Flight of a child without parents: within Russia and abroad unaccompanied.

Many parents do not want to let their child travel alone even after reaching adulthood, however, there are life situations when the child is forced to travel alone. Perhaps the fastest and least painful way for the psyche of all participants in the process is a flight. Each airline has its own nuances regarding the transportation of minors, but most of the rules are general and must be followed. For some reason, many are worried that a small child will be left to his own devices before boarding the plane and will be able to move freely around the airport. This is wrong. Children without parents are constantly supervised by airport and airline employees, who will accompany them through all checks, will not let them get bored during the flight and will provide all the information they are interested in. So how can you send your child on a plane alone across Russia?

Boy on the background of an airplane

Age of children on the plane

The vast majority of Russian air carriers allow children to fly on an airliner without parents, starting from 2 years old, however, they must be in the company of an accompanying person (the person may not be a relative). From the age of 5, a child can be sent to fly on an airplane under the supervision of airline employees, and upon reaching the age of 12, he can travel alone. A child under 17 years of age has the right to use accompanying services when flying without parents. Further transportation of children on an airplane requires teenagers to be independent.

Rules for flying unaccompanied children in Russia.

The rules for flying children without parents are regulated by Order No. 82 of the Ministry of Transport.

According to the document, such a trip is carried out taking into account the following features.

A child can fly independently on an airplane only if this is provided for by the company’s internal rules.
The air carrier may, at its discretion, set the minimum and maximum ages for young passengers.
There are no child discounts for independent travelers, regardless of their age.
When purchasing a ticket, parents fill out a permission application according to the established form.

The escort service is paid additionally, but it is necessary to clarify whether the carrier provides it.

A special airline employee undertakes to perform the following actions:

register with your child;
check in luggage;
monitor the passenger’s well-being during the flight;
collect your luggage at your destination;
hand over to the receiving party.

Flying unaccompanied children can be unsafe, which is why many adults use the service. At the same time, it is available for both preschoolers and adolescents under 17 years of age.

Categories of children's tickets and their prices

Cost of accompanying a child on an airplane

Some parents do not fully understand the vicissitudes of children's transportation and do not know up to what age children are entitled to tickets at partial cost, and whether they are provided for free. According to the rules of international transportation, all children on board the aircraft are divided into two categories:

Infant (infant – baby) – age group from 0 to 2 years;
Child (child) – age group from 2 to 12 years.

Babies with an INF note on their ticket are not entitled to a separate seat on the plane and, as a rule, their flight is not paid for, or the cost is 10% of the regular price. Younger CLD class passengers are given a 30-60 percent discount, provided they have an adult citizen with them. When using accompanying services, parents pay the full cost of the travel document.

Since there are a lot more worries with kids, most airlines do not provide discounts on flights for children under 12 years of age when using their services independently. Some carriers require the full price of a ticket within a certain child's age for a single flight, while others charge the full price for all minor passengers.

Child looking out the porthole

Accompaniment service for children in flight from airlines

Many air carriers provide the service of accompanying a child on an airplane. The conditions for obtaining the service may differ, which is better to check with representatives of the company chosen for the flight.

What is included in the air carrier escort service:

Accompanying a child on the plane after checking in for the flight.
In the cabin, the flight attendant helps the child take his seat, according to the purchased ticket.
During the flight, the accompanying person pays attention to the ward, takes care of his safety, accompanies him to the toilet room, etc.
Many carriers also give young passengers special play sets for entertainment during air travel.
After landing, the flight attendant accompanies the child to the arrivals hall at the airport and hands the child over to the welcoming adult.

If for some reason the adult who was supposed to meet the child upon arrival does not show up at the airport, airline employees call the parents of the young traveler. If the problem cannot be resolved at the arrival airport, the child is taken to the departure airport on the first departing flight, where the parents must meet him and pay for additional services provided by the airline.

Rules and required documents

The service of accompanying a child during an air flight is provided on a paid basis. The cost of the service can be found on the carrier’s website or by calling the airline’s call center.

Important:

Parents must give written consent for their child to travel unaccompanied.
Check-in for a flight for unaccompanied minors is only possible at the airport near a special counter. Registration of a child for a flight in the presence of parents. After check-in, the minor passenger will be accompanied on board by an airline representative.
Parents or other official representatives of the child are required to wait at the airport for the departure of the airliner.
On an airplane, a child without parental accompaniment must have a special bag with the young passenger’s personal documents. A special badge with the corresponding inscription “unaccompanied child” is attached to clothing.
An adult must meet the child at the airport upon arrival. When registering for an escort service, parents indicate the details of the people who will meet the young passenger at the place of arrival. Airline representatives hand the child over to the meeting adult after checking his personal documents with the data specified by the parents in the application form.

What documents should a young traveler have:

birth certificate;
air ticket;
permission to fly from parents;
medical policy.

If a child has health problems and there are medications in his personal belongings, the package of documents must also contain a certificate from a medical institution indicating the diagnosis and a list of transported medications that may be useful to the child during air travel.

Air carriers provide the service of accompanying a minor passenger on a paid basis. Each company has a certain tariff. On average, the cost of such a service when flying within Russia is 3000-3500 rubles.

Price list of airlines for escort services

Aeroflot – full ticket price + 40 euros for each route segment;
S7 – ticket with appropriate discounts for children from 5 to 11 years old, full ticket price from 11 to 16 years old + from 3000 rubles. The service is provided only for direct routes;
Ural Airlines - full ticket price + 30 euros. The service is provided only for direct routes;
Russia – full ticket price + 40 euros. The service is provided only for direct routes;
Pobeda – full ticket price + 3000 rubles for each segment of the route;
Utair – the service is not provided to children under 12 years of age; 12-17 year olds pay full ticket price. The service is provided only for direct routes;
Yamal – passengers 5-12 years old are given discounts + 5000 rubles. The service is provided only for direct routes.

What time do planes fly in Russia?
Important! All of the listed airlines allow children to fly independently only in economy class.

At what age can you fly on an airplane without parents abroad?

If a minor passenger travels abroad alone, without legal representatives, then the same rules apply to these flights as for movement within the territory of Russia. A child can fly without parents from the age of 2; in practice, this limit is raised to 5 years if an accompanying service is purchased.

At what age can you fly on a plane without your parents and abroad without an accompaniment? Most airlines allow this from the age of 12, some only from the age of 15. But at any age, parents must draw up a document, certified by a notary, stating that they are letting their children go abroad.

Flight time: day or night

Rating of the best airlines in Russia and the world

Many parents argue about what time of day to buy a ticket for, and when the child tolerates the flight better. If your child is facing a long (more than 3 hours) unaccompanied flight, there is something to think about. Each option has its positive and negative sides, everything largely depends on the individual characteristics of your baby and his age. Try to find a balance between the distance of the route and the biorhythms of the little passenger.

Girl with a suitcase

Parents' actions before the flight

You should carefully study the rules for transporting children on the plane of your chosen airline and familiarize yourself with their policies in this matter;
Many carriers allow the purchase of an independent ticket for a child only at the sales office in the personal presence of the parents;
To fly within the Russian Federation, a child needs notarized parental consent (for single trips abroad, including those with a foreign passport and visa). It must be done in advance (it is better to have two copies: photocopy + original);
Ordering the service of accompanying a child is allowed no later than 40 hours before departure;
Only the legal representatives of the child can apply for the single child transportation service. It is important not to forget to take the parent’s passport and the baby’s birth certificate;
At the airport you must fill out a cover sheet and a form;
It is necessary to warn the person meeting you to take your passport to the airport, otherwise the child will not be given to him;
Parents should tell the accompanying person in advance about all the features in the baby’s character and behavior.

Important! Be sure to notify the airline of special meals for your child if they require them.

At what age can a child fly on an airplane and how often?

Secondly, during landing of the plane (precisely landing!) due to the pressure drop, a spasm of the auditory tube may occur and lead to pain in the ear and the development of otitis media. Therefore, if the adenoids are enlarged, there are chronic ear diseases, or a tendency to otitis media, then before boarding you should put children’s vasoconstrictor drops into the nose.

Firstly, the air on the plane is very dry with humidity below 20%, so the mucous membranes dry out. If there is snot, it will turn into boogers and the child will not be able to breathe. Therefore, parents should take saline drops on the flight (there are a huge variety of them in pharmacies) and occasionally drip them into the nose. And give your child something to drink more often so that his mouth does not dry out. With a bottle in their mouth, small children can more easily tolerate possible discomfort during takeoff and landing.

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Medical Features

Before sending your child alone on a plane, it would be a good idea to consult your pediatrician, especially if there is a multi-hour flight with a change in time zone and climate;
If you know that your baby gets motion sickness during a flight, give the escort service worker the appropriate medications that prevent nausea and other unpleasant effects;
Doctors advise against flying if a child under 6 years of age is sick or has recently suffered from acute respiratory viral infection or influenza;
The country's best pediatric doctors are confident that a long flight is absolutely not dangerous for a baby over 3 months old. If your baby is older, you can freely send him by plane. He'll be fine.

