How much does Air China charge for unaccompanied minors?

The service is free for children ages 5-11 on domestic flights. For teens ages 12-17 on domestic flights, it costs CNY 200 per segment. For international flights, the fee is CNY 260 per segment.

What is the minimum age for a child to fly alone on Air China?

The minimum age is 5 years old. Children under 5 are not permitted to travel alone under any circumstances.

How do I book the UM service on Air China?

You can apply through Air China's website, app, or ticket sales offices no later than 16:00 the day before departure.

Air China Unaccompanied Minor Policy (2026)

Air China requires unaccompanied minor service for children ages 5-11 traveling alone, and offers it optionally for teens ages 12-17. The service is free for ages 5-11 on domestic flights, but fees apply for international flights and for teens.

Last verified: 2026-07-29. Source: Air China official website.

Quick Facts

Detail	Policy
Minimum Age	5 years old
UM Mandatory	Ages 5–11
UM Optional	Ages 12–17
Domestic Fee	Free for ages 5-11; CNY 200 per segment for ages 12-17
International Fee	CNY 260 per flight segment
Per Child?	Yes (per child)
Connections	Allowed — Same-day connecting flights and overnight connecting flights with total transit time of no more than 5 hours and minimum layover of 2.5 hours are allowed.
International	Allowed — Service available on international flights operated by Air China.
Booking Method	For connecting flights, the service fee is accumulated per flight segment.

Children under 5 cannot travel alone. Ages 5-11 must use UM service. Ages 12-17 may optionally use UM service or travel as standard passengers.

How It Works: Step by Step

Check-In: Arrive early and present the UM Application Form and valid travel documents at the check-in counter. Air China will provide the unaccompanied minor with a wallet that can be used to store all travel documents, boarding passes, etc.
Boarding: Ground service team assists through check-in, security, and waiting, then hands over the child and documents to cabin crew upon boarding.
In-Flight: Cabin crew looks after the child during the flight. On some domestic flights, the 'Air China Junior' program allows photos to be taken and sent to parents.
Arrival: Ground service team collects the child and arranges pick-up after verifying the designated pick-up person's details.

Escort Rules: The pick-up person must be at least 18 years old, have full capacity for civil behavior, and their details must be verified by ground staff.

Required Documents

Required

Valid travel document used to purchase ticket
Unaccompanied Minor Service Application Form

Safety Procedures

Dedicated ground service team assists at each stage of boarding
Cabin crew takes care of child during flight
Identity verification of pick-up person at destination
Staff accompaniment during flight delays

Restrictions & Exceptions

Not available on interline flights operated jointly with other airlines
Maximum of 15 unaccompanied minors aged 5-11 per flight, with those aged 5-8 being no more than 5. There is no limit on the number of unaccompanied minors aged 12 and above.
Children under 5 and deaf/blind children under 16 cannot travel alone

Pro Tips for Parents

Book in Advance: Apply before 16:00 the day before departure. Flights have strict quotas (max 5 children aged 5-8 per flight).
Air China Junior Tracking: On domestic flights, you can opt-in to receive up to two photos of your child on the plane via the Air China app.
Prepare Documents: Ensure the child has their valid travel document and the completed UM Application Form ready for check-in. Air China provides a special wallet for storing all travel documents during the journey.

The Bottom Line

Air China offers an 'Air China Junior' journey tracking service on domestic flights where parents can receive up to two photos of their child upon landing. The service has strict capacity limits per flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Air China charge for unaccompanied minors?: The service is free for children ages 5-11 on domestic flights. For teens ages 12-17 on domestic flights, it costs CNY 200 per segment. For international flights, the fee is CNY 260 per segment.
What is the minimum age for a child to fly alone on Air China?: The minimum age is 5 years old. Children under 5 are not permitted to travel alone under any circumstances.
How do I book the UM service on Air China?: You can apply through Air China's website, app, or ticket sales offices no later than 16:00 the day before departure.