Traveling Solo: Delta's Policy For Unaccompanied Minors

can a 14 year old travel alone on delta

Delta Airlines offers an Unaccompanied Minor Program for children between the ages of 5 and 14, allowing them to travel without a parent, guardian, or adult companion. The program is mandatory for children in this age group and costs \$150 each way, with certain conditions and restrictions in place to ensure the safety and comfort of the child. For teenagers between 15 and 17, the program is optional, and they can choose to travel as standard passengers with valid ID.

Characteristics Values
Age restrictions Children between the ages of 5 and 14 years may travel alone on Delta and Delta Connection flights as unaccompanied minors, under certain conditions.
Unaccompanied Minor Program Mandatory for children between 5 and 14 years old. Optional for children between 15 and 17 years old.
Unaccompanied Minor Service Fee $150 USD/CAD/EUR one-way, for both nonstop and connecting flights.
Booking Unaccompanied minors cannot be booked through the standard booking engine. For children under the age of 15, contact Delta's reservations team. For children between 15 and 17, you can either book them as a standard "adult" passenger or contact the reservations team to enroll them in the Unaccompanied Minor Program.
Check-in Check-in must be done in-person at the airport. The presence of an accompanying adult is required for the check-in process.
Drop-off and Pick-up The accompanying adult must escort the child to the gate and remain there until the plane takes off. At the destination, only the adult who is designated during check-in will be allowed to pick up the child.
Connecting Flights Unaccompanied minors can only connect to other Delta, Delta Connection, Air France, and KLM flights. Travel is not permitted on the last connecting flight of the day.
International Travel International UMNR travel resumed on April 1, 2021. However, it depends on the local laws, regulations, and restrictions of the destination country.

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Unaccompanied Minor Program

Delta's Unaccompanied Minor Program enables children between the ages of 5 and 17 to fly without a parent, guardian, or adult travel companion. The program is mandatory for children aged 5-14 and optional for 15-17-year-olds.

The airline has different sets of travel rules for different age groups. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted to travel alone on Delta flights. Children between the ages of 5 and 7 must be booked on non-stop flights, without any layovers or connections. Children between the ages of 8 and 14 can take flights with connections, but these must be to another Delta, Air France, or KLM flight.

Unaccompanied minors are not accepted on flights departing between 9 pm and 5 am, except when a qualifying connection is not available for international flights, domestic short-haul flights (2 hours or less, non-stop), flights to/from Alaska and Hawaii, and markets with only one connection that is the last flight of the day.

The presence of an accompanying adult is required for the check-in process. This adult must provide photo identification, their address, and contact information. They must also provide the contact information for the adult who will pick up the child at the destination. A trackable wristband and Unaccompanied Minor ID will be given to the child to wear during travel.

The accompanying adult must escort the child to the gate and remain there until the plane takes off. The adult picking up the child at the destination must obtain a gate pass and wait at the gate for the child. They must also present valid identification.

The Unaccompanied Minor Program requires a fee of $150 USD/CAD/EUR each way, in addition to the ticketed adult fare. This fee covers up to four children if multiple children are travelling together.

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Delta Sky Zone

Delta Air Lines offers the Delta Sky Zone, a kids-only lounge with video games, snacks, and a secure area for children travelling alone to hang out between flights. Delta Sky Zones are available at most of the airline's connecting hub airports, including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.

In these Delta Sky Zones, children flying alone can wait for connections, use complimentary phones to call their parents or guardians, and enjoy various activities like books, toys, and video games. Staffed by Delta representatives, the Delta Sky Zone ensures that children feel secure and comfortable during their layover.

Delta's Unaccompanied Minor Program offers additional features like a trackable wristband and a personal escort for your child throughout their travel day, including during connections. This program is mandatory for children aged 5-14 and optional for those aged 15-17.

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International Travel

Delta's Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) service is mandatory for children aged 5-14 travelling without an adult (18 years or older). Children aged 15-17 are not required to have unaccompanied service, but Delta will provide it upon request. The UMNR service fee will apply.

The following guidelines apply to worldwide travel on Delta and Delta Connection carriers. Delta provides special services for children flying by themselves. Children aged 5-14 years travelling without an adult (18 years or older) are considered an Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) and must participate in the UMNR program.

When travelling internationally, it is important to ensure that the unaccompanied child has all the required documents. Some countries require special documentation, such as a notarized letter, stating that the unaccompanied child has permission to fly alone. Usually, the parent/guardian should contact the nearest embassy/consulate.

  • Brazil: Brazilian citizens under 18 travelling without both parents are required to present additional documentation. This also applies to minors with dual nationality or those born in Brazil who are not Brazilian citizens.
  • Canada: Minors under 14 travelling to or from Canada have the option of sitting next to or near a parent, guardian, or tutor. Delta makes every effort to seat children in close proximity to caregivers according to age group.
  • Dominican Republic: Dominican citizens and legal residents under 18 travelling alone or with only one parent, legal guardian, or authorized representative must have a minor travel permit to exit the country.
  • Italy: All unaccompanied minors of Italian citizenship under 14 are required to have an individual passport and a "Dichiarazione di accompagno" duly authorized by the Police Authority.
  • Ireland: Customers under 18 travelling without an accompanying parent or guardian need a signed letter from the parent or guardian authorizing the child's travel, a copy of the parent or guardian's passport or driver's license, and a birth or adoption certificate.
  • Mexico: Any passenger under 18 travelling alone must have a notarized letter of authorization from a parent, translated into Spanish, or they will be refused entry.
  • South Africa: Passengers travelling with minors (including unaccompanied minors under 18) may need to present additional documentation to enter or depart the country.

