Unaccompanied Minor Fees by Airline (2026)
Airline unaccompanied minor fees vary widely by carrier and route. We've compiled information on UM fee structures to help you understand what to expect and find the most affordable option for your family.
Quick Answer
Unaccompanied minor fees typically range from around $50 to $150+ each way among major US carriers, with international airlines varying more widely. Some airlines offer multi-child discounts or per-booking pricing rather than per-child. Confirm current fees directly with each airline, as pricing changes periodically.
Complete Fee Comparison Table
| Airline | Domestic Fee | International Fee | Per Child? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus | N/A | N/A | Per booking | Aer Lingus does not charge a specific unaccompanied minor fee as they do not provide special assistance or escort services. |
| Air India Express | Contact airline | Contact airline | Contact airline | Fee information could not be verified from official sources. |
| ANA All Nippon Airways | Free (included in ticket) | Free (included in ticket) | Per child | There is no extra fee for the ANA Junior Pilot service, but the child discount cannot be applied for international flights departing Japan (adult fare applies). |
| Bamboo Airways | Contact airline | Contact airline | Contact airline | Fee information could not be verified from official sources. |
| Batik Air | Free | Varies by route (e.g., IDR 150,000 from Indonesia to Malaysia, MYR 46.00 from Malaysia to Indonesia, SGD 30.00/hour for routes via Singapore) | Per child | Handling fee for international transit routes is charged once upon departure from origin to final destination. |
| Cathay Pacific | Contact airline | Contact airline | Contact airline | Fee information could not be verified from official sources. |
| China Airlines | Adult fare | Adult fare (Ages 5-11) / $75 USD (Ages 12-17 optional) | Per child | For ages 5-11, an adult ticket must be purchased (excluding RBD L). |
| Emirates | Not applicable (Emirates does not operate domestic flights) | Included in adult fare for ages 5-11; $50 USD per leg for ages 12-15 | Per child | Ages 5-11 must travel on an adult fare. |
| Etihad Airways | Not applicable (Etihad does not operate domestic flights) | Free for ages 5-11 (pre-booked). $100 each way for direct flights or $150 each way for connecting flights for ages 12-17 or last-minute bookings. | Per child | Must book a normal adult fare. |
| EVA Air | Adult fare (UM Applicable Fare ticket) | Adult fare (UM Applicable Fare ticket) | Per child | UM must hold a UM Applicable Fare ticket (usually adult fare) or pay the difference. |
| Fiji Airways | Contact airline directly | Contact airline directly | Per child | Fees vary by route. |
| Flair Airlines | No fee (no UM service offered) | No fee (no UM service offered) | Per booking | Flair Airlines does not offer an Unaccompanied Minor program, therefore no UM fees apply. |
| Garuda Indonesia | Free of Charge | From Indonesia: IDR 350,000 nonstop / IDR 700,000 connecting. To Indonesia: USD 30 nonstop / USD 50 connecting (or AUD 150 nonstop / AUD 200 connecting from Australia) | Per child | Domestic UM service is free. |
| Icelandair | Free of charge | Free of charge | Contact airline | Icelandair does not charge a separate fee for the Unaccompanied Minor service. |
| Japan Airlines | Adult fare applies (no specific fee listed) | Adult fare applies (no specific fee listed) | Per child | There is no separate unaccompanied minor fee, but the child is not eligible for the child fare and must pay the applicable adult fare. |
| Kenya Airways | Free | $50 - $200 depending on route | Per child | Fee is exempted for Domestic travel only (NBO, MBA, KIS). |
| Korean Air | Free of charge | 150,000 KRW / $150 USD / $150 CAD / 2,140,000 IDR for ages 5-11; 200,000 KRW / $200 USD / $200 CAD / 2,860,000 IDR for ages 12-16 | Per child | Flight tickets for unaccompanied children must be purchased at the normal adult fare. |
| Kuwait Airways | Contact airline | Contact airline | Contact airline | Fee information could not be verified from official sources. |
| Lion Air | Free of charge | Varies by route (e.g., IDR 150,000 to Malaysia, MYR 46.00 to Indonesia) | Per child | Transit routes through Singapore require a handling fee of SGD 36. |
| Malaysia Airlines | Full adult fare | Full adult fare | Per child | Malaysia Airlines charges the full adult fare for children using the MHguardian unaccompanied minor service. |
