Delta Airlines Unaccompanied Minors Policy: Children Flying Alone

by Sanjay Singh Content Marketing

Delta offers a special service for unaccompanied minors and children traveling alone who are less than 18 years old. For these customers, Delta provides a wristband that will track their location within the airport, an airport lounge where they can relax, and a personal escort to ensure that they have a safe journey.

Delta Unaccompanied Minor Program: Guidelines

4 Year & younger:
May, not Travel Alone: Must be accompanied by a passenger at least 18 years old
unaccompanied Minor Program Fee: N/A

5 to 7 Year
May travel on some nonstop flights only
unaccompanied Minor Program Fee: $150 each way for up to 4 children

8 to 14 year
May travel on some nonstop and connecting flights.
unaccompanied Minor Program Fee: $150 each way for up to 4 children

15 to 17 years: Who has opted to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor
May travel on some nonstop and connecting flights.
Delta unaccompanied Minor Fee: $150 each way for up to 4 children

Children ages 15-17 are permitted to travel as standard passengers, provided they can present a valid ID to security personnel. Parents or guardians may also choose to send their children as unaccompanied minors.

If your child is traveling alone as an unaccompanied minor, you (18 years old or older) must accompany the minor through the check-in process and pick up the child at their destination. Review the process to help your unaccompanied minor prepare for their flight.

Delta Unaccompanied Minor Program Fees & Policy

The Unaccompanied Minor Program requires a fee of $150 USD/CAD/EUR each way. This fee applies to travel within the United States and internationally on both nonstop and connecting flights, in addition to the ticketed adult fare.

Unaccompanied minors delta is required for children between the ages of 5 and 14 who are not traveling with an adult. Assistance will be needed for these unaccompanied minors since they are not old enough to travel alone. At least 18-years-old, or the child’s parent/legal guardian must come with them.
Nonstop flights are the sole option for children between the ages of 5 to 7.
Nonstop or connecting flights are available for children aged 8-14, but only on Delta, Delta Connection (except A.A. Eagle), KLM, and Air France flights.
Although Delta does not mandate unaccompanied service for children 15-17, it will give it upon request.
The last connecting flight of the evening cannot accommodate a kid who an adult does not accompany. This eliminates the requirement for a hotel stay. If you have issues regarding connecting flights, contact Reservation Sales before you book at delta.com.
For flights departing between 9 pm and 5 am, unaccompanied children will not be allowed. Exceptions:
- Airlines that fly to and from Alaska and Hawaii
- International flight
- Short-haul domestic flights (2 hours or less, non-stop)
- One-stop markets where the final flight of each day is the only one available for travel
Unaccompanied minors are not eligible for self-service check-in.

Delta Unaccompanied Minor Flying: Tips

Unaccompanied Minor Reservations: When making a reservation for an unaccompanied minor, Travel Agents may contact Global Sales Support for assistance. In the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands call 800-325-8847, and in all other locations call Delta Reservations to ensure that the PNR is documented correctly.
Baggage: In order to avoid losing your baggage, do not carry many items. It is a good idea to attach ID and contact information on the outside or even the inside of their baggage.
Food: Many flights do not offer meals and only supply snacks, so it’s a good idea to pack food for the flight. In other cases, you may want to give the child a sum of money to spend in case they get hungry, and some parents even give their child their credit card or debit card.
Entertainment: It is also a good idea to give your child some form of entertainment. Popular items include tablets, books, and other toys that keep them occupied.
Inform the child properly: Your child will most likely be nervous about traveling alone for the first time. Do whatever you can to put your child at ease. Explain that they should only speak with Delta Airlines agents if they have any questions or need help from them.
Sitting in different cabins: If a child ages 5-14 is going to be sitting in a separate cabin from an adult 18 years or older, they must enroll in the unaccompanied minor program.

What Happens If One of My Child's Flights Is Delayed and/or Cancelled?

If there’s any indication that your child’s flight may not operate as scheduled, we’ll advise you and suggest that you make alternative travel arrangements. If the delay or cancellation occurs en route, Delta employees will:

Rebook your child on the next available departure to their destination
Stay with your child until they can be boarded on an alternate flight
Contact the person at the destination who is designated to pick up the child and/or the person listed as an emergency contact. The call will be attempted until contact is made.

Under very rare circumstances, an overnight is required (e.g. a major snowstorm). In these situations, we will provide overnight and meal accommodations for your child.

Delta will provide supervision for your child while he or she is staying overnight with a Delta employee. If this unusual circumstance occurs, you will be contacted with information regarding the details of your child's stay.