompanied Minor?
Southwest Employees will escort Unaccompanied Minors onto the plane and introduce them to the Flight Attendant. While not continuously monitored, Flight Attendants will check on them periodically. The child will be released only to the authorized receiving party upon arrival.
How to pick up an Unaccompanied Minor at the destination on Southwest Airlines?
The designated receiving party must arrive at the airport at least 45 minutes before arrival, obtain a gate pass from the Southwest ticket counter with a valid photo ID, and check in with the gate agent to receive the child.
How to contact Southwest Airlines for specific questions about young travelers?
For any specific or complex questions about booking young travelers or their policies, it is highly recommended to contact Southwest Airlines Reservations directly by phone.
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