Qatar Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy

What is Qatar Airways’ unaccompanied minor policy?

Qatar Airways offers 2 types of services for children traveling alone, i.e., without a parent or an adult guardian who is at least 16 years old: 

1. Unaccompanied Minors service
2. Escort service 

Qatar Airways Unaccompanied Minor Age 

How old should my child be to use the Unaccompanied Minor or Escort service?

According to Qatar Airways Unaccompanied Minor policy, children between 5 – 15 years (inclusive) must book the Unaccompanied Minor or Escort service if they are travelling alone.

Qatar Airways Unaccompanied Minor policy also requires that:

• Children below 5 will not be accepted—they must travel with a parent or an adult guardian. 
• Children who have reached their 16^th birthday are not eligible to travel as unaccompanied minors.
• Advance approval must be obtained:

• At least 48 hours before departure if you’re booking the Unaccompanied Minor service.
• At least 72 hours before departure if you’re booking the Escort service.
• Both services must be booked through a local Qatar Airways office—not online. 

Children aged 16 and older must travel alone as adult passengers—with no escort service, flight transfer assistance, etc., even if the flight gets delayed.

How to Book the Unaccompanied Minor Service for Your Child on Qatar Airways

Book at least 48 to 72 hours before departure 

To book the Unaccompanied Minors or Escort service, you must: 

1. Call the local Qatar Airways office in your area, and 
2. Obtain prior authorization 

Neither service can be booked online. 

• The Unaccompanied Minors service must be booked at least 48 hours before departure. 
• The Escort service must be booked at least 72 hours before departure.

Conditions of Travel for Unaccompanied Minors on Qatar Airways

• You must fill out the Unaccompanied Minor Form.
  
• You must receive authorization from the airline before traveling. 
• Your child must be traveling on a flight operated by Qatar Airways. 
• Your child/Unaccompanied Minor must be:
  • Escorted and checked in by a parent or responsible adult guardian who is at least 16 years old.
  • Received at the destination airport by an authorized adult.
• If your child/Unaccompanied Minor has a disability or any special requirements, the parent or guardian must inform the airline at the time of booking so that necessary arrangements can be made in advance.

Before the flight 

• Baggage Allowance
  What is the baggage allowance for unaccompanied minors?
  Unaccompanied Minors are entitled to the full baggage allowance for their class of travel. 
• Documents Needed for Unaccompanied Minors
  What documents do unaccompanied minors need to fly?
  Unaccompanied Minors must carry the following documents (as applicable):
  • A passport, valid for at least 6 months
  • A valid visa 
  • Re-entry permit 
  • Health documents 
  • Any other documentation required by the destination country, such as:
    • A letter of consent 
    • Health certificate 

At the departure airport 

• Check-in
  What is the check-in and boarding process for unaccompanied minors on Qatar Airways?
  • Your child must be escorted and checked in by a parent or responsible guardian who is at least 16 years old. 
  • Your child will be escorted by a Qatar Airways representative through security and immigration.
  • The parent or guardian must remain at the airport until the flight departs.
• Boarding
  • Your child will be escorted to his/her seat by a Qatar Airways staff member. 
• Connecting flights
  • If the unaccompanied minor’s flight involves a connecting flight, he/she will be escorted to the connecting flight. 
  • A staff member will remain with the child during the period of connection.

During the flight

• Qatar Airways flight crew will check on your child from time to time.
• Ask your child to inform a flight attendant for assistance, if required, follow the safety instructions, always wear the identification lanyard, and wait for a crew member to escort him/her to the gate after landing. 

Arrival and pick-up

What is the arrival and pick-up process at Qatar Airways?

At the arrival airport, the parent or designated adult guardian must:

• Reach the airport before the flight’s scheduled arrival.
• Present a valid ID.
• Receive your child at the gate.

Qatar Unaccompanied Minor Fee

What is the unaccompanied minor cost at Qatar Airways?

The Unaccompanied Minors service is free of charge on Qatar Airways—but an adult fare needs to be purchased for the child as shown below:

• For Unaccompanied Minors: a 1-way adult fare for the minor
• For Escort service: 2-way (to-and-fro) adult fare 

Can Avios Be Redeemed for Unaccompanied Minors?

You can redeem your Avios to book award tickets for Unaccompanied Minors between 5 – 15 years of age for travelling in Economy Class on all flights operated or marketed by Qatar Airways. 

To redeem an award ticket for an Unaccompanied Child (between 5 and 11 years) or a Young Traveller (between 12 and 15 years), at least 4 days (96 hours) before your flight’s departure:

1. Log into your account via QatarAirways.com/PrivilegeClub 
2. Select the Redeem Avios and Qcredits
3. Book the award ticket 
4. Get in touch with Qatar’s Member Services via the Write to us page 
5. Be sure to provide the following information:

1. Your child’s name as it appears on the passport
2. Your child’s date of birth
3. A copy of your child’s passport

After receiving your request, Qatar Airways will send you an email along with: 

• Your ticket details, and 
• Instructions on how to pay online 

Note

• The request for the Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) Award Ticket can only be made by the member.
• The same number of Avios required for adult award tickets will be charged for Unaccompanied Minors.
• A fixed service fee of 3,000 Avios per origin will be charged for which a non-refundable EMD (electronic miscellaneous document) will be provided.
• Unaccompanied Minor Award Tickets cannot be upgraded.
• A rush fee and applicable change fee (if any) will apply.
• The documents needed for Unaccompanied Minors at the check-in desk include:
  • The Unaccompanied Minor’s Award Ticket. 
  • A copy of the EMD showing the 3,000 Avios service charge.
  • A filled out UMNR Request for Carriage Form
    (available at the airport or local city office).

How to Change the Flight Date for Unaccompanied Minors 

To change the flight date for Unaccompanied Minors on Qatar Airways, you must either call local Qatar Airways office in your area or visit the Qatar Airways ticket office near you. Remember, you will be charged the applicable flight change fee, depending on the fare conditions of your child’s ticket.

Frequently Asked Questions on Qatar Airways Unaccompanied Minor Policy