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Stay in the gate area until the flight has taken off, in case the aircraft has to return to the gate. Flights
are sometimes delayed on the ramp or taxiway after they have left the gate. On most airlines, any gate
agent should be able to tell you when the flight has taken off. Arrange your schedule for the departure day
so that you can remain at the airport if the flight’s departure is delayed.
Proof of age
If your child may appear to be younger (or older) than one of the age cutoffs described above (e.g. if he
or she may appear to be under 5, or under 8 for a connecting flight), bring the child’s birth certificate to the
airport—the airline may ask to see proof of age. Send a copy of the birth certificate to the person who will
be bringing your child to the airport for the return flight.
Fees
Most airlines charge a fee for the unaccompanied-minor services discussed in this pamphlet. At the
time this pamphlet was issued, most carriers’ fees were $50 to $100 each way ($100 to $200 round trip).
These fees are in addition to the air fare. The fee is sometimes higher on international flights. On some
carriers a fee might be charged only when the child is taking a connecting flight. If you have two or more
children traveling on the same flight to the same destination, most airlines charge only one fee.
International travel
Some airlines automatically apply the unaccompanied-minor procedures to kids through age 17 on
international flights, and charge the standard unaccompanied-minor fee if applicable. Children must usually
have the same passport, visa or other international entry documentation required of adults. In addition,
certain countries require children leaving that country without both parents or a legal guardian to have a
letter of consent, in some cases notarized. Check with the embassy or consulate in the U.S. of the
destination country for its requirements. Airlines and travel agents are not responsible for ensuring that
your child has the required international travel documents, but they sometimes can provide useful
information.
What your child should bring
You may want to consider having your child bring a carry-on bag that is small and light enough for him
or her to deal with. Some useful things to bring would include:
• Books, small interactive toys (e.g., Etch-a-Sketch), games (without a lot of pieces), coloring books and
crayons, sticker books, etc. You may want to pack a surprise or two. Video games should have the
volume low or off. If your child brings a personal stereo, please include headphones. Some airlines
prohibit the playing of CD’s due to potential interference with aircraft systems; check with your carrier.
Remote-control toys may be prohibited for the same reason, and due to security considerations toy guns
should be left at home. Tell your child that the flight attendant or pilot might make an announcement
requesting that all electronic devices be turned off for takeoff and landing and that he or she should do as
requested.
• A copy of the child’s complete itinerary, including dates, airline name(s), flight numbers, departure and
arrival times, and the reservation record locator number. Make sure that he or she is aware that this is in
the bag. You and the person meeting the flight should also have a copy of this. Write your home, work
and cell phone numbers and the phone numbers of the person meeting the flight on this itinerary. Also
include your name and the child’s name, in case the carry-on bag is inadvertently left on one of the
flights or in an airport.
• You may want to pack a light snack, since flights can be delayed after boarding or take longer than
expected. Be alert to security-related limits on the quantity of liquids that can be brought into the cabin
(see www.tsa.gov).