Per Cathay Pacific’s Unaccompanied Minors policy, children between 6 and under 12 years must enroll for the Unaccompanied Minors service unless they are accompanied by an adult passenger who is at least 18 years old. The Unaccompanied Minors service is not available on all flights—you must check with airline for service availability.
According to Cathay Pacific’s Unaccompanied Minors policy:
- The Unaccompanied Minors service is mandatory for children between 6 and under 12 years of age, unless they are accompanied by a passenger who is at least 18 years.
- The Unaccompanied Minors service is optional for children between 12 and under 18 years of age.
- Children under 6 years of age will not be accepted unless they are accompanied by a passenger who is at least 18 years old.
- The Unaccompanied Minors service must be booked (by phone or through a travel agent) at least 24 hours in advance. Children not registered in advance will not be accepted.
- Unaccompanied Minors will not be accepted on itineraries involving transfers exceeding 5 hours.
- Connecting flights must arrive and depart from the same airport.
- Cathay Pacific will not accept responsibility of Unaccompanied Minors until 90 minutes before departure—but they are allowed to check in earlier.
- The Unaccompanied Minors fee (in addition to the adult ticketed fare) is:
- USD 130/HKD 1,000 on flights between Hong Kong and Africa, North Africa, South Asian subcontinent, Southwest Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe.
- USD 65/HKD 500 on all other routes.
Remember, the service is optional for children between 12 and under-18. This means if you choose not to book the service, Cathay Pacific will treat your child as an adult passenger—with no escort service, flight transfer assistance, etc., even if the flight gets delayed.
How to Book the Unaccompanied Minor Service on Cathay Pacific
Book at least 24 hours before departure
You can book Cathay Pacific’s unaccompanied minor service:
- By calling a local reservations office in your area
(The number is toll-free in the U.S./Canada, and open 24/7). - Through your travel agent
Remember
- The Unaccompanied Minors service cannot be booked online.
- You must book at least 24 hours before departure.
- When booking the service, you must provide the name, address, and mobile number of:
- The adult who will bring your child to the airport
- The adult who will receive your child on arrival
- If your itinerary includes flights operated by non-Cathay Pacific airlines, check with them whether they accept Unaccompanied Minors before making a reservation.
Guidelines for Unaccompanied Minors
Documentation for Unaccompanied Minors
The parent/adult guardian must provide the following documents and information at the airport’s check-in desk:
- A valid photo ID, such as a passport, license, etc.
- Address as it appears on the ID
- Phone number
- Name, address, and phone number of the adult who will meet your child at the destination airport
Before traveling, you must make sure your documentation is in order as some countries have additional requirements for unaccompanied minors. Moreover, some flights may not permit passengers below 18 to travel alone, so do check with the airline before traveling.
Restrictions
The Unaccompanied Minors service will not be available for use:
- If the itinerary includes flights operated by other airlines.
- If the connecting flight does not depart from the same airport.
- If the transfer time of your booking exceeds 5 hours.
Before the flight
Make sure you comply with the country-specific requirements below:
- Italy
- Philippines
- South Africa
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
Boarding and takeoff
- The parent/adult guardian accompanying the child to the airport must:
- Reach the airport check-in counter at least 90 minutes before departure.
- Accompany the child to the departure gate and remain there until the flight has departed.
- A Cathay Pacific staff member will escort your child to the aircraft and introduce him/her to the flight crew. The flight crew will apprise your child of the plane’s safety features.
- Your child will be seated in the aircraft near a flight attendant.
Connecting flights
- The transfer time must not exceed 5 hours.
- Your child will be escorted to the connecting flight.
- A staff member will remain with your child during the period of connection.
During the flight
- Cathay Pacific’s flight crew will check on your child from time to time.
- Ask your child to:
- Inform a flight attendant if (s)he requires any assistance.
- Follow the safety instructions at all times.
- Wait for a staff member to be escorted to the gate after landing.
Arrival and pick-up
At the arrival airport, the parent/designated adult guardian must:
- Reach the airport well before the flight’s scheduled arrival.
- Present a valid ID.
- Take charge your child at the gate.
Unaccompanied Minors Fee
The service fee charged by Cathay Pacific for Unaccompanied Minors is the price of an adult’s ticket plus a one-way service fee ranging from USD 65–130, as shown below.
| Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied Minors Fee—All Routes | |
| Route—Hong Kong to/from: | Unaccompanied Minor Fee (One-Way) |
| Europe | USD 130/HKD 1000 |
| Direct intercontinental flight | USD 130/HKD 1000 |
| South Asia, Middle East & Africa | USD 130/HKD 1000 |
| South West Pacific | USD 130/HKD 1000 |
| The Americas | USD 130/HKD 1000 |
| All other sectors | USD 65/HKD 500 |
Country-specific Regulations for Unaccompanied Minors
Some countries have added regulations for Unaccompanied Minors and children traveling with guardians. These regulations are subject to frequent changes, so do check in advance what these regulations are. You may also need to comply with the health advice for some destinations—such as vaccinations and medicine requirements.
- Italy. Under-14 children traveling out of Italy:
- Must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old.
- Must carry a passport.
- Must carry a sworn and signed statement by both parents/legal guardian. The statement must include the airline’s name in which the child is traveling and it must be authenticated by the local police headquarters (Italy) or a consular office (abroad). For details, refer to the EU page.
- Philippines. Under-15 non-citizen children living in the Philippines who are not accompanied by a parent with the same last name must carry proof of the relationship. Adults, relatives, and friends with the same surname cannot assume the role of an escort.
They must carry a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) if travelling without one of their parents. The parent/legal guardian must get in touch with a consular representative of the Philippines in their country to arrange the required documentation before travelling.
- South Africa. Unaccompanied Minors must carry the following documents with them:
- Birth certificate or valid age-proof document (copy/original).
- Parental consent from one/both parents/legal guardian, court order, etc.
- Passport or valid identification documents of one/both parents/legal guardian and the persons with whom the child will be staying, along with residence permits/visa (if required).
- Name, address, and phone number of the parents/legal guardians with whom the child will be staying in South Africa.
- UAE. Under-18 passengers travelling as Unaccompanied Minors to the United Arab Emirates must meet the following requirements:
- If not accompanied by a parent with the same last name, must carry proof of the relationship (such as through a birth certificate).
- If accompanied by an adult passenger who is at least 18 years old, must carry a signed authorization letter from the parent/legal guardian, along with an affidavit or copy of birth certificate.
- Children between 6 and under 18 travelling alone must travel as Unaccompanied Minors for the full journey.
- United Kingdom. Under-16 children travelling to the United Kingdom must provide at least one of these:
- Consent (in writing) plus proof of stay
- From the parent or legal guardian with contact details
- Details of where they will stay with contact details
- Student documentation
- Student’s documents
- Letter indicating the name and contact details of the person who will meet them upon arrival
- Consent (in writing) plus proof of stay
- Ireland. Under-18 children travelling alone must travel with the following documents:
- A signed consent letter from the parent/legal guardian, along with contact details.
- Copy of the parent/legal guardian’s valid ID.
- Proof of parent/guardian’s relationship with the child.
- Parent’s death certificate (if required).
- Complete address where they will stay (if normally not residing in Ireland).
- Compete contact details of who they will stay with (if normally not residing in Ireland).
If the child is travelling with an adult with a different last name or someone who is not a parent/legal guardian, additional documents to establish the relationship may be requested by Immigration. If the child is travelling with one parent, the other parent’s consent may be required.
The following documents may be required if applicable:
- To show relationship with the child: Guardianship papers, adoption/birth certificate
- Any document that identifies the parent/guardian
- Marriage/divorce certificate if the child’s surname is different
- Deceased parent’s death certificate
- Signed consent letter from parent/guardian authorizing another person to accompany the child on the trip (with contact details)
- France. Under-18 children who are either citizens or residents of France must obtain authorization to leave France if they’re travelling without a parent/legal guardian. They must carry a valid passport, permit to travel form, L’autorisation de sortie du territoire. The form must be signed by a parent/legal guardian (with a valid ID attached), authorizing the child to travel out of France.
To book the Unaccompanied Minors service by phone, call now.
