Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy: ages, fee and rules
Get details on the Southwest Airlines Unaccompanied Minor policy. Find rules for kids ages 5-11, the service fee, and required nonstop or same-plane service flights.
Southwest Airlines requires children ages five through 11 to use its Unaccompanied Minor service if they are not traveling with someone who is 12 or older. A key rule is that Unaccompanied Minors can only travel on nonstop flights or on same-plane service, which may have stops but does not require changing planes or flight numbers.
| Topic | What Southwest Airlines says |
|---|---|
| Service required for | Children aged five through 11 must travel as Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) if they are not traveling with a passenger who is 12 years of age or older.Source |
| Service fee | Southwest charges an Unaccompanied Minor service fee for each child, which is in addition to the airfare.Source |
| Flights allowed | Unaccompanied Minors can only travel on nonstop flights or on same-plane service, which may have stops but does not require changing planes or flight numbers.Source |
| At the airport | A birth certificate or other valid identification is required at the ticket counter during check-in to provide proof of age for an Unaccompanied Minor.Source |
| Older kids and teens | Passengers who are age 12 or older are considered accompanying passengers, implying they can travel alone without being classified as an Unaccompanied Minor.Source |
Kids flying alone
If your child is between five and 11 years old and flying without a companion who is at least 12, they must use the Unaccompanied Minor service. This means you will pay an Unaccompanied Minor service fee for each child, which is in addition to the airfare. When booking, you must choose a nonstop flight or a flight that has stops but does not require a change of planes or flight numbers.
When you get to the airport, you will need to check in at the ticket counter and show a birth certificate or another valid ID to prove your child’s age.
“Children ages five through 11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older must travel as Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) on Southwest Airlines®.”
Official wording, support.southwest.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Southwest Airlines will charge a UM service fee in addition to the air fare per child for Unaccompanied Minors to travel.”
Official wording, support.southwest.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Unaccompanied Minors are allowed to travel only on nonstop or same-plane service (makes one or two stops but does not require a change of planes or flight number) itineraries.”
Official wording, support.southwest.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Proof of age in the form of a birth certificate or other form of valid identification for the child is required upon check-in at the ticket counter in order to travel as an Unaccompanied Minor.”
Official wording, support.southwest.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Children ages five through 11 traveling without an accompanying Passenger age 12 or older must travel as Unaccompanied Minors (UMs) on Southwest Airlines®.”
Official wording, support.southwest.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
More on Southwest Airlines:
- Southwest Airlines infant and child policy: lap infants, strollers and kids flying alone
- Southwest Airlines car seat and stroller policy
Same topic, other airlines: