Unaccompanied Minors

For children flying alone

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Let your child fly safely in our hands

Child with paper airline

For a child travelling alone, a journey by air can be a little daunting.

At Etihad, we take extra care of unaccompanied minors ensuring they are supervised and happy from the moment you place them in our care until we reunite them with loved ones.

Age classification

Age classification
Age travelling alone Travel requirement
Below (but not yet) 5 Cannot travel alone.
Must be accompanied by a passenger age 18 and above.
5 and up to (but not yet) 12 Can travel alone with the Unaccompanied Minor service.
Adult fare must be paid.
12 and up to (but not yet) 18 Can travel alone. Adult fare must be paid.

The Unaccompanied Minor service is available at an additional fee.
  • Journeys to/from GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and the UAE) - USD 60
  • Journeys between the UAE and the rest of the world - USD 100

    On connecting journeys, the highest rate will apply for the whole trip. Example: Bahrain to Abu Dhabi to London will cost USD 100.
  • The Young Passengers Fee applies to all single journeys (inbound and outbound) and is non-refundable. Example: Bahrain-Abu Dhabi-London will cost USD 100, the return flight London-Abu Dhabi-Bahrain, will be an additional USD 100 - a total of USD 200 for the entire trip.

Flying with partner airlines

Some of our flights may be operated by one of our many Partner Airlines. Their age classification and policies may differ from ours. Please check their website or contact the airline directly for details before booking your flight.

How to book

  1. Please book your child's flight below.
  2. After booking the flight online you will be provided with a booking reference. You will need this reference to complete the Unaccompanied Minor Form.
  3. To request for the Unaccompanied Minor service, complete the form below. Please fill out all sections of the form, as incomplete forms cannot be processed and will result in delays in booking the service.
  4. You will need to complete one form for each child travelling.
  5. We will contact you within 24 hours to process and advise the status of your request. Please note that for children 12 and up to (but not yet) 18, we will be collecting the service fee through your credit/debit card only.
  6. Ensure you print 4 copies of the form (per child). Remember to sign each copy of the form and bring them all with you to the airport on the day of departure. 

    For operational reasons, the form must be completed in English only.
    Click here for the Unaccompanied Minor Form ►

Alternately, you may contact our Global Contact Centre or visit one of our local ticketing offices to make a booking and request for the Unaccompanied Minor service at least 24 hours before departure.

Book flights for children travelling alone

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How it works

Throughout the journey we will be there to take care of your child and assist with anything they need, so you can relax knowing that they’re in safe hands.

When travelling with children, it’s important to plan ahead. Think about everything you might need and pack your baggage accordingly.

What to prepare before flying ►

Family at the airport

We take care of your child at every step of the journey.

On the day of travel, your child must be escorted to the airport and should be checked-in at least 120 minutes prior to scheduled time of departure. 

Please remain at the airport until the flight has departed.

Departure sign in the airport

After check-in, your child will be placed under the guardianship of one of our ground hosts who will guide them through passport control and security checks right up to the aircraft.

At this point our cabin crew will take over to ensure your child has a safe, comfortable and enjoyable flight.

Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal 3

Be assured your child will have fun on board with our goody bag of games and activities, a variety of children’s in-flight entertainment and tasty food and refreshments.

Have a peek of the fun ►

On board children's activities

If transferring between flights, the maximum length of time between flights is 4 hours.

Your child will be met by a member of our premium services team and accompanied to our specially designed lounge.

Premium Lounge's Family Room

Upon arrival at the airport of destination, your child will be met immediately by one of our ground staff and will be escorted through immigration, baggage claim and customs to finally be reunited with you within the arrivals area.

Please meet your child at the scheduled arrival time of the flight and present appropriate identification to confirm your identity.

Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal 3

Travel policies for young guests

Passport's Visa pagePlease ensure your child has all the valid travel documents including passport, visa, health certificate and other necessary documents required by applicable laws for all countries on the entire journey.

Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax for guests 12-15 travelling from the UK

The UK government has abolished the Air Passenger Duty (APD) tax for young guests aged 12 to 15 travelling from the UK in Economy Class. 

