Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy: All You Need to Know

Sending kids alone in the air is a big challenge for parents, especially if it’s their first time. Traveling alone requires careful planning and support from the airline. Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy is mainly introduced to assist children traveling alone while ensuring their safety and comfort.

Want to learn more? The guide covers everything about the airline’s UM policy, including the age criteria, booking process, fees, rules, preparation tips, and more. Continue scrolling the page and find out everything here to ensure a secure and smooth journey.

Quick Overview: Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy 2025

• Air Canada only accepts unaccompanied minors on a non-stop flight operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge.
• You cannot purchase Air Canada UM service for connecting flights or codeshare flights.
• Children below 8 must be accompanied by a passenger aged 16 years or older.
• Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor service is optional for children between 12 and 17 years.
• Unaccompanied minors may not travel with a pet in the cabin.
• You can request unaccompanied minor service on Air Canada either by contacting Air Canada Reservations or your travel agent.

What is Air Canada’s Unaccompanied Minor Service?

Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Service is mainly introduced to ensure a safe travel experience for kids. The airline offers a dedicated UM service for children between 8 and 11 years, traveling alone. Children between 12 and 17 years can generally travel unaccompanied without mandatory supervision.

Unaccompanied minors opting for Air Canada UM service can enjoy dedicated support at the airport, during boarding, in-flight, and through the gate area. The goal is to minimize anxiety and maximize safety for young travelers. Here are some key factors you need to know,

• Air Canada UM service is only available on non-stop flights operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge.
• You can also opt for this service on a non-stop Air Canada Express flight operated by Jazz.
• The parent or guardian must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.
• Unaccompanied minors on Air Canada cannot travel on connecting or codeshare flights, since the airline cannot carry out the responsibility of a child transfer.

Eligibility: Who Can Fly Alone on Air Canada?

It’s important to check Air Canada unaccompanied minor age before making flight bookings to avoid any hassle at the airport. Scroll down to learn more.

Age Restrictions for Domestic Flights

• Air Canada UM service is mandatory for kids between 8 and 11 years.
• Kids under 8 must be accompanied by a passenger age 16 years or older.
• UM service is totally optional for children between 12 and 17 years when traveling alone.
• Only adult passenger (16 years of age) may act as an accompanying adults for minors under 12 years.

Age Restrictions for International Flights

• When traveling on international flights, kids between 8 and 11 years must opt for UM service.
• The service is not available for minors below 8 years. They must travel with an accompanying adult.
• The accompanying adult must occupy a seat in the same cabin and be seated adjacent to the young child.
• Air Canada unaccompanied minor service is totally optional for kids between 12 and 17 years.

Special Cases (Medical Conditions, Disabilities, etc.)

Your child cannot travel on Air Canada flight if he or she has the below-mentioned medical conditions or disabilities.

• Blind or deaf
• Severely allergic to cats and dogs
• Allergic to peanuts/ peanut products or has other severe allergies
• Likely to reach negatively to air travel without a responsible adult known to him/ her
• Has a medical condition that requires any special care or special medication during the flight

Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Fees & Charges

Domestic Flight Fees

• Air Canada unaccompanied minor cost ranges between $100 and $118 each way per child.
• The service fee applies to all fares.
• If your child is traveling on an Air Canada flight offering only Air Canada Bistro service, then the service fee includes a meal or a hot snack.

International Flight Fees

• A service fee of $100 – $118 will be applicable to minor traveling alone on international flights, regardless of the fare type.
• The fee includes the price of a meal or a hot snack.
• Complimentary non-alcoholic beverages are always available on all Air Canada flights.
• Complimentary meal service is available for all passengers traveling in:
• North American and Caribbean Business Class and International Business Class
• International Economy Class, except on flights to/ from Sun and Caribbean locations.

Optional Services & Extra Costs

• Air Canada unaccompanied minor fee includes everything, from a complimentary beverage, hot snack, or a meal.

• The price of a meal or hot snack is included in the fee charged for the UM service.
• However, if you want to buy an extra meal or snack on the flight, then pre-purchase it online using Air Canada Bistro Vouchers up to one hour before departure.

Tips to Save on Fees

• You can save on unaccompanied minor service costs when traveling with Air Canada by booking the flight directly from the airline’s official website.
• Another way to save on UM fees is to choose direct flights. UM fees apply to each flight segment; hence, opting for a non-stop flight helps reduce the charges.
• If multiple children are traveling alone on Air Canada, then combine them into one booking to get exciting discounts.
• Only add required extras to your bookings to avoid any extra charge.

