At Tours N Travel Pro, we understand that entrusting your child with their first solo flight is a big decision. Whether it’s a trip to visit family, an educational journey, or just an exciting adventure, you want to ensure that your child is safe, comfortable, and well taken care of during the entire trip. Fortunately, Emirates has a comprehensive unaccompanied minor policy designed to offer peace of mind for parents while ensuring that young travelers receive the care they need during their journey.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Policy, explaining everything you need to know about booking the service, eligibility, the in-flight experience, and how to make sure your child’s travel is smooth from start to finish.

What Is an Unaccompanied Minor?

An unaccompanied minor is a child who travels alone, without an adult companion. While some airlines allow children over a certain age to travel solo without additional services, Emirates takes extra steps to ensure that minors flying alone are well looked after. Emirates offers specialized care for children between the ages of 5 and 15 who are traveling alone, and they are required to use the airline’s unaccompanied minor service.

Eligibility for Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service

Emirates’ unaccompanied minor policy applies to children aged 5 to 15 years who are traveling without an accompanying adult. Here’s a breakdown of the key eligibility guidelines:

• Ages 5-11: Children aged between 5 and 11 years are required to use the unaccompanied minor service. It is mandatory for children within this age range, as they are not yet considered old enough to travel alone without extra support.

• Ages 12-15: Children aged 12 to 15 are allowed to travel independently, without using the unaccompanied minor service. However, you can still opt to book this service for older children if you feel they may benefit from additional assistance and support during their journey.

• Under 5 Years: Emirates does not provide the unaccompanied minor service for children under 5 years old, as these younger children must be accompanied by an adult.

Key Features of the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Policy

Emirates places a high priority on the safety and comfort of unaccompanied minors, offering a range of services to ensure a positive travel experience. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key features of the Emirates unaccompanied minor policy.

1. Dedicated Staff and Special Assistance

From the moment your child arrives at the airport, they will be in the care of Emirates staff. Here’s a closer look at the support they’ll receive:

• Check-in Process: Parents or guardians are responsible for checking in the unaccompanied minor at the airport. Emirates staff will take over the responsibility once the child is checked in and will ensure they are escorted through security, immigration, and to the boarding gate.

• Personal Escort: During the flight, Emirates will assign dedicated staff to look after the child. The crew members are trained to monitor the unaccompanied minor, ensuring that they are comfortable, entertained, and have all their needs met throughout the journey.

• Special In-Flight Attention: The cabin crew is always informed about the unaccompanied minor’s presence on board and will check on your child regularly. They will also help with meals, entertainment, and any other support needed during the flight.

2. Security and Safety Protocols

The Emirates unaccompanied minor policy emphasizes security. A key feature is the airline’s meticulous handover process to ensure that only authorized persons can pick up the child upon arrival:

• Handover Procedure: Once the flight lands, the unaccompanied minor will be escorted off the plane by an Emirates representative and will be handed over only to the designated guardian. To ensure the child’s safety, the guardian must present identification and proof of their relationship to the child.

• Flight Tracking: Parents or guardians can track the flight status in real time via the Emirates website or app, providing peace of mind as you can follow the journey’s progress and receive updates on boarding and arrival times.

3. Entertainment and Comfort for Young Travelers

Emirates offers a host of amenities to make sure that unaccompanied minors are well taken care of during their flight:

• ICE Entertainment System: Emirates’ ICE (Information, Communication, and Entertainment) system offers a vast selection of age-appropriate movies, games, and TV shows that can keep children entertained throughout the flight. There are also child-friendly options and interactive games that appeal to younger passengers.

• Child-Friendly Meals: The airline provides unaccompanied minors with nutritious and child-friendly meals during the flight. Meals can be pre-ordered to meet any dietary requirements. Snacks and drinks are also provided to keep them refreshed and satisfied.

• Comfort Kits: On long-haul flights, unaccompanied minors are provided with a comfort kit that includes blankets, pillows, and other essentials to make their journey as comfortable as possible.

4. Support at the Destination

Once your child arrives at their destination, the process of handover is just as smooth as the journey itself. Emirates staff will ensure that your child is safely escorted through the airport to meet the designated pick-up person.

How to Book the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service

To book the Emirates unaccompanied minor service, you’ll need to make arrangements in advance. Here’s how you can do that:

1. Book the Flight: First, book your child’s flight with Emirates, either through their website or through a travel agent like Tours N Travel Pro. Be sure to mention that your child will be traveling as an unaccompanied minor.

2. Request the Service: During the booking process, request the unaccompanied minor service and provide the necessary details such as your child’s age, contact information, and the contact details of the person picking them up at the destination.

3. Service Fees: There is an additional fee for the unaccompanied minor service, which varies depending on the route and destination. This fee will be added to the cost of the ticket.

4. Preparation for Travel: Make sure that you prepare your child for the flight by explaining the process to them. You should also pack a carry-on with essentials like snacks, entertainment, and comfort items.

Tips for a Smooth Unaccompanied Minor Experience

To make sure your child’s journey is as smooth as possible, here are a few helpful tips:

• Arrive Early: Get to the airport well ahead of time (about 3 hours before the flight) to ensure there’s enough time for check-in and the unaccompanied minor procedures.

• Prepare Your Child: Talk to your child about what to expect. Reassure them that there will be friendly airline staff to help them every step of the way.

• Pack Comfort Items: Consider packing a small bag with a favorite book, toy, or blanket to keep your child entertained and comfortable during the flight.

• Stay in Touch: Make sure you have the contact information for the airport staff at the destination, and track your child’s flight to stay updated.

Final Thoughts

The Emirates unaccompanied minor policy is designed with both safety and comfort in mind, offering parents peace of mind and providing children with a secure, enjoyable travel experience. With Emirates’ dedicated staff, comprehensive services, and commitment to customer care, your child’s solo journey will be in capable hands.

At Tours N Travel Pro, we’re here to help you with all aspects of your travel plans, including booking the unaccompanied minor service. If you need assistance or have any questions about the Emirates unaccompanied minor policy, don’t hesitate to reach out to our expert team. We’re here to make the process as easy and stress-free as possible, ensuring your child’s flight is safe, smooth, and enjoyable.