Can 14 Year Olds Travel Alone?

8-14

May travel on nonstop and connecting flights only

 Here are the provisions for an "unaccompanied minor" and the fees:

Program Rules           

• Travel is permitted on Delta and Delta Connection (excluding American Eagle flights operating as Delta Connection).
• Travel is permitted on Domestic and International itineraries.
• Unaccompanied Minors can only connect to other Delta, Delta Connection (excluding American Eagle), Air France and KLM flights.
• Travel is not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day.
• Travel is not permitted on Red Eye flights (Red Eye flights are between 9pm-5am).  Exceptions below apply only if a qualifying connection flight is not available from the airport.
  • International flights
  • Domestic short haul flights ( 2 hours or less, non stop)
  • Flights to/from Alaska and Hawaii
  • Markets with only one connection and it is the last flight of the day

Program Fee
The Unaccompanied Minor Program requires a fee of $100 UDS/CAD/EUR each way (CAD/EUR currency is used when departing Canada and Europe). This fee applies to both Domestic and International Travel (nonstop and/or connecting).

 Fee Details

• The fee is mandatory for ages 5-14 and when a parent/guardian elects to enter a 15-17 year-old into the program. Only one fee will be charged for up to 4 children traveling together.
• The fee can be paid one way or round trip at time of check-in or in advance through Reservations.
• The fee is non-refundable once flown.

 Travel Tips for Parents

Booking
To book a reservation for an unaccompanied minor, you must contact Reservations to ensure that the travel is correctly documented. If you booked online or used a travel agency, please call 800-221-1212 to speak to an agent.

Baggage
Keep carry-on baggage to a minimum, and attach ID and contact information on or inside carry-on and checked baggage.

Entertainment and Food
Most flights do not offer meal service, so pack food for the flight, as well as books, games and other entertainment.

Special Needs
Explain flight procedures to your child: kids traveling alone should speak only to Delta Air Lines agents if they need help or have questions. And they should never leave the airport, the gate area or the aircraft unless accompanied by a Delta Air Lines representative wearing a badge. Be sure to let gate agents know if your child has any special needs. If there is a change to your child’s itinerary en route, an agent will contact you.

Check-in Requirements
Arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes prior to departure time for domestic flights and two hours prior to international flights. Look for the Special Services line at the Delta Air Lines counter to check in with an agent.

Note: You may not use self-service options to check in an unaccompanied minor.

Unaccompanied Minor Check-in Requirements
An adult (18 years of age or older) must accompany the unaccompanied minor at check in.

You may not be permitted to walk your unaccompanied minor to the boarding gate at some airports outside the United States. Upon check in, verify with the Delta agent where parents/guardians can wait for flight status; parents/guardians must remain at the airport until the flight is airborne.

Note: If the unaccompanied minor arrives at the counter alone, the Delta agent will not be permitted to complete check in. A parent/guardian will be contacted to return to the airport before the check-in process may begin.

The following information is required from the accompanying adult at check-in:      

• Photo Identification (e.g., drivers license)
• Address (as shown on identification)
• Contact phone number (in case of any changes or emergency)
• Name, address and phone number of the adult meeting the unaccompanied minor at the destination

Next Steps
After the check-in information is verified, the unaccompanied minor fee will be charged, along with any additional fees for checked baggage. The accompanying adult will be advised of the following important information:

• If the pickup person at the destination changes, the accompanying adult must call Delta at 800-221-1212 to provide the new information.
• Upon arrival, if someone other than the person named at check-in is at the destination to pick up the child, a Delta representative will contact the original accompanying adult to verify the identification of the pickup person at the destination.
• The pickup person at the destination must obtain a gate pass to pick up the unaccompanied minor at the gate.
• At the point of departure, the accompanying adult must remain at the gate until the flight is off the ground.

After reviewing these program rules, the accompanying adult will be required to sign a document stating all the information provided is understood and correct.

Check-in Completion
To complete the check-in process for an unaccompanied minor, the Delta agent will:       

• place a wristband around the wrist of the child for identification purposes
• create a package that will be used during the trip to include all travel documents (boarding cards, unaccompanied minor forms, etc.) and any additional documents (passport, receipts, baggage claim tickets, etc.)

Boarding Gate Procedures
Upon arrival at the gate, unaccompanied minors should check in with the gate agent and be prepared to board the aircraft at the beginning of the boarding process.

Note: The accompanying adult must be present at the time of boarding for the child to be permitted to board the aircraft. Once the plane is off the ground, the accompanying adult will be permitted to leave the gate area. This precaution ensures that the unaccompanied minor is escorted at all times.

Delta Sky Zone
The Delta Sky Zone is a secure area where unaccompanied children can wait for connecting flights, use complimentary phones to contact parents/guardians and take advantage of entertainment and activities like books, TV, games and toys. Staffed by Delta Air Lines employees to ensure children feel secure and comfortable, the Delta Sky Zone is located in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis and Salt Lake City.