How much does the Qantas unaccompanied minor service cost?

When pre-booked, the fee is US$40 (A$60) for domestic flights and US$60 (A$100) for international flights per child. Fees are much higher if paid at the airport.

What is the age requirement for a child to fly alone on Qantas?

Children aged 5 to 11 must use the mandatory UM service. For international flights 6 hours or longer, the minimum age is 6. Ages 12 to 15 can use the service optionally.

Can unaccompanied minors take connecting flights on Qantas?

Yes, but with strict rules: the transit time must be under 4 hours, it cannot be an overnight connection, and it cannot involve changing airports in the same city or switching to another airline.

Qantas Unaccompanied Minor Policy (2026)

Qantas accepts unaccompanied minors ages 5-15. UM service is mandatory for ages 5-11 and optional for 12-15. Fees are US$40 for Australian domestic flights and US$60 for international flights.

Last verified: 2026-07-29. Source: Qantas official website.

Quick Facts

Detail	Policy
Minimum Age	5 years old
UM Mandatory	Ages 5–11
UM Optional	Ages 12–15
Domestic Fee	US$40 per child (when pre-booked)
International Fee	US$60 per child (when pre-booked)
Per Child?	Yes (per child)
Connections	Allowed — Connections allowed if transit is under 4 hours. No connections between different airports in the same city or involving other airlines.
International	Allowed — International travel allowed. Minimum age is 6 for international flights 6 hours or more. Additional documentation required for USA, South Africa, and Thailand.
Red-Eye Flights	Not allowed — Cannot travel on the last flight of the day (unless it's the only flight of the day) or on overnight connecting flights.
Booking Method	Higher fees apply if paid at the airport (A$110 domestic, A$180 international). The pre-booked fees may also be quoted as A$60 domestic and A$100 international depending on the point of sale.

For international flights of 6 hours or more, the minimum age is 6. Children under 5 (or under 6 on long international flights) must travel with an adult aged 15+.

How It Works: Step by Step

Check-In: Arrive at least 1 hour before domestic flights or 2 hours before international flights. The parent/guardian must hand over the UM form and remain until the flight takes off.
Boarding: Child boards with assistance from Qantas team members and is seated close to the cabin crew.
In-Flight: Cabin crew will regularly check on the child and assist with opening food packaging if necessary.
Arrival: Qantas staff will assist with arrival procedures and escort the child to the designated pickup person.

Escort Rules: The designated pickup person must present photo ID matching the details on the UM form.

Required Documents

Required

Completed Unaccompanied Minor form
Child's valid passport and visas (for international travel)
Doctor's letter if carrying medication

Safety Procedures

Dedicated Qantas staff escort through security, customs, and boarding
Seating assigned close to cabin crew for regular monitoring
Parent/guardian must remain at the airport until the flight is in the air
Strict ID verification for the nominated pickup person at the destination

Restrictions & Exceptions

No transit times exceeding 4 hours
No overnight connecting flights or the last flight of the day
No connections involving terminal changes in the same city or other airlines
Child must be able to eat, drink, and use the toilet independently

Pro Tips for Parents

Pre-book to Save: Always pre-book the UM service online or via phone. Paying the supervision fee at the airport costs significantly more (up to A$180).
Prepare Medication Docs: If your child carries any medication (even over-the-counter), you must provide a doctor's letter authorizing them to self-administer it.
Check Entry Requirements: For international flights, especially to the US, South Africa, or Thailand, check specific border force requirements for unaccompanied minors.

The Bottom Line

Qantas offers an affordable UM program with flat fees of US$40 for domestic and US$60 for international flights when booked in advance. However, connecting flights must not exceed a 4-hour transit time or require terminal changes in the same city.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Qantas unaccompanied minor service cost?: When pre-booked, the fee is US$40 (A$60) for domestic flights and US$60 (A$100) for international flights per child. Fees are much higher if paid at the airport.
What is the age requirement for a child to fly alone on Qantas?: Children aged 5 to 11 must use the mandatory UM service. For international flights 6 hours or longer, the minimum age is 6. Ages 12 to 15 can use the service optionally.
Can unaccompanied minors take connecting flights on Qantas?: Yes, but with strict rules: the transit time must be under 4 hours, it cannot be an overnight connection, and it cannot involve changing airports in the same city or switching to another airline.