Letting a child travel alone is the norm abroad, but for our country until recently it was the exception rather than the rule. Nowadays, children are given more independence, so unaccompanied flights for children on an airplane are stipulated in the services of all airlines. If circumstances are such that adults cannot fly, they can send the child alone, entrusting custody to the air carrier. It is worth noting that there are no uniform rules for flying unaccompanied children, since each airline sets its own rules.
Child's age for unaccompanied flights
Typically, this parameter is regulated by both Russian and foreign airlines:
- Aeroflot set the age at two years;
- The Dutch airline KLM allows children aged 5 years and older to fly unaccompanied. At the same time, the Dutch have developed a special program “JuniorJet”, according to which the child receives special privileges while traveling. The company's employees not only accompany the child on the plane, but also begin caring for him from the moment of registration until he is handed over to the person meeting him.
- Air France, British Airways and Finnair do not clearly state the minimum age; their rules state that "children aged 12 years and under can fly alone." That is, parents who buy tickets for these airlines must decide for themselves at what age their child can travel by air independently.
- Infants under two years of age are not accepted on board unaccompanied aircraft on all airlines.
Flight documents
A ticket for an unaccompanied child must be booked in advance, indicating the absence of accompanying adults. You will also need to fill out a form with information about the child’s full name, the language he speaks, country and address of residence, route, flight number and departure date. The name of the person meeting you, his address and telephone number must be indicated. When a child reaches 13 years of age, such a form is not filled out, but the airline must be warned that the teenager is flying alone.
Also, in accordance with Russian legislation, when flying children under 18 years of age, notarized parental consent is required. In this document, parents not only consent to the trip, but also indicate the country and duration of the trip. Without this consent, you won’t even be able to book a plane ticket.
Ticket prices
Different airlines have different prices for flying unaccompanied minors. Generally, unaccompanied minors are not eligible for discounted airfare, as the child is considered to require increased attention from staff at the airport and on board the aircraft.
Services for flying unaccompanied children are paid. For example, at Aeroflot this fee on one route is 40 euros, and the KLM company has set the fee for flights within Europe at 50 euros, and for intercontinental flights at 75 euros.
Parents do not always have the opportunity to go on a trip with their children, and therefore sometimes it becomes necessary for an unaccompanied minor to fly across Russia. Let's say teenagers go to their relatives in another city, for vacation or for training in special camps. In this case, parents do not need to go with them, and sometimes this is impossible to do due to work or other reasons. Children are afraid to fly without their parents, and they, in turn, are worried about letting their child go on an independent trip. Fortunately, Aeroflot and other companies offer their clients escort for minor children. Therefore, to the question of whether it is possible to send them yourself, the answer is yes. How to send a child, and can I not fly with him? What flight rules are provided in the Russian Federation for such passengers? Let's figure it out, because these are very common questions.
To begin with, we note that the possibility of a child being alone on a plane depends on what rules are established by the company. For example, Aeroflot has such a service, while other carriers may refuse. It also depends on age. Sometimes there is no escort for the youngest passengers due to possible problems and high risks. Before planning a trip, you need to find out all the necessary information. Please note that this service is paid, and therefore, even if the child can fly on the plane himself, check the cost so that it does not become a surprise.
Escort is a service offered by companies for the transportation of minors. It includes several actions:
- accompanying the child to the plane;
- in-flight entertainment
Depending on the type of service chosen, airline employees can accompany the child from the moment of handing over by the parents until delivery to the desired address in the city of arrival. If this is not necessary, then they will simply look after him during the flight. From a certain age you are allowed to fly unaccompanied on an airplane. This also applies to trips abroad, but border checks will require the necessary documents.
Age restrictions
As we indicated earlier, the possibility of unaccompanied minors traveling is subject to certain rules. Most airlines allow children to fly without parents from the age of 5. At the same time, Aeroflot sets certain restrictions for them. Until the age of 8, they cannot use those routes that involve transfers.
Children over 8 years old can already fly with transfers, but a carrier employee must be sure to guide them from one plane to another. This is available for a fee. From 12 to 15 years of age, accompaniment is no longer mandatory, but Aeroflot offers such a service for a certain amount.
Teenagers under 17 years of age have the opportunity to fly with virtually no restrictions, and they do not need to be accompanied. Despite the general rules, some airlines may still impose additional restrictions. Before buying a ticket for any flight, inquire about the availability of escort and its cost.
