Emirates is currently experiencing one of its busiest times for its Unaccompanied Minors service, as many children return to Dubai after their summer abroad to start the new school year. In the coming week alone, Emirates will welcome more than 900 children flying alone and taking advantage of its recognized family-friendly service.
Over the past 5 years, more than 120,000 children have used Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passengers services. The majority of children who have travelled alone in Emirates’ care are aged 11 or younger. The families currently using the service the most are British, then Indian, followed by Americans, Filipinos and French. When children fly without their family, Emirates is there every step of the way. For children aged between 5 and 11, Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors service ensures young people enjoy a supervised and safe journey from check-in to their destination, with plenty of fun and memorable moments along the way.
What does Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minor service include?
A safe place to relax and play – Emirates Lounge for Unaccompanied Minors
When parents and guardians bring their young passengers to Dubai International Airport (DXB), they can go straight to the Unaccompanied Minors Lounge near the check-in area. The person dropping off the child will need to provide Emirates with proof of identity and the guardian will need to sign a consent form. Children will be checked in quickly and can then relax with video games, free Wi-Fi and comfortable sofas. In the dedicated and private area, supervised by the Emirates team, children can enjoy free drinks and snacks while they wait for their flight and use the children’s toilets.
Support and assistance from a trained Emirates specialist throughout the entire trip
At the airport, the child will be met by a specialist member of the Emirates team at the unaccompanied minor check-in desk. The Emirates specialist will accompany the child throughout the airport, look after the child and carry the child’s passport for security reasons. The specialist will assist the child through security and immigration checks and provide priority boarding so the child has time to settle into the flight before being introduced to cabin crew at the aircraft door for the next step. During the flight Emirate Cabin crew will ensure that the young passenger has a comfortable and memorable journey. Parents and guardians can indicate in advance any special dietary requirements and whether the child would like to sit window or aisle, or siblings sitting together. Emirates cabin crew will check on the child regularly to ensure they are enjoying their journey, eating their meals and if they need any help adjusting their seat or using the in-flight entertainment system.
Fun on board with Emirates cabin crew
Children on board Emirates can enjoy free Wi-Fi when they sign up to Emirates Skysurfers, free toys and giveaways, more than 100 video games and a huge range of kids’ content in the award-winning inflight entertainment program. Iceincluding new releases, Disney classics, Marvel Studios and Star Wars collections as well as the complete Harry Potter film series, CBeebies, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
If it’s the child’s birthday, parents and guardians can order a cake 48 hours before the flight and Emirates cabin crew will celebrate the special occasion. Special memories will be captured with a Polaroid camera so children have a keepsake of their travels.
Once children have landed at their destination, a dedicated member of the Emirates team will greet them at the aircraft door. The child will be escorted through the airport until they meet their parents or guardians in the arrivals hall. The person collecting the child will be required to provide Emirates with proof of identity.
Support for older children and young people
Children aged 12 to 15 years may fly alone without using Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minor service at the discretion of parents and guardians. However, parents and guardians who would like additional assistance and supervision for their unaccompanied children aged 12 to 15 years may request this service. Assistance will be provided for children aged 12 to 15 years, which includes all aspects of the Unaccompanied Minor service, for an additional fee of USD 50 for each leg of the journey.
Emirates Unaccompanied Minor Service for Transfer Customers
Child safety is of paramount importance to Emirates – a family-friendly airline. There are a few terms and conditions in place to protect children from an uncomfortable journey. If the child is transferring from one Emirates flight to another Emirates flight at Dubai International (DXB), the maximum transfer time allowed is 8 hours. If the transfer time is more than 8 hours, this requires Emirates’ approval. Children on connecting flights will be taken to an unaccompanied minor lounge where they can rest and wait before being taken to their flight and handed over to cabin crew. If they need to enter the airport for a meal, they will be accompanied by an Emirates specialist. A young passenger is not permitted to stay overnight at the connecting airport unless an adult guardian is arranged to meet and look after them at the transit point, which requires Emirates’ approval.