If you made a booking on etihad.com under this category and you were charged the APD tax, we will refund you the APD tax you have paid as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

Requirements

  1. Booking is purchased through etihad.com
  2. Guest is between 12-15 years old at the time of travel
  3. Flight is departing from a UK airport
  4. Guest is travelling in Economy Class

Procedure

Send an email to APDtaxrefund@etihad.ae and include the following details:

  • Booking reference or ticket number
  • Clear passport copy

Important notes

  • We will refund the APD to your original form of payment.
  • For tickets purchased through travel agents and third party websites, please contact them directly for refunds.

Children travelling from/to South Africa

South African Department of Home Affairs requires additional documents for guests below 18 years old, when travelling to and from South Africa. The required documents must be presented upon check-in for each flight.

For further information:

Terms and Conditions

Unaccompanied Minor Policy

Unaccompanied Minors (aged 5-12 years)

  1. Children who are between 5 and 12 years of age traveling alone are considered to be Unaccompanied Minors (UM).
  2. Unaccompanied Minor service for children above the age of 5 and below 12 years travelling alone is offered free of charge. However, adult fare is applied on Unaccompanied Minor tickets.
  3. Occasionally it may not be appropriate for little ones with special needs to travel unescorted if the level of care which they require exceeds what our crew are able to provide. Furthermore, cabin crew are not permitted to assist in the toilet, administer a guest's medication or feed guests.
  4. The Unaccompanied Minor must be seen off at the airport and met on arrival at the destination by parents/ guardian (mentioned on the UM form).
  5. The parent/guardian must present themselves for check-in and ensure that the Unaccompanied Minor has all necessary travel documents like valid passport, visa, and health certificate (if required as defined in MEDA policy). These documents must be submitted to the Etihad check-in counter at least 2 hours prior to departure of the flight.
  6. Connecting time for down line stations shall not be more than four hours.
  7. Where travel on another airline is involved, the rules of that airline must be complied with. Guests/ travel agents must contact the other airline’s office to check rules for acceptance of the Unaccompanied Minors.
  8. Unaccompanied Minors up to the age of 14 years shall not be accepted when journey involves interline travel with American Airlines.
  9. Unaccompanied Minor bookings shall not be accepted with interline connections on Finnair.
  10. Unaccompanied Minors with medical conditions shall be accepted after obtaining medical clearance from Etihad Airways Medical Center (EAMC).
  11. Unaccompanied Minors are not permitted to sit in the emergency exits.
  12. Children (accompanied minors) travelling with adults in different cabins shall be treated as Unaccompanied Minors.
  13. Unaccompanied Minors travelling from Abu Dhabi are not eligible to be checked in from Abu Dhabi and Dubai city terminals.
  14. Etihad Chauffer and coach service is not provided to Unaccompanied Minors.
  15. Unaccompanied Minors transit lounge located within terminal 3 is available for all originating and transferring UM via Abu Dhabi.
  16. An Unaccompanied Minor Form must be completed online for travel on Etihad Airways operated flights by the guest’s parents/guardian.
  17. The guest must take 4 copies of the completed and signed form to the airport on the day of departure. 

Young Passengers (aged 12-18 years)

  1. Young Passengers (YP) between the age of 12 and up to but not yet 18 years travelling alone without parents /guardians may request for the Unaccompanied Minor service at an additional fee:
    - Journeys to/from GCC (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and UAE) - USD 60
    - Journeys to/from UAE to the rest of the world - USD 100
  2. On connecting journeys, the highest rate shall apply for the whole trip. Example: Bahrain- Abu Dhabi -London will cost USD 100.
  3. The Young Passengers Fee applies to all single journeys (inbound and outbound) and is non-refundable. Example: Bahrain-Abu Dhabi-London will cost USD 100, the return flight London-Abu Dhabi-Bahrain, will be an additional USD 100 - a total of USD 200 for the entire trip.
  4. Young Passengers between the age of 12 and up to but not yet 18 years may travel alone without the Unaccompanied Minor service.
  5. Occasionally it may not be appropriate for little ones with special needs to travel unescorted if the level of care which they require exceeds what our crew are able to provide. Furthermore, cabin crew are not permitted to assist in the toilet, administer a guest's medication or feed guests.
  6. Above fee is applicable for tickets issued on/after 25 November, 2015.
  7. Young guests between the ages of 12 and 17 years are not permitted to escort an Unaccompanied Minor.