This number is toll-free in the U.S./Canada and open 24/7.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cathay Pacific Unaccompanied Minors Policy
Yes, Cathay Pacific allows unaccompanied minors on select flights.
A few important things to remember:
● Children below 6 years of age must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old.
● The Unaccompanied Minors service is mandatory for children aged 6 to under 12 years old, unless accompanied by a passenger who is at least 18 years.
● The Unaccompanied Minors service is optional for children between 12 and under 18 years.
Unaccompanied minors are accepted on Cathay Pacific’s international flights. However, you must meet the requirements of the country you’re travelling to.
You can book Cathay Pacific’s Unaccompanied Minors service by phone (i.e., by calling Cathay Pacific or your travel agent) or visiting a ticket center. When booking, you will also be required to provide the name, address, and mobile phone number of the person who will accompany your child to the airport, and the person who will be receiving your child at the destination airport.
The adult who accompanies your child to the airport must provide the following documents and information at the airport’s check-in desk:
● A valid photo ID, such as a passport, license, etc.
● Address as it appears on the ID
● Phone number
● Name, address, and phone number of the adult who will meet your child at the destination airport
You should book the Unaccompanied Minors service at least 24 hours before departure. Remember, the Unaccompanied Minors service is not available on all flights, so you must check with airline for service availability and make sure your paperwork is complete.
No, it isn’t mandatory to book Cathay Pacific’s Unaccompanied Minors service for children between 12 and under 18 years of age as the service is optional for them. However, if you book the service, you will have to pay for it.
When you book the Unaccompanied Minor service on Cathay Pacific, you will have to provide the following information:
● Details about your child (name, flight date, flight number, passport/ID details, etc.)
● Name, address, and phone number of: The person who will be accompanying your child to the departure airport
●➤ The person who will be picking up your child at the destination airport
●➤ The person who will be picking up your child at the destination airport
When you book the service, you must have all the information readily available with you.
Children between 6 and under 12 who are travelling as Unaccompanied Minors are only accepted on itineraries where the transfer time does not exceed 5 hours. Also, connecting flights must arrive and depart from the same airport.
Cathay Pacific charges a service fee of USD 65–130, depending on the route. The service fee is USD 130 for flights between Hong Kong and Africa, North Africa, South Asian subcontinent, Southwest Pacific, the Middle East, and Europe; and USD 65/HKD 500 on all other routes.
You can make an unaccompanied minor’s reservation on Cathay Pacific by calling Cathay Pacific or your travel agent.
Yes, children below 6 years of age can only travel if they are accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old. Other restrictions are as follows:
● For children between 6 and under 12 years, the service is mandatory—unless they are accompanied by a passenger who is at least 18 years old.
● For children between 12 and under 18 years of age, the service is optional.
● Unaccompanied Minors will not be accepted on flights: If the transfer time exceeds 5 hours.
● If the connecting flights departs from another airport, i.e., if the arrival and departure airports are different.
✦ If the transfer time exceeds 5 hours.
✦ If the connecting flights departs from another airport, i.e., if the arrival and departure airports are different.
You will have to see off your child in the terminal area because only passengers are allowed beyond the gate. You will, however, be asked to remain there until your child’s flight takes off.
Yes, a Cathay Pacific staff member will meet your child at the arrival airport. If the connection time is short, your child will be escorted directly to the departure area and then to the aircraft. If the stopover is longer, the staff member will escort your child to a secure location and hand over your child (and your child’s documents) to another representative, who will escort your child to the connecting flight when it’s time to board, and also introduce her/him to the flight attendants on board.
If there’s any indication of a flight delay or cancellation, you’ll be informed in advance and advised about the alternative options. If the flight is delayed or cancelled en-route:
● Your child will be rebooked on the next available flight.
● A Cathay Pacific representative will stay with your child until he/she boards the flight.
● A Cathay Pacific representative will contact the person at the destination airport whom you’ve designated to meet your child.
In the unlikely event of an overnight stay (such as due to extreme weather conditions), your child will be provided overnight accommodations and meals. A Cathay Pacific representative will supervise your child’s safety during the stay. Plus, you will be informed.