Children Travelling Alone
Children travelling alone without the supervision of a parent or guardian who is 15 years or older are classified as unaccompanied minors. This includes children travelling in a different class or cabin to the parent or guardian.
We have specific requirements and age guidelines for domestic and international travel that unaccompanied minors must satisfy to be able to travel.
For flights with other airlines, including flights with Jetstar, our oneworld partners and codeshare partners, different policies apply. Contact the airline directly before you book.
To book travel for an unaccompanied minor contact your local Qantas Office. Let us know of any allergies or special requirements your child might have. Flights for unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online.
Conditions of travel as an unaccompanied minor:
| Domestic Travel | ||
|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | Children under 5 must be accompanied by a person 15 years or over who is an immediate family member or who has written permission from the child's parent or guardian. | |
| 5 to 11 years (inclusive) | Complete the Qantas 'Unaccompanied Minor' form in the red 'Unaccompanied Minor' wallet available from the Airport, Travel Agents or your local Qantas office. | |
| 12 to 15 years (inclusive) | Children aged between 12 and 15 years can travel as Unaccompanied Minors only at the request of their parent or guardian. If no request is made, there will be no special arrangements. | |
| International Travel | ||
|---|---|---|
Under 6 years | On most flights, children under 6 must be accompanied by a person 15 years or over who is an immediate family member or who has written permission from the child's parent or guardian. Exception: On Qantas International services a child of 5 years or more can travel unaccompanied provided the child's flying time (not including ground time) does not exceed 6 hours. | |
| 6 to 11 years (inclusive) | Simply complete the Qantas 'Unaccompanied Minor' forms in the red 'Unaccompanied Minor' wallet available from the Airport, Travel Agents or your local Qantas office. | |
| 12 to 15 years (inclusive) | On Qantas services children can travel as Unaccompanied Minors only at the request of their parent or guardian. If no request is made, there will be no special arrangements. The ages at which a child is classified as an Unaccompanied Minor can vary between airlines. Contact your local Qantas Office if your child is travelling alone and connecting to another airline. | |
Note: International rules apply when international and domestic flights are combined.
Children who may require medication during the flight:
Children (that is, up to the age of 15) who carry Adrenalin Auto Injectors or require medication during the flight can travel unaccompanied if they are capable of identifying the need for the medication and self administering their medication and they provide a letter from their doctor stating this. Otherwise the child cannot travel unaccompanied and must be accompanied by a person aged 15 years and over who is willing and able to administer the medication, including the Adrenalin Auto Injector, if required.
Reconfirmation of Travel Details for Unaccompanied Minors
Domestic and International Travel
We will email or phone customers to reconfirm the booking details of unaccompanied minors travelling on Qantas Australian domestic and international services, including QantasLink.
Important information regarding travel to the United States:
Due to interline policy changes in the USA by many USA and other airlines, we are not able to accept bookings for unaccompanied minors when the itinerary includes a connection to or from another airline in the USA, including codeshare and oneworld partners. These airlines will not accept unaccompanied minors from Qantas or transfer unaccompanied minors to Qantas flights.
All unaccompanied minors travelling to or from the USA require:
- a parent or guardian to drop them off at the Qantas departure port; and
- a parent or guardian to pick them up at the Qantas arrival port.
Baggage Allowance
Unaccompanied minors are entitled to the full adult baggage allowance for their travel class if they paid at least 50% of the adult fare.
Travel Documents
On international flights, unaccompanied minors must have their own passport and visas.
Duty Free Shopping
Do any duty free shopping before you get to the airport to keep the experience of travel as unhurried and uncomplicated as possible for your child.
At the Airport
Ensure you arrive at the airport within the check-in timeframes. All the details on the unaccompanied minor wallet should be completed. Provide the wallet and the child's travel documents to the check-in agent and ensure they are aware they are an unaccompanied minor.
Domestic Travel
The check-in agent will advise you at what time you should meet a Qantas Cabin Crew member at your child's departure gate. This person must provide proof of identification.
International Travel
The check-in agent will advise you at what time you should meet a Qantas ground staff representative, who will escort your child through customs and immigration to their departure gate. This person must provide proof of identification.
In the Air
The cabin crew will be notified before the flight of your child's name, age and any special requirements they might have. They will regularly check that your child is comfortable and entertained throughout the flight.
Our complimentary inflight kids kit will keep children entertained, as well as inflight entertainment on longer flights. Your child will also be served an appropriate children's meal.
Encourage your child to take a favourite small toy or doll on the flight, and charge them with the responsibility of looking after it throughout the journey. This will help your child feel more secure and 'at home'.
On Arrival
Domestic Travel
The check-in agent will advise you at what time you should meet a Qantas Cabin Crew member at your child's departure gate. This person must provide proof of identification.
International Travel
The check-in agent will advise you at what time you should meet a Qantas ground staff representative, who will escort your child through customs and immigration to their departure gate. This person must provide proof of identification.
Transit
At transit stops your child will at all times remain in the care of either cabin crew or ground staff.
Changes to Flights
Let us know if your child needs to change their travel plans at any time before or during their trip and check that any request for travel as an unaccompanied minor is transferred to the new flight.
Make Your Child Aware
Make sure your child knows who is to meet them on arrival, as well as how important their passport and tickets are.
We will do our best to ensure that your child's experience of travel is enjoyable.
