Emirates unaccompanied minor policy: ages, fee and rules
Our guide to Emirates rules for kids flying alone. Find the required ages for the Unaccompanied Minor service and key airport procedures for parents.
Emirates requires its Unaccompanied Minors service for children between 5 and 11 years old who are traveling by themselves. The airline also lets you request the same service for solo travelers who are between 12 and 15 years old. For itineraries that include a connection to another airline, the maximum connection time allowed is 4 hours.
Airlines update their policies, so it is a good idea to confirm all rules and procedures directly with Emirates when you book your child’s flight and again before you travel.
| Topic | What Emirates says |
|---|---|
| Service required for | The Unaccompanied Minors service is for children between 5 and 11 years old who are traveling alone.Source |
| Service optional for | You can make a special request for the Unaccompanied Minor service for solo travelers who are between 12 and 15 years old.Source |
| Flights allowed | For an unaccompanied minor connecting to another airline as part of their itinerary, the maximum allowed connection time at the airport is 4 hours.Source |
| At the airport | A legal parent or guardian must complete and sign a Declaration of Indemnity form, which is available at Emirates Airport Offices, before the child can fly.Source |
| Older kids and teens | Children who are over 12 years old are permitted to fly by themselves without using the Unaccompanied Minor service.Source |
Kids flying alone
For children flying alone, Emirates requires the Unaccompanied Minors service for ages 5 to 11. You can also make a special request for this service for kids aged 12 to 15. Children over 12 are otherwise permitted to fly by themselves without it. Before the flight, a legal parent or guardian must complete and sign a Declaration of Indemnity form, which is available at Emirates Airport Offices.
If your child’s trip includes a transfer to another airline, the connection time at that airport cannot be more than 4 hours.
“Our Unaccompanied Minors service is for children aged between 5 and 11 who are flying alone.”
Official wording, emirates.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“However, you can make a special request for the service for solo travelers aged between 12 and 15.”
Official wording, emirates.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“The maximum connection time allowed at the airport is 4 hours (when your child is connecting to another airline as part of their itinerary).”
Official wording, emirates.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“For safety and security, a legal parent or guardian will need to complete and sign a Declaration of Indemnity form before your child can fly with us. You'll find these forms at Emirates Airport Offices.”
Official wording, emirates.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Children over 12 can fly alone without our Unaccompanied Minor service.”
Official wording, emirates.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
More on Emirates:
- Emirates infant and child policy: lap infants, bassinets and kids flying alone
- Emirates bassinet: what the airline says
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