Can my 13 year old fly alone in Southwest?
Yes, Southwest will let children between the ages of 12 and 17 travel alone as Young Travelers (YTs). As per the rules of Southwest Unaccompanied Minor, kids who are 13 years old can fly along with Southwest Airlines. For any further assistance, feel free to contact the experts at +1-800-283-2017.
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.
How much is the Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Fee?
Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Fees is $100 for one-way per unaccompanied minor from the ages of 5-11. Well, if you are still looking to find the answers, how much is the Southwest unaccompanied minor service charge? Then look at the information explained below:
Age Requirement
Southwest offers special assistance for children aged 5-11 who are flying without their parent or guardian, who are allocated as "Unaccompanied Minors."
SW Unaccompanied Minor Fee
The fee for Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Services is $100 each way per minor.
Young Travelers
Southwest will allow children between the ages of 12 and 17 to travel alone as Young Travelers (YTs).
Does my 13 year old need ID to fly southwest?
Kids under 18 do not need any form of ID to fly within the United States. However, Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor aged 18 or older must show valid identification during security check-ups. This can be a U.S. passport, driver's license or any other acceptable identification listed by the TSA.
Do Unaccompanied Minors get priority boarding in Southwest?
Southwest Unaccompanied Minor will preboard the flight and receive priority boarding. Parents should review the optional Southwest travel charges for more details. Guardians can also contact us to find all the information and assistance for their minors.
How old does a child have to be to fly free on Southwest?
As per Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Policy, children under two (2) years old can fly free as a lap kid only when accompanied by an adult from the age group of 12 or older. Yet, if you are seeking to find more detailed information, then you can check the pointers listed below:
Free Lap Child
Southwest Airlines allows children under 24 months (two years old) to travel on an adult's lap without a ticket as a lap child.
Passenger 12 or older
Southwest Unaccompanied Minor should have a passenger 12 years of age or older.
Proof of Age
Infants on Southwest Airlines require proof of age, like a passport or birth certificate.
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?
Southwest Airlines will let children ages 12 through 17 fly alone as Young Travelers (YTs). Based on the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy, passengers must have the capability and maturity to fly alone, including boarding, deplaning, passing through the security checkpoint, claiming luggage, checking in, and connecting.
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.
How does unaccompanied minor work on Southwest?
Southwest Airlines allows children from the age group of 5 to 11 to fly as Unaccompanied Minors (UM). The flight for unaccompanied minors can be booked online from Southwest.com®, or parents can contact us at +1-800-283-2017 via phone. Parents also need to pay a nominal Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee of $100 for each way.
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.
Book Southwest UMNR Ticket Online
- Firstly, visit the Southwest Airlines Official website.
- Secondly, 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.
- Afterward, for UMNR, you need to make the Unaccompanied Minor service request separately & pay the service charge.
- Share your bank details to make the complete payment.
- Lastly, 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 an email about your booking details.
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.
What documents do I need to fly with a child on Southwest Airlines?
If you have opted for Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Services then the documents you need to fly with a child depend on their age and whether they booked their own seat.
Add a Lap Child on my Southwest flight
- Proof of Age: An original or photocopy of a government-verified ID, which includes a passport, birth certificate, or government ID card, is needed.
- Boarding Verification Document: On the day of the flight, you should have a copy of the BVD printed at the airport.
A child with their own seat
- Ticket: Children from the age group of two (2) should have their own ticket and seat.
Southwest Unaccompanied Minor
- Valid Photo ID: Minors at Southwest Airlines need a photo ID to get a gate pass.
- Copy of the kid's itinerary: You need to get a gate pass.
- Minor lanyard: The minors must wear this lanyard for the entire flight duration.
International Flight
- Documents: Each traveler is responsible for getting and completing all the documentations needed for entry and exit from the airport.
Does SouthWest check child's age for family boarding?
As per the terms and conditions of Southwest Unaccompanied Minor, if you are willing to take advantage of Southwest family boarding, you will need to fly with a child who is six (6) years old or younger.
Can I sit with my child on Southwest?
Yes, you can indeed sit with your child on Southwest by using the "Family Boarding" option. This allows adults flying with a child, i.e., Southwest Unaccompanied Minor six (6) years old or younger, to board the flight before the common boarding groups. This will help you secure seats together.
Also, if it is necessary, you can ask the flight attendants or gate agent for assistance in finding seats together with your child
Does Southwest ask for a birth certificate?
Yes, Southwest requires a copy of a birth certificate or any other government-verified/issued photo ID as proof of age for infants under two (2) years who are going to fly as lap kids.
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. Finally, you have to pay for the UMNR service charge & make a request for the same separately.
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