Traveling Solo: Delta Airlines' Rules For Unaccompanied Minors

Children of 16 can travel unaccompanied on Delta Airlines, but they are considered an unaccompanied minor. Delta Airlines offers an Unaccompanied Minor program, which is optional for children between 15 and 17 years old. The program provides a supervised and structured travel experience for children flying without a parent, guardian, or adult companion. The fee for the program is $150 each way, and it can cover up to four children on the same reservation. To book a flight for an unaccompanied minor, you must contact Delta's reservations team either through their online chat function or by calling their reservations line. On the day of travel, the child must be checked in for their flight in person at the airport, and a parent or guardian must escort them to the gate and remain there until the plane takes off.

Delta's Unaccompanied Minor program

Eligibility

Children between the ages of 5 and 14 are required to use the Unaccompanied Minor program when travelling without a parent, guardian, or adult companion. Children aged 15 to 17 can opt into the program, or choose to travel as a standard passenger.

Booking

Bookings for unaccompanied minors cannot be made through Delta's standard booking engine. Instead, reservations must be made by contacting Delta's reservations team via the online chat function or by calling their reservations line at 800-325-8847.

Check-In and Departure

On the day of travel, unaccompanied minors must check in with a Delta representative at the airport. The accompanying adult will need to provide photo identification, their address, and contact information. They will also need to supply the name, address, and phone number of the adult who will be picking up the child at their destination. The accompanying adult must remain with the child at the gate until the plane takes off.

In-Flight

Unaccompanied minors will receive a trackable wristband to wear during the flight, and a package of boarding documents and ID. Delta recommends that children be seated at the rear of the aircraft, close to a flight attendant for safety.

Connections

If your child has a connecting flight, they will be assisted by a Delta or business partner employee. Delta offers Sky Zones at several hub airports, including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York (JFK), Los Angeles, Memphis, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and Seattle. These are children-only areas where kids can wait for connections, call their parents or guardians, and enjoy books, toys, and video games.

Pick-Up

Only the adult registered during check-in will be allowed to pick up the child at their destination. This adult must present a valid ID and obtain a gate pass from the Delta agents at the ticketing counter of the arriving airport.

Fees

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

International travel

Children aged 15-17 can travel alone on Delta Airlines and choose to opt out of the Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) service. However, if parents or guardians prefer, they can choose to enrol their 15-17-year-old in the UMNR program. This service is mandatory for children aged 5-14.

Booking

To book the UMNR service, you can either call Delta Reservations or book online. If you book online, you must then call Reservation Sales to notify Delta that you have purchased a ticket for an unaccompanied minor. You will need to provide the flight number, date of travel, and name of the travelling child. You must also provide the name, address, and telephone number of the person bringing your child to the airport, as well as the person who will meet your child at their destination.

Fees

The UMNR service fee is $150 USD/CAD/EUR each way, with CAD and EUR used when departing from Canada or Europe. This fee applies to both domestic and international travel on nonstop and connecting flights. The fee covers up to four children if multiple children are travelling together.

Documentation

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

See Delta's International Travel Information for more help.

Country-Specific Regulations

Some countries have more restrictions for children travelling with guardians or as unaccompanied minors. For example, Brazil, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, and South Africa all have specific requirements for minors travelling alone or with only one parent.

Other Information

Delta provides barcoded wristbands that will be scanned at important points of an unaccompanied minor's journey.

Delta Sky Zone

At some airports, Delta offers a kids-only lounge called Delta Sky Zone. Children flying alone can wait for connections, use complimentary phones to contact parents or guardians, and take advantage of activities like books, video games, and toys. Delta Sky Zones are located in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, New York-JFK and LGA, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and Seattle.

Booking a flight

Delta Airlines offers an Unaccompanied Minor Program for children travelling without a parent or legal guardian. This service is mandatory for children aged 5-14 and optional for those aged 15-17. The fee for the service is $150 each way, for up to four children travelling together.

To book a flight for a child travelling alone, you can either call Delta Reservations or book online. If you are booking online, you must also contact Reservation Sales to notify Delta that a child will be travelling alone and provide the following information:

• Flight number, date of travel, and name of the travelling child
• Name, address, and telephone number of the person bringing the child to the airport
• Name, address, and telephone number of the person meeting the child at their destination

When booking a flight, you will need to provide the child's age and select the appropriate ticket type. For children under 2 years old, a ticket is usually required at 10% of the adult fare. This ticket allows the child to travel on the adult's lap. Alternatively, a ticket can be purchased for the child to travel in their own seat, with country-specific discounts available.

For children 2 years old and above, a ticket is required and country-specific discounts may apply. Children under 15 must be accompanied by a passenger at least 18 years old. Children aged 15-17 can travel as standard passengers if they can present a valid ID.

Delta recommends that children travelling alone are seated at the rear of the aircraft to be near a flight attendant for safety. The airline also offers a Sky Zone lounge for kids at some airports, where children flying alone can wait for connections, use complimentary phones to call parents or guardians, and access entertainment.

Travel day procedures

On the day of travel, there are a few procedures to follow to ensure a smooth journey for unaccompanied minors on Delta Air Lines. Firstly, check-ins must be done in person at the airport, so be sure to allow plenty of time before the flight. At the ticketing counter, the accompanying adult will need to provide their photo ID, address, and contact phone number. They will also need to give the name, address, and phone number of the adult who will be picking up the child at the destination. The child will be given a trackable wristband and an Unaccompanied Minor ID to wear during the flight.

The accompanying adult must then escort the child to the departure gate, where they will be given a special pass to go through security with the child. The adult must remain at the gate with the child until the plane takes off. This is in case the flight is disrupted and returns to the gate.

At the destination airport, the designated pick-up adult registered during check-in must be the person to collect the child. They will need to bring their photo ID and check in with Delta agents at the ticketing counter to obtain a gate pass to meet the child.

If the unaccompanied minor has a layover or connection, they will be escorted to the next gate by Delta staff or a Delta-contracted employee. If the connection is through one of Delta's hub airports, the child will wait in the Delta Sky Zone, a children-only lounge with video games, snacks, and a secure area to wait between flights.

Picking up an unaccompanied minor

If you are picking up an unaccompanied minor, it is important to note that Delta Air Lines will only release the child to the person named at check-in. A valid ID must be presented and a signature captured of the person meeting the child. If the person picking up the child is different from the one named at check-in, the accompanying adult must call Delta at 800-325-8847 to provide the new information. A Delta representative will then contact the original accompanying adult to verify the identification of the new pickup person.

The person picking up the unaccompanied minor will typically be issued a gate pass to pick up the child at the gate. However, in some locations, they may be directed to the local Delta Baggage Service Office for pickup. It is recommended that the person picking up the child arrive at the destination airport two hours before the scheduled arrival time to obtain a gate pass.

Upon arrival, the accompanying adult must remain at the gate until the flight is off the ground.

It is important to note that unaccompanied minors are not permitted to travel on the last connecting flight of the day, except in markets with only one flight per day. Additionally, travel is not permitted on Red Eye flights (between 9:00 pm and 5:00 am), with some exceptions for international flights, connecting to/from international flights, and markets with only one flight per day.

Delta's Unaccompanied Minor Program offers features like a trackable wristband, a Sky Zone lounge for kids, and a personal escort for the child throughout their travel day, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey.

Frequently asked questions