Children ages five through eleven may travel alone on United as unaccompanied minors.

Age 5 –7 years:
Children age 5-7 may travel on United flights that are non-stop or do not require a change of airplane.

Age 8-11 years:
Children age 8-11 may travel on United non-stop and connecting flights. They may also travel unaccompanied on connecting flights to other airlines.

Age 12-17 years (Optional):
Unaccompanied child service is available, but not required for this age group. Standard fees will apply.

Please note that when two or more children are traveling together, the most restrictive age requirement will apply. For example, an 11 year old traveling with a 6 year old may only travel on non-stop flights or flights that do not require a change of airplane.

There are several convenient ways to book your unaccompanied child’s travel:

• united.com
• United Reservations
• United Ticket Office
• Travel Agency

If your unaccompanied child’s reservation was booked via united.com please contact our Web Support group at 1-800-589-5582 to ensure essential information is entered into our computer system. Such information includes the names of individuals bringing your children to the airport and picking them up at their destination. Please have names, addresses and phone numbers handy to help expedite the call.

Unaccompanied minors must be brought to the departure airport by a parent or responsible adult who must remain at the airport until the child boards and the aircraft departs the gate. This individual must provide evidence that another parent or responsible adult will meet the child at their destination.

Fees
There is a $60.00 fee for unaccompanied children traveling on United flights worldwide. The fee applies in each direction of travel. Two or more children traveling together will be assessed one fee each direction.

Safety
We require information about who is bringing your children to the airport and who is meeting them at their destination. All information about unaccompanied children is entered into our reservations computer. This essential information includes the name, address and telephone number of the responsible adult bringing them to the departure airport and picking them up at their destination.

To ensure that children are released to the proper person, the adult meeting unaccompanied children at their destination must show photo identification.

Frequently asked questions

How will you keep track of my child?
A unaccompanied minor form must first be completed. During travel, children are given a bright red and white striped button to pin on their clothes. This button easily identifies unaccompanied children to our staff on the ground and in the air.

What precautions does United take to ensure my child's safety?
Our boarding representative will introduce your child to the flight attendant and provide the flight attendant with any information pertinent to your child's flight.

Our flight attendants are instructed to turn any children traveling alone over to a United representative at the destination. These representatives are responsible for seeing that the child is released to the proper person. This person needs to present photo identification.

Advise your child to stay on board the flight until they are taken by a flight attendant to the United representative at the destination.

Will the airline staff be able to contact me?
The unaccompanied minor form accompanies each child traveling alone. You may include your cell-phone and pager numbers along with the other required information when confirming your child's reservation.

What happens if the flight is not on schedule?
If we have any indication that your child's flight may not operate as scheduled, we will advise you and suggest you confirm travel for another flight or another day. On occasion, unexpected weather such as fog, snow, thunderstorms or air traffic congestion may disrupt flight schedules. If this happens, we'll attempt to let you know what the situation is and update you during the delay if possible.

Additional tips
Give your children a calling card or teach them how to make collect calls so they can always reach you. Because unexpected weather can disrupt flight schedules, we recommend that you confirm your unaccompanied child on flights early in the day.