| Oman Air | Contact airline directly | Contact airline directly | Per child | Specific UM fees are not published online; contact the Oman Air Sales office for pricing details. |
| Qatar Airways | Adult fare must be purchased | Adult fare must be purchased | Per child | No separate UM fee, but an adult fare must be purchased for the child. |
| Royal Air Maroc | Free | 50 EUR or 100 EUR per trip depending on destination | Per child | UM ticket is the adult fare plus the UM surcharge. |
| Royal Jordanian | Contact airline | Contact airline | Contact airline | Fee information could not be verified from official sources. |
| Saudia | No separate UM service fee. Child pays full adult fare (no child discount). | No separate UM service fee. Child pays full adult fare (no child discount). | Per child | Saudia Customer Service Plan states: 'This service is provided to our clients free of charge. |
| Singapore Airlines | Contact airline directly | Contact airline directly | Per child | For children aged 12 to 17, additional charges may apply for the optional service. |
| South African Airways | Contact airline directly | Contact airline directly | Per child | Fees vary by route. |
| TAP Air Portugal | Contact airline | Contact airline | Contact airline | Fee information could not be verified from official sources. |
| Thai Airways | No fee (Domestic flights within Thailand) | $60 USD per flight | Per child | Adult fare is charged for children using UM service on international routes. |
| Virgin Atlantic | None (Adult fare applies) | None (Adult fare applies) | Per child | No specific UM fee exists since the traditional UM service is suspended. |
| Copa Airlines | $20 USD | $150 USD | Per booking | The fee covers up to 4 minors from the same family traveling on the same flight. |
| EgyptAir | USD 25 | Zone-based: Africa/Middle East USD 100, Europe (excl. GVA & ZRH) USD 125, GVA & ZRH USD 220, Far East USD 150, USA/Canada USD 175 | Per child | Fee is per child per direction. |
| Qantas | US$40 per child (when pre-booked) | US$60 per child (when pre-booked) | Per child | Higher fees apply if paid at the airport (A$110 domestic, A$180 international). |
| Turkish Airlines | Starts at ~$40 USD (varies by route/date) | $100 - $200 USD depending on the zone | Per child | Fees vary by travel zone and date. |
| Southwest Airlines | $50 each way | N/A (domestic only) | Per child | Per child fee. |
| China Eastern Airlines | 50% of the published regular adult fare | 100% of the applicable adult fare | Per child | Fares apply based on domestic or international routes. |
| China Southern Airlines | 50% of the normal adult fare (no extra service fee) | UM children (5-11): as per applicable rules — contact airline. Teenagers (12-17): adult fare plus RMB 350 service fee per segment. | Per child | Domestic UM children pay 50% of normal adult fare. |
| Finnair | €50 per leg (Finland, Scandinavia, Baltics) | €80 per leg (Europe) or €140 per leg (long-haul) | Per child | Fee is charged per leg. |
| Hainan Airlines | 50% of adult standard fare (no extra UM fee) | 500 CNY per segment | Per child | Domestic UM tickets cost 50% of adult fare. |
| Norwegian Air | 50 EUR each way | 50 EUR each way | Per child | Fee is 50 EUR per child, each way. |
| STARLUX Airlines | USD 50 (within Asia) | USD 100 (Taiwan to USA/Europe) | Per child | Fee is charged per flight and passenger. |
| Virgin Australia | $60 AUD per child, each way (pre-booked) | $100 AUD per child, each way (departing AU, pre-booked) | Per child | Higher fees apply if booked at the airport ($115 AUD domestic, $185 AUD international). |
| Eurowings | EUR 75 per leg | EUR 75 per leg | Per child | Fee is payable at the time of booking. |
| LOT Polish Airlines | $75 USD + VAT (Poland) | $105 USD (Europe/Middle East) to $135 USD (North America/Asia) | Per child | Fees vary by destination. |
| ITA Airways | €80 one way | €85-€150 one way (depending on destination) | Per child | Fee varies by destination. |
| Austrian Airlines | EUR 85 per leg | EUR 85 - EUR 150 per leg (depending on destination) | Per child | Fee is charged for each child and each leg of the journey. |
| Brussels Airlines | 85 EUR per segment | 85-125 EUR per segment depending on destination | Per child | Fees apply per child, per segment. |
