Travelling alone can be exciting for children, while parents may feel stressed and uncertain about their child’s journey. Qatar Airways, one of the world’s major international carriers, offers a structured service for Unaccompanied Minors (UM) designed to ensure children remain safe and comfortable throughout their trip, from check-in to arrival at their destination.

To help parents understand the Qatar Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy, this guide provides details about the age restrictions and fees associated with the UM service, steps involved in booking the UM service, and documents required by Qatar Airways for UMs. If you want to be sure about every detail and no risk, you can book your child’s ticket by calling Qatar’s Representatives at +1-877-777-2827.

Who is considered an Unaccompanied Minor on Qatar Airways?

Qatar Airways considers an unaccompanied minor based on age and whether the child is travelling with an adult:

1. Ages 5 -11:

A child between the ages of 5 and 11 years is considered an unaccompanied minor if they are not traveling with an adult. Children who are classified as UMs will be provided with the Unaccompanied Minor Service, which offers escorting services from the departure airport through onward transfers.

2. Ages 12 -15:

At ages 12 to 15 years, known as Young Adults, may travel alone as regular passengers. Parents can opt to use the UM Service voluntarily as a way to offer the additional support they feel may be needed with their child traveling alone, particularly on long-haul flight routes or connecting air routes.

3. 16 Years and above:

A passenger at 16 years and above is considered an adult and, therefore, does not qualify to use the Unaccompanied Minor Service.

How to Book Qatar Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy

1. Confirm Eligibility

Before making any reservations, verify that:

• Your child’s age complies with the Unaccompanied Minor rules for the route you wish to book.
• The origin, transit, and destination airports can accept Unaccompanied Minors.

2. Make a Reservation

Booking for flights on Qatar Airways may generally be made via:

• The Qatar Airways website or mobile application, or
• By calling Qatar Airways Customer Service or through your travel agency.

Booking via calling Qatar Airways Customer Service Representative at +1-877-777-2827 or through your travel agent is likely to be the most secure and straightforward method for booking a Minor travelling alone.

3. Request the Unaccompanied Minor Service

• Make sure that when you place the booking, you advise the agent that the child is travelling Unaccompanied, and the agent will:
• Add the Unaccompanied Minor Service to your booking.
• Charge you for any fees associated with the service, as well as the conditions that apply and required documentation.

4. Fill out and Complete the Unaccompanied Minor Form

Prior to your child travelling as an Unaccompanied Minor, it is required that the Parent/Guardian fill out the official ‘Unaccompanied Minor Handling Form’. 

The form requires the following information:

• Your Child’s full name and age, and Passport Details
• Your Child’s complete Travel information
• Contact Information of your Child’s Drop-off and Pick-up
• Your Child’s Contact Numbers and Addresses at both the Origin and Destination

This form must be completed and signed by the Parent/Guardian before check-in and along with a form of identification.

5. Document Preparation

Ensure that your child has: 

• A valid passport and a visa (if required). 
• A copy of the UM form (if applicable). 
• Any consent letters needed for immigration purposes (e.g., if only one parent is accompanying the child or both). 
• A written copy of emergency contacts. 

Also, check what requirements there are for minors traveling alone in both the departure country and the arrival country. 

Child Escort Service by Qatar Airways

Children travelling alone with Qatar Airways may use a Child Escort Service. This will provide an attendant on board to assist the child. 

• To use this service, children must be between the ages of 5 and 15 years (just before they turn 16). Children under the age of 5 cannot use this service. 
• The airline will charge for the round-trip ticket of the attendant acting as an escort for the child. 
• Requests for escorts must be made a minimum of 72 hours before the boarding of your flight. The escort service only applies to Qatar Airways flights operated by QR Airlines. 
• To book an escort service or an unaccompanied minor (UMNR) or young passenger (YP) service for your child travelling alone, please reach out to your local Qatar Airways office or sales representative.

Fees for an Unaccompanied Minor

• An adult fare must be purchased for a child travelling as an unaccompanied minor with Qatar Airways. 
• In addition to the unaccompanied minor service, Qatar Airways also provides an escort service for children who are flying alone. A representative from the airline will accompany the child during the entire journey.
• In addition to a ticket for the child travelling as an unaccompanied minor, Qatar Airways will charge for the return fare of the airline representative who will be serving as the escort for the child.

Documents Required for Unaccompanied Minor

In order to avoid a lot of problems at the airport, it is a good idea to gather all of the documents below as soon as possible and keep them in one place. Most often, these are the documents you will need:

• An up-to-date passport for your child (and any applicable visa).
• A flight ticket/booking confirmation for the child.
• An Unaccompanied Minor form that is completed.
• A consent letter signed by both parents/guardians(if applicable) from their local country of residence, especially when leaving the country with just one parent (or no parents).
• Copies of the ID of the person dropping off the child and of the person receiving the child at the arrival city.
• Any medical records, if the child has a medical/alleviating condition, or if they have any special medical needs.

Conclusion

Allowing your child to board a plane without you is a major transition, but it can be made safe with Qatar Airways Unaccompanied Minor Service. Qatar Airways has clearly outlined the steps involved in the journey and has trained staff who will assist you through each step of the process from the point at which your child checks in at the departure airport until the time when you receive your child at the destination airport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum age at which a child can fly solo on Qatar Airways?

Children between the ages of 5 to 11 are permitted to travel alone as Unaccompanied Minors, utilizing the airline’s specialized UM service. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted to fly without an adult accompanying them.

What is the fee for Unaccompanied Minors on Qatar Airways?

Qatar Airways charges an extra UM service fee in addition to the standard child fare. An adult ticket must be purchased for any child flying as an unaccompanied minor with Qatar Airways.