How to Book an Unaccompanied Minor Flight with Air Canada

Now that you know everything about Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor service, it’s time to compile the step-by-step instructions to make your bookings. You can first fill out the Air Canada unaccompanied minor form and then follow the instructions below to get your kids’ bookings done. Here’s how to do so.

Step-by-Step Online Booking Process

• Go to the Air Canada official website and head to the Unaccompanied Minor page.
• Look for the Air Canada unaccompanied minor form PDF and fill out the required details.
• Submit the form and connect with the customer support agent to make your bookings.

Booking Through the Call Center or Travel Agent

• Contact Air Canada Reservations or your travel agent to initiate the booking process.
• Speak to the agent and tell them that your child is traveling alone.
• The agent will then provide you with details about special services and what process is involved in the booking.
• Please tell the agent if your kid has any kind of medical conditions.
• The booking personnel will then check the flight details, your kid’s eligibility, and continue the flight booking process.

Required Paperwork and Forms

• Children traveling alone on an Air Canada flight must fill out the unaccompanied minor form, covering all essential details.
• In addition to the form, your kid must present the following original documents, including
• A birth certificate, health card, passport, or other government-issued identification for travel within Canada.
• A passport is needed for flights to and from the United States as well as for international flights.

Air Canada Unaccompanied Minors for Rules, Restrictions & Guidelines

Check some of the important Air Canada unaccompanied minor rules here to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Flight Limitations (Direct vs Connecting Flights)

When traveling with Air Canada, be mindful of the flight limitations. Here’s what you need to know.

• Air Canada accepts unaccompanied minors on non-stop flights operated by Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge.
• Besides, you can book your minors on non-stop Air Canada Express flights by Jazz.
• The airline won’t accept unaccompanied minors on connecting or codeshare flights, as Air Canada won’t take the responsibility of transferring minors through a connecting airport.

Seat Selection Rules

• If your child is traveling on an Air Canada flight, he or she will be seated in the last three rows of the aircraft, close to the cabin crew.
• The seating arrangement is made to allow the cabin crew to keep an eye on your child during the flight.
• Be mindful that the same seating arrangement won’t apply to Air Canada Express flights.
• Passengers accompanying children under age 8 must occupy a seat in the same cabin and be seated adjacent to the young child.

Restrictions on Pets and Special Items

• Minors cannot bring pets on board, whether they’ve booked Air Canada unaccompanied minor service on a domestic or international flight.
• In addition, unaccompanied minors can bring special items like a briefcase, a coat, a small purse, a special need item, or a collapsible stroller, if applicable.

Safety & Supervision Guidelines

• Air Canada agents take every possible measure to make your kid’s journey safe and sound.
• The executive attaches an envelope bearing the letters “UM” to your kid, so other airlines’ support persons may know that your kid is an unaccompanied minor.
• The envelope contains your child’s ID and flight number, the name, and the contact information of the person who will meet your child at his or her destination.
• This document will remain in the care of the Air Canada agent and let other personnel know that your kid is an unaccompanied minor.

Preparing Your Child for an Air Canada Flight

Now that you know about Air Canada unaccompanied minor requirements and guidelines, let’s understand some tips and tricks to prepare your child for an upcoming flight. Here’s what you might be looking for.

Packing Tips & Baggage Rules

• An unaccompanied minor must pack all the necessary medications in the carry-on. Ensure your kid understands when and how to take them.
• Include some snacks and an empty water bottle that can be filled after security.
• Unaccompanied minors can bring the standard number of bags to the flight.
• Minors can bring one standard carry-on bag and one smaller personal item.
• Unaccompanied minors must follow the same size limit as adults.

Entertainment and Comfort Options

• Parents/guardians must pack age-appropriate entertainment items for their kids, so they can never run out of options in the air.
• Items may include books, games, or a tablet with headphones.
• Keep these items in the carry-on to make your kids’ journey exciting.
• Speaking of comfort options, parents can pack their favorite toys, blankets, or pillows to help their child feel more secure.

Emotional and Behavioural Preparation

• When sending their kids alone in the air, parents/ guardians must explain the details of the trip in advance to their kids, as this will make their experience less stressful.
• Make sure your child is well-rested before the flight.
• Be mindful that your child is aware of the carry-on bag containing a snack and a favorite item.

Airport & In-Flight Experience for Unaccompanied Minors

Check-In Instructions

• Unaccompanied minors can only check in for their flights at the airport.
• Head directly to the Air Canada counter at the airport to begin formalities.
• Present your child’s original documents and complete the “Request for Carriage” form.
• Fill out the details in the Request for Carriage form and submit the form to complete the check-in process.
• Unaccompanied minors must arrive at the airport at least 2 to 3 hours before departure.

