What Is the Southwest Unaccompanied Minor Check-In Process?

The check-in process for unaccompanied minors at Southwest Airlines ensures that the child goes through an easy passage through the airport and completion of the necessary paperwork before boarding. Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy regards children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old traveling by themselves as Unaccompanied Minors (UMs). Younger travelers between the ages of 12 and 17 are handled differently at Southwest Airlines.

Step 1: Arrive Early at the Airport

The parents/guardians must arrive at the airport with the child in plenty of time so that the check-in procedure, as well as clearance through the security screening and arrival at the departure gate, is done before departure. When leaving an unaccompanied minor with Southwest Airlines, parents/guardians need to arrive at the gate at least 45 minutes prior to departure.

Step 2: Check In at the Southwest Ticket Counter

A Southwest Unaccompanied Minor fee is supposed to report at the Southwest counter. He/she is not able to use the regular self-service kiosk for check-in as an unaccompanied minor.

The parent or guardian will have to provide all the necessary travel details and fill out the Unaccompanied Minor form. The Southwest form contains information regarding the child and his/her drop-off by the parent/guardian, as well as the pick-up person at the destination.

Step 3: Collecting the Gate Pass

The parent handing over the child to the flight attendant can ask for the gate pass at the ticket counter. The gate pass will give the adult the authority to accompany the child up to the security check point and go to the boarding gate with him/her. The valid photo ID along with the itinerary copy of the child is needed to get the gate pass.

Southwest airlines unaccompanied minor policy the other requirement for the adult is the TSA-approved ID, like a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or an Enhanced Driver's License.

Step 4: Fill Out and Verify the UM Documentation

After getting the documentation required for the UM, it is vital for the parent or the guardian to make sure that all the information regarding the name of the child, flight number, destination, and contacts is accurately provided.

After the documentation is ready, it is handed over to the Southwest gate agent, who places the UM on the lanyard worn by the unaccompanied minor during his travels.

Step 5: Go to the Departure Gate

After completing all the necessary documentation and obtaining the gate pass, the parent or guardian can then take the child through security screening and to the departure gate.

The parent/guardian will be required to approach the Southwest Airlines agent at the gate and let him/her know that he/she is leaving his/her unaccompanied minor.

Step 6: Stay Until the Flight Takes Off

An essential rule for Southwest Airlines is that the parent or guardian dropping off an unaccompanied minor has to wait in the gate area until the plane carrying the child is in the air. It is important that the parent or the guardian remains at the airport until the plane takes off.

The minor is boarded onto the plane by a Southwest Airlines employee prior to the beginning of general boarding.

Important Check-In Tips

Southwest airlines unaccompanied minor policy a copy of the itinerary of the child should be kept by the parents, and the pickup adult should have details of the flight. The other thing that would come in handy is to have the phones readily available during the trip in case the parents or the pick-up adults are contacted by Southwest.

As per the existing policy of Southwest Airlines, children falling under the category of unaccompanied minors aged 5 to 11 have to fly only on nonstop/same-plane itineraries and cannot fly on international itineraries.

Conclusion

The unaccompanied minor procedure of Southwest Airlines starts from the ticketing desk and not the check-in kiosk. The parent or guardian completes all the required documentation, secures a gate pass, escorts the minor through the screening process, checks in with the gate agent, and waits at the gate until the plane has departed. Ensuring that the needed information is available in advance will contribute greatly towards the success of the process for both the child and the guardian.

FAQs

1. Is there a check-in kiosk for Southwest Unaccompanied Minors?

That is incorrect. Unaccompanied minors have to report to the Southwest ticket counter.

2. When should parents arrive?

It is advisable that parents get there early enough to finish the counter processes and security checks. According to Southwest Airlines, parents are supposed to arrive at the gate 45 minutes prior to the scheduled time of departure.

3. May a parent accompany the child to the gate?

Yes. Southwest minor traveling alone the parent/guardian may apply for a gate pass at the ticket counter and then take the child through the security process.

4. Does the parent need to wait at the airport?

Absolutely. The adult responsible for delivering the unaccompanied minor to the airport must remain at the gate until the minor's flight leaves.