Requirements and Documents Needed for a Child to Fly Without Parents
In some situations, you may need to let your child travel alone without parents. This can be quite difficult, considering that minors are still not mature. However, if it is necessary for the child to fly without parents, you can prepare the following things.
Requirements for Children to Fly Without Parents or Guardians
Here are some requirements for children to fly without parents or guardians.
Age
The regulations of each airline regarding the age of children allowed to fly without parents may vary slightly. For example, Cathay Pacific allows children aged six to twelve to fly without parents or guardians.
Meanwhile, Garuda allows children aged six to seven to fly without a guardian on routes without a plane change. Children aged eight to twelve are allowed to travel without parents on direct flights or connecting flights.
Physical Condition
Children traveling by plane without parents must be well-prepared in various aspects, especially their physical condition. Children who will fly without parents must be in good health when boarding the plane.
Having a Pick-Up
Not only will the airline take care of the child during the flight and at the airport, but they will also ensure that the child leaves the airport with an appropriate pick-up. This pick-up will be a requirement that will be asked about the completeness of documents when applying for unaccompanied minor services. Make sure the pick-up arrives on time at the airport to avoid any unwanted situations.
Documents to Prepare
For both domestic and international flights for unaccompanied minors, document completeness will be requested at the airport. The required documents vary greatly depending on the destination country, as each country has different regulations regarding the documents needed for unaccompanied minors.
Child's Identity Card
Children under the age of seventeen do not yet have an ID card. However, children under seventeen can have a child identity card / child ID. This card has many benefits for the child and is very necessary if the child will fly without parents or guardians.
Child's Passport
If traveling internationally, a passport is essential to continue the flight. Don't forget to remind the child that the passport is very important when flying without parents. It must be kept safe and should not be lost.
Child's Visa
You will need a child's visa if the child is flying internationally. If the flight route is domestic, then a visa is not required.
Parents' Identification
To ensure that airport and airline staff know you are the child's parent, parental identification will be very necessary.
Pick-Up Identification
Upon arrival at the destination, the little one will be picked up by the person you have chosen to take them to their destination. The airline will require the pick-up's identification to verify the legitimacy of the pick-up.
Family Card
Not only the parents' identity card is needed, but the family card will also be asked for verification of the child's relationship with the parents. In some countries, a marriage certificate or divorce certificate may also be requested if the child's parents are divorced.
Birth Certificate
Children who do not have the same last name as their parents or guardians will be asked for a birth certificate to prove the familial relationship. In the United Arab Emirates, the child may be asked for a signed permission letter from the parents or guardians.
The documents required for children flying without parents may vary. You can find out the policies of the country you will be visiting before booking flight tickets, as some countries do not allow unaccompanied minors to enter their territory.
Author: Iskael
