As per Thai Airways’ guidelines for Unaccompanied Minors, children aged between 5 and 17 years are eligible to travel independently provided they have availed the Unaccompanied Minor service. This service entails dedicated airline personnel overseeing the minor’s entire travel experience, which includes support at the airport, in-flight assistance, and aid during flight connections. The specific Unaccompanied Minor Fee is clearly outlined on the ticket.
Key Features of Thai Airways’ Unaccompanied Minor Service
Here are the key aspects of Thai Airways’ Unaccompanied Minor services:
1. Age Restrictions:
– Children under 5 years old cannot travel alone; they must be accompanied by a passenger who is at least 12 years old and capable of caring for the child.
2. Service Requirements:
– The Unaccompanied Minor service is mandatory for children aged 5 to 11 who are traveling alone.
– For children aged 12 to 17, this service is optional.
3. Class Restrictions:
– Unaccompanied Minor service on Business and First Class is available only for children aged 8 to 11.
4. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities:
– Parents or legal guardians must apply for the service by completing the Handling Advice for Unaccompanied Minor or the Thai Airways Unaccompanied Minor Form. This form includes the child’s age, gender, flight details, and contact information for the airport escort at departure, stopover points (if any), and the arrival airport.
– When the itinerary involves another carrier, consult with that carrier regarding age limits and regulations.
– Ensure all necessary formalities, including visa requirements, are completed.
– Some countries may require additional documentation; for example, Unaccompanied Minors of other nationalities traveling to the Philippines may need a waiver of exclusion from the Embassy of the Philippines.
5. Service Exclusions:
– Unaccompanied Minor service is not available on itineraries with transfers between Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Airport.
– On flights with an overnight stop, transfer, or stopover exceeding 6 hours, unless the parent or legal guardian arranges assistance at the transfer point.
– Unaccompanied Minors traveling with pets.
– Unaccompanied Minors with physical or mental disabilities.
Booking the Unaccompanied Minors Service
In accordance with Thai Airways’ Unaccompanied Minor policy, it is imperative for you, as the parent or legal guardian, to secure the Unaccompanied Minor’s ticket a minimum of 72 hours before the scheduled flight departure. During the ticket purchase process, you must explicitly specify that the child will be traveling unaccompanied.
You have several options to reserve the Unaccompanied Minors service:
1. By contacting Thai Airways by phone.
2. Via a local or regional call center.
3. At a Thai Airways brick-and-mortar retail location.
4. At a Thai Airways airport ticket counter.
5. Through an authorized travel agent.
When making the ticket reservation, ensure you request the Thai Airways Unaccompanied Minor Form or Handling Advice for Unaccompanied Minor form (refer to the details below).
When completing this form, you will be required to furnish the Unaccompanied Minor’s name, age, gender, and flight particulars. Additionally, you must provide comprehensive contact information, including names and addresses, for the following individuals:
(a) The person responsible for escorting the minor to the airport.
(b) The person responsible for assisting the minor during any stopover (if applicable).
(c) The person who will receive the minor at the destination airport.
At the time of booking the ticket, you, as the parent or legal guardian of the Unaccompanied Minor, must sign the form and affix it to the ticket, which should be done on the day of travel.
Things to do at the Departure Airport as a Guardian
As the parent or legal guardian, the following actions are required of you:
1. Accompany the child to the airport.
2. Present the completed forms at the airport check-in counter.
3. Wait while the ground staff escorts the child to the pre-boarding area and subsequently to the aircraft.
4. Remain at the airport until the flight has taken off.
Once on board, your child will receive continuous care and attention from the airline’s crew members throughout the duration of the flight.
What to do at the destination airport?
Upon landing, your child will undergo the following steps:
1. Be accompanied from the aircraft.
2. Navigate through the arrival procedures.
3. Receive assistance to the terminal.
4. Be aided in collecting their baggage.
5. Be handed over to the individual you have designated to receive your child, following the verification of their identity as outlined in the child’s file.
Fee for Thai Airways Unaccompanied Minor Service
For international flights, the Unaccompanied Minor fee amounts to $60 USD per flight. Nevertheless, the full adult fare is still applicable. Conversely, for domestic travel within Thailand, there is no Unaccompanied Minor fee; however, you are required to pay 75% of the standard C or Y fare.