As the school year begins, Emirates is gearing up to welcome around 900 unaccompanied children on its flights this week. These young passengers, many returning to Dubai after summer vacations abroad, will be utilizing the airline’s specialized Unaccompanied Minors Service, designed to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for children traveling alone.
Over the past five years, Emirates has successfully transported more than 120,000 children through its Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger services. This service has become essential for families, particularly those from the UK, India, the US, the Philippines, and France, who frequently rely on Emirates to safely transport their young travelers. The majority of these children are aged 11 years or younger, underscoring the importance of the airline’s comprehensive care and supervision.
For children aged five to 11, Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors Service provides a fully supervised journey from check-in to arrival at their destination. Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport (DXB), young travelers are directed to the dedicated Unaccompanied Minors Lounge near the check-in area. Here, they can relax in a private, child-friendly environment equipped with video games, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and refreshments. The lounge is staffed by Emirates team members who ensure that each child is safe and entertained while waiting for their flight.
When parents or guardians drop off their children at the airport, they are required to provide proof of identification and sign a permission form. From there, a dedicated Emirates specialist accompanies the child through the airport, assisting with security and immigration procedures, and ensuring priority boarding.
The specialist remains with the child until they are safely handed over to the cabin crew at the aircraft door.
During the flight, Emirates cabin crew continue to provide personalized care, attending to the child’s dietary preferences, seating arrangements, and entertainment needs. The crew regularly checks on the child to ensure they are comfortable and enjoying their journey. Parents can also request specific seating preferences, such as a window or aisle seat, or having siblings seated together.
For children aged 12 to 15, Emirates offers flexibility, allowing them to fly independently without the Unaccompanied Minors Service if parents choose. However, for an additional fee of $50 per leg of the journey, parents can opt for the same level of supervision and care provided to younger children.
To utilize the Unaccompanied Minors Service, children aged five to 11 must travel on an adult fare. They can be seated in a different cabin class from their accompanying parent or guardian on the same flight, but they will be charged an adult fare and will not have access to the Unaccompanied Minors Lounge and services.
The service can be booked up to 12 hours before departure, ensuring that parents and guardians have ample time to arrange a smooth and stress-free experience for their children. With these measures in place, Emirates continues to set the standard for child-friendly air travel, providing peace of mind for families and a safe, enjoyable journey for young travelers.
