United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy

Minors can occasionally need to fly alone, which is made possible on United Airlines. For the same purpose, it has an unaccompanied minor service. Young passengers between the ages of 5 and 14 years who are traveling alone are eligible for the United Airlines unaccompanied minor program. From check-in until arrival, this service/program puts the safety of children first. In relation to the same, it can provide committed staff overnight during the journey. Further, minors are escorted by this air carrier when they board, fly, and land until they are turned over to their legal guardian. Hence, the air operator promises a worry-free journey for both parents and young passengers with consistent communication and dependable assistance. 

Understanding the United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy 2026

The following rules of unaccompanied minors on United Airlines apply to young travelers who are not accompanied by their parents or legal guardians:

• Reservations must be made in advance under the minor travel category.
• The operator’s official channels should be used to make this reservation.
• Children must be picked up and dropped off by their guardians at the airport.
• The airline will choose children’s seats within 72 hours after the reservation.
• During the boarding procedure, an airline agent will offer assistance.
• Before flying, young passengers must also comply with customs laws.
• After their check-in is complete, they will receive a wristband. 
• This United Airlines unaccompanied minor service is offered on flights operated by United and United Express.
• For children to travel with the proper information, minor name modifications can be done on United Airlines tickets.
• Children aged 5 to 14 years must use the unaccompanied minor service.
• Those aged 15 to 17 years who are traveling alone may choose not to.
• The children must travel with parents or another adult who is at least eighteen years old if they are younger than five years old.

Which Documents are Required for Minors to Travel on United Airlines?

Depending on the destination, a kid traveling alone on a United Airlines aircraft must have a specific set of documentation. The documentation for unaccompanied minor on United Airlines, however, differs according to the destination, and children are allowed to bring any unique concerns that they specify.

• Children ages 5 to 14 years who are traveling alone are exempt from presenting identification when checking in.
• However, United Airlines continues to advise them to travel with identification of some kind.
• Additionally, it is advised that United Airlines unaccompanied minors between the ages of 15 and 17 years who are traveling alone carry one of the following:
  • Passport 
  • School ID
  • Library card
  • Social security card 
  • Proof of auto insurance in the passenger’s name 
  • Driver’s license 
  • Credit card
  • Company ID
  • Birth certificate 
  • Organization ID

Does United Airlines have a Policy Regarding Unaccompanied Minors Checking in?

Regardless of the passenger’s age, they must finish the United Airlines check-in procedure and acquire a boarding card.

To register for United Airlines unaccompanied minors service:

• It is recommended that these passengers get to the airport at least half an hour prior to the deadline.
• The ticket desk at the airport of arrival is where they should check in.
• Every detail pertaining to the passenger’s flight ought to be provided.
• Young travelers will only be accepted by the airline after their details are examined. 
• Following approval, they will pick up a special bracelet.
• Additionally, an envelope will be provided for the secure transportation of the documents.
• As per the United Airlines unaccompanied minor rules, at the US airport, parents can go with their kids to the gate to check in. 

Procedure Following Check-in

The agent will lead the young traveler to the boarding gate after the check-in procedure is properly finished:

• The boarding card that was acquired at the check-in desk needs to be shown here.
• Ask for any extra restrictions for the unaccompanied minor reservation on United Airlines.
• The passengers will be taken to their flights following security checks.
• They will be required to meet the agents after they board.
• They will then be shown to their seats.
• Based on the unaccompanied minor policy for United Airlines, throughout the trip, the onboard crew will always be accessible to help. 

Note: Young fliers can speak with airline employees right away about any problems that may arise during the trip.

United Airlines In-Flight Amenities for Unaccompanied Minors

The following in-flight amenities will be used to guarantee the safety of the unguarded passengers after they board the aircraft:

• The young passengers will occasionally be checked on by the airline staff.
• They will have a button to call the staff right away.
• Further, they will also receive complimentary snacks.
• If the packed snacks meet TSA food requirements, then they are permitted to be transported on board. 
• The United Airlines unaccompanied minor policy 2026 provides free in-flight entertainment for children.
• Minors can watch children’s programming on the official United app.
• Depending on the service class, the entertainment offerings will vary. 

