Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Child Travel Policy (2024 Updated)

Sometimes it comes up a situation when children have to travel alone maybe on summer trips or it may occur in a tragic situation or emergency. This is really like a scary dream for the parents or guardians. However, Alaska Airlines completely understands the situation and through Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy, the Airlines offers unaccompanied minor assistance for both domestic and international flights, nonstop or direct flights but under some restrictions. Also, they are available for itineraries that involve transfers or connecting flights.

So If you are also planning an alone trip for your child, then read out the whole information here.

• About the age criteria.
• What is the fee required for the unaccompanied minors?
• Essential documentation and forms
• As well as the tips that parents or guardians should teach their children when traveling alone.
• Also, what are the restrictions that you need to know when planning an international journey for your unaccompanied child?
• Besides this, you can also check out how to book a flight on Alaska Airlines for an unaccompanied minor.

Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy

Alaska Airlines has its own policy and age barriers for unaccompanied minors for their safety and security. They name it as Junior Jetsellers Program. They take responsibility for the minor kids by providing them with escorted services and many more to establish the trust of the guardians or parents but for this. Here are the key points of the Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Minor policy.

Let’s check out this.

• Alaska Airlines allows children who are between 8 years to 12 years old to travel alone as an unaccompanied minor along with flights involving transfers or connection only to Alaska.  
• They also allow 5,6,7 years children but with some restrictions like they can not book flights involving transfers or connections.
• Infants are completely unacceptable.
• Alaska Airlines limits the number of children who are traveling alone for their safety and security concerns. So make sure that you book early for your child.
• Along with that Alaska Airlines has the right to charge an amount for Unaccompanied Minor Service when an unaccompanied aged between 5-12 years is traveling with a person who is not even 18.  
• In case when the travelers are under 18 and traveling together, the youngest child Unaccompanied Minor Service restrictions will apply. It will not matter whether they have requested this service or not. 
• Alaska Airlines refuses to accept unaccompanied minors if any flight goes interrupted because of bad weather or any other factor and the minor child has to travel on this route. 

Age Limit for Unaccompanied Minor Service

Children aged between 0-5 years 

Infants and children of these ages do not come under Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Minor services and they are not acceptable in any situation. They will have to travel with their adult companion, parent, or guardian.

Children aged 5-7 years 

• Alaska Airlines allows children of these ages but under some restrictions.
• They can travel on Alaska including flights operated by their regional partners.
• Alaska Airlines does not accept their travel on flights that involve transfer and connections. 
• They can travel on direct nonstop flights only.
• The travel time should be between 5 am to 9 pm.
• Unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for this age group.

Children between 8-12 years 

• For these aged children, unaccompanied minor service is available.
• They can also travel on flights involving the transfer and connections.
• Unaccompanied minor assistance is mandatory for this age group.
• Time restrictions apply here also as they have to travel between 5 am to 9 pm. 

Children aged 13-17 years 

• This age group of children does not come under the unaccompanied minors but the assistance is available for them. They can choose for it.
• Also, they can travel on those flights which are between 5 am to 9 pm.
• Unaccompanied minor assistance becomes mandatory if the passenger has connection flights to another airline where they are considered an unaccompanied minor.

Assistance Offered to Unaccompanied Minors

• Alaska Airlines offers escorted services under the Unaccompanied Minor facility.
• For the age group between 5 and 12 years old children, escorted service is mandatory.
• Age between 13 to 17 years, escorted service is optional.
• The unaccompanied minor will receive a lanyard and a wristband so that the staff can recognize the minor.
• To make them comfortable in their seat and also for the proper attendance, unaccompanied minors get early boarding.
• When choosing the seat Alaska Airlines recommends choosing the “C” seat for children that is traveling alone. 
• If the unaccompanied minor’s flight is more than two hours in length, then the service team will provide them complimentary main cabin meals on flights. 
• Also, provide an option to pre-order their meal online on the app or via the website directly.
• If the child becomes ill, every possible effort will be made to contact the guardian. If the condition is serious, the airline will contact the appropriate medical personnel. 
• Also, if the child wants to make a phone call to their guardian they are allowed but only when their flight is on the ground.
• Alaska Airlines has launched the “Fly for All” app for unaccompanied minors for their ease.

Flight Restrictions for Unaccompanied Minors 

• Alaska Airlines forbids children who are less than 5 years old at any cost.
• Airlines restrict the number of unaccompanied children so that they can easily manage their safety and security.
• Unaccompanied minors can not travel on the flights between 9 pm to 5 am.
• Under the age of 5 to 7 years minors can travel on the direct route only, they are not allowed to take any transfer or connection flights. 
• While Alaska Airlines will contact the medical personnel if the child is ill yet they will not control or administrate the child’s medication. 
• Junior Jetseller Service is required between 5 to 12 years of a child.
• Children will not be allowed to travel on the last connecting flights unless there is no other option available.
• Parents or guardians must be available until the flight departure.

Alaska Airlines International Policy for Unaccompanied Minor

While Alaska Airlines allows unaccompanied minor on international flights the guardian need to complete all international customs forms at check-in. Besides this, the minors who are traveling alone must have the letter of concern with them signed by their parents or guardians.

How to Book a Flight for Unaccompanied Minor?

Alaska Airlines allows to book flights for an unaccompanied minor in several ways. If you are facing any problems in booking the flight for your child, check out the steps below.

• The first way is you go to the official website of Alaska Airlines and select “0 adults”.