Let us repeat that the price of flying children without parents, when an accompaniment is required, will be higher than a standard ticket. Since such a passenger requires increased attention, this must be compensated.
As an example, let's look at some real restrictions from various companies. Aeroflot allows independent travel only after 2 years. At KLM the minimum age is 5 years. However, there are many advantages for minor passengers, since they have a special status, and the staff will devote a lot of time to ensure a comfortable flight environment.
To make the trip as easy as possible, various pleasant surprises are provided for the child during the trip: gifts, toys, sweets, etc. Such passengers are indicated by special icons, making it clear that this child is traveling alone. Their luggage is also highlighted with separate stickers.
In some companies, the rules for transporting minors are practically not described in any way. For example, British Airways. Their documentation only states that persons under 12 years of age have the right to fly without parents. Therefore, if you need to use the services of this company, then find out in advance all the details and requirements: under what conditions the support is provided, etc.
Required documents
- travel document (passport or birth certificate);
- ticket;
- visa (if you are flying abroad);
- paper with personal information of the accompanying person;
- a paper confirming that the parents have no complaints about the flight;
- an application for transportation indicating the information of the accompanied person, as well as the party who will receive the minor upon arrival.
As for the last point, accompanying persons must have it. A sample can be found on the Internet, on the carrier’s website or at the company that sells tickets. The paper itself is conventionally divided into two blocks. In the first block you need to indicate information related to the child and the persons responsible for accompanying him. This includes full name, language, date of birth, contact details, address, etc. As for the second block of the application, it includes the essence itself, which indicates the consent of the parents to accompany the child by an airline employee.
Landing procedure, flight
So, since a minor will be flying without parents, certain rules must be followed to avoid problems with the flight. So, you need to arrive at the airport in advance, at least a few hours in advance. The person transferring to the company must have documents for the child and all other papers that we have already mentioned earlier.
When a parent hands over his children to company representatives, he cannot hand him over and leave. The person must be present at the airport until the plane takes off. When the paperwork is completed, all the papers are put into a special folder on a string. They hang it on the child. These papers must be available until they are handed over to the person at the place of arrival.
If children are traveling unaccompanied, they have priority when going through passport control. They must be allowed to skip the line to have their luggage and documents checked. They are also the first to board and sit down. Once a child is in their seat, their parents or representatives will be called to let them know. After this moment, they can leave the airport and go about their business.
Important! If a child does not need an accompaniment, he cannot register online or in advance. This can only be done at the airport counter.
As for luggage, there are no special features here. The main luggage is checked into the cargo compartment. However, there are a few things you need to pack in your carry-on luggage to help your child get through the trip easily. The first thing you need to do is make sure he has something to eat before boarding. This could be cookies, fruit, etc. Be sure to bring water, soda or another drink with you.
Since your child needs something to do during the flight, you can put some kind of toy or book in his backpack. Today, almost everyone has a mobile phone or tablet. In 2019, you can have your technology turned on on airplanes. This is a great opportunity to keep your child busy. You can download games or cartoons onto the device, which will keep the minor passenger occupied for a long time. If a child has any illnesses and needs constant medical support, then he should have medications with him.
Note that a lot of sugar before the flight is undesirable, since no one needs extra activity during the flight. During the flight, all requests of the child will be satisfied by the passenger.
Conclusion
Children traveling on airplanes without adults is possible. In this case, you need to follow a certain procedure and make sure in advance that such a trip is possible. So, you need to show up at the airport a few hours in advance. This time will be enough to complete the registration procedure and fill out the necessary documents. The parent is obliged to hand the child directly into the hands of the carrier employee. He, in turn, goes to registration and makes sure of his landing. When a minor passenger is on board, a responsible flight attendant is assigned to him, who will fulfill all the child’s requests and be responsible for him.
Hello, friends!
Life often makes adjustments to our plans and it is not always possible to go on a planned trip with our child.
And you just absolutely need to send him on vacation to another city or even abroad.
What better way than to take advantage service "unaccompanied children"", which is offered by most Russian and foreign airlines, cannot be invented in this situation.
The only thing that needs to be done is to thoroughly prepare for this extraordinary event, so that it happens without adventures and unnecessary experiences.
Preparation consists, first of all, of responsibly studying the rules for transporting unaccompanied minors on the airline of your choice. Since each of them may have its own characteristics: conditions of transportation, list of required documents, tariffs, minimum age of the child.
