Airlines charge you a fee for offering unaccompanied minor service. You may pay the fee at the time of booking or after the booking. The UM service charge is in addition to the airfare. UM service fee may be paid during check-in at the airport with a credit card. Here are a few things you must remember about availing Southwest unaccompanied minor service.

• The service is mandatory for those aged 5 to 11 - As children between 12 and 17 are considered young travelers, they may travel on their own.
• Only non-stop flights may be chosen for unaccompanied minor travel - Unaccompanied minors are supposed to remain on board throughout the journey.
• There are a lot of other things you must know about unaccompanied minor travel apart from the fee. In this Air1Network blog, we will try to offer you an insight into how minors may travel alone.

How much does Southwest charge for Unaccompanied Minors?

Unaccompanied minor aged between 5 and 11 years will need personal supervision.  That is why you are supposed to pay charges. The charges are $100 within US and $35 for intra-island travel within Hawaii. Children between 12 and 17 years can fly alone because they are considered young travelers. Here are several things you may remember about

Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Fee

• The fee is refundable - You may get back the fee if Southwest cancels the flight.
• No need to pay a fee if the child is with a young traveler - You’ll not have to pay a UM fee if the child boards with a 12-17 year old.
• Fee is charged in addition to the airfare - Even if the ticket is discounted, you may not avoid the charges applicable for unaccompanied minor service.

Southwest may not be able to continuously monitor the minor. Unaccompanied minors must be able to call Southwest unaccompanied minor contact number during a flight disruption. For details or assistance, you may visit or contact Air1Network on +1-844-414-9223.

Can a 14 year old fly Southwest alone?

Southwest wants a child to be at least 5 years old for boarding a flight. You may have to provide the supporting documents to prove eligibility to fly alone. A 14 year old child may travel alone conditionally. The guardian or parent may have to submit an undertaking before the child boarding Southwest Airlines flight. So you must ensure that the child is capable of taking care of herself or himself. Here are a few tips you may find handy if circumstances require you to let your child travel alone.

• Be in the gate area till the flight departs - Southwest unaccompanied minor policy requires you to be in the gate area till the flight has departed.
• Arrival at the airport - Arrival times of unaccompanied minors may be up to 2-3 hours before departure.
• Pay unaccompanied service charges - For children 5-11, you will have to pay UM service fee.

How Do I Book an Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest?

You may book an unaccompanied minor on Southwest only if the flight is non-stop. Thru-flights where the child doesn’t have to deplane may also be booked. Provide all the necessary details at the time of booking. This includes the person who will drop and pick up the Southwest unaccompanied minor at departure and arrival. Complete details must be submitted along with the address. Here are a few things you must remember about booking an unaccompanied minor.

• Ensure the minor has all the travel documents - A valid minor passport.
• Pay the charges during booking or after booking - You may pay the charges when you check-in.
• Be in the gate area till the flight departs - For all unaccompanied minors you’ll have to be in the gated area till the flight departs. 

What documents do you need for Unaccompanied Minor on Southwest?

Paperwork must be completed at the ticket counter. This includes filling up unaccompanied minor information form. You will have to fill up the details of the flight on this information form. Here are the other necessary actions needed by the guardian or parent.

• Give the completed paperwork to the agent at gate - This paperwork will be with the unaccompanied minor throughout the journey. 
• Obtain a gate pass to clear the security - For dropping the minor, you must get a gate pass.
• At destination the person designated to pick up the child must arrive - If the person doesn’t arrive, Southwest will take whatever action deemed necessary. The guardian will be responsible for the cost borne by the airline.

In order that minors fly alone on Southwest safely, an unaccompanied minor lanyard is needed. The UM lanyard has all the details pertaining to the child’s travel including the person who is going to pick him up at the destination. For additional details or assistance, you may contact Air1Network on +1-844-414-9223.