            Now fill out all the details like date, city, number of passengers in the “Children”

            field, and unaccompanied minors and book the flight.

• However, the children traveling to/from another airline can not be booked via alaskaair.com.
• Another way to book a flight is via a phone call. Just dial 1-800-252-7522 and ask them to make an unaccompanied minor booking and tell them all the details required. Make the payment and you will receive the confirmation mail.
• Make a booking soon for your unaccompanied minor because Alaska Airlines allows limited minors to travel alone at one time. 
• When you make your reservation then you need to complete the guardian contact form online which requires detailed information about the picking up and dropping off guardian along with the alternate guardian in case of an emergency.

Documents Required while Booking 

Contact information 

• Phone number of the parent or guardians
• Current address 

Proper identification of the minor

• Passport
• Birth certification
• Proper ID

Unaccompanied minor form

• Complete the form with all the required information
• Emergency contacts
• Parents and legal guardian information
• Child’s relevant detail

Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Fee Policy

Alaska Airlines offers unaccompanied minors service for up to all 5-17-year-old children over both domestic and international flights. Besides this, they offer all the care to the child. So Alaska Airlines charges a certain amount based on the age of the child who is going to travel alone. Here is the Alaska Airlines Unaccompanied Minor fee structure.

NOTE: The fees are abandoned for those unaccompanied children who have attained MVP, MVP Gol, Gold 75k, or Gold 100k Mileage plan status. 

Instructions to Plan Solo Journey for Child with the Alaska Airlines

When you are booking a solo journey for your child, then you should be aware of some important points. Alaska Airlines completely ensures the safety and security of unaccompanied minors. So parents can relax. Look at these tips that will help you prepare for your child’s solo journey.

Prepare Your Child Before the Journey

• Parents or guardians should write the phone number and some informative details for the minors. 
• Tell the minors about the uniform and the wristband.
• While the airlines provide complimentary food, parents can pack some extra snacks, and drinks for the minor.
• Charge the electronic items if the child is going to carry any.
• Pack important items like money, medicines, books, or games in one carry-on bag.

At the Airport

• Reach the airport 90 minutes before to obtain the escort passes.
• Guardian should be available there until the flight board.
• Make sure that you have completed the unaccompanied minor form with the detailed information and the form must be with the minor during the journey.
• Parents need to submit the required documents at the airport like valid government-issued photo ID, passport phone number, etc.
• Also, the guardian contact form must be completed at the airport.

While Boarding the Flight

• Parents should be available with the child until he/she reaches the departure gate. Also, they need to stay there until the flight departs.
• Minor might be boarded early so they settle on their seat comfortably and meet the crew members. so, reach the airport on time. 
• The guardian needs to contact the crew member who will handle the child’s further journey.
• Inform the person who is going to receive the child at the destination.

During the Flight

• Minor have to be seated during their journey. 
• Alaska Airlines tried its best to provide every essential service and care to the child.
• They can ask for any assistance from the crew members freely. 

At the Time of Arrival

• Make sure that the guardian who is going to pick up the unaccompanied minor reaches 2 hours early so that the child will not have to wait at the airport.
• The guardian must have Government ID proof with them.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is the Alaska Airlines policy for unaccompanied minors?

Alaska Airlines allows unaccompanied minors under the age of 5 to 17 years old. Infants and less than 5-year-old children are completely not allowed. But remember minors under the age of 5 to 7 can fly with the direct route. They can not fly on connections or transfer flights.

How much is the unaccompanied minor fee on the Alaska flights?

Alaska Airlines charges a fee and provides the total care of the minor who is traveling alone with their flight.

• Fee for the aged between 5 to 7 years old child is $50.
• Fee for the aged between 8 to 17-year-old child is $50 (on direct routes) and $75 (on connecting flights) 

Do minors need ID to fly on Alaska Airlines?

Children who are traveling alone in domestic fights do not need a photo ID. They might be asked the birth certificates or passports as proof of the safety of their child. 

What is the youngest age to fly unaccompanied minors?

The youngest age for the unaccompanied minor that Alaska Airlines allows is 5 years. Children who are less than 5 years old are completely restricted from flying alone with Alaska Airlines. 

Can a 14-year-old fly alone on Alaska Airlines?

Yes, Alaska Airlines allows 14-year-old children to fly alone. There is a choice available for minors between 13 to 17 years old to choose the unaccompanied minor service or not. For 14 year child, it is optional. 

Do Alaska Airlines let minors fly alone?

Many airlines do not allow unaccompanied minors to travel alone without their guardian or parents but Alaska Airlines allows minors to travel and they provide all the necessary care to the children. So the guardians can relax and plan their child‘s solo journey at any sudden condition.

What are the procedures for unaccompanied minors?

When the minor is traveling alone with Alaska Airlines, they will be provided the escorted service onto the flight during pre-boarding. Airlines try to the total care of your child. So the person who is coming to pick up the child must have to show a photo ID proof.  

What documents do an unaccompanied minor need to fly?

Unaccompanied minors require a Birth certificate or a passport as proof of their age and identity. That may be asked upon check-in at the ticket counter. They also need to provide an unaccompanied minor form and guardian’s contact details. 

How early should an unaccompanied minor reach the airport?

An accompanied minor is required to reach the 2 hours before the flight. This is to avoid all the inconvenience in travel, specifically when the child is traveling alone. Also, the minor should reach the 90 minutes before to obtain the escorted pass.