Travelling your child on a flight solo with Emirates can be scary for every young parent, but their Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service will make sure that the journey of his little prince or princess is safe and good. This guide takes you through everything that needs to be known, from reservations and charges to other services and useful tips.
Eligibility: 5 to 15 years old children flying on an adult fare ticket can have access to this service.
Booking Options:
1. Online Booking:
The quickest and most convenient way to book the Unaccompanied Minor Service is online through the Emirates website: https://www.emirates.com/in/english/help/
Follow these simple steps:
- Choose Your Flights: Enter the dates and destinations you wish to travel, then on booking select “Unaccompanied minor” option.
- Fill in the required Details: Provide all necessary information, including:
- Child’s travel documents: Valid passport, any required visas for the destination country and an Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service form.
- Arrival guardian information:
- Special requests: Dietary requirements, seating preferences and health conditions or allergies.
- Pay the Service Fee: Fee varies route and age of your child. You can check the fee details through Emirates website before confirming your reservation.
- Confirmation: Review and approve all the details, your reservation will be finalised. You will receive an email confirmation with all the details including service fee receipt and important instructions.
2. Booking through your Travel Agent:
If you want a little more personal attention, booking the Unaccompanied Minor Emirates Service can be done through your favourite travel agent. They can walk you through the process, provide any answers that need to be made and assist with other travelling arrangements.
3. Phone Booking:
Alternatively, you could also dial Emirates directly for immediate help or answers to particular questions. Their dedicated Unaccompanied Minor Service team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and help you book the service over the phone:
- United States:
- United Kingdom:
- Other Countries: There are current details concerning Covid’ 19 restrictions for all destinations served by Emirate Airlines, you may find a relevant phone number in your country to speak via contacting customer service directly below each destination
- On the Emirates website – https://www.emirates.com/us/english/help/covid-19/travel-requirements-by-destination/.
Additional Tips for a Smooth Booking Process:
- Book your child’s flight well ahead of time, especially during high travel seasons.
- Cross check all details before booking confirmation to ensure no last minute hitches.
- Make your child familiar with the airport check-in procedure and what to do during flights.
- Pack such essential items as travel documents, medications, spare clothes and any other toys or surprises you think your child might enjoy.
- Mark all items distinctly with your child’s name and contact details.
Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service fee policy,
- Service Fee Varies:
- 150 to 400 AED per leg of flights based on route and child’s age.
- Fees are higher on longer flights and routes with greater demand.
- Children aged 5-10 pay slightly less than those in the age group of 12 -.
- Use the Emirates fare calculator on its website to determine the precise fee, according to your travel route and child’s age or call customer service support.
- Additional Fees to Consider:
- Destination regulations may not be included in the service fee for airport taxes.
- For unaccompanied minors, an additional 10kg allowance is permitted but if more than that amount of extra baggage charges apply.
- Important Payment and Refund Information:
- 24 hours before departure, the service fee is not refundable once booking has been confirmed.
- The payment options are online links provided after booking confirmation or credit card payment at the airport counter (cash is not accepted).
- Fees for Delays and Complex Itineraries:
- Flight delays or missed connections may require additional fees based on circumstances and the extended service needed.
- Complex Round trip fares are higher. Flight journeys taking more than 16 hours may see charges as high as AED 400 for every leg of the journey.
- Planning Tips:
- Online booking directly with Emirates is frequently the most transparent in terms of cost structure.
- Include possible airport taxes and fees for additional luggage when planning your child’s travel.
Eligibility & Age Restrictions
- Minimum age for Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service varies:
- Within UAE and select international destinations: 5 years old.
- Most international routes: 8 years old.
- Individual evaluation is also important; based on maturity and capacity to cope with travelling alone.
- In most international routes, the age limit is generally 15 years old for maximum
- e.g., certain lines can have lower maximum age limits, such as 12 years old for flights to India .
- 15 years old and older are not considered for the service.
- When selecting your route, make sure to always verify the specific age limitations at Emirates or their website.