A man carries a boy on a suitcase

Baggage

If a child under 12 years of age makes the flight, then an accompanying person will be with him at all times and he will help him carry his suitcase. You need to take care of your hand luggage; it should contain essentials and favorite toys:

Medicines if the child suffers from any disease, and a standard first aid kit.
Water and light snack. You can also provide a full lunch for the trip; the flight attendant will be able to warm it up after takeoff. Most carriers offer children food during the flight, but sometimes they are more accustomed to eating home-cooked food.
Napkins and disposable handkerchiefs.
If a little traveler gets motion sickness, it is recommended to put candy in your hand luggage.
Toys, books, tablet.

If the passenger is over 12 years old, the question arises: how to send an unaccompanied child on a plane so that he/she feels comfortable on the trip? It is recommended that older children take the entire list with them. But if the child is unaccompanied, you need a minimum size suitcase.

Psychological preparation of a child for a flight

Of course, each case is individual, but if your baby is traveling alone for the first time or flying on an airplane for the first time, you should take care of his psyche in advance and prevent possible problems or fears:

Start preparing your child as early as possible so they have time to get used to the idea of moving alone;
If your child is of preschool age, buy him toys, books, coloring books about pilots and airplanes and explain in a playful way that there is nothing to be afraid of;
Excitingly tell your child what a wonderful adventure awaits him and how much fun he will have;
It is better to talk calmly with a child attending school and notice how big and independent he has become, that you have complete trust in him;
If your child experiences significant fear of the unknown, bring him to the airport in advance, explain in detail all the check-in procedures: what to do, who to follow, and so on;
On the day of the flight, dress your baby in comfortable clothes, avoiding lots of laces and snaps. At the control, when he needs to take off his jacket and shoes, he may get confused;
Explain to your child in great detail what to do and who to contact in the event of a force majeure situation at the airport or during a flight;
If your baby has an active and restless character, choose a seat near the aisle so that he can warm up. A calm and quiet child will feel better near the window;
Put your favorite and necessary things (money, phone, medicine) during the flight in a small backpack, emphasizing what a responsible baby you have.

Important! To help your child sleep on the plane, give him a favorite toy with you during the flight that he falls asleep with at home.

Boy photographing an airplane

Documents for an unaccompanied child

Birth certificate or passport (for persons over 14 years of age);
Air ticket;
Parents' consent for the flight (certified by a notary);
Medical policy;
Document on disability, if necessary (in the case when the baby needs constant access to any medicine);
Application form with the child’s full name, destination city, full information about the parents, contact details of the meeting person;
Cover sheet with contacts of escort staff and information about them.

Documents required for the flight

A child's flight with or without an escort is impossible without two documents:

identity cards of a minor passenger;
written consent of the parent to leave, certified by a notary office.

The latter document will also be needed for international transportation if the child is flying on an airplane without guardians, parents or trustees. If a minor citizen is traveling to another city or country with his mother or father, notarized consent for the trip from the second parent will also have to be issued.

Depending on the situation, other papers may be required, for example, a visa, a document containing personal information about the accompanying person, the citizen meeting the minor passenger and the child himself.

Activities at the airport

You must show up at the check-in counter with your child no later than 2 hours before departure;
When registering a child, you must present the following documents:

ticket,
completed application forms,
receipt for payment for support services,
accompanying person's passport,
passenger's birth certificate (or other identification document);

The parent accompanying the child must remain at the airport until the plane departs;
After completing the registration procedure, all the baby’s documentation is placed in a transparent plastic folder with a strap to be worn around the neck. It must be on the child before he is handed over to the person meeting him;
Unaccompanied minors undergo passport and ticket checks, as well as inspection of hand luggage first;
The unaccompanied child boards the plane first;
After the baby lands, airline employees will contact the parents and notify them about this.

Important! An unaccompanied child cannot check in for a flight in advance or online.

Children and flight attendant

What is included in the service of accompanying a child on an airplane?

If a child is flying alone, he can only be checked in for the flight directly at the airport terminal. An airport employee picks up the child, goes through all types of control with him and escorts him on board the plane. Until the aircraft takes off, the accompanying person usually needs to be present in the terminal building.

On the plane, the flight attendant will pay special attention to the person being accompanied. If the flight has a transfer, then at the connecting airport the young passenger is taken to a children's room or VIP room. Together with the child, without waiting in line, airline employees go through all the formalities (including receiving his luggage) and hand him over to the greeter at the arrival airport.