The Russian Federal Aviation Rules determine that:
up to 2 years– children can only be transported when accompanied by parents (guardians) or an adult with a power of attorney;
from 2 years to 12 years– accompanied by an adult, or unaccompanied, but under the supervision of the air carrier, if such a service is provided for by the rules of this carrier;
from 12 years old– children can travel independently, unaccompanied by an adult passenger.
In practice the concept “unaccompanied children” are children from 5 to 12 years old. From this age, most airlines accept unaccompanied children for transportation, and the purchase of an escort service in this case is mandatory. Children under 5 years of age are not allowed to be transported without accompanying persons, unless an earlier age of the child is specified by the carrier.
Definition "unaccompanied children" can be conditionally attributed to children aged from 12 to 16 years old(in each airline, the starting age for an unaccompanied flight is determined individually) in case the accompanying person is purchased additionally at the request of the parents. In this case, the child will also be supervised by an airline employee.
This can be done when booking and purchasing air tickets at ticket offices, airports, specialized agencies, on the website or at airline offices.
When transporting a child who is not accompanied by an adult passenger, but will be transported under the supervision of the company, a mandatory condition for booking is the approval of this transportation with the carrier.
Without confirmation by the air carrier of the request sent to it for transportation of an unaccompanied child and the availability of seats on the required flight, the flight may simply not take place due to refusal of transportation.
Please note that you cannot book a ticket for an unaccompanied child on all websites. In this case, you must additionally contact the company's information service to clarify the availability of such a service, the conditions of transportation and the possibility of purchasing a ticket for an unaccompanied child for the specific flight required.
When applying for this service, it is necessary to fill out an application and a statement of obligation for the transportation of an unaccompanied child, in which the applicant guarantees the timely delivery of the child to the airport, his meeting upon arrival of the plane and the transfer of authority to care for the child to the company if the person meeting him was unable to appear at the destination. It also guarantees reimbursement of expenses incurred due to unforeseen circumstances.
In addition, all the necessary information about the child is provided (the child’s age is established as of the start date of transportation indicated on the ticket), the persons accompanying and meeting the child (their addresses, telephone numbers).
Important:
- The “unaccompanied minors” service must be ordered at the time of booking your tickets no later than 72 hours before flight departure.
- The escort service can be used if all sections of the transportation route have a confirmed reservation.
- The escort service is not provided on all routes and not by all airlines and only on direct flights in the absence of transfers and transfers from one airport to another. This service is not provided on charter flights.
Cost of ticket and services for transportation of an unaccompanied child
This value may vary between airlines and routes.
Usually, the flight of an unaccompanied child is paid at full fare, that is, the ticket price is equal to 100% of the cost of an adult ticket, regardless of the age of the child and without providing child discounts (however, you can use our advice or services).
The escort service is also paid, and the amount of the fee depends on many factors (for example, the duration of transportation) and is set by the carrier. On Russian airlines, the average cost of an escort service is 40 euros.
Required documents for transporting unaccompanied children
According to Russian legislation (Article 20 of the Federal Law “On the procedure for leaving the Russian Federation and entering the Russian Federation” dated August 15, 1996 N 114-FZ), it is necessary that a minor child who flies unaccompanied by adults should have with him:
- your own passport with a visa (if necessary);
- notarized consent from parents (or guardians) for an unaccompanied child to travel independently. The application must indicate: the country of destination (or the names of all states are listed if you plan to visit several countries), duration of stay and purpose of the trip.
When a minor child travels abroad unaccompanied by parents, it is necessary to take into account the legislation of not only the country of departure, but also of entry and transit.
Some foreign countries, when preparing entry documents for a child traveling abroad unaccompanied by parents, require consent to travel from both parents. Also, notarized consent from both parents may be required when passing border control.
To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is better to immediately obtain consent from both parents and preferably in several copies (according to Russian law, the consent of the second parent is not required if he does not object to the child going abroad).
Responsibilities of the person accompanying the child before boarding the plane:
- To check in for your flight on time, you must arrive at the airport in advance. Registration of children who are provided with an escort service can only take place at the airport check-in counter. In this case, pre-registration or online registration is not permitted;
- prepare in advance all the necessary documents for transporting the child and present them at registration;
- stay at the airport until your child boards the plane and takes off;
- guarantee meeting the child at the destination airport;
- Ensure that those seeing off and greeting have identification documents.
