Choosing the right flying partner is mandatory, especially if your kids are flying alone. Southwest Airlines always prioritizes its passengers, be they adults or unaccompanied minors. This airline takes extra care of your kids, thus ensuring safe travel.
So, why wait? Grab amazing discounts on one-way or round-trip Southwest Unaccompanied Minor tickets, and stay assured that your child is in safe hands. Keep scrolling to find all the key highlights of the policy here.
How to book a Southwest Airlines flight for an unaccompanied minor?
There are various ways to book a Southwest flight for an unaccompanied minor. Parents/ guardians can either visit the official site or call the airline’s personnel to book UM tickets. Find out the details here.
Southwest Online booking
- Visit the official page of Southwest or use the Southwest Airlines app
- Fill in the origin and destination of the flight plus the date of travel.
- Under the traveler’s tab, select the number of children.
- A pop-up appears where you must enter the age.
- If your kid is 11 years or younger, you’ll be redirected to Southwest Unaccompanied Minor policy.
- Read the details and continue the booking process.
- Click “Search” to get the list of available flights.
- Select the preferred flight
- Carefully fill in all passenger details
- Pay for the southwest unaccompanied minor fee, along with the standard booking charges.
Southwest customer service
Book unaccompanied minor flight tickets by calling the airline’s customer support. You can make a call at +1 (800) 435-9792 or +1-888-328-1666 (OTA) and speak to an agent for help. Follow the guide below to do so:
- Dial their customer service number 1 (800) 435-9792
- For southwest En Espanol, call on 1-800-826-6667
- Speak to a live person at Southwest customer support.
- Provide all passenger and itinerary details.
- The professional will confirm that you want to book a UM ticket.
- Once confirmed, they’ll send you all the guidelines regarding the UM policy.
- If you agree to the same, continue to make the flight booking.
- Select the preferred payment mode, pay, and complete the booking
- The Southwest representative will fill out the unaccompanied minor form
What is the Southwest unaccompanied minor policy?
Before you book a trip on the Southwest flight for your child, get familiar with all the key terms and conditions of the airline’s unaccompanied minor policy to avoid any fuss later on. Here are the details.
- Children between the ages of 5 and 11 traveling alone are considered unaccompanied minors.
- An unaccompanied minor can only travel on routes that don’t require an aircraft change or non-stop flights.
- Southwest doesn’t allow unaccompanied minors on international flights.
- Children between 12 and 17 can travel independently on Southwest flights as Young Travelers. They may or may not opt for Southwest UM service, depending on their choice.
- Parents or guardians must fill out the Southwest Unaccompanied Minor form to mention all the required details.
- To redeem the benefits of Southwest Airlines’ unaccompanied minor policy, you must provide age proof, such as a birth certificate.
- Legal guardians or parents must wait at the gate and have valid government photo identification proof for check-in or pick-up.
- You must report to the departure gate 45 minutes before departure and wait until the aircraft takes off.
- The person who’s designated to pick up the child at the destination airport must arrive 45 minutes before the scheduled arrival.
- You need to follow some additional procedures if the unaccompanied minor is traveling between the mainland U.S. and Hawaii.
What is the Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Fee?
Nothing comes free in this world, and Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Service is no exception. Parents must pay additional charges to purchase this service when sending their kids alone. Here are the details to know.
- $100 one-way per unaccompanied minor
- The service is mandatory for kids between 5 and 11 years flying alone.
- The Southwest unaccompanied minor fee is refundable on flight change and cancellation.
- Southwest Airlines will refund the fee to your travel funds account for future travels.
How to prepare your child for the flight?
Follow the tips and tricks below to prepare your child for traveling alone on Southwest flights so they can have a pleasant journey in the air.
- Your child should have the contact information of the person coming to pick them up at the destination airport.
- Provide kids with a copy of their itineraries to avoid any kind of hassle.
- Pack some snacks and goodies for your kid.
- Make sure to charge kids’ electronic devices because there will be no power outlets on the flight.
- To monitor the kids’ flight status, install the Southwest mobile app.
- Make sure your child wears the UM lanyard throughout the flight, as it’s the only way through which the staff can recognize them as unaccompanied minors.
Summing Up
That’s all about the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy. It’s not easy to send your little bunnies alone in the air, but with Southwest, you can rest assured, as the airline makes every effort to keep your kids occupied on the flight. Moreover, you can track their progress using the airline’s mobile app. Be sure to pick them up at least 45 minutes before the flight’s arrival time and adhere to all other guidelines to ensure safe travel.
You may visit:
How to Get the Best Seats on Southwest Airlines?
How to Use the Southwest Low Fare Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is required on the paperwork of unaccompanied minors?
- Information about your child,
- About the parent or guardian, whoever is dropping and picking up the child at the destination
- The parent or guardian’s name, address, phone number, and alternate contact number.
