Air France Unaccompanied Minor Policy

About Air France Airlines

Air France could be the best choice for children traveling alone. The airline takes all safety measures to ensure the best solo travel experience for your child. Your child traveling alone will be under the supervision of Air France staff throughout the journey. However, Air France has some specific rules for unaccompanied minor travelers. Hence, it is important for the parents or guardian to understand Air France unaccompanied minor policy before booking the flight.

Air France Unaccompanied Minor Rules

Air France simplifies your child’s solo trip. It makes the travel experience best, safe, and entertaining with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks. Additionally, if you are making a reservation online, inform the airline that your minor child is traveling alone. It helps Air France make necessary arrangements to welcome the unaccompanied minor onboard. Additionally, before you make a reservation, get complete information on Air France unaccompanied minor rules.

• Air France ‘Kids Solo’ service is mandatory for children aged between 4 to 11 years traveling alone within Metropolitan France and the territories and departments of overseas France, Papeete and from 5 to 14 years of age on international flights.
• On particular routes, cities, and countries, traveling on connecting flights is not allowed for unaccompanied minors.
• Transfers are not possible between Paris-Orly (ORY) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG).
• The parent or the guardian dropping off the child, must remain at the gate until the flight is airborne, in case of flight schedule disruption.
• The parent / guardian dropping off the child at the airport must provide the authority with their name, ID proof, address, home, and business telephone number. The same information will be required at check-in for the parent / guardian coming to pick-up the child from the final airport.

Air France Unaccompanied Minor Program Details

If your child is traveling alone on an Air France flight, be sure that the airline will supervise your child throughout the journey. Once the unaccompanied child comes to the airport with the dropping-off parent / guardian, the airline will make all arrangements to ensure a comfortable travel experience for your child. Unaccompanied minors Air France provides unaccompanied minors with kid-friendly meals, snacks, beverages, etc and are entitled to pre-boarding. The additional service provided by the airline are as follows:

• Children between 4 to 14 years old are allowed to travel alone on particular routes.
• Unaccompanied minors will be allowed on connecting flights only on particular routes.
• If the minor is traveling to the United States, he / she must provide a customs declaration form upon arrival.
• For international travel, any unaccompanied passenger under the age of 18 traveling outside France, is required to obtain authorization to leave the country.
• An authorized personnel at the airport will escort the child to the authorized adult who comes to pick up the child at the final airport.
• The parent or guardian dropping off the child must be with the minor until the flight is airborne.
• If the unaccompanied child has any special needs or medical conditions, inform the airline during reservation.

Unaccompanied Minor Travel Guide

The following guidelines for Air France unaccompanied minors must be followed if your minor child is traveling with Air France unaccompanied.

• If the unaccompanied minor has any medical needs, inform the airline in advance. In some cases, you may have to provide medical-approval for your child to travel alone.
• The airline will give you complete details of required documents, including photo identification of drop off and pick-up parent / guardian, visa / passport, medical certificate (if required), etc.
• At some airports, adults may be allowed to remain with the child until he / she boards the flight and the flight is airborne. Otherwise, an authorized airline staff will escort the child and make all arrangements including check-in and hand over the child to flight attendants.

Age Restrictions

Air France ‘Kids Solo’ service is mandatory for children aged between 4 to 11 years traveling alone within Metropolitan France and the territories and departments of overseas France, Papeete and from 5 to 14 years of age on international flights.

Children aged between 15 to 17 years of age can have the ‘Kids solo’ service upon request.

How to Book

• If your child is between 5 to 14 years of age, then make the reservation on the Air France website directly or with the Air France app.
• Before selecting the age group of your child, check the box to indicate that the child will be traveling alone on the Air France app.
• Air France will notify you about your child’s upcoming trip 7 days before and inform you about any formalities you may need to complete.
• You will be notified about your child’s trip progress via the airline’s mobile application. From the moment you hand-over the child to Air France, you will start receiving detailed updates from boarding to landing.
• Once the airline releases the child to the designated pick-up person, they can click a selfie and send it to you directly through the app.

Getting Ready to Fly

If your minor child is traveling alone on a flight, as a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to make the child feel secure and comfortable while being around with unknown people. Tell them to always seek help or assistance from only authorized Air France crew. Here are some helpful tips:

• Carefully explain the details of the trip to your child, so that it will be less stressful for them.
• Familiarize your child with the airline’s uniformed personnel.
• Write down phone numbers for your child.
• Pack books, games, and money in one small carry-on bag.
• Food and drink service is limited and hence, it is advisable to pack snacks for your child.
• An ID card and contact information attached to the lanyard provided by the airline, which the child must wear throughout the entire flight.

Required Documents

When you book a ticket for an unaccompanied minor, the airline will inform you about all required documents. To avoid last-minute rush, you can also complete ‘Unaccompanied Minor’ form online. You must print at least 2 copies of the form and must provide it at the airport when asked.

However, additional conditions for documentation are as follows:

• If the unaccompanied minor is traveling on a flight operated by Air France partner Delta, then the adult dropping off the child must fill out a form provided at the airport.
• If the child is traveling to / from the United States, then he or she must provide a custom declaration form upon arrival.
• Any passenger under 18 years of age, whether he / she is a French citizen or a foreigner living in France, must obtain authorization to leave the country for any journey outside France.
• Depending on the destination country, the minor must possess an ID card or passport, and visa (if applicable).

Minors of French Nationality

Minors of French nationality must possess a government-issued photo ID. They must have passports in their name.

*Note: ‘Livret de Famille is not a valid form of ID.

EU Minors

All EU minors must possess a passport or national identity for travel to / from / within Europe. Exceptions to hold a passport will be made if the minor is traveling to / from the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark.

Minors traveling to / from South Africa

The minor must possess all documents required by the South African authorities.

Minors of Brazilian Citizenship

Minors of Brazilian citizenship must be accompanied by an adult. Children traveling with ‘Kids Solo’ service and those accompanied by an adult or single parent must present an exit authorization to be allowed to travel.

Boarding & Take Off

At the Airport

• Web check-in is mandatory for unaccompanied minors. The check-in must be done at least 30 hours before the flight’s departure. You will receive a Check-in confirmation document, which you need to present at the airport’s check-in counter.
• Unaccompanied minors must reach the airport at least 30 minutes before the flight’s check-in closes.
• Check-in any baggage if the child cannot carry the bag on his / her own.
• At the check-in counter, you will be informed when and where the airline’s authorized staff will come to collect your child.
• Don’t leave the airport unless you receive an SMS confirming the flight’s departure. In the event of cancellation, you may need to look after your child while he / she waits for the new flight.

On Board

• Whether your child is traveling internationally or on a domestic flight, the Air France cabin crew will take care of him / her and supervise them throughout the flight.
• On international flights, the unaccompanied child can enjoy games, movies, cartoons, magic trick tutorials, and even meditation programs for kids. The airline also brings gifts and treats for the child to keep them happy and entertained.

Upon Arrival

• Once the flight lands at its final destination, the unaccompanied minor will be the last to deboard the flight.
• An authorized staff will accompany the child to the arriving area to meet the designated pick-up person. The pick-up person must present a photo identity card.

Unaccompanied Minor Fees

Air France unaccompanied minor fees depends on the country the minor is traveling to and the age of the child. Check out the table below:

FAQs