Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy

Do you have concerns about your child going on a solo trip? You can now put your worries aside because Southwest Airlines ensures your kids will travel affordably and safely.

With the implementation of the Southwest unaccompanied minor policy, children between the ages of 5 and 11 can travel alone. Before you book a Southwest flight, make sure you carefully read the entire article to have a clear understanding of all the rules if your child is travelling alone.

As Unaccompanied minors require to preboard the flight So Earlybird Check in is not available for them

Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minors Policy

According to the Unaccompanied Minors policy of Southwest Airlines: 

• When travelling alone (without a companion who is at least 12 years old), children ages 5 through 11 must fly on Southwest Airlines as Unaccompanied Minors (UMs).
• You must indicate on the reservation form that you are the child’s parent or guardian or have the legal right to act in that role.
• You will need to show proof of identity at the check-in counter, like a birth certificate, to prove your age.
• A legitimate government-issued photo ID must be physically presented by the guardian or parent while picking up or checking in an unaccompanied minor.
• Only same-plane or nonstop flights without a flight number change are available to minors.
• International travel is not permitted for unaccompanied minors. 
• Additional procedures apply to flights from the United States mainland to Hawaii.

Minor children must be accompanied to the departure gate by a parent or guardian at least 45 minutes before departure and must remain until the flight departs.

Unaccompanied minors can be picked up through the minor’s parent or guardian if they arrive at the gate 45 minutes or so prior to their scheduled arrival time and provide Southwest Airlines representatives with a valid government-issued photo ID. 

Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Fee

In order to use the minor service programme on South-west Airlines, you must pay both the adult fare and the unaccompanied minor fee. A fifty dollar one-way fee is required of each passenger. The cost of the return ticket is twice as much. The following constitutes the policy’s overview of the fee: 

How Can an Unaccompanied Minor Book a Flight on Southwest Airlines?

A minor can book a Southwest flight. The detailed instructions for booking your airline ticket online are provided below.

• Southwest Online booking
• Check out Southwest’s official website or download the Southwest app.
• Enter the flight’s origin, destination, and departure date.
• Decide on your preferred flight.
• Thoroughly complete all passenger information.
• Once the Southwest unaccompanied minor fee is paid, your reservation is finalised.
• You will receive an unaccompanied minor form from the Southwest.
• On the drop-off and pick-up times, enter the guardian’s details.

Southwest Customer Service

Contacting their customer service can also make a reservation for your minor on Southwest Airlines. For assistance, you can call or +1-888-328-1666 (OTA) to speak with an agent. To do so, adhere to the instructions below:

• Call , their customer service number.
• To obtain Southwest in Spanish, contact 1-877-406-5092.
• Contact Southwest Customer Support to talk to a genuine individual.
• Provide every passenger’s information.
• Decide on the preferred payment method, make the payment, and finish the booking.
• The Southwest representative will complete the unaccompanied minor form.
• After you send the minor’s ID via the registered email address, the process will be finished.

South-west Airlines Minor ID Requirements

Under South-West Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minor Policy, minors unaccompanied by guardians or parents must arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure This requires more time to prepare than just to leave their child at the ticket booth or airport entrance. 

Add plenty of time in the checkout area to account for crowds and long queues. Southwest Airlines may also need extra time to sort unaccompanied suitcases, go through security (there may be lines), and get to the gate with small children during boarding. 

At the airport: To enter, you must complete the following process and provide all required information, described below.

• Parents or guardians welcome an unaccompanied child with their address and phone number.
• Parent or guardian contact numbers must be posted at departure and arrival points. This is important because airlines need to be notified of any schedule changes or flight delays.
• A copy of the child’s complete itinerary, including dates, flights, PNR numbers, flight numbers and arrival and departure times. 

Proof of age: The following documents, in copy form, must be turned in by the parents or legal guardian: 

• Federal ID card issued by the state.
• Birth certificate. 

Minor fee receipts: Customers who use the airline’s customer service section to book and purchase a flight are subject to an upfront, unaccompanied minor fee. The minor’s parents and guardians must have the receipts for the minor service fees. 

Unaccompanied Minor FAQ’s

Q1. Is there a refund for the unaccompanied minor service?

Minors who arrive unaccompanied are not charged a fee. Get a refund by calling the Southwest customer service number or going to the airport ticket counter if your flight is cancelled and the unaccompanied minor refuses to travel or decides not to rebook or if the child is joined by an adult passenger who is 12 years of age or older and is no longer an unaccompanied minor.

Q2. What time should I get to the airport to pick up my child?

The greeting parents and guardians must comply with all unaccompanied minors programme protocols, including showing the airline representative a valid government-issued photo ID and arriving at the gate 45 minutes before the scheduled arrival time to facilitate the handover of the unaccompanied minor between the designated parties. 

Q3. Can a 16-year-old travel alone on Southwest Airlines?

Young travellers are defined as those between the ages of 12 and 17. However, to ensure their safe travel, you can choose to fly with them alone. You must pay the unaccompanied minor fee on the Southwest as per their policy.

Q4. How Can I Reserve a Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Ticket?

Call to make reservations for your child’s travel without any concerns. For a simple flight booking process for your child travelling alone, ask a Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Customer Care representative.

Q5. For the Southwest, what does proof of age mean?

Any government-issued identification, including a child’s birth certificate or passport, should be carried on your travels in copy or original form, as employees may request proof of age at any time. Any infant younger than 14 days old must have a medical release to travel.

Q6. Are Unaccompanied Minors allowed to board Southwest Airlines priority?

Children are allowed to board the aeroplane first to ensure a comfortable and safe flight.