Fees

The UMNR service charge is mandatory for children aged 5-14 when not accompanied on the same flight in the same compartment by an adult (18 years or older) or a parent/legal guardian. The fee is $150 USD/CAD/EUR each way for domestic and international travel (nonstop and/or connecting).

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Booking an Unaccompanied Minor Flight

Delta Air Lines offers an Unaccompanied Minor program, allowing children between the ages of 5 and 14 to fly alone under a supervised and structured travel experience. Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 can also opt into this program, but it is not mandatory.

Delta's Unaccompanied Minor program offers features like a trackable wristband, Sky Zone lounge, and a personal escort for children to have a safe and comfortable journey. The program also includes special boarding and deplaning procedures, occasional checks during the flight, and ensuring children are picked up only by designated adults upon landing.

Contact Delta Reservations:

You can book an Unaccompanied Minor reservation by calling Delta's customer service phone number at 800-325-8847. You can also book online, but you must then contact Reservation Sales at 1-800-221-1212 to notify Delta that a child will be travelling alone.

Provide Necessary Information:

When booking, you will need to provide the following information:

  • The flight number, date of travel, and name of the travelling child.
  • The name, address, and telephone number of the person bringing the child to the airport, as well as the person who will meet the child at the final destination.
  • A 4-digit PIN will be provided to you, which will be required for further processes and to make any changes.

Check-In Procedures:

On the day of travel, check-in must be done in person at the airport. The accompanying adult will need to provide:

  • Photo ID (license, passport, etc.)
  • Address (as shown on ID)
  • Contact phone number
  • Name, address, and phone number of the adult meeting the unaccompanied minor at their destination

Unaccompanied Minor Boarding & Takeoff:

A parent or designated accompanying adult must take the unaccompanied minor to the departure gate and remain until the flight has left the ground. The adult will be given a special pass to go through security with the child.

Unaccompanied Minor Pick-Up:

The person meeting the child at their destination must present a valid ID, and Delta will not release the child to anyone else. This person should report to the destination airport two hours before the scheduled arrival to obtain a gate pass. If there are any changes to the person picking up the child, Delta must be notified.

Fees:

The Unaccompanied Minor Program requires a fee of $150 USD/CAD/EUR each way, which can be paid one-way or round-trip. This fee covers up to four children if multiple children are travelling together.

International Travel:

Unaccompanied Minors can travel internationally with Delta, but this depends on the restrictions of the destination country. Contact Delta Reservations for more information.

Overall, Delta's Unaccompanied Minor program offers a safe and structured travel experience for children flying alone, with various features and procedures in place to ensure their comfort and security.

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Travel Day Procedure

On the day of travel, it is recommended that you talk to your child about the journey, reminding them to only speak to Delta Air Lines representatives if they need anything. They should not leave the gate area at any time. If your child has any special needs, notify Delta.

When packing, it is recommended that your child brings:

  • Snacks, games, books, or other entertainment
  • A single, small carry-on, like a backpack, so nothing gets left behind
  • A checked suitcase for larger items, which can be picked up after the flight
  • An ID card with contact information attached to their carry-on bag or jacket

When you arrive at the airport, see a Delta Airport Customer Service Agent for information regarding drop-off and pick-up for unaccompanied minor travel. You will receive a wristband for your child to wear in-flight and create a package of boarding documents and ID for your child to use as they travel.

At check-in, the accompanying adult must provide the following:

  • Photo ID (e.g. license, passport)
  • Address (as shown on ID)
  • Contact phone number
  • Name, address, and phone number of the adult meeting the unaccompanied minor at their destination

A parent or designated accompanying adult must take the unaccompanied minor to the departure gate and remain until the flight has left the ground. If the minor is connecting through another city, they will be assisted by a Delta or business partner employee. Delta recommends that children be seated at the rear of the aircraft to be near a flight attendant for safety.

If your child has a connecting flight through Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York (JFK), Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, or Seattle, they will have access to Delta Sky Zones for entertainment. In these children-only areas, they can wait for connections, use complimentary phones to call parents/guardians, and enjoy books, toys, and video games.

A valid ID must be presented, and a signature captured, of the person meeting the child at their destination. Delta will not release the child to anyone other than the person named. A parent or accompanying adult should report to the destination airport two hours before the scheduled arrival to obtain a gate pass.

If the pickup person at the destination changes, the accompanying adult must call Delta to provide the new information. Upon arrival, if someone other than the person named at check-in is there to pick up the child, a Delta representative will contact the original accompanying adult to verify the identification of the new pickup person.

The pickup person at the destination will typically be issued a gate pass to pick up the unaccompanied minor at the gate. In some locations, they will be directed to the local Delta Baggage Service Office for pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, children between the ages of 14 and 17 can travel alone on Delta. However, they must be enrolled in the Unaccompanied Minor Program, which is mandatory for children under 15 and optional for 15-17-year-olds.

The Unaccompanied Minor Program is a supervised and structured travel experience that enables children between the ages of 5 and 17 to fly alone without a parent, guardian, or adult travel companion. The program includes features such as a trackable wristband, a Sky Zone lounge for kids, and a Delta personal escort for the child throughout their travel day.

The Unaccompanied Minor Program has a fee of $150 USD/CAD/EUR each way, which is mandatory for children ages 5-14 and optional for 15-17-year-olds. The fee covers up to 4 children traveling together and can be paid at check-in or in advance.

There are several restrictions for 14-year-olds traveling alone on Delta:

- They must be enrolled in the Unaccompanied Minor Program.

- They can only travel on nonstop or connecting flights, but may only connect to other Delta, Delta Connection, Air France, KLM, and Aeromexico flights.

- They cannot be booked on the last connecting flight of the evening to prevent the need for an overnight stay in a hotel.

- They are not permitted to travel on Red Eye flights (departing between 9 pm and 5 am) unless specific exceptions apply.

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