Traveling Solo: Minors Flying Alone With Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines considers children aged 12 to 17 travelling alone as Young Travelers, not Unaccompanied Minors. This means that the airline's Unaccompanied Minor procedures do not apply to 17-year-olds. While Young Travelers do not require pre-boarding, parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that they arrive for check-in and boarding in accordance with each airport's suggested arrival time. Additionally, each Young Traveler must have the maturity and capability to request assistance from a Southwest Employee if needed and be able to contact a parent or guardian in case of travel disruptions.

Young Traveler Policy: 12-17-year-olds are considered Young Travelers, not Unaccompanied Minors

Southwest Airlines has a specific policy for Young Travelers, which includes 12-17-year-olds travelling without their parents or guardians. Young Travelers are not considered Unaccompanied Minors, and as such, the airline's Unaccompanied Minor procedures do not apply to them. This means that the airline does not monitor these young travellers during their trip.

The airline places the responsibility on parents or guardians to ensure that their child has the maturity and capability to travel alone. This includes checking in, passing through security, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage, all without adult supervision or assistance from Southwest Employees. The airline also requires that the young traveller has the means to contact their parent or guardian in the event of a travel disruption.

Young Travelers are not eligible for pre-boarding, and they board with their assigned group number. While they are not formally monitored, Southwest Airlines will ensure that Young Travelers are held in a safe area and escorted by an employee until they are placed on the next available flight in the event of travel disruptions. Food and sleeping arrangements will be provided if necessary, and the family will be informed of any changes.

Young Traveler reservations must be booked via a phone agent, as additional emergency contact information is required. This information cannot be entered online.

Young Travelers are not monitored by Southwest Airlines

This means that parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring their child arrives for check-in and boarding according to the airport's suggested arrival time. It is also the responsibility of the parents or guardians to ensure their child has the maturity and capability to travel alone, without supervision or assistance from Southwest Employees. This includes checking in, passing through security, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage.

While Southwest Airlines does not monitor Young Travelers during travel, they must have the maturity and ability to request assistance from a Southwest Employee if needed and contact their parents or guardians in case of travel disruptions.

It is important to note that Southwest Airlines reserves the right to deny travel on flights that may experience delays, diversions, or cancellations due to weather or operational issues. Additionally, the airline does not provide Young Traveler service for international travel.

As a result, 17-year-olds can travel alone on Southwest Airlines without being designated as Unaccompanied Minors. However, they are still considered Young Travelers, and the airline expects them to have a certain level of maturity and independence to navigate the travel process without constant monitoring.

Young Travelers must have the maturity and capability to travel alone

It is important to note that the maturity and capability to travel alone will vary from child to child. Some minors may feel excited and confident about traveling alone, while others may find it overwhelming. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to assess their child's maturity and capability before booking a flight.

To ensure a smooth travel experience, parents or guardians should go over the travel process with the young traveler beforehand. This includes explaining procedures such as checking in, going through security, boarding the flight, asking for help, and knowing where to put carry-on baggage. Additionally, the young traveler should be well-informed about their flight details, including the flight number, departure gate, destination airport, and who is responsible for drop-off and pick-up.

In terms of documentation, young travelers may need a child travel consent form, which gives them permission from their parents or guardians to travel alone. This form may need to be signed by both parents and notarized, especially for international travel. Other recommended documents to carry include a photo ID, medical insurance card, and a credit card for emergencies.

By taking the time to assess their child's maturity and capability, as well as providing them with the necessary information and documentation, parents or guardians can help ensure that their young travelers have a safe and positive experience when flying alone.

Young Travelers are not eligible for pre-boarding

Young Travelers, which Southwest Airlines defines as children aged 12 to 17 travelling alone, are not eligible for pre-boarding. Pre-boarding is reserved for customers who have a specific seating need to accommodate a disability and/or need assistance in boarding or stowing an assistive device.

Southwest Airlines does not monitor Young Travelers during travel. This means that each young traveller must have the maturity and capability to request assistance from a Southwest employee if needed and the means to contact a parent or guardian if there is a travel disruption.

Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that a Young Traveler arrives for check-in and boarding in accordance with each airport's suggested arrival time. This includes accounting for the time needed to park, check luggage, pass through the security checkpoint, and board the flight.

Southwest Airlines does not provide Young Traveler service to or from international destinations.

If a young traveller simply needs a little extra time to board, they will be permitted to board before Family Boarding, between the "A" and "B" groups.

Young Travelers are not allowed to fly internationally on Southwest Airlines

Young Travelers, as defined by Southwest Airlines, are children aged 12 to 17 travelling alone. They are not considered Unaccompanied Minors, and therefore, the airline's Unaccompanied Minor procedures do not apply to them. While Young Travelers are allowed to fly domestically without an adult, they are not permitted to fly internationally on Southwest Airlines.

Southwest Airlines has specific policies and procedures in place for Young Travelers. Parents or guardians are responsible for ensuring that their child arrives for check-in and boarding on time, taking into account the time required for parking, checking luggage, passing through security, and boarding the flight, which can vary depending on the airport. It is essential that the young traveller has the maturity and capability to navigate these processes without adult supervision or assistance from Southwest employees.

When booking a reservation for a Young Traveler, the purchaser confirms that the child has the necessary maturity and capability to travel alone and that they are either the parent or guardian of the minor or have the authority to act on behalf of the parent or guardian. Additionally, the purchaser must provide emergency contact information for an adult whom the airline can reach out to if needed.

While Southwest Airlines does not monitor Young Travelers during travel, they must have the maturity to request assistance from a Southwest employee if required and have a means of contacting a parent or guardian in case of travel disruptions. The airline also reserves the right to deny travel on flights that may be delayed, diverted, or cancelled due to weather or operational issues.

In summary, while Young Travelers aged 12 to 17 can fly domestically without an adult on Southwest Airlines, they are not permitted to fly internationally. The airline has specific procedures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of these young travellers, and it is important for parents or guardians to carefully consider their child's maturity and capability to handle the responsibilities of travelling alone.

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