Children Travelling Alone
Children travelling alone - without the supervision of a sibling of 15 years or older or a parent or guardian, are classified as unaccompanied minors. This includes children travelling in a different class or cabin to the sibling, parent or guardian.
If your child needs to fly with another airline, including flights with Jetstar and partner airlines, check to see if different policies do apply by directly contacting that airline.
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.
To book travel for an unaccompanied minor, please contact your local Qantas Office. You will need to complete our 'Unaccompanied Minor' form before check-in. This form is available from your local Qantas Office or your travel agent. Let us know of any special requirements, including allergies, which your child may have.
Flights for unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online.
| Domestic Flights | International Flights | Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Children under 5 | Children under 6+ | Unaccompanied travel not allowed. The child 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 |
| 5-11 years (inclusive) | 6-11 years (inclusive) | Unaccompanied travel permitted with completion of Qantas 'Unaccompanied Minor' Documentation available from Airport locations, Your Travel Agent or your local Qantas office |
| 12-15 years (inclusive) | 12-15 years (inclusive) | Unaccompanied travel only permitted at the request of their parent or guardian. If no request is made, there will be no special arrangements. |
| 12-17 years (inclusive) | 12-17 years (inclusive) | If a person (between 12 years and 17 years inclusive) is travelling alone and their parent or guardian would like Qantas to be aware of their travel but not be treated as an Unaccompanied Minor, they can travel as a Young Passenger. |
Medication
If your child requires medication, including carrying an Adrenalin Auto Injector, they are required to identify the need to take their medication on their own and must be capable of self administering their medication. A letter from the unaccompanied minor's doctor dated within two years and written in English, needs to be carried on the child at all times, stating that they are capable of identifying the need for medication and self administering their medication. Otherwise the child cannot travel unaccompanied and must be accompanied by a person aged 15 years or older who is willing and able to administer the medication.
Reconfirmation
Before your flight, we will email or phone the parent or guardian to reconfirm the booking details of unaccompanied minors only if you have booked directly with Qantas. If you need to change their travel plans ensure the request to be unaccompanied is transferred to the new flight.
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
Make sure that your child has their own passport and and all country specific travel documents, including any visas or authorisation letters if travelling internationally. You should check with the consulates of all the countries you are planning to visit prior to your departure. When checking in please provide a completed 'Unaccompanied Minor Documentation' and also ensure check-in agents are aware of your child travelling as an unaccompanied minor.
If the flight is a Domestic flight leaving from the International Airport a letter from the of authority from a parent, guardian or responsible adult is required.
The letter must provide:
- Full name and date of birth of the minor;
- Purpose of travel;
- Full name and contact details of the undersigned adult along with details of their relationship
to the minor; - Full name and contact details of the adult who will collect the minor at the final destination.
Find out more at Australian Customs and Border Protection Services on information on domestic passengers travelling on international flights.
Domestic Travel
We will advise you of a time to meet a Qantas Cabin Crew member at your child's departure gate. After landing the Qantas cabin crew member will hand your child over to the person nominated by you to meet them. This person must provide proof of identification.
International Travel
We will advise you of a time to meet a Qantas ground staff representative, who will escort your child through customs and immigration to their departure gate. After landing, your child will be attended by Qantas ground staff, who will assist with arrival procedures. They will then hand your child to the person nominated by you to meet them. This person must provide proof of identification. For travel to and from the USA, we require the parent or guardian to be present when dropping off or collecting the child from the terminal.
Inflight
During the flight cabin crew will regularly check that your child is comfortable and entertained and all staff will be aware of their requirements. Make sure your child knows of their travel plans and who is meeting them on arrival, also the importance of their passport and ticket. We will do our best to ensure that your child's experience is enjoyable.
+ Exception: Unaccompanied children of 5 years or more can travel on international flights provided the flying time (not including ground time) does not exceed 6 hours.