Airline regulations vary. The escort service may not be available on flights with transits and transfers. The age range of those accompanied may vary slightly. Some airlines take the child’s passport for the duration of the flight, others put all the documents in a special bag and hang it around the child’s neck. Be sure to check with the airlines for information.

In very rare cases, if there is no meeting person, air carriers can take the child to the desired address. In other cases, airlines contact the accompanying adults and send the child back.

Carry-on luggage for a child

Products for snacking at the airport (fruits, nuts, dry cookies, dried apricots, raisins). Take your child's favorite but not too messy treat to create a feeling of comfort and relieve boredom;
Juice, milk, mineral water, lemonade are allowed to be carried in, but they will not be allowed through checks;
Toys or books that the child loves will not be superfluous and will reduce the likelihood of children's whims;
A tablet, phone or player with cartoons, games and educational applications can now be transported turned on throughout the entire flight; they will only make the baby’s flight easier;
Special medications for your child, if necessary (to transport them, they require accompanying documentation from a doctor);
Several bags made of thick paper in case your baby gets motion sickness.

Important! You shouldn't give your child chocolate or high-sugar foods at the airport, otherwise they will become overstimulated during the flight.

During the flight

On board the aircraft, your child will be looked after by a specially assigned flight attendant and will provide any possible assistance. She will always accompany the baby to the toilet if necessary. The vast majority of Russian airlines offer game and creative kits absolutely free on domestic flights so that the child does not get bored. The staff on board will be happy to answer any questions the little passenger has or allay his fears.

Important! Water is provided to passengers free of charge on all domestic flights upon request. Explain to your child in advance who to ask for a drink on the plane.

Girl and escort

What is the price  

The service of accompanying a child on a flight is paid. As a rule, airlines on their websites indicate the cost in rubles for domestic flights and in euros for international flights. For some air carriers, the price of the service depends on the destination and is available upon request.

An air ticket for an unaccompanied child is paid as for an adult passenger; child discounts do not apply to it. Additional payment is made for meals for a child during a connecting flight on a connecting flight.

Cost of service in airlines

For your convenience, we provide links to airline sections on the transportation of unaccompanied children under the supervision of air carriers and the cost of air

Domestic flight: 3400 rubles International flight: 40 euros

“Unaccompanied minors” on air

Domestic flight: 3400 rubles International flight: 40 euros

“Unaccompanied minors” at S7 Airlines

Domestic flight: 3000 rubles International flight: 50 euros

“Unaccompanied minors” on air

Domestic or international flight: 3000 rubles

“Unaccompanied children” at Ural Airlines

Domestic flight: 30 euros International flight: 50 euros

“Unaccompanied minors” on air

Domestic or international flight: 1500 rubles

"Unaccompanied minors" at Red Wings

Domestic or international flight: price on request

“Unaccompanied minors” on air

Domestic or international flight: price on request

“Unaccompanied minors” on air

Domestic or international flight: price on request

Arrival procedure: what you need to know

After landing, the crew member assigned to the child hands him over to the airline representative at the point of arrival;
The escort service will call the child’s parents and inform them about the transfer of the minor passenger into their custody;
An accompanying employee helps to get luggage (if any) and escorts the child through all the corridors to the exit, where he hands it over to those greeting them;
If for some reason the person meeting the child is delayed, the escort will wait for him in any case and will not leave the minor child unattended;
If the party meeting the child forgot to bring a passport, as an exception, any document with a photo and the specified last name, first name and patronymic will do.

What's happened

This service is a mandatory requirement for travelers under the age of majority. It should be noted that you need to order this service not only in case of an international flight, but also when using local airlines . The selected company will appoint a flight attendant who will supervise the child during the flight. Using this service allows you to guarantee complete flight safety.

A selected employee meets the child's parents at the airport and accepts luggage. This employee will help the child go through the check-in procedure and check bags into the luggage compartment. Once at your destination, the employee will help you go through the check-in procedure again and retrieve your luggage. Next, the responsible person must hand over the child to the receiving party.

The service in question consists of several stages. At the first stage, the child is met by a ground escort, to whom all documents must be handed over. It should be noted that many airlines have special rules regarding children's carry-on luggage . Every young passenger should be able to carry a travel bag independently. A special tag is attached to bags checked into the luggage compartment.