- Ensure that you are in a position to present proof of your child’s age during booking and at the airport.
- Children who are older than 15 years old do not qualify for the service.
- Consider alternative travel options like accompanying adults or youth travel programs if:
- They need additional support.
- If your child can travel alone, select the type of transport that will be most appropriate for his or her age and maturity level to ensure he or she reaches their destination safely and comfortably.
- If you have any questions or need clarification on the age restrictions, contact Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service team.
Service Provided :
1. Dedicated Care:
- From Check-in to Baggage Claim: Once your child is at the check in counter, Emirates staff takes over. They will personally walk your child through security, take them to where they board planes and make sure they’re cozy on the plane.
- Priority Boarding: No need to battle crowds! Unaccompanied minors are boarded first, which makes it easy for them to settle down before the other passengers arrive.
- Arrival Assistance: An Emirates representative will meet your child upon arrival, collect their backpacks and take them to the person waiting for them without any hassle.
2. Onboard Comfort and Entertainment:
- Watchful Eyes: The attentive cabin crew will monitor your child throughout the flight, ensuring their comfort and safety.
- Mealtime Delights: Healthy meals and snacks are provided in order to keep your little traveller well fed. Special dietary needs can be catered for if they are informed in advance.
- Fun for All Ages: They have movies, games and music to keep your child busy during the flight.
3. Additional Services for an Extra Layer of Care:
- Pre-boarding: An extra charge will allow your child to sit on the aircraft earlier than usual and lessen pre-flight concerns.
- Meet and Greet: In some airports, you can have a representative pick up your child when arriving at the arrival gate and personally escort them to the baggage claim area.
- Extra Baggage Allowance: Unaccompanied minors have an additional 10kg of free baggage allowance making life a little easier to pack all those things essential for travel.
4. Communication and Peace of Mind:
- Stay Updated: Real-time tracking of your child’s flight is possible via the Emirates website or app, ensuring comfort from beginning to end.
- 24/7 Support: 24/7 support from the team of Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service is available if you have questions or concerns about something.
Your child’s solo adventure under the wings of Emirates Unaccompanied Minor policy – safe and sound. Starting with dedicated staff up to onboard comfort and entertainment, everything is prepared in order to guarantee a seamless, secure and unforgettable trip for your baby. So, pack those bags, ignite the wanderlust and let Emirates take out all your worries about solo travel for your child.
Essential Documents:
- Make sure your child’s passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond its return date when travelling abroad by plane.
- Make sure to research visa requirements for all the travel destinations and get visas ahead of time.
- Either download and fill in the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service form or get one at an airport.
- Provide Emirates with the arrival guardian’s photo ID and contact information.
- An original birth certificate may be needed for flights within the UAE that are considered domestic.
- Prepare relevant documentation and instructions for Emirates staff as well the arrival guardian if your child has any medical conditions or allergies.
- Bring a doctor’s prescription and copies of medication labels for any treatment your child carries.
- Contact your child’s school and find out if they need a permission letter for solo travel.
- Make a photocopy of all important documents (passport, visas and the Unaccompanied Minor Service form) in another bag.
Pro Tip:
- Pack all documents in a clear Ziplock bag or folder labelled with your child’s name and contact information so that they are accessible and safe throughout the journey.
- Check all documents for accuracy and validity well before the travel date.
Critical Health Needs
Children facing chronic medical conditions like asthma, diabetes, seizures or allergies need extra preparation and preventive staff briefing such as:
- Pack in original packaging sufficient physician-prescribed medications with some extra doses for likely delays. Mark all medication, including what to do during emergency situations.
- Ask the Brief Emirates staff in detail about your child’s particular condition, explain kinds of emergency responses that can occur and what dose to administer during medication.
- Wear comfortable clothing and bring along familiar items to prevent triggers during the flight while still enjoying ergonomic comfort throughout. Use noise-cancelling headphones or other sensory management tools.
