An unaccompanied minor is a child travelling without an adult, for whom the airline requires or offers a chargeable escort service.
An unaccompanied minor is a child travelling without an adult, for whom the airline requires or offers a chargeable escort service.
Also called: UM service.
How it works#
The service covers handover at the desk, escort through security and boarding, and release to a named person on arrival. Age limits, whether it is compulsory and the price differ substantially between airlines, and many exclude connections, overnight flights or partner sectors. Registration has a deadline and cannot be arranged on the day of departure.
Not to be confused with#
An unaccompanied minor is not the same as a child with its own seat travelling with family: the service only applies when no responsible adult is on board.
In German#
The German term is Alleinreisendes Kind. German version of this term
Related terms#
- Conditions of carriage: Conditions of carriage are an airline’s general contract terms, setting out the rights and duties of both sides for every ticket it sells.
- Document check: A document check is the airline’s verification of passport, visa and travel authorisation before departure, based on an immigration requirements database.
- Seat selection fee: A seat selection fee is a charge for choosing a specific seat before departure instead of having one assigned at check-in.
Articles that use this term#
TopicEvery article and term onRights and disruption.