After registration, the child is assigned special “unaccompanied child” badge, all the necessary documents are placed in a special bag and it is handed over to a company employee.
The airline bears full responsibility for the child during the flight and assumes responsibility for caring for him until he is handed over to the greeters.
P. S. Good news for traveling moms
At Sheremetyevo Airport, a new service has been introduced for passengers flying with small children on Air France-KLM flights: the use of free baby strollers for walks around the airport. To do this, you just need to contact the manager at registration.
See you on the blog pages!
Summer is vacation time for children and a headache for parents. It is necessary to arrange leisure time for the child, but it is not always possible to take time off from work at the right time to take the child to camp or to grandma. And in such a situation, it makes sense to get acquainted with the services provided by carriers. They can be quite useful. For example, almost every airline provides services for transporting unaccompanied children. True, not every child will be allowed to fly on their own, and you need to prepare for the flight correctly.
We figure out what and how to send the child himself. For completeness, we will consider all options and ages.
CHILDREN FROM 0 TO 2 YEARS OLD
Let's start with the fact that children under 2 years old (infant category) fly only accompanied by adults - there are no options. A ticket for such children is designated with a special code INF. On average, it will cost 10% of the tariff (without providing a separate seat). Some airlines do not charge any fees at all, while others charge airport taxes and a certain percentage of the fare. Please note: even if the airline does not charge a fee, i.e. The discount is 100% of the cost; a “zero ticket” must be issued.
There can be no more than 1 infant per adult seat. For example, if a mother goes on a flight with twins alone, then for one child she will purchase a ticket without a seat, she will take him in her arms, and for the second baby she will need to purchase a ticket with a seat at a price intended for the next age category. 
CHILDREN AGED 2-12 YEARS OLD
If during the flight your child turns 2 years old (child category), you will have to worry about a child ticket in advance, which has a special code CHD. The discount on this is usually 30-50%, but provided that the child is accompanied by an adult.
The child is provided with a separate seat and, if necessary, can travel unaccompanied by adults. But for this you will need to fill out an application at the airport and a parental declaration. When sending a child alone on a plane, each airline itself determines what percentage of the discount he or she is entitled to. Basically, the following principle applies to calculations: children under nine years old are sold air tickets at full price, since this age is considered the most problematic. At the same time, there must be a note on the ticket stating that the child requires care.
Each airline has specific age limits for flying unaccompanied minors. Most often, a child is taken on board alone without adults if he is five or more years old. But there are also those carriers that allow unaccompanied children over two years old to fly. 
CHILDREN FROM 12 YEARS OLD
Such passengers are considered “adults” and fall into the “young people” category. Some airlines provide a 15% discount, others offer a special fare for the group from 12 to 24 years old, but not all carriers apply the practice of discounts. If you have an international student card, older people can also take advantage of a similar reduced rate.
If tickets are purchased in both directions at once, and during the trip the child moves from one category to another (he turns 2 years old or 13 years old), then the purchase does not necessarily occur at different rates. A number of airlines allow you to purchase a ticket according to the category to which children belonged at the time of departure. In any case, if your child turns 2 years old while traveling, you need to remember to book a seat for him on the return flight.
DOCUMENTS ON THE ROAD
In order to take advantage of the benefit, you must document your age. In addition, when purchasing a ticket for a child, other documents may be required, for example, if he is flying alone or traveling outside the country without his parents.
For flights to a number of states with which relevant agreements have been concluded, a birth certificate is required for children under 14 years of age. Basically, for foreign trips you need a foreign passport and possibly a visa, provided that the child flies to a visa country.
Even at the stage of purchasing a ticket or at the airport on the day when the flight is scheduled, at the registration desk, you will have to fill out a form, which includes information about the child and his parents, the number of the flight on which he is flying, as well as the telephone number and name of the person meeting him . 
If a child (under 18 years of age) flies outside the country without parents, it is necessary to have a power of attorney from them, certified by a notary. If the departure of a child (under 14 years old) from Russia is planned for a period of more than 3 months, then you additionally need to have the consent of the guardianship authorities.
It should be borne in mind that airlines often require the consent of the second parent who is not accompanying the child. The current legislation of the Russian Federation does not provide for such a document, however, the laws of the country to which the flight is being made should be taken into account.