It is better to arrange and buy an air ticket in advance

At the end of the registration procedure, the child boards the airliner, where he is received by a flight attendant. Information about this carrier employee is also included in the accompanying sheet. The ground escort should return to the parents and inform them that the young passenger has boarded the aircraft . It is important to note that in the case of an order, the child receives priority status during the personal search procedure. The flight attendant helps the child take his seat on board the airliner and put the bags in a special compartment. The task of the flight attendant is to create the most comfortable conditions for the flight. His list of responsibilities includes feeding the baby, giving brief instructions on the rules of behavior in the air, and distributing entertainment materials.

In order to order special meals, you must notify the airline staff in advance of this need. After the plane lands at its destination, the child is handed over to the ground escort team. These persons help to get luggage and escort the child to the area where the greeters are waiting for him. The baby will be handed over to the receiving party only after a thorough check of the person’s identity. The information on your ID must exactly match the information on your registration card.

In the case when the flight involves one or more transfers, airport staff take the child to the children's room. In the event that no one meets the young traveler in the arrivals area, an airline employee must call the parents or persons indicated in the document. Next, airline employees independently organize the transportation of the baby to his relatives or temporary guardians. If it is not possible to deliver the passenger to the receiving party, the company can send him home on the next flight. In this case, parents need to cover additional costs.

Service cost

Flying a child without parents across Russia is quite difficult, since various difficulties may arise along the way. Booking allows you to minimize the risk of various problems. The cost of the service is based on factors such as the prestige of the chosen class, the duration and direction of the flight. Each company sets its own tariff system for individuals who want to order this service. Let's find out how much this service costs from domestic airlines:

Aeroflot - three thousand four hundred rubles.
“Victory” - three thousand rubles.
Ural Airlines - three thousand rubles.

In the case of transfer flights, the cost of the service may increase slightly. Parents must pay for additional food and drinks that will be offered to the child while waiting for the transplant.

Each airline sets its own rules regarding the service in question. Booking an “Accompany” is a mandatory requirement for independent flights for children under the age of twelve. However, parents can order this service for teenagers. The cost of this air ticket is equal to the price of standard fares. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the regulations in force regarding the carriage of baggage. Each child must carry their own carry-on luggage. An airline representative helps you move heavy suitcases that are checked into the luggage compartment.

It is important to note that each company limits the number of seats on board the airliner intended for small passengers . This means that this service must be booked several days before departure. The unaccompanied flight of a young passenger with a disability deserves special attention. In this case, parents must coordinate all their actions in advance with airline representatives. This is because transporting people in this category may require the company to reduce the number of seats available for children traveling independently.

On board the aircraft, the child is under the supervision of a senior flight attendant

Additional services for small clients

Separate meals for the child, not included in the basic purchased tariff (meals according to the norms of religion or health restrictions are discussed in advance);
When taking a transfer route, you can order food and drinks for your baby at the transit airport (if the wait for the next flight is more than 2 hours). The approximate cost of the service is 2300 rubles;
If the meeting party fails to show up at the airport, the baby will be delivered to the address specified in the application after calling the parents and obtaining their consent. The cost of the service is calculated from the taxi fare and payment for the additional time spent by the escort service employee.

Boy with a red suitcase

Transportation of organized groups of children by plane

A group of children can travel on an airliner accompanied by adults.

There are some conditions for such travel around the world:

For a certain number of children in a group, one adult accompanying person is allowed (specific numbers can be clarified with the airline).
A company organizing children's travel to another country is obliged to compile an accurate list of children, indicating age, date of birth and other personal data for each minor passenger.
All parents prepare written consent in advance for the child to fly accompanied by specific persons. This document is certified by a notary.
Each child must have all the necessary documents provided for by the general rules of the carrier.

For children flying independently on board an airliner, special conditions are provided, including meals, drinks, play sets for entertainment, and even broadcasts of cartoons or movies. All these nuances can be clarified in advance with representatives of the air carrier, which will allow parents and the little traveler to properly prepare for the upcoming independent flight on an aircraft.

Video

Transporting unaccompanied children on an airplane is not a new service. Every well-known Russian airline has been providing it for several years, and all the nuances and possible problems have long been perfected. All employees of the service for accompanying children act in accordance with the established strict regulations, and flight attendants who come into contact with children undergo a special course in child behavior and psychology, where they are instructed how to quickly resolve any force majeure situations. Air carrier employees bear full responsibility for your baby throughout the entire journey, right up to handing it over personally into the hands of the person meeting you, and each point of the child’s movement is recorded in the accompanying document. Thousands of young air travelers fly domestically every year, and their parents aren't afraid to send them on their own.