Etihad Airways minors flying alone

Does Etihad Airways offer special services for children traveling alone?

Etihad staff takes extra care of Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passengers ensuring they are supervised and happy from the moment you place them in Etihad’s care until they are reunited with their loved ones.

At what age can children travel as Unaccompanied Minors?

Children under 5 years of age are not eligible for the Unaccompanied Minor service and will not be allowed to travel alone.

Children aged 5 to 11 years inclusive who are traveling alone are always treated as Unaccompanied Minors.

Young adults aged between 12 and 18 years traveling alone (without parents/guardians) are also eligible for the Unaccompanied Minor service if specifically requested by the parent/guardian and upon payment of an additional fee. In this case, they are considered Young Passengers.

Unaccompanied Minor Service

Unaccompanied Minors can only be booked on Etihad-operated flights and are charged at the adult fare (no child discount). A maximum transit time of 8 hours is allowed in case of a transfer between flights.

To book a flight for an Unaccompanied Minor, you can use the special online form or contact your nearest Etihad office or the contact centre in order to receive the required Unaccompanied Minor documentation. Unaccompanied Minors cannot be accepted onto a flight without this documentation, which must be submitted at least 24 hours before departure.

Unaccompanied Minors must be escorted to the airport by their parents/guardians and should be checked in at least 120 minutes prior to scheduled time of departure.

After check-in, the Unaccompanied Minor will be placed under the guardianship of one of Etihad’s ground hosts who will guide them through passport control and security checks right up to the aircraft. At this point, the cabin crew will take over and ensure your child has a safe, comfortable and enjoyable flight. Children will have fun on board with games and activities, the special children’s section of the in-flight entertainment system and tasty food and refreshments.

Upon arrival, the Unaccompanied Minor will be escorted through immigration, baggage claim and customs by a ground host and handed over to the adult waiting for him/her in the arrivals area.

The Unaccompanied Minor service for children aged 5 to 11 is free as long as they travel on an adult fare, and the service has been pre-booked before arriving at the airport. If the service has not been arranged in advance, a fee will apply at the airport.

Young Passengers

When the Unaccompanied Minor service is requested for children aged 12 and up to, but not yet, 18 years, an additional Young Passenger Fee applies to all single journeys (inbound and outbound):

  • USD 100 one-way – direct flights.
  • USD 150 one-way – connecting flights.

More information here >>