Policies, Frequently Asked Questions, and Tips
for Children Traveling Alone

Information about Children Traveling Alone

Unaccompanied Minors (UMs)
Children ages five through 11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older must travel as Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) on Southwest Airlines. Review the UM Terms and Conditions.

Young Travelers Although Passengers ages 12-17 are not considered “legal” adults in the U.S., they may book a ticket and travel unaccompanied—without adult supervision—at any time of day; however, Passengers who are 12 years of age or older and traveling alone are not considered Unaccompanied Minors.

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Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) Terms and Conditions

• Children ages five through 11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older must travel as Unaccompanied Minors on Southwest Airlines.
• Unaccompanied Minors are not monitored continuously throughout the travel. Only children with sufficient maturity to travel with limited adult supervision may travel as an Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest Airlines.
• For travel booked on or after April 23, Southwest Airlines will charge $50 each way ($100 roundtrip) in addition to the air fare per child for Unaccompanied Minors to travel. If travel does not take place, the charge is nonrefundable.
• All required information in this booking process must be completed and accurate in order to facilitate the transfer of the Unaccompanied Minor between designated parties.
• Southwest Airlines reserves the right not to transport Unaccompanied Minors on flights that may be diverted or cancelled due to weather or other operational disruptions.
• Proof of age in the form of a birth certificate or other form of valid identification for the child is required upon checkin at the ticket counter in order to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor.
• A parent or guardian must be present and show a valid government-issued photo ID to a Southwest Representative when checking in or picking up an Unaccompanied Minor.
• Unaccompanied Minors are allowed to travel on only nonstop or same-plane service (makes one or two stops but does not require a change of planes or flight number).
• A Parent or guardian must escort an Unaccompanied Minor to the departure gate and must remain in the gate area until the flight is in the air.
• Prior to departure, a designated Southwest Representative will announce preboarding for Unaccompanied Minors. It is the responsibility of the drop-off parent/guardian to present the Unaccompanied Minor as directed in order to board the flight.
• Once seated, a Flight Attendant will visually observe and/or communicate with an unaccompanied Minor periodically as other duties allow, but Unaccompanied Minors are not monitored continuously throughout the flight.
• Southwest Airlines personnel will not take Unaccompanied Minors out of the airport before or after their designated flight departs/arrives.
• Southwest Airlines does not assume responsibility for an Unaccompanied Minor’s actions. THE PURCHASER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND FULLY RELEASE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FOR ANY AND ALL INJURY OR DAMAGES TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS CAUSED BY OR INCURRED AS A RESULT OF AN UNACCOMPANIED MINOR’S ACTIONS, INCLUDING INJURIES TO THE UNACCOMPANIED MINOR CAUSED BY HIS OR HER OWN NEGLIGENCE.
• Parents and guardians picking up an Unaccompanied Minor should be at the gate 45 minutes prior to scheduled arrival and present a valid government-issued photo ID to the designated Southwest Representative in order to facilitate the transfer of the Unaccompanied Minor between the designated parties.
• Southwest will not release an Unaccompanied Minor to anyone other than the designated parent or guardian. It is the parent’s/guardian’s responsibility to ensure changes of the designated pick-up parent/guardian are arranged with a Southwest Representative at a Southwest Airlines ticket counter prior to the child’s arrival.
• Should the Unaccompanied Minor’s travel be disrupted or should the person(s) designated fail to meet the Unaccompanied Minor upon arrival at the destination airport, Southwest Airlines is authorized to take whatever action is reasonable and necessary under the circumstances. The parent or guardian agrees to reimburse Southwest Airlines for its expenses incurred in taking such action.
• If these Terms and Conditions are not met, Southwest Airlines reserves the right not to provide travel to the Unaccompanied Minor.

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Making the Decision: Is My Child Ready to Travel Alone?

Traveling alone for the first time can be an exciting—as well as overwhelming—test of independence for children. Of course, we’ll do everything we can to help your child feel at ease, but traveling alone is not always an appropriate option for some children.

Keep in mind that Southwest does not assume responsibility for an Unaccompanied Minor’s (UM’s) actions. The Purchaser of an UM reservation agrees to indemnify, hold harmless, and fully release Southwest Airlines for any and all injury or damages to property or persons caused by or incurred as a result of an UM’s actions, including injuries to the UM caused by his or her own negligence.

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How-to Guides for Unaccompanied Minor (UM) Travel

Once you’ve made the decision that your child (age 5-11) is ready to travel alone, you will need to follow the steps below to facilitate a smooth travel experience.

