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Considering the Unaccompanied Minor Service?
Below you’ll find important details to review if you’re considering booking the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service for a child. This information is meant as a general guide only — airline rules vary and can change without notice.
If you decide to book a flight and add this service, it is strongly recommended that you work directly with the airline or a qualified travel professional to ensure your chosen flights meet all requirements for Unaccompanied Minor travel.
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An Unaccompanied Minor (UM) is a child traveling without a parent, legal guardian, or adult companion who meets the airline’s minimum age requirement (usually 16 or 18 years old).
Each airline sets its own age rules, but typically:
Children under 5 cannot travel alone.
Children aged 5–14, sometimes 15 must use the airline’s Unaccompanied Minor service.
Travelers over 14 and under 18 can usually opt in to the Unaccompanied Minor service if parents prefer added support.
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When booked as an Unaccompanied Minor, the airline provides dedicated assistance and supervision at every stage of the journey — from check-in to final hand-off at the destination.
Most airlines include:
Assisted check-in and security clearance with an airline staff escort.
Priority boarding and seating close to the cabin crew.
Continuous in-flight supervision and regular check-ins by flight attendants.
Escort between gates or terminals for any connections (if permitted by the airline).
Supervised waiting areas during layovers or delays.
Controlled release of the traveler only to the pre-authorized adult listed on the booking.
Emergency coordination in case of disruptions, ensuring the child is never left unattended.
Many parents choose this service not just for safety, but for peace of mind — knowing their child is personally looked after from departure to arrival.
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Because not all flights qualify for the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) program, it’s important to plan carefully before purchasing tickets.
Here’s what to know:
The UM service cannot simply be added to any existing reservation — flights must meet specific airline requirements (for example, nonstop or same-carrier routes).
For this reason, it’s best to book directly with the airline or through a travel professional who understands each carrier’s eligibility rules.
Once your flights are confirmed, the parent or legal guardian must contact the airline directly to add and pay for the Unaccompanied Minor service.
During that call, the airline will collect payment and details for the authorized drop-off and pick-up adults, including names, phone numbers, and photo ID information.
Before making that call, be sure to obtain the name and ID details of the GLA staff member who will be receiving your student at the program destination. These details must match exactly what you provide to the airline, as they’re used for identity verification and security checks at both airports.
Booking directly with the airline or a travel professional ensures your child’s itinerary qualifies for the program and that all pre-authorizations are properly processed, giving both you and the airline confidence that your traveler will be safely supervised from departure to arrival.
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If you are considering a GLA program in Peru or Utah, please pay special attention to your airfare if you plan to add the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service.
These destinations have limited flight options that meet the specific requirements for this service. -
If you live in a smaller city served by a municipal or regional airport, review the airline’s rules carefully. Many carriers require that unaccompanied minors travel on nonstop or direct flights only, which may mean connecting through a larger hub to reach your program destination.
Before You Read the Airline Policies
Before reviewing the airline policies below, take a moment to familiarize yourself with these key terms, they’ll help you better understand the information provided.
Codeshare: A flight operated by one airline but sold by another.
Unaccompanied minors generally cannot travel on codeshare flights, unless the airline specifically allows it.Connecting Flights: Where permitted, unaccompanied minors may travel on connecting flights only if all segments are operated by the same airline and do not involve a codeshare, unless otherwise stated in that airline’s policy.
Direct vs. Nonstop Flights: A nonstop flight travels directly from departure to destination without any stops. A direct flight may include a stop or change of aircraft along the way, even if it keeps the same flight number. Unaccompanied minors are usually only allowed on nonstop flights.
Airline Policies at a Glance
Below is a summary of the airlines most commonly used for GLA programs and their Unaccompanied Minor (UM) policies. Please note that airline rules and fees can change without notice.
You should always verify all information directly with the airline or a qualified travel professional before booking. We cannot stress this enough — working with the airline directly or through a travel professional is strongly recommended.
Mistakes when booking airfare can be costly and difficult to fix, so it’s best to confirm eligibility and requirements with the airline in advance.
Airline
Fee & Key Restrictions
Eligibility & Notes
Required for ages 5–14; optional for ages 15–17.
Required for ages 5–14; optional for ages 15–17.
Required for ages 5–13; optional for ages 14–17.
Required for ages 5–11; optional for ages 12–17.
Required for ages 8–11; optional for ages 12–17.
USD $150 each way (covers siblings on same flight).
American Airlines flights only.
No codeshares or partners.
Not allowed on last flight of the day.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
Required for ages 5–14; optional for ages 15–17.
Required for ages 6–11; optional for ages 12–17.
Required for ages 5–11; optional for ages 12–17.
Required for ages 5–11.
USD $150 each way (covers up to 3 children if siblings).
Delta & Delta Connection flights only.
No codeshares; some partner flights permitted.
Direct flights are allowed at any time of day, except red-eye flights (9 PM–5 AM).
If connecting flights are involved, the connection cannot be to the last flight of the day.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
USD $150 each way (covers up to 2 children on the same booking.)
United & United Express, direct flights only.
No codeshares.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
USD $150 each way, per child.
Only domestic non-stop or direct flights (no plane change).
No codeshares.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
USD $100 each way, per child.
Only domestic non-stop or direct flights (no plane change).
No codeshares.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
Prices vary, depending on route.
LATAM flights only.
No codeshares.
Not allowed on last flight of the day, (except for those flights that are only once per day.)
Connections cannot exceed 4-hours.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
Prices vary, depending on route.
Cathay Pacific flights only.
No codeshares.
Connections cannot exceed 5-hours.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
Prices vary, depending on route.
Singapore Airlines flights only, no codeshares.
Connections cannot exceed 24-hours.
Overnight stays are only permitted at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).
All flights must be on the same reservation.
Required for ages 5–14; optional for ages 15–17.
Required for ages 5–12.
Prices vary, depending on route.
Available for all KLM direct flights.
Transfers for children travelling alone are allowed on KLM, Air France, and Delta Air Lines flights only.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
Required for ages 5–11.
Prices vary, depending on route.
Available for all reservations with a ticket number starting with ‘157’.
Available for flights with Qatar Airways only.
No codeshares.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
Prices vary, depending on route.
Available for flights with EVA Airways only.
No codeshares.
Connections cannot exceed 4-hours.
All flights must be on the same reservation.
Prices vary, depending on route.
Available for flights with Korean Air only.
No codeshares.
All flights must be on the same reservation.