United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee

The unaccompanied minor service has a cost. The unaccompanied minors United Airlines fee varies based on the number of children traveling and whether it’s a round-trip ticket.

The unaccompanied minor fee United Airlines is highlighted in this table according to certain criteria:

Number of Kids Traveling	One-Way Cost	Round Trip Fees
1-2	USD 150	USD 300
3-4	USD 300	USD 600
5-6	USD 450	USD 900

Parents can phone this airline’s agents to find out the precise rates if they want to make more reservations of this kind.

Arrival Unaccompanied Minor Rules for United Airlines

A responsible guardian must pick up the young flyers when they get to the destination airport on United Airlines. According to the United Airlines policy on unaccompanied minors, additional guidelines are provided based on the type of trip.

Traveling Within the Country/Flying Domestically

The following protocol should be adhered to while traveling domestically with United Airlines as an unaccompanied minor:

• The child will be escorted from the aircraft to a guardian by an airline representative upon arrival. 
• Customs clearance won’t be necessary for the kids.
• Parents should pick up a gate pass at the ticket booth.
• Their parents should then proceed to their children’s individual arrival gates.

Going Abroad

Below rules are applicable while using the United Airlines unaccompanied minor service for international traveling:

• It will be necessary for the young travelers to pass through customs.
• Following disembarkation, parents can take their children right to the “Arrivals Area.”
• Parents or guardians should arrive at the airport half an hour prior to departure.
• Whether they are a parent or legal guardian, the person picking up the child must bring:
  • Proper identification evidence
  • A properly executed release document  

• The parents or guardians will then be permitted to pick up their children after the authorities have double-checked their information.

How Can I Make a Minor Unaccompanied Reservation on United Airlines?

Parents or guardians must notify the authorities that their unaccompanied minors on United Airlines are under the age of eighteen and that they must make reservations under this category. Any of the following choices can be used for this:

• Bookings made via the website
• Through contacting the authorities 

Via the United Airlines Website

With this option, travelers can get a digital boarding permit in addition to booking their flights online. To purchase unaccompanied child tickets on United Airlines, use this:

• A dialogue box with the “Book” option can be found on the home page of this United Airlines website.
• In line with the United Airlines unaccompanied minor rules, the following information about the flight one wishes to reserve must be entered:
  • “one-way” or “round-trip” flight
  • To “Book with Miles,” 
  • “flexible dates,”
  • “To” and “From” locations
  • The travel “Dates”
  • Service category
  • Travelers of this type (children)

• Enter the unaccompanied flier’s age in the “travelers” type section.
• The “Find Flights” button should be clicked.
• Choose the flight that needs to be booked.
• Use any of the online payment options to complete the transaction.
• Additionally, get the boarding pass printed.
• A confirmation of the reservation made can be given.

By Getting in Touch with the Airline Authorities

Guardians or parents can utilize the following process to make a reservation by contacting the authorities:

• Dial the appropriate numbers to get in touch with the air carrier’s agents.
• Provide all the information to find the flight.
• Tell the agent that the reservation is for a United Airlines unaccompanied minor.
• They will be required to give all of the passengers’ information.
• Let the agent know who will be taking up and dropping off the child.
• Make the necessary payment. 
• The digital boarding permit will be sent to the registered email ID.  

Tips for United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Flights

United Airlines has some tips to ensure the children are ready, even if they have never flown alone before:

• Any phone numbers they might require, such as the adult who will be meeting them at the other end of their flights, should be written down.
• Make sure they understand that they should wait for the United team members to accompany them on the flights.
• In the unlikely event that the children are not seated close to an outlet, ensure their phones or tablets are completely charged.
• The parents may need to complete a United Airlines unaccompanied minor form online/offline if they are traveling abroad. 
• Please confirm whether any additional permits are needed for foreign travel.

Some Useful Links Related to United Airlines

• How to Change Name on United Airlines Ticket?
• United Airlines Baggage Allowance 2026

In Brief,

The United Airlines unaccompanied minor policy is meticulously implemented to guarantee that no passenger experiences any difficulty. It ensures the safety of children who are not with their parents for the entire journey.

FAQs on United Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy 2026