- Guardians should have a backpack handy for the child, which will contain all necessary medical supplies such as inhalers, glucose tablets , smelling salts etc .
- There is a medical alert bracelet that should be clearly labelled with your child’s condition and the details of an emergency contact person.
- Please inform Emirates with ample notice about your child’s medical requirements. This enables staff to have time before travelling and aids in vigilance along the way.
- Make copies of prescriptions, doctor’s notes and any pertinent medical history available for reference by Emirates staff as well as potential future dentists or physicians.
Travel Tips For Kids:
- Favourite Comfort Items: Bring familiar snacks, handheld games and comforting items that would soften anxiety during the flight.
- Staying Connected: Make sure your child has access to a charged device with the airline’s emergency contact numbers already loaded.
- Safety First: Encourage your child to learn about personal safety, not telling strangers private details and secretly recording any uncomfortable situations.
Additional Consideration:
Meals:
- If your child has dietary restrictions or allergies, please inform Emirates in advance. Their caring staff will make sure that your child eats tasty and appropriate meals, snacks at any time of the flight.
- It provides diverse meal options for children according to their preferences and age groups in Emirates. Beforehand, discuss any specific preferences with your child.
- To ensure special meals make sure to notify Emirates at least 48 hours before the flight. This enables the airline to prepare and stock up on its appropriate options.
Communication:
- Real-time tracking of your child’s flight progress can be done through Emirates website or app This gives peace to the mind and enables you to track their journey from beginning until end.
- Staff from Emirates will keep you updated about your child’s well-being during the flight. They may send you text messages or phone calls about meals, things to worry about or just to remind and comfort you that all is well.
- Do give your contact information and an emergency number to both you child as well as the arrival guardian in case something strange happens.
Practice Flight:
- If this is the child’s first solo flight, have a domestic practice fly within your own country. This lets them go through airport activities, board a plane and fly in a comfortable environment preparing for real international flight.
- Your child will be able to familiarise himself with check-in procedures, security checks and boarding gates during practice flight. This can greatly decrease anxiety and make the real solo flight significantly easier.
- Practise a check-in, boarding and flight experience through role playing in the home. This can acquaint your child with what to anticipate and eliminate any worry of flying.
Conclusion:
Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service is a good solution for parents who need their child to travel alone. This service offers the comfort of knowing that your child is in good hands from start to finish. Rest assured their meals are arranged, worries pat and each movement guided you just sit back as they take off to an memorable trip.
FAQs:
1. What age range is eligible for the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service?
The service is available for children aged 5 to 15 years old travelling on an adult fare ticket.
2. What happens if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
Emirates makes it a point to rebook unaccompanied minors on the first flight that is available for them or if not take alternative lodging arrangements.
3. Is my child able to select his/her seat?
Seat selection can be placed at the time of booking, but it may not necessarily specify which seats.
4. In what manner can I request the Unaccompanied Minor Service?
You can book the service through the Emirates’ website, your travel agency or by calling on phone to Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service team.
5. Documents necessary for my child’s independent journey with Emirates.
Essential documents include valid passport, the necessary visas for all destinations and the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service form. In some cases, additional documents such as travel insurance medical documentation and a permission letter from school may be required.
6. How does Emirates ensure my child’s safety and comfort on the flight?
Dedicated Emirates personnel accompany your child from check-in to baggage claim offering priority boarding, onboard care including meals and entertainment up until landing where they are given assistance in arriving.
7. Can I track my child’s flight progress during the journey?
Yes, you will be able to monitor your child’s flight in real time via the Emirates website or app for added peace of mind.
8. Does the service cater to special dietary needs?
Absolutely! Please let Emirates know if your child has any dietary or food allergies in advance and they will serve appropriate meals and snacks to him/her during the flight.
9. Is there a practice flight option to familiarise my child with flying solo?
Try taking your child on a simple domestic practice flight within his or her country to make him comfortable in doing things like airport procedures, boarding and flying since this could be the first time he is travelling alone.