It is also important to remember that additional confirmation when flying abroad will be required in cases of adoption, guardianship, or change of surnames.
SUPPORT
If a child is flying alone, he must be met!
Moreover, the accompanying or welcoming person can be not only parents, but also grandmothers, uncles and aunts, as well as summer camp employees, who must be included in the application form without fail.
The accompanying person hands the child with all the necessary documents to the airline employee. Often, special pockets are hung around children’s necks, where documents are placed for security purposes.
An airline representative escorts the child through passport control and seats him on the plane. During the flight, the flight attendants entertain and solve all the child’s requests and problems. 
After landing, the flight attendant hands him over to an airport employee, who escorts the baby to the greeter. Before releasing the child, the AC representative is obliged to verify that the identity indicated in the application form matches the documents of the person meeting him. If the meeting party is late, then they must wait for as long as necessary. If it does not appear and does not make itself known, then airport staff will contact the senders and discuss further actions. In any case, your child will not be left to the mercy of fate. 
Have a nice trip!
Ural Airlines accepts unaccompanied children for transportation. Transportation of unaccompanied children is carried out only on direct airline flights or to the first boarding point. The number of unaccompanied children on a flight is limited.
Children aged (the age of the child is determined on the day of commencement of transportation) are transported as unaccompanied children:
- From 5 to 12 years when flying within Russia and the CIS;
- From 6 to 12 years when flying to foreign countries.
At the request of parents, guardians (trustees), the escort service can be provided for children over 12 years of age.
The service can be obtained at the airline representative office, at the airline's branded ticket offices, agent offices or through the Call Center:
- Order a service for transporting an unaccompanied child no later than 72 hours before flight departure;
- Purchase an air ticket for a child at the rate for an adult passenger;
- Fill out an application for transportation of an unaccompanied child in 4 copies (Application form);
- Pay for the service.
Cost of service (per flight segment):
- On flights within Russia, the CIS and Georgia - 3,500 rubles. RF
- On flights to non-CIS countries – 60 euros
Registration of unaccompanied children for a flight is carried out only at the check-in counter at the airport of departure; this will allow our employees to take care of your child while going through all the formalities at the airport of departure and arrival. Replace with (and start it with a red line): Please note that in the case of transporting an unaccompanied child to an international destination, only the child’s legal representatives can deliver the child to the airport of departure and register him for the flight: parents, adoptive parents, guardians, trustees or representatives of the child by notarized power of attorney from the child’s legal representatives.
Documents required to register a child for transportation
Transportation of unaccompanied children across the territory of the Russian Federation
- Air ticket for a child;
-
- Child’s birth certificate - for children under 14 years of age or a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation - for children over 14 years of age; - Application for transportation of an unaccompanied child in 4 copies (Application form);
Be careful when filling out the Application. Please see the Example of filling out the Application.
Transportation of unaccompanied children on flights to CIS countries and non-CIS countries
- An identification document of the applicant and a document certifying the relationship between the child and the applicant (birth certificate, adoption certificate, document confirming the establishment of guardianship or trusteeship) or a notarized power of attorney from the child’s legal representatives;
- Air ticket for a child;
- Identification document of the child (for citizens of the Russian Federation):
- International passport
- Documents required to travel to the country of destination (official information about the documents required to enter the country can only be obtained from the consulate of the country into which the child is entering). - Application for transportation of an unaccompanied child in 4 copies (Application form);
- Notarized consent of one of the parents, adoptive parents, guardians or trustees for the departure from Russia of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation, indicating the date of departure and the state to which the child is leaving*;
- Receipt confirming payment for the service;
- Medical certificate about the child’s health status (if necessary).
*If one of the parents, adoptive parents, guardians or trustees declares his disagreement with the departure of a minor citizen of the Russian Federation from the Russian Federation, the issue of the possibility of his departure will be resolved in court.
ATTENTION: It is possible to arrange transportation of an unaccompanied child to Kyrgyzstan using a birth certificate for a child under 14 years of age (Russian birth certificate), a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation for a child over 14 years of age, or a foreign passport.
Additional Information
Ural Airlines does not provide a service for transporting an unaccompanied child to/from the United Arab Emirates
The person accompanying the child must remain at the airport until the flight departs.
The person meeting you at the arrival airport, specified in the Application, must provide an identification document.
The person you specify in the application to meet your child must be at the airport at the time of flight arrival and have a valid identification document with him.