1. Read the UM Terms and Conditions.
2. In order to book an UM reservation, you’ll need to have handy the following information:
• The UM’s full name and date of birth as it appears on his/her proof of age document (which you’ll need to present at the airport on the date of travel)
• Information about the parent/guardian who will be dropping off and picking up the child at the origin and destination cities:
• Full name
• Relationship to the child
• Address
• Telephone number(s), including area code
• Information for an alternate contact at the origin and destination cities.
• Online: Book a reservation as you normally would. Once you enter the child’s date of birth, you’ll automatically be prompted to fill out the necessary UM information. Keep in mind that UMs will not be permitted to travel on a connecting flight.
• At a Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter
• Phone: UM reservations may be booked at 1-800-I FLY SWA, but Customers must visit the airport ticket counter to complete the paperwork process.
3. Make copies of the UM’s itinerary for the UM and the parent/guardian picking up the child in the destination city.

1. Determine when you’ll need to arrive at the airport. You (and your child) need to be at the gate no less than 45 minutes prior to the flight’s scheduled departure or arrival time. Use our Suggested Airport Arrival Times page as a reference. Allow yourself plenty of time to: park your car; check any luggage; complete the UM checkin process and obtain an adult “escort pass” from an Employee at the ticket counter; get through the security checkpoint; and arrive at the gate prior to the start of preboarding (or deplaning for arriving flights).
   *Be prepared to remain in the gate area until your child’s flight is in the air.
2. On the date of travel, check the flight’s status and the weather prior to arriving at the airport. You can check the flight’s status on the southwest.com home page. Keep in mind that Southwest will not transport UMs on flights that may be diverted or cancelled due to inclement weather or other operational abnormalities.
3. Obtain an Escort Pass. When you arrive at the airport, check in at the Southwest Ticket Counter and obtain an “escort pass” so you can get through security to the departure/arrival gate to send off or welcome the UM. You’ll need to present proof of age for the UM, a copy of the UM’s itinerary, and photo identification for yourself in order to obtain an “escort pass.”
4. Once at the gate, check in again with the designated Southwest Representative. Advise the Representative that the child you are dropping off/picking up is an UM, and give the Representative the completed UM paperwork. For departing flights, the Representative will arrange for the child to preboard so that he/she may be introduced to the Flight Attendants and obtain a seat toward the front of the aircraft.

Nonticketed Customers will not be permitted to escort/meet the UM onboard the aircraft, but the parent/guardian mustremain in the gate area until the UM’s flight is in the air.

Make sure you and the parent/guardian picking up the child in the destination city are available to receive phone calls from Southwest in the event of any flight irregularities. Additionally, we recommend calling the parent/guardian who will be picking up the UM to let them know when the flight has departed.

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Preparing an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) for Travel

Many UMs travel on Southwest every year, some of whom are “old pros” at flying solo. However, traveling alone for the first time can cause anyone to feel some stress and anxiety. Below are some ways to prepare your child for the trip.

• Help your child understand what to expect at the airport and during the flight. The fewer the surprises, the better. Walk the child through his/her trip from beginning to end: packing, checking in at the airport, going through security, meeting the Flight Attendants, takeoff, snack/beverage service, possible turbulence, landing, getting picked up at the airport, etc.
• Pack an appropriate carryon bag for your child. Include:
• A copy of the child’s itinerary, proof of age document, and contact information for the parent/guardian dropping off and meeting the child in both the origin and destination cities
• A note with contact information for the child’s pediatrician and any relevant information pertaining to the child’s medical history (e.g., allergies)
• Cash (for emergencies, snacks, etc.)
• A cell phone or calling card
• Snacks for the flight (consider including chewing gum to alleviate pressure on the child’s ears during takeoff and landing)
• Entertainment items (e.g., coloring/puzzle/reading books, journal, movies and portable DVD player with headphones, MP3 player, inflatable toys, etc.)
• Any medications or other essential items the child needs to carry with him/her
• Make sure your child is aware of the rules and understands that there can be consequences for failing to follow them.
• The UM must wear the UM lanyard around his/her neck at all times while traveling with Southwest.
• The UM must follow instructions given by uniformed Southwest Airlines Employees.
• Seatbelts must be worn.
• Have the “stranger danger” talk. UMs will not be left unattended in the airport, and our Flight Attendants will check on UMs periodically throughout the flight as their duties allow. However, your child should also understand what kind of behavior and conversations are inappropriate in the unlikely event that he/she is approached by a stranger. Tell your child to ring the Flight Attendant call button located above the seat or yell out for help if any other Passenger seated nearby makes your child feel uncomfortable. Additionally, let your child know that he/she should follow instructions given only by uniformed Southwest Employees.
• Play the “what if” game. Tell the child what to do if there is a flight irregularity, if he/she is feeling sick, if the parent/guardian picking him/her up is running late, etc.
• Be available. Leave your phone on in the event your child or a Southwest Employee needs to get in touch with you.