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Cheap flights to Mexico

Prices from

C$448

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Kids flying solo

Policies for unaccompanied minors

AirlineAgeFee per child (each way)Notes
Air Canada

Eight to 11 years old – must purchase UM service

12-17 years old – UM service optional

$100 CAD/USD The Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service is available for non-stop flights only.
 
AirTran Airways

Five to seven years old – nonstop or direct flights only 

Eight to 11 years old – may travel unaccompanied, even on connecting flights

$49 for nonstop 

$98 for connecting

Unaccompanied children cannot fly on the last flight of the day.
 
American Airlines

Five to seven years old – nonstop or direct flights only 

Eight to 14 years old – unless travelling with another passenger at least 15 years old, the unaccompanied minors service must be used

$100 

(only one fee applies for two+ siblings flying same itinerary)

Flights for unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online.
 
British Airways

Five years old – single sector, direct, nonstop flights only 

Six to 14 years old – can travel alone on connecting flights as long as layover is less than six hours

$50 for flights within UK 

$75 for long-haul

Flights for unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online, and children must be registered with the Skyflyer Solo service 48 hours before departure.
 
Delta Air Lines

Five to seven years old – nonstop or direct flights only 

Eight to 14 years old – nonstop and connecting flights

$100Unaccompanied minors are not permitted on Red Eye flights (between 9 pm and 5 am), with the exception of flights departing from Alaska or Hawaii and connections to / from international flights.
 
Frontier AirlinesFive to 14 years old – nonstop or direct flights only connecting flights permitted

$50 per non-stop or direct flights 

$100 for connecting flights

Unaccompanied minors pay a full adult fare.
 
Porter AirlinesFive to 11 years old $100 CAD/USDBook via the Porter Call Centre (1-888-619-8622). Parents must wait at the airport until the flight has been airborne for 20 minutes.
 
United Airlines

Five to 7 years old – nonstop flights only

Eight to 11 years old – all United flights permitted, but not  the last connecting flight of the day 

$99 (only one fee applies for up to three siblings flying same itinerary) 
 
US Airways

Five to 14 years old – nonstop only 

15 to 17 years old – nonstop flights only when assistance is required, otherwise connecting flights are permitted if no assistance is needed

$100Five to 14 years old – first and second checked bag fees waived when “unaccompanied minors” service is purchased
 
WestJetTwelve years and olderNo feeChildren 11 and younger cannot travel unaccompanied. The airline is set to release new guidelines in May 2012.

What to pack: 

    • Cell phone: If your child doesn’t have a cell phone, get him or her a pay-as-you-go phone – an easy form of communication for emergencies. Pay-as-you-go phones can be purchased from any cell phone retailer. Make sure your child knows how to place a collect call and provide a calling card which can be used at public telephones. 
    • Gift cards: Invest in a few pre-paid gift cards worth $25 or $50, which will let your child purchase food or any unexpected expenses along the way. This will eliminate the worry of travelling with a tremendous amount of cash.
    • Family/friends contact information: Give your child a complete list of names, numbers and addresses of the people who are picking your child up at the airport.
    • Photographs: Provide a picture of the person(s) your child will be meeting at the airport, and write out the person’s complete contact information on the back.
    • Medication: Make sure your child has all medications he or she needs and is comfortable taking medications on their own.
    • Details of the day’s schedule: Make sure your child knows what to do in an emergency. For example, provide instructions on how to handle flight delays or cancellations. Let him know how to handle overnight accommodations if necessary. Provide at least two copies of this information and store it in two different places.
    • Snacks: Pack some popular munchies such as chips, sandwiches, trail mix, grapes, berries, gum, etc. Also consider buying a bottle of juice or water for your child after passing through the security checkpoint.
    • Entertainment: Make or buy a travel pack to keep them entertained during the flight. Include such items as colouring books, crayons, books, Play-Doh or handheld video games – wonderful distractions for little ones.

Before the flight: 

    • Contact your preferred carrier in advance of making a reservation for specific information and guidelines regarding children travelling alone.
    • Try to book a morning flight. If it is delayed or cancelled, you have the rest of the day to make alternate plans.
    • Anyone under 17 flying alone on an international flight must have a signed note from a parent or responsible adult giving permission, destination and length of stay.
    • Parents must provide information regarding who will be dropping off and picking up their child from each airport. Children are escorted off the aircraft by a flight attendant and released to the designee or another designated employee.
    • Familiarize your child with his or her itinerary and make sure all travel documents are kept in a safe place - especially if they’ll be needed for a return flight.
    • Make sure your child doesn’t wear any clothing that has his/her name on it, which would make it easier for an impersonator to convince a child that they can be trusted.
    • Make sure your child’s luggage is easy for them to carry and recognize.

At the airport: 

    • Early arrival is important. Unaccompanied minors are usually pre-boarded, so airlines recommend allowing plenty of time to check in and get through security. A relaxed pace will also be less stressful for your child.
    • Make sure the flight attendants know that your child is travelling alone. Confirm that he or she will be seated in an area of the aircraft that’s convenient for attendants to keep an eye out – the very front or very back of the aircraft is ideal.
    • If a connection has to be made, pay any extra fees necessary to have a flight attendant assist your child to that connecting flight. Siblings flying together usually pay only one escort fee.