Sending a child alone on a flight in India: unaccompanied minor rules, fees, and exactly what paperwork you need (2026)
By Ishaani Reddy (Ishaani Reddy writes about the consumer-protection side of travel — DGCA passenger rights, OTA refund policies, hidden fees, dynamic-currency-conversion traps and the seven kinds of booking mistakes that quietly drain Indian travel budgets.) · Published · 11 min read
If you’re sending a child between 5 and 12 years old alone on a domestic Indian flight, the airline needs to handle them as an Unaccompanied Minor (UM). This service comes with a fee typically in the range of ₹2,000–15,000 per sector depending on the carrier, cannot be booked online, and requires a specific set of documents at both the departure and arrival airports. Here’s everything you need to get right.
TL;DR — the short answer
Indian airlines accept unaccompanied minors (UM) typically aged 5 to 12. Children aged 13 and above can generally travel without the formal UM service, though some carriers extend UM handling up to 15 if the parent requests it. The UM service fee varies widely: IndiGo charges around ₹2,000–3,000 per sector, while Air India’s fees have historically been higher, sometimes in the ₹5,000–15,000 range depending on route and service level. You cannot book UM service online — you must call the airline’s reservation helpline. The pick-up adult at the destination needs specific documentation. Get the details below before you plan any of this.
Age brackets: who qualifies as an unaccompanied minor?
This is the first question parents ask, and the answer has carrier-specific nuances:
- Under 5: No Indian airline will accept a child under 5 as an unaccompanied minor. Children this young must travel with an adult on the same booking. Full stop.
- Ages 5–12: The standard UM bracket across IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, and Akasa Air. The airline’s ground staff and cabin crew provide supervised handling at the origin airport, during the flight, and at the destination until the authorised adult takes custody.
- Ages 13–17: Technically a ‘young adult’ in aviation terms. Most Indian carriers allow children aged 13 and above to travel without the formal UM service and without paying the UM fee — they book as a regular adult passenger. However, parents can request UM handling for a 13–15 year old on some carriers (IndiGo and Air India both offer this at the UM fee rate). This is worth considering for a first-time solo traveller who may be anxious.
For any ambiguity about your child’s age bracket: call the airline’s reservations helpline and get confirmation in writing (or at least note the agent’s name and the call date).
The UM fee: what IndiGo, Air India, and others charge
UM fees in India are per sector (not per trip), so a round-trip means you pay twice. Approximate ranges as of 2026:
- IndiGo: Typically around ₹2,000–3,500 per sector. IndiGo is generally the more budget-conscious option and its UM fee reflects that, though the exact amount depends on the route. Verify on goindigo.in or by calling their helpline.
- Air India: Historically higher, in the range of ₹5,000–15,000 per sector on domestic routes depending on route category and any ancillary supervision costs. Air India offers a more structured ‘Junior Jetsetter’ programme with escort service and a kit for the child. The higher fee reflects that more comprehensive handling.
- Air India Express: Separate policy from Air India mainline; fees tend to be lower than Air India’s but should be confirmed directly on their site or helpline.
- Akasa Air: Has a UM policy for 5–12 year olds; fee in the lower-to-mid range. Confirm directly as Akasa’s policies have evolved rapidly as the carrier grows.
- SpiceJet: Still operating but with reduced routes and some operational uncertainty in 2026. If you must use SpiceJet for a UM booking, confirm their current UM policy and helpline availability carefully.
Always verify the current fee directly with the airline before making arrangements — UM fees are not commonly published on fare aggregators and can change with route or season.
Why you cannot book this online (and what to do instead)
UM service requires a chain of supervision from door to door. The airline needs to know the full details of the authorised pick-up adult, verify that supervision can be arranged for the specific flight, and add a flag to the booking that the crew and ground staff will see. This cannot be automated through a standard online booking flow — it requires a human at the reservations desk to create what is called a Special Service Request (SSR UMNR) on the PNR.
What you do instead:
- Book the flight ticket first (for the child) — you can do this online as a regular adult booking, using the child’s name and age details.
- Immediately call the airline’s reservations helpline with the PNR. Ask them to add the UMNR (Unaccompanied Minor) SSR to the booking and pay the UM fee (often payable by card over the phone or at the airport).
- Get written confirmation — an email or an updated e-ticket that shows the UM service is noted on the booking.
Arriving at the airport without the UM SSR on the PNR is a serious problem — the airline may refuse to let the child board alone, or may allow it without supervision (which defeats the purpose). Do not leave this until the airport.
