Children Traveling Alone

At Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air we welcome child travelers and will gladly escort them to their final destination. Our Unaccompanied Minor Service is available to children ages 5 through 17 years old, on both our domestic and international flights. To book a child traveler, type in “0” in the Adults field and the total number of children traveling alone in the Children field on the reservations page.
 

Please note: Other airline policies, fees, and age limits may differ from Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air. Some airlines may not allow children traveling alone to be booked in the same reservation with Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air flights. If a child's itinerary includes non-Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air flights, please check with that airline directly regarding their policies, fees, and age limits.

 
Rules for Children Traveling Alone on Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air

The following fees and rules apply to travel on or after May 21, 2008. If you are traveling prior to May 21, 2008, please refer to our Contract of Carriage, for more information.

 
AgesUnaccompanied
Minor Service
FeesFlight
Restrictions
Gate Escort &
Guardian Contacts
5-7Required$75 USD/CAD each way
(for up to 3 travelers)
No departures
between
9pm and 5am.
No connections.
Required
8-12Required$75 USD/CAD each way
(for up to 3 travelers)
No departures
between
9pm and 5am.
Required
13-17Optional$75 USD/CAD each way
if service requested
(for up to 3 travelers)
No departures
between
9pm and 5am.
Required

Note: Unaccompanied Minor Service fees are waived for children who have attained MVP or MVP Gold status.

 

Age Requirements and Restrictions

  • Unaccompanied Minor Service is required for children, ages 5 through 12 years old at time of travel, traveling without an adult on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air.
  • Unaccompanied Minor Service is optional for young adults, ages 13 through 17 years old at time of travel, traveling without an adult on Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air.
  • Children traveling alone must be at least 5 years old at time of travel.
  • The youngest Child Traveler's flight restrictions will apply to all of the other Child Travelers flying together, including those not requesting Unaccompanied Minor Service.

Guardians

  • Additional Unaccompanied Minor Service fees apply Fees are one way and will be collected in each direction at the airport ticket counter.
  • The Guardian Contact Form must be completed and submitted at check-in.
  • The Guardian, and those accompanying them, must obtain an escort pass from the ticket counter in order to escort the Child Traveler(s) to or from the gate.
  • The Guardian must remain in the boarding area until the Child Traveler's flight has departed.
  • A valid photo I.D. is required of the Guardian picking up the Child Traveler(s).

Connecting Flights

  • The Child Traveler(s) cannot be booked, via alaskaair.com, on flights that connect to or from non-Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air carriers. Please call Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522) or Horizon Air Reservations at 1-800-547-9308.
  • The Child Traveler(s) cannot be booked on the last connecting flight of the day, unless there is no other option available.
  • The Child Traveler(s) cannot be booked on flights that contain connections of over 2 hours waiting time.
  • Child Traveler(s), ages 5 through 7 years old, cannot be booked on flights involving transfers or connections.
  • Child Traveler(s), ages 8 through 12 years old, may be booked on flights involving transfers or connections to Horizon Air or the following codeshare partner: Northwest Airlines.
  • If a friend or family member will be meeting the Child Traveler(s) in a connecting city, you must call Alaska Airlines Reservations at 1-800-ALASKAAIR (1-800-252-7522) or Horizon Air Reservations at 1-800-547-9308, prior to travel.

Other

  • Children traveling alone cannot be booked on flights departing between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
  • Children traveling alone will not be accepted on a flight if weather or other factors are likely to interrupt the routing operation of their destination or connecting point flights.
  • Children traveling alone to and from Canada and Mexico are required to have the same passport and visa documentation as adults. The Guardian must complete all international customs forms for the Child Traveler(s) at check-in.

Adults ages 18 years or older or the legal guardian of the Child Traveler(s).
The Transportation Security Administration retains the authority to suspend issuance of escort passes to non-traveling persons at any time.
Up to 2 adults and all children, under the age of 13 years old, accompanying the Child Traveler(s) are allowed through the security checkpoint. Please arrive at least 90 minutes early to obtain these escort passes. This pass may not be available in Canada or Mexico (due to customs and immigration requirements) or in the late evening (security checkpoints may be closed). If this happens, an Alaska Airlines or Horizon Air representative will escort the Child Traveler(s) from the gate and meet you outside the security checkpoint.

 
Children Traveling Alone Checklist
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When Making Reservations

At the time of travel the Child Traveler must be between the ages of 5 and 17 years old.
You will need the names and phone numbers of the Guardians that will be picking up and dropping off the Child Traveler. (For each direction and, if applicable, for connecting cities).
 Read the Rules for Children Traveling Alone
 When choosing seats, we recommend selecting Children Traveling Alone seats (“L” seats) from the seat map.
 Complete the Guardian Contact Form (double-check to see that you’ve noted any Special Needs).

Before Going to the Airport

 Check the status of the Child Traveler’s flight and weather conditions at alaskaair.com.
 Contact the party meeting the Child Traveler to confirm they will be at the gate on time to pick them up.
 Ensure that your child has had a meal prior to the flight.
 Pack a carry-on for your Child Traveler with activities, any necessary medications, and snacks.
 Provide Child Traveler with extra cash in the event that Northern Bites meal service or digEplayer entertainment is available on the specific flight.
 Provide a phone card and important phone numbers to the Child Traveler so they can contact you or someone else if needed en route.
 Update your online Guardian Contact Form using the Child Traveler's confirmation code or e-ticket number.
 Print your online Guardian Contact Form using the Child Traveler's confirmation code or e-ticket number.
 Print a blank Guardian Contact Form (PDF file is 100k).
 Bring the Guardian Contact Forms (departure and return) with you to the airport.

At the Airport

 Arrive at least 90 minutes prior to departure for domestic and 2 hours for international flights.
 Notify a Customer Service Agent at the ticket counter that the child is an Unaccompanied Minor.
 Let the Customer Service Agent know if any information on the Guardian Contact Form needs to be updated.
 Notify the Customer Service Agent if a friend or family member will be meeting the Child Traveler(s).
 Sign the Guardian Contact Form, acknowledging that you agree to the Request for Carriage and have read and understood the Rules for Children Traveling Alone
 Pay the Unaccompanied Minor Service fee for the departure flight (the fee will also need to be paid at the returning airport’s ticket counter).
 Obtain an escort pass from the ticket counter so that you can escort the Child Traveler to the gate.
 Report to the gate with the Child Traveler at least 30 minutes prior to departure.
 Introduce the Child Traveler to the gate agent.
 Remain at the airport until a Customer Service Agent has confirmed that the Child Traveler’s flight has departed.

General Information

  • A unique identification piece for Children Traveling Alone will be provided upon check-in and must be worn by the Child Traveler(s) at all times while in our care.
  • The Child Traveler(s) will remain under supervision at all times.
  • While under supervision, we expect the Child Traveler(s) to follow directions given by our agents and flight attendants.
  • In case the Child Traveler(s) becomes ill, every attempt will be made to contact at least one of the Guardians.
  • In case the Child Traveler(s) becomes seriously ill, the appropriate medical personnel will be contacted.
  • Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air will not control the Child Traveler(s) personal medication.
  • Phone calls to a Guardian will be allowed when on the ground and deemed appropriate by the supervising representative.
  • In the event of an unplanned interruption in travel, the Guardian will be required to give approval for rebooking.