| Lufthansa | EUR 85 per flight segment | EUR 85 - EUR 150 per flight segment (depending on zone) | Per child | Fee is charged per flight segment and per child. |
| Swiss International Air Lines | CHF 95 per child, per flight leg | CHF 95 - 170 per child, per flight leg (depending on zone) | Per child | Fees are charged per child and per flight leg. |
| Air Transat | $100 CAD each way | $100 CAD each way | Per child | Cost is $100 CAD per unaccompanied minor, per direction, payable in advance via the call centre. |
| Asiana Airlines | 100% of the standard adult fare applies | Adult fare + USD 150 per flight or 15,000 mileage charge | Per child | For Optional UM (ages 12-17), the fee is Adult fare + USD 200 per flight or 20,000 mileage charge. |
| American Airlines | $150 each way (covers siblings) | $150 each way (covers siblings) | Per booking | Fee covers all siblings on the same booking. |
| JetBlue | $150 each way | $150 each way | Per child | Per child fee. |
| Azul Brazilian Airlines | BRL 250 per flight | BRL 250 per flight | Per child | Fee is charged per child and per flight segment. |
| Ethiopian Airlines | 500 ETB per sector | $100-$175 USD per sector depending on region | Per child | Africa/Middle East: $100, Europe: $125, Asia: $150, Americas: $175. |
| Aeromexico | $700 MXN each way | $155 USD each way | Per child | For flights to/from the US, the $155 USD fee covers up to 4 minors on the same reservation. |
| Philippine Airlines | PHP 1,288 per sector | USD 50 to USD 100 per sector (varies by route) | Per child | Unaccompanied Minor passengers will be charged 100% of the applicable adult fare plus the UM Service Fee per sector. |
| Delta Air Lines | $150 each way (up to 4 children) | $150 each way (up to 4 children) | Per booking | Fee covers up to 4 children traveling on the same itinerary. |
| Air New Zealand | NZD 30 one way (NZD 45 if booked at airport) | NZD 80 one way (NZD 120 if booked at airport) | Per child | Fares must include a checked bag. |
| LATAM Airlines | US$30 - US$50 depending on the country | US$100 for regional flights, US$150 for long-haul flights | Per child | Fees are per route. |
| Air France | EUR 30-90 | EUR 50-150 | Per child | Fees vary based on the distance traveled and the specific route. |
| Aeroflot | 3,400 RUB per segment | 40 EUR per segment | Per child | Children 5-11 pay the full adult fare with no child discount, plus the UM service charge. |
| IndiGo | INR 4999 | INR 9999 | Per child | Unaccompanied Minor fee is only charged up to 12 years of age. |
| SpiceJet | INR 4999 per sector | INR 9999 per sector (Ex-India), AED 450 (Ex-Dubai/Sharjah/Fujairah), SAR 190 (Ex-Jeddah), THB 4325 (Ex-Bangkok), NPR 16000 (Ex-Kathmandu) | Per child | An additional fee for each one-way journey for unaccompanied minors will be charged. |
| Air India | INR 5000 per sector | Varies by region per sector: USD 150 (US), USD 120 (Europe/UK/Australia/Israel), USD 100 (Middle East/Africa/Far East/SAARC/Southeast Asia), CAD 210 (Canada) | Per child | Charged per sector in addition to full adult fare. |
| Alaska Airlines | $50 nonstop / $75 connecting each way | Not specified (limited international routes) | Per child | Per child fee. |
| Air Europa | €60-€90 each way | €90-€180 each way | Per child | Fees vary by route (domestic, Europe/Africa, long haul) and whether the flight is direct or connecting. |
| United Airlines | $150 each way (per 1-2 children) | $150 each way (per 1-2 children) | Per booking | Fee covers 1-2 children on the same itinerary. |
| Condor | $74 - $139 USD each way (depending on zone) | $74 - $139 USD each way (depending on zone) | Per child | Zone 1 (Germany/short-haul Europe) and Zone 2 (Greece/Turkey/Egypt) are €69 (~$74 USD). |
| Air Canada | $100 - $118 CAD/USD each way | $100 - $118 CAD/USD each way | Per child | Fee applies each way per child per flight. |
| WestJet | $100-118 CAD per direction | Not allowed | Per child | Fee ranges from $100 to $118 depending on taxes per direction. |
| Volaris | $100-$140 USD (varies by season/route) | $100-$140 USD (varies by season/route) | Per child | Fee is per client, per flight, and is not transferable. |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines | EUR 100 - EUR 200 each way | EUR 150 - EUR 300 each way | Per child | Direct flights within Europe: EUR 100. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | $35/segment inter-island, $100/segment Hawaii-mainland (up to 2 children) | N/A (domestic routes only) | Per booking | Fee covers up to 2 children from the same family on the same itinerary. |
