Unaccompanied Minors
Children learn to fly ... On their own
Air Canada loves kids. In fact more than 10,000 young travelers fly with us each year. Whether your child is travelling on a short flight, or a longer journey, we'll make sure he / she enjoys a safe and happy trip.
First things first
Who can travel alone?
New! Unaccompanied Minor policy
Effective May 22, 2008, for travel on or after July 1st, 2008, the minimum age requirement for an Unaccompanied Minor service will increase to 8 years of age.
Unaccompanied Minor reservations made prior to May 22, 2008 will be honored. Any reservations made prior to May 22, 2008 without the Unaccompanied Minor service request will be subject to the new policy.
Children aged 8-11 (inclusive) may travel alone on flights operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz and Tier 3 flights Central Mountain Air (CMA) - Flight series 7200-7300 Air Georgian (GX) - Flight series 7350-7499 Exploits Valley Air (8K) - Flight series 7615-7649.
Travel for Unaccompanied Minors is available on non-stop flights only. Connecting flights are not permitted. Codeshare flights (operated by other airlines) are not permitted.
Who needs to be accompanied?
Children under 8 years must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or older.
It is mandatory to use unaccompanied minor (UM) services for children aged 8-11 years which include being escorted by Air Canada agents and/or flight attendants. Unaccompanied minor service is optional for children aged 12-17 traveling alone.
Service Fee
UM service is available on all fares. There is a nominal fee for the service of $100 CAD each way per child per flight.
For international flights, this unaccompanied minor service is available to customers subject to fare type purchased. For more details, please contact Air Canada Call Centre or your travel agent depending on who is responsible for your original booking.
The best of care with UM
From the moment they arrive at airport check-in, until they reach their final destination, all children are escorted and supervised by our highly trained staff.
Before the flight
Reservations
"My child's travelling alone." When you make your child's reservation, let Air Canada or your travel agent know he / she will be travelling alone. You will be given details about our special services and what procedures are involved when a child is unaccompanied. The UM service charge can be paid when you book the flight.
Advance seat selection
With our advance seat selection you can reserve a seat in your child's favourite area in the aircraft. Advance seating is available to customers, subject to fare type purchased and availability. Please request your seating at the time of making your reservation, or contact the Air Canada Call Center or your travel agent depending on who is responsible for your original booking. For their added security and comfort, Air Canada has selected specific seats on each of its aircraft for children travelling on their own.
Pre-boarding
There's no getting lost in the crowd. All children travelling alone are boarded ahead of the other passengers. This gives your child time to settle in comfortably and ask the flight attendant any questions he / she may have about the flight.
Restrictions
Air Canada will allow unaccompanied minors to travel on any itinerary involving Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and/or Tier 3 flights Central Mountain Air (CMA) - Flight series 7200-7300 Air Georgian (GX) - Flight series 7350-7499 Exploits Valley Air (8K) - Flight series 7615-7649.
Travel for Unaccompanied Minors is available on non-stop flights only. Connecting flights are not permitted. Codeshare flights (operated by other airlines) are not permitted.
At the airport
We take care of them, every step of the way
The first step in your child's trip is getting checked-in. When you arrive at the airport, head for the Air Canada counter to begin check-in formalities.
Getting all the details
You will be asked to complete "a request for carriage" form, which is attached to an envelope bearing the letters "UM."
The form contains:
Unaccompanied Minor Service ... because we care
UMs are easy to see in a crowd. An agent gives each child an UM lanyard (hang tag) or distinctive baseball cap to wear while travelling with Air Canada. These items help our highly trained staff quickly identify your child so they can provide them with the supervision and personal care we're so well known for.
Step by step
Even after an Air Canada agent has taken your child into their care, you must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.
(Last updated, 15MAY08.)
Air Canada loves kids. In fact more than 10,000 young travelers fly with us each year. Whether your child is travelling on a short flight, or a longer journey, we'll make sure he / she enjoys a safe and happy trip.First things first
Who can travel alone?
New! Unaccompanied Minor policy
Effective May 22, 2008, for travel on or after July 1st, 2008, the minimum age requirement for an Unaccompanied Minor service will increase to 8 years of age.
Unaccompanied Minor reservations made prior to May 22, 2008 will be honored. Any reservations made prior to May 22, 2008 without the Unaccompanied Minor service request will be subject to the new policy.
Children aged 8-11 (inclusive) may travel alone on flights operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz and Tier 3 flights Central Mountain Air (CMA) - Flight series 7200-7300 Air Georgian (GX) - Flight series 7350-7499 Exploits Valley Air (8K) - Flight series 7615-7649.
Travel for Unaccompanied Minors is available on non-stop flights only. Connecting flights are not permitted. Codeshare flights (operated by other airlines) are not permitted.
Who needs to be accompanied?
Children under 8 years must be accompanied by an adult aged 16 or older.
It is mandatory to use unaccompanied minor (UM) services for children aged 8-11 years which include being escorted by Air Canada agents and/or flight attendants. Unaccompanied minor service is optional for children aged 12-17 traveling alone.
Service Fee
UM service is available on all fares. There is a nominal fee for the service of $100 CAD each way per child per flight.
For international flights, this unaccompanied minor service is available to customers subject to fare type purchased. For more details, please contact Air Canada Call Centre or your travel agent depending on who is responsible for your original booking.
The best of care with UM
From the moment they arrive at airport check-in, until they reach their final destination, all children are escorted and supervised by our highly trained staff.
Before the flight
Reservations
"My child's travelling alone." When you make your child's reservation, let Air Canada or your travel agent know he / she will be travelling alone. You will be given details about our special services and what procedures are involved when a child is unaccompanied. The UM service charge can be paid when you book the flight.
Advance seat selection
With our advance seat selection you can reserve a seat in your child's favourite area in the aircraft. Advance seating is available to customers, subject to fare type purchased and availability. Please request your seating at the time of making your reservation, or contact the Air Canada Call Center or your travel agent depending on who is responsible for your original booking. For their added security and comfort, Air Canada has selected specific seats on each of its aircraft for children travelling on their own.
Pre-boarding
There's no getting lost in the crowd. All children travelling alone are boarded ahead of the other passengers. This gives your child time to settle in comfortably and ask the flight attendant any questions he / she may have about the flight.
Restrictions
Air Canada will allow unaccompanied minors to travel on any itinerary involving Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and/or Tier 3 flights Central Mountain Air (CMA) - Flight series 7200-7300 Air Georgian (GX) - Flight series 7350-7499 Exploits Valley Air (8K) - Flight series 7615-7649.
Travel for Unaccompanied Minors is available on non-stop flights only. Connecting flights are not permitted. Codeshare flights (operated by other airlines) are not permitted.
At the airport
We take care of them, every step of the way
The first step in your child's trip is getting checked-in. When you arrive at the airport, head for the Air Canada counter to begin check-in formalities.
Getting all the details
You will be asked to complete "a request for carriage" form, which is attached to an envelope bearing the letters "UM."
The form contains:
- Your child's identification;
- Their flight number;
- The names and contact telephone numbers of people who will meet your child at the destination, and;
- Their parent or guardian's authorising signature.
Unaccompanied Minor Service ... because we care
UMs are easy to see in a crowd. An agent gives each child an UM lanyard (hang tag) or distinctive baseball cap to wear while travelling with Air Canada. These items help our highly trained staff quickly identify your child so they can provide them with the supervision and personal care we're so well known for.
Step by step
Even after an Air Canada agent has taken your child into their care, you must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.
- The agent will accompany your child through the security check and proceed to the gate area.
- Once boarding is announced, your child will be escorted to the aircraft ahead of other passengers. He / she will be greeted by the In-charge flight attendant who will guide him / her to an assigned seat.
- Throughout the flight, your child will be supervised by crewmembers.
- Upon arrival at your child's destination, the in-charge flight attendant will help him / her disembark, and will hand him / her over to an airport agent who will escort your child to the Arrivals section to meet the person designated on the UM envelope.
- The person meeting your child will be asked for photo identification and will sign the UM envelope, accepting responsibility of the child.
- Before your child goes on a trip, prepare him / her for it by explaining the details in advance -- it's less stressful for everyone.
- Your child should be well rested.
- Ensure your child has a carry-on bag containing a snack and some favourite items -- just like you, kids need something to read or eat in case of a delay.
- Make sure the parent / guardian meeting the child at their destination is aware of all flight details and the formalities of the UM service.
(Last updated, 15MAY08.)
