Sending your kids alone on the plane is a big decision; hence, passengers must select the right airline and understand all important aspects to ensure their kids’ safety. Air Canada unaccompanied minor service is applicable for children between 8 and 11 years of age traveling alone.
Besides, Air Canada does not accept unaccompanied minors on connecting flights, so make their bookings accordingly. Do you want to know more about the airline’s unaccompanied minor service? Continue scrolling the page and find out all essential details here.
Understanding the Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy
Unaccompanied minors on Air Canada are subject to some rules and regulations, including the age criterion, flight type, and much more. Before initiating bookings or planning their journey, carefully understand all the terms and conditions to avoid any issues later on. Scroll down to learn more.
- Air Canada only accepts children 8 years or above as unaccompanied minors. Kids below 8 must be accompanied by a passenger aged 16 years or older.
- The unaccompanied minor service is available only on non-stop flights operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge.
- The airline won’t accept minors on connecting or codeshare flights.
- According to the Air Canada unaccompanied minor age rule, the service is mandatory for kids between 8 and 11 years, while optional for children between 12 and 17 years.
- Unaccompanied minors cannot bring pets on an Air Canada flight.
- Only adult passengers, 16 years or older, may act as an accompanying adult for minors.
- The accompanying adult must occupy a seat in the same cabin as the unaccompanied minor.
- Your child cannot travel unaccompanied if he or she is:
- Blind or deaf
- Severely allergic to pets
- Allergic to peanuts or other products
- Has a medical condition
- Likely to react negatively to air travel
How to Book Unaccompanied Minor Tickets on Air Canada Flights?
Now that you know everything about Air Canada unaccompanied minor policy, it’s time to learn the process to book UM tickets on flights. You can fill out the Air Canada unaccompanied minor form and then contact the airline’s customer support agent for further process. Scroll down to find the instructions below.
- To get the Air Canada unaccompanied minor form PDF, you must contact the airline’s Reservations phone number and seek help.
- Speak to the travel agent directly and tell them that you want to book an unaccompanied minor ticket.
- You will then be given details about the Air Canada unaccompanied minor policy and other information.
- Get the form, fill out the details, and complete the bookings.
- Arrive early at the airport to pay the unaccompanied minor fee and complete other formalities.
Note: You must inform the travel agent if your kid has a medical condition or if he or she is allergic to something to avoid any last-minute hassle.
What is the Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Fee?
All set to send your kids alone? Hold on and check out the Air Canada unaccompanied minor fee beforehand, and make your bookings accordingly. The airline charges a specific service fee to attend to your unaccompanied child on the flight.
A service fee of $110 – $118 CAD/ USD each way per child is applicable, regardless of your fare type. This service fee includes a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and meals. If your child is traveling with an unaccompanied service on a flight offering Air Canada Bistro service, the price of a meal or hot snack is included in the service fee.
If your child is flying on credit card-only cabins and wants to buy a meal, then it’s preferred to pre-purchase convenient Air Canada Bistro vouchers online at any time up to one hour before departure.
What can I expect at an airport when escorting an unaccompanied minor?
Now that you have learned about Air Canada unaccompanied minor requirements, let’s understand what you can expect at the airport, such as identification, check-in, and other processes. Read on to learn more.
- First of all, head to the Air Canada ticket counter and provide the photo ID of your child. Only original documents will be accepted.
- For travel within Canada, children under 18 years must present the following documents to verify their age.
- Birth certificate
- Health card
- Passport
- Other government-issued identifications
- According to the Air Canada rules, unaccompanied minors flying to or from the US and other international flights must carry a passport.
- Parents or guardians will then be asked to complete a “Request for Carriage” form, which contains the following.
- Your child’s identification and flight number
- The name and contact information, including the phone number and address
- The authorized signature of your child’s parent or guardian
Note: The parent or guardian must remain at the airport until the flight departure, even if the Air Canada agent has taken their child into their care.
Where will my child be seated on the plane?
If your child is traveling on an Air Canada flight, then he or she will be seated in the last three rows of the aircraft, close to the cabin crew. The flight attendant will take care of your kid’s needs throughout the journey and ensure that he or she enjoys a comfortable experience.
However, this recommendation doesn’t apply to Air Canada Express flights. Children flying alone on Air Canada Express flights can be seated anywhere as per their chosen seat or fare type.
How Can I Prepare My Child to Fly Alone?
Now that you are well-acquainted with Air Canada unaccompanied minor rules, it’s time to follow some preparation tips that make your kid’s journey comfortable and hassle-free. Here’s what you teach your kid before flying alone on Air Canada flights.
- Explain the details of the trip to your kids in advance. The advance information will make their travel less stressful.
- While the Air Canada unaccompanied minor cost includes meals and beverages, you still pack some snacks and their favorite items in their carry-on bags in case of delay.
- Make sure your kid knows about the designated person who is going to meet him at the destination airport.
- Ensure that your kid is aware of the government ID that needs to be presented at the airport or at the gate area.
- Finally, make your kid remember important phone numbers of his family members to avoid any fuss later on.
What happens when my child is escorted to the gate area?
Whether you have booked Air Canada unaccompanied minor tickets for international or domestic flights, here’s what happens once you have handed your child over to the Air Canada agent.
- The airline’s agent will give a lanyard to your child so that he or she will be identified by the airport staff.
- An Air Canada agent will accompany your child through the security check and then take him to the boarding area.
- Once boarding is announced, the agent will board your kid first, where he or she will be greeted by the in-flight attendant.
- Upon arrival at the destination airport, the airline’s agent will help your child de board the flight and escort your child to the Arrival section to meet the designated person.
- Make sure the person who arrives at the airport to pick up the child must bring a government-issued photo ID to verify their identity.
Summing Up
That’s all about the Air Canada unaccompanied minor service. We hope our guide has helped you understand the airline’s UM service, fee, and process to book flights. Make sure your kid is ready and prepared to fly alone on Air Canada flights. Check out all the eligibility conditions beforehand and book their flights accordingly. The service fee is applicable to unaccompanied minors, and that includes meals and beverages. Arrive early at the airport to complete all formalities and make the journey smoother for your kid. Do you still have queries? Contact our experts at Fareasky and get all the details right away.