| Pegasus Airlines | 750 TRY (Turkey) / 900 TRY (TRNC) | 65 EUR | Per child | Fees apply per flight. |
| GOL Airlines | $50 USD (booked >48h before) or $60 USD (booked <48h before) per segment per child | $110 USD (booked >48h before) or $120 USD (booked <48h before) per segment per child | Per child | Fee varies by advance purchase timing. |
| Porter Airlines | $100-$115 CAD/USD ($100 plus applicable tax) | $100-$115 CAD/USD ($100 plus applicable tax) | Per child | Fee applies per child, per direction, regardless of fare type. |
| SAS Scandinavian Airlines | Included in UM ticket, or 450 DKK / 650 NOK / 650 SEK if added later | Included in UM ticket, or 85-125 EUR if added later | Per child | Fee is included if booked as an unaccompanied minor ticket. |
| Air China | Free for ages 5-11; CNY 200 per segment for ages 12-17 | CNY 260 per flight segment | Per child | For connecting flights, the service fee is accumulated per flight segment. |
| Gulf Air | Adult fare (ages 5-11); $100 direct / $150 connecting (ages 12-15) | Adult fare (ages 5-11); $100 direct / $150 connecting (ages 12-15) | Per child | Ages 5-11 must purchase a full adult fare ticket (no child discounts). |
| Vietnam Airlines | VND 1,000,000 - 1,700,000 | USD 75 - 250 | Per child | Domestic fees vary by route (Hanoi-HCMC vs others) and season (peak vs off-peak). |
| Iberia | EUR 70 / USD 85 / GBP 65 for direct flights in Spain (excluding Canary Islands); EUR 100 / USD 120 / GBP 90 for connecting flights in Madrid. | EUR 90-150 / USD 110-180 / GBP 80-135 for direct flights; EUR 125-180 / USD 150-215 / GBP 110-160 for connecting flights. | Per child | Fees vary based on destination zones and whether the flight is direct or connecting in Madrid. |
How to Save on Unaccompanied Minor Fees
Book multiple children together
Some airlines cover multiple children on one reservation for a single fee. If you have multiple kids traveling together, ask each airline about their multi-child pricing before booking.
Choose nonstop flights
Some airlines charge more for connecting flights. Nonstop flights are also safer and less stressful for children flying alone.
Compare domestic vs. international rates
Some airlines charge the same fee regardless of route, while others have higher international fees. Always check both before booking.
Check age cutoffs carefully
If your child is close to the age where UM service becomes optional (typically around 12–15 depending on the carrier), you may be able to avoid the fee entirely. Confirm the exact cutoff with your airline.
Ask about sibling discounts
While not all airlines advertise sibling discounts, some may offer reduced fees for additional children on the same booking. Always ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airline has the cheapest unaccompanied minor fee?
UM fees vary significantly by carrier, typically ranging from around $50 to $150+ each way for US airlines. International carriers may charge more or less depending on route. Fees change periodically, so confirm current pricing directly with each airline before booking.
Is the UM fee per child or per trip?
It varies by airline. Some carriers charge per child, while others cover multiple children on the same reservation for a single fee. Always confirm the fee structure with the airline when booking.
Are unaccompanied minor fees refundable?
Most airlines will refund the UM fee if you cancel the flight within their standard cancellation window. The fee is typically non-refundable after check-in. Check your airline's specific refund policy.
Do I pay the UM fee on top of the ticket price?
Yes. The unaccompanied minor fee is a separate service charge on top of the regular airfare. Your child needs a full-price ticket plus the UM service fee.
Are UM fees different for international flights?
Some airlines charge the same fee for domestic and international flights, while others charge more for international routes. Always check both domestic and international rates with your specific airline before booking.
Can I avoid the unaccompanied minor fee?
If your child meets the airline's age threshold for flying without UM service (typically around 15 on most US carriers, though some set it lower), they can fly as a regular passenger. Otherwise, the fee is mandatory and cannot be waived.