Security & Gate Procedures

• Once you have filled out the form and submitted it, the agent will then accompay your kid to the security screening and the gate area.
• In some airports, parents/ guardians are allowed to escort their kid to the departure area.
• Once boarding is announced, your child will be escorted to the aircraft ahead of other passengers.

Handling Delays or Flight Changes

• Air Canada requires a responsible adult to stay at the airport until the flight departs when handling unaccompanied minors.
• The presence of parents/ guardians ensures that the child is not left alone in case of flight delay or changes.

Airport & In-Flight Experience for Unaccompanied Minors

How Flight Attendants Support Unaccompanied Minors

• Once an unaccompanied minor is boarded the flight, he or she will be greeted by the in-flight service director who will guide your child to an assigned seat.
• Upon arrival at your child’s destination, the in-flight director will help your child to disembark and will hand them over to an airport agent.
• The agent assists children with any needs to make their journey safe and secure.

Meals, Snacks, and Comfort Items

• Air Canada agent offers meals and snacks, and other comfort items to unaccompanied minors to make their journey exciting.
• The airline’s UM service fee includes complimentary snacks and a hot meal.

Safety Tips During Flight

• Make sure your unaccompanied minor knows everything about the arrival airport and other important documents.
• They must be aware of the designated person who’s coming to pick them at the arrival airport.
• Keep the special UM badge safe, as it’s the only way through which the airline’s agent knows that your kid is an unaccompanied minor.
• Place the itinerary in the child’s pocket or carry-on.
• Provide all essential things to your kids, including their favorite snacks and age-appropriate toys.

Arrival & Pickup Instructions for Air Canada

Authorized Pickup Guidelines

• The designated person who’s coming to receive the unaccompanied minor must arrive early at the airport to avoid any last-minute fuss.
• Complete the verification process beforehand by showing the government-issued ID.
• Upon completing the verification, you’ll get an escort pass.
• Go through the security and walk to the gate area where the child will be met.

International Arrival Procedures

• Make sure the designated person who’s coming to pick up the child at the international airport arrives early.
• Head directly to the Air Canada ticket counter and present government-issued photo ID.
• Go to the meeting point where you can wait for the child.
• Do not remove the badge until you pick up the child and leave the airport.

What to Do If Plans Change

• Air Canada ensures that the escorting person must stay at the airport until the flight departs.
• However, if your plan changes at the last moment, go to the My Trips section and change your minor’s flight ticket.

Tips for a Smooth Unaccompanied Minor Flight

Here are some essential tips for a smooth unaccompanied minor flight on Air Canada.

Communication tips with the airline

• Contact Air Canada’s customer support service to know their unaccompanied minor program details before booking.
• Make sure your kid knows about the itinerary beforehand to avoid any last-minute surprises.
• Confirm all required items, like IDs and documents for both the child and the accompanying adult.
• Clearly communicate any special needs with the airline at booking and check-in.

Packing a “comfort kit” for the child

• Prepare a small bag with favorite snacks, age-appropriate toys, and electronic devices fully charged with headphones.
• Include a sweater or hoodie, a travel pillow, and a light blanket for comfort during the flight.
• Place a paper with an emergency contact, the child’s itinerary, and any necessary medications with instructions.

Timing, early check-in, and pre-flight preparation

• Arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before departure to allow extra time for paperwork and security.
• Make sure to check in for your Air Canada flight early to avoid the last-minute hassle.
• Explain the airport and flight process to the child, such as where they’ll wait, who’s coming up to pick them, and how to identify airline staff.
• Print all required documents and boarding passes to avoid the last-minute rush.

Contact Air Canada for Unaccompanied Minor Assistance

Emergency contacts

• Struggling with last-minute hassles? Contact Air Canada Reservations at 1-888-247-2262 to speak with an expert.

How to make last-minute changes or updates

• Visit the Air Canada official website and click My Trips.
• Access your trip details and click the Change or Update Flight.
• Select the new flight details and follow the on-screen instructions to confirm new bookings.
• Get a confirmation email and proceed with check-in and other formalities accordingly.

Summary & Key Takeaways for Parents

That’s all about the Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Service. We hope our guide has covered all essential aspects of the airline’s UM guidelines and steps to initiate the booking process. Traveling alone can be a challenge for your kids, especially if it’s their first time, but you can ensure a secure, smooth journey by understanding all the terms and conditions beforehand. So, what are you waiting for? Read these guidelines carefully and initiate the further process accordingly to avoid any hassle. For more details, you can contact our experts at Flyviatrip and fix your issues for a smooth experience.