Flying Solo: Austrian Airlines & Minors Travelling Abroad

Austrian Airlines allows young people aged 12 to 18 to travel alone without any restrictions or special requirements. However, the Unaccompanied Minor Service is available on request for those aged 12 to 17, for an additional fee. This service is compulsory for children aged 5 to 11, who are also allowed to fly alone.

Austrian Airlines' Unaccompanied Minor Service is optional for 17-year-olds but requires a fee

Austrian Airlines allows 17-year-olds to fly alone without any restrictions or special requirements. However, if you wish to add an extra layer of security for your child, you can book the Unaccompanied Minor Service for an additional fee. This service is compulsory for children between the ages of 5 and 11, but it's also available for children up to the age of 17 if requested by their parents or guardians.

The Unaccompanied Minor Service provides supervision and assistance to children travelling without a parent or legal guardian. This service ensures that your child is looked after throughout their trip, from being welcomed at the airport to being handed over to the designated person at the arrival airport. It includes assistance with check-in, a travel pouch for essential documents, and accompaniment to the aircraft and by the flight crew. The service also guarantees that your child will be taken care of in the event of unforeseen changes, such as flight disruptions, and the contact people will be notified immediately.

To book the Unaccompanied Minor Service, you must contact Austrian Airlines' Service Centre by phone. You will need to provide the names, phone numbers, and addresses of the adults bringing the child to the airport and picking them up at the destination. It is important to note that the service must be booked in advance and cannot be added at the airport.

The fees for the Unaccompanied Minor Service vary depending on the flight route. For domestic flights within Austria and Europe, the fee is EUR 85. For flights to Northern Africa and the Levant, the fee is EUR 95. The Middle East destinations have a fee of EUR 115. Medium-haul flights, such as to the East Coast of the US, Canada, and the Maldives, will cost EUR 125. Lastly, long-haul flights, including destinations like the US West Coast, China, Japan, Thailand, and South Africa, will incur a fee of EUR 150.

It is important to note that the Unaccompanied Minor Service is different from the standard service provided to adult passengers. The service ensures that your child is supervised and assisted during their journey, providing peace of mind for parents or guardians.

The service must be booked by phone

When booking travel for an unaccompanied minor on Austrian Airlines, it is mandatory to book by phone. You can do so by calling the Austrian Airlines Service Centre at +43 (0) 5 1766 1000. This number can be used to book the flight and the unaccompanied minor service.

The unaccompanied minor service is compulsory for children between five and eleven years old, but can also be booked for children up to the age of 17. This service provides special care for your child during their trip, including assistance with connecting flights. The service costs EUR 85 for domestic flights within Austria and Europe, EUR 95 for Northern Africa and the Levant, EUR 115 for the Middle East, EUR 125 for medium-haul flights to the US & Canada East Coast and the Maldives, and EUR 150 for long-haul flights to the US West Coast, China, Japan, Thailand, and South Africa.

When booking, you must provide the names, phone numbers, and addresses of the adults bringing the child to the airport and picking them up at the destination airport. It is also important to ensure that all necessary travel documents, such as passports, travel insurance, and visas, are in order. Additionally, you should fill out the Handling Advice form and print four copies before arriving at the airport.

Upon arrival at the airport, proceed to a check-in counter to complete the necessary formalities. Austrian Airlines staff will issue the boarding pass, provide a travel pouch for essential documents, and take custody of the child. Ground staff will accompany your child to the aircraft and hand them over to the flight crew. As a parent or guardian, you must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.

A Handling Advice form must be filled out and printed

The Handling Advice form is part of the Unaccompanied Minor Service offered by Austrian Airlines. This service is compulsory for unaccompanied children between the ages of five and eleven, but can also be booked for children up to the age of seventeen. The service includes supervision for the child during their trip, and assistance in the event of disruptions to the flight, such as a cancellation.

To book the Unaccompanied Minor Service, you must call the Austrian Airlines Customer Service Center. You will need to provide the names, phone numbers, and addresses of the adults bringing the child to the airport and picking them up at their destination. You will also need to organise any necessary travel documents, such as a passport, travel insurance, and a visa for the destination country.

Upon arriving at the airport, go to a check-in counter to complete all necessary formalities. Austrian Airlines staff will issue the boarding pass, provide your child with a small travel pouch for essential documents, and take the child into their custody. Ground staff will then accompany your child to the aircraft and hand them over to the flight crew. You must remain at the airport until the flight has departed.

During the flight, the child will be in the custody of the flight attendants. Upon disembarking, the child will be met by Austrian Airlines' ground staff and handed over to the designated person as stated in the Handling Advice form. This person must be available at the airport at the flight's scheduled arrival time and must prove their identity.

The fee for the service depends on the flight's origin and destination

Austrian Airlines offers an Unaccompanied Minor Service for children travelling alone. This service is mandatory for children between the ages of 5 and 11, but can be booked for children up to the age of 17.

These fees are charged per child, per leg, and are in addition to the standard airfare. The service can only be booked by telephone, and the costs of the ticket and service are charged together.

It is important to note that the Unaccompanied Minor Service is not available for all connecting flights. It is currently only available for connections in Zurich, Geneva, and Brussels. The service is not yet available for connections in Vienna, Munich, and Frankfurt.

The service includes supervision from the departure point to the final destination

Austrian Airlines offers supervision services for children travelling alone, known as the Unaccompanied Minor Service. This service is mandatory for children between 5 and 11 years old, but can also be booked for children up to the age of 17. The service includes supervision from the departure point to the final destination, ensuring that your child is well looked after throughout their trip.

Booking

To book the Unaccompanied Minor Service, you must contact Austrian Airlines' Service Centre by phone. You will need to provide the names, phone numbers, and addresses of the adults bringing the child to the airport and picking them up at the destination airport. You will also need to organise any necessary travel documents, such as a passport, travel insurance, and visa for the destination country.

Check-In

Upon arriving at the airport, you will need to go to a check-in counter to complete all the necessary formalities. Austrian Airlines staff will issue the boarding pass, provide your child with a small travel pouch for their essential documents, and take them into their custody. You must remain at the airport until the flight has actually departed.

Onboard

During the flight, your child will be in the custody of the flight attendants. They will be welcomed by the crew and well looked after, even in the event of disruptions.

Arrival

Upon disembarking, your child will be met by Austrian Airlines' ground staff and handed over to the designated person stated in the Handling Advice form. This person must be available at the airport at the scheduled arrival time and prove their identity.

The Unaccompanied Minor Service provides peace of mind for parents and guardians, knowing that their child is safe and supervised throughout their journey. It is important to note that there is a supervision charge per leg and per child travelling alone, in addition to the adult fare.

Frequently asked questions