Southwest Airlines is one of the most popular airlines known for its customer service along with safety & security protocols for the passengers. If you are booking seats for minors on Southwest, abide by the airline's policies to ensure a safe & successful travel journey.
Continue reading to find out how to book unaccompanied minor seats, what are the terms & conditions for Southwest unaccompanied minor booking, & other important information regarding the same.
What Is Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Policy?
Planning a trip for kids is a difficult task, but Southwest Make is simple for every parent/guardian. Before making a trip for kids, you should know Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy; it helps you to make the process easy and safe journey for your child.
Here is the list of important policies that you should be aware of for booking a Southwest flight successfully for an unaccompanied minor:
- An unaccompanied minor should be capable enough to travel alone, which includes checking in, boarding, deplaning, passing through security lanes, and claiming baggage without any need for any supervision. This should be true for all types of flights.
- You should note that Southwest won’t monitor young travelers during flights, so again, the minor should be mature enough to ask for assistance from Southwest staff if needed, along with the means to contact a guardian in the case of any sudden disarray in the journey.
- Only purchase minor tickets on Southwest Airlines if you are a parent or guardian of the child or have any authority to act on their behalf as a guardian.
- Southwest reserves all rights not to allow minors to carry on with the flights if they are canceled, delayed, or diverted due to any reasons.
At What Age Can a Child Fly Alone On Southwest Airlines?
If you are making a flight booking on Southwest for children, you should be aware of the terms involved for the different age groups, as discussed below:
For Ages 5 to 11 Year
The children aged between 5 to 11 years, Southwest Airlines allows them to flights to be non-stop or with a single stop but does not have a change of plans. Do note unaccompanied minors won’t be monitored during the travel by any airline cabin crew. So, they have to display sufficient maturity. Only then will they be allowed to travel alone as accompanied minors on Southwest.
For Ages 12 to 17
Southwest Airlines calls this age group “Young Travelers” (for short: YTs). They need to have sufficient maturity to travel alone. Also, they are not able to fly to or from international destinations or if there are flight itineraries involving overnight connections.
Does Southwest Have An Unaccompanied Minor Fee?
Yes, Southwest Airlines charges extra costs for unaccompanied minor service. In the case of booking a Southwest unaccompanied minor seat, you are required to pay around $100 (per minor) one-way for ages between 5 & 11! The exact fares depend upon the route & timings of the journey date. Do check with the airline to get the exact airfares.
Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Boarding & Deboarding Rules
Southwest Airlines is the best option for children traveling alone as they have dedicated rules for each. Below are all the important terms and conditions you should be aware of to ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements for Southwest minors booking.
Southwest UMNR Drop-Off Requirements
On the day of the flight, you are required to accompany your child through security all the way to the departure gate. You will be able to do the same by carrying a Non-passenger Escort (NPE) available at the ticket counter. Further, you have to wait at the gate till the flight has departed.
Southwest UMNR Pick-Up Requirements
Similarly, at the pickup point, a parent or guardian is required to arrive at the airport early (not later than 45 minutes before the landing) to collect the escort pass & thus present at the arrival gate number. And, the person needs to carry a government-issued photo Identification card.
How To Book Southwest Flights For Minors?
Booking flight tickets & further process for children is different from the standard booking of the adults. There are two ways to book seats for unaccompanied minors on Southwest - online from the official website or via phone call. Details are shared below:
Book Southwest UMNR Ticket Online
- Visit the Southwest Airlines Official website.
- On the booking tab, enter your travel details: arrival & departure points, journey dates, age of the unaccompanied minors, & other details.
- At checkout, you will be asked whether they are traveling with someone over the age of 12. If not, then it will be a case of unaccompanied minors.
- Next, for UMNR, you are required to make the Unaccompanied Minor service request separately & pay the service charge.
- Share your bank details to make the complete payment.
- Once the process is complete, you will receive the confirmation by mail.
Book Southwest UMNR Ticket Via Phone Call
- Dial Southwest Airlines customer service number 1-800-I-FLY-SWA (1-800-435-9792).
- State your request for unaccompanied minor booking along with travel details & contact info.
- You will be provided with the best quotes. Since you are availing minor service, you will have to make the request for the same & pay for that as well.
- Share your bank or card details to make the payment.
- Once the process is complete, you will receive the confirmed seats and a confirmation number, which you need to present on the boarding date.
Thirdly, the airline also has the option to make unaccompanied minor bookings from the airport.
Note: Once the UMNR booking is complete, you need to keep the confirmation number at bay, which needs to be carried with the person who is designated to pick up or drop off the child.
Conclusion
You should now be able to make a minor booking on Southwest Airlines successfully. Just abide by the terms stated above for the booking, drop-off, and pickup of your young travelers & you are good to go. To make the flight reservation for minors, you can do the same from the official website or via call. In either case, you have to pay for the UMNR service charge & make a request for the same separately.