Choosing to let your child fly alone shouldn’t mean sacrificing comfort or oversight. Thai Airways’ Unaccompanied Minor Special Assistance is not just a service; it’s an exclusive travel package for children. From priority check-in to a personal escort through customs and immigration, your child will enjoy a comfortable, easy journey. Their team guarantees they will be under the continuous supervision of dedicated ground and cabin staff, ensuring a safe transfer at every touchpoint and the ultimate peace of mind for you.
Comprehensive Pre-Flight and Check-In Requirements When Availing of Thai Airways’ UM Services
Here is what to make note of:
Departure Procedures and Parental Responsibilities:
Before a flight with Thai Airways, the parent or guardian has specific responsibilities to ensure the child’s smooth departure:
- Airport Presence and Wait Time:
The parent or guardian of the child needs to be present at the airport from arrival until the flight’s official takeoff.
- Check-in Formalities:
As a parent, you must complete all necessary check-in formalities and documentation before Thai Airways will accept the child for travel.
- Transfer to Cabin Crew:
After all formalities are completed, the ground staff in the departure hall will directly hand the child over to the cabin attendants for boarding.
- In-Flight Care:
The cabin crew will provide full-flight supervision and care for the child.
Arrival and Handover Process:
Thai Airways special assistance program has a strict protocol for ensuring the child’s safe arrival and appropriate handover:
- Arrival Assistance:
When the aircraft reaches its destination, a member of THAI’s ground team will take charge of the child, guiding them through the entire arrival process, which includes clearing immigration and collecting their baggage.
- Guardian Identification:
For the safety of the child, Thai Airways’ staff members will only release them to their appointed guardian. This individual must verify their identity with a staff member before the pick-up can be finalized.
- Priority on Safety:
The airline’s primary concern is the security and well-being of the child, ensuring they arrive safely and are appropriately delivered to the designated person.
Thai Airways Policy for Kids Travelling (Alone or Accompanied)
Thai Airways requirements for a child traveling depend on whether they are traveling alone or with another person:
- For Accompanied Travel:
The person travelling along may be a member of the family, a guardian or any other person who has been appointed to escort the child. In this case, the child is not considered an unaccompanied minor.
- Unaccompanied Minor Service:
If the child is travelling solo then the UM service of Thai Airways has to be opted for by parents, with the minimum age requirement (as mentioned below) varying as per the class of travel. This service activates the specific procedures detailed above for departure and arrival.
- Optional Service for Older Children:
The Unaccompanied Minor service is optional for children aged 12 to 17 years old.
Eligibility and Conditions for Unaccompanied Minor on Thai Airways:
Here we will discuss the age requirements to avail of Thai Airways’ Unaccompanied Minor service.
- Economy Class:
Unaccompanied Minor service is mandatory for children aged 5–11 years if they are to travel solo. Parents must contact Thai Airways’ Customer Service at contact@thaiairways.com or call +66 2 356 1111 to arrange this service.
- Business/First Class:
This service is available for children aged 8-11 years if they are travelling on the business or first class.
Parents have the option to request unaccompanied minor service for children between the ages of 12 and 17. It isn’t mandatory for this age group.
What Are The Special Restrictions Regarding Thai Airways’ UM Service?
As per Thai Airways’ unaccompanied minor special assistance services, a child traveling alone is not permitted to make a transfer between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Don Muang Airport.
UMs will also not be allowed on a Thai Airways flight if there is a layover or stopover longer than six hours unless you make arrangements in advance.
You must check the specific rules of any other airline your child travels with, as their policies often vary. You need to pay special attention to the unaccompanied minor age limit, which may not be the same across all carriers.
If children are traveling without an adult, Thai Airways forbids them from bringing a pet with them.
Parents must confirm that all visas and travel paperwork are in order. Be aware that countries, particularly places like the Philippines, often demand additional documentation, such as a waiver of exclusion which the Philippines Embassy issues.
Also Read: Thai Airways Special Assistance
Thai Airways Unaccompanied Minor Fare and Fee Structure:
The fee varies on the route you are opting for – domestic or international.
- International Routes:
Fare: Children (5 to below 17) requiring the unaccompanied minor service are charged the full adult fare. Specific fares and regulations should be confirmed with a local THAI office.
Service Fee: A service fee of $60 USD per flight applies.
- Domestic Routes (within Thailand):
Fare: The fare is 75% of the normal full economy fare (C or Y class).
Service Fee: No service fee is charged for domestic flights.
Furthermore, the Thai Airways Unaccompanied Minor service is not available on flights with a 4-digit “TG” flight number (code share flights). These bookings must be made directly with the operating airline.
Conclusion:
Thai Airways’ Unaccompanied Minor Special Assistance is a comprehensive travel solution that guarantees your child’s comfort and safety throughout their journey. It’s not just a service. Your child is under the careful supervision of Thai Airways‘ committed staff from the time of check-in until the final transfer to the designated guardian. Strict safety regulations, smooth in-flight supervision, and customized escort services provide parents peace of mind that their child is in capable hands. While certain rules and fees apply, the ease of mind this service brings makes it an invaluable option for families. Young travelers are given the highest priority by Thai Airways, which makes traveling alone safe and worry-free.
FAQs:
A child must be at least 12 years old to travel on Thai Airways without using the mandatory Unaccompanied Minor service. The UM service is required for children aged 5 to 11, but is optional for those aged 12 to 17.
Thai Airways’ mandatory Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service is for children aged 5-11 traveling alone, with the service being optional for those 12-17. Parents must apply for the service, complete check-in, and remain at the airport until departure. THAI staff assist the child until handover to an appointed guardian at the destination. Restrictions apply to overnight stops and long transfers.
For international travel, the service incurs a fee of $60 USD per flight, and the child’s airfare itself is priced at the adult rate. Conversely, on domestic routes within Thailand, no service fee is required, and the child receives a discounted fare, paying only 75% of the standard cost.
No. Thai Airways does not allow unaccompanied minors to travel with pets.
Parents must ensure passports, visas, and country-specific documents (such as a waiver of exclusion in the Philippines) are completed before travel.
Thai Airways staff will assist them through immigration, baggage claim, and hand them over only to the appointed guardian after proper ID verification.