Documents for drop-off (at departure airport)
At the departure airport, the parent or guardian dropping the child must typically provide:
- The child’s photo ID (Aadhaar card, school ID, or passport). For domestic travel, a school-issued ID with photo is usually sufficient.
- The UM form — the airline will have you fill this at the check-in counter. It includes: the parent/guardian’s name, address, and contact number; the authorised pick-up adult’s name, address, contact number, and relationship to the child; and an emergency contact.
- Photo ID of the dropping adult (your Aadhaar, PAN, or passport).
- Signed indemnity/consent form — most airlines require a signed form confirming the parent’s consent for the child to travel alone. Airlines provide this form at the counter; sign it there.
The parent or guardian dropping the child is typically required to remain at the airport until the aircraft takes off, or at least until the gate closes. Ground staff may ask you to wait. Plan for an extra hour beyond the usual check-in time.
Documents the pick-up adult needs at the destination
This is where parents sometimes under-prepare. The pick-up adult at the destination cannot just show up and collect the child. They need:
- Their original government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, or driver’s licence).
- The authorisation letter or a copy of the UM form naming them as the authorised pick-up adult. This is usually the form filled at departure — some airlines give the dropping adult a copy to share with the pick-up adult in advance.
- The child’s flight details (PNR, flight number, arrival time).
The pick-up adult must be present at the arrival airport before the flight lands. Ground staff will escort the child through the arrivals area and hand them over only when they can verify the pick-up adult’s identity against the UM form. If the authorised person can’t make it, getting someone else to pick up the child is complicated — you’d need to contact the airline in advance to update the authorisation.
Share the flight PNR, the pick-up protocol, and the UM form details with the pick-up adult a day before the flight. Don’t assume they know what to bring.
Things to tell the child before the flight
A few practical notes from the parental side: the cabin crew will be briefed that there’s a UM on board, but a child who knows what to expect handles it better. Tell them:
- They will have a lanyard or badge with their details — they should not take it off.
- If they need anything on the flight, they should ask the person in the crew uniform with the scarf or badge — not a random passenger.
- The person picking them up at the other end will show ID before they leave with anyone.
- They should not go with any adult who doesn’t go through the airline ground staff first.
IndiGo and Air India both brief the child at check-in as part of the UM procedure. But going through it at home the night before makes a real difference, especially for first-time solo flyers.
Use FlightGPT to find and compare flights for your child’s route — then book directly with the airline to add the UM service by phone. Also useful: our article on senior citizen flight discounts and our guide to baggage delay claims.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age for an unaccompanied minor on Indian flights?
No Indian airline accepts unaccompanied children under age 5. The standard UM service covers children aged 5 to 12. Children aged 13 and above typically travel as regular adult passengers, though some airlines offer optional UM handling up to age 15 if the parent requests it.
How much does IndiGo charge for an unaccompanied minor?
IndiGo’s UM fee is typically in the range of ₹2,000–3,500 per sector, though the exact amount depends on the route. It is payable in addition to the regular flight ticket and is not included in any fare. Confirm the current fee by calling IndiGo’s reservations helpline (1800-500-3838 or through their website contact page).
Can I book an unaccompanied minor ticket online on Air India or IndiGo?
No. The UM service (SSR UMNR) must be added to the booking by calling the airline’s reservations helpline after booking the flight ticket online. Arriving at the airport without the UM flag on the PNR may result in the child not being allowed to board alone.
What documents does the person picking up the child need at the arrival airport?
The authorised pick-up adult needs their original government-issued photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, or passport) and should be listed by name on the UM form filled at departure. The airline will verify the identity before releasing the child. A different person picking up — even a close family member not named on the form — will typically not be allowed without advance airline authorisation.
Can a connecting flight be booked for an unaccompanied minor?
Most Indian carriers are reluctant to accept UM bookings on itineraries involving connections, especially with different airlines. On direct same-carrier flights with a stop (technical stop, not a connection), they may accept it with extra supervision. If you need a connecting routing for a UM, call the airline well in advance and confirm — do not assume a connection is permitted.
Does the parent have to stay at the airport until the child boards?
Most carriers require the dropping parent or guardian to remain at the airport until at least the gate closes or the aircraft departs. Ground staff may ask you to wait. Plan for at least an extra 60–90 minutes at the airport beyond your normal drop-off time.