Key facts about Avianca's policy for young travelers
Avianca primary sources reviewed May 9, 2026. Final confirmation is always needed, as availability, fees, and forms vary by itinerary. This summary is a guide to the Avianca unaccompanied minor process.
Getting ready for a child to fly alone on Avianca? This guide brings together all the key information for parents, from the initial booking to the final airport handoff.
Here's the most important thing to know: Avianca discontinued its unaccompanied minor service in May 2024. The minimum solo travel age is 15, and this age must be reached before the trip starts. Anyone 14 or younger must travel with an adult over 18. This is the starting point for your planning.
Your action hub for managing a child's booking
Each step depends on Avianca accepting the child and the route. This page brings together everything you need for reservations, changes, costs, check-in, and documents.
How to book for a young traveler
Booking rule: Use the real birth date, keep under-15s with an authorized adult, and do not rely on old UM booking instructions.
When you book, use the child's full legal name and accurate date of birth. Save the Avianca booking reference, ticket number, and service confirmation as your proof.
Changing or updating an existing booking
To make any changes, retrieve the reservation and check all the details. If you update the flight, make sure the unaccompanied minor service is still attached.
After any change, ask Avianca to confirm that the child's service and passenger details are still correct.
Adding or managing the minor service
If you need to add the UM service or update the contact details, you must do it through Avianca. The airline's record, not a message to the child, must show the correct escort and collector.
Flight changes, delays, and rebooking
Route rule: A solo teen uses ordinary Avianca travel. Every partner airline on a connection must separately accept the age.
For a delay or rebooking, you'll need to check the new operator and flight details before accepting anything. The airline must re-accept the child for any new arrangement.
Cancellations, refunds, and travel credits
To cancel, ask the ticket issuer about refunding the airfare and any service charges. Understand the rules for no-shows.
Keep all cancellation receipts. The processing time will depend on how you paid.
Fees and additional charges
Fee point: There is no UM fee because Avianca no longer provides an unaccompanied- or recommended-minor service.
Ask for an itemized total that breaks down the fare, service, bags, and any other charges. Check if there are sibling discounts or any fees for changes.
Check-in, boarding pass, and the gate
Airport rule: A solo teen follows ordinary check-in and pickup; there is no Avianca guardian handoff or release process.
Online check-in may not be available. Use the staffed counter, arrive early, and ask if you can get a pass to accompany the child to the gate.
Airport assistance and the handoff
Understand who is responsible for escorting the child to the plane and who will meet them on arrival. The meet-and-assist and the unaccompanied minor service are often different.
The person picking up the child should arrive with the correct ID. Unapproved or late pickup can cause issues.
Carry-ons, checked luggage, and delayed bags
Baggage rule: A ticketed child receives the baggage attached to the purchased fare; infant and equipment terms need route confirmation.
Pack the child's carry-on with their documents, a light jacket, and a few snacks. Save the baggage tags in case you need to report a lost bag.
Passports, visas, consent, and child ID
Document rule: Carry passport/ID, visa, relationship or authorization evidence, and any immigration consent for the route.
Remember, the airline's form is not a substitute for a passport, visa, or any government-required consent letter.
Domestic and international child travel
International point: Government consent and partner-airline age rules remain separate and can be stricter than Avianca's age 15 minimum.
Approval for a domestic trip doesn't guarantee approval for an international one. Always check specific country requirements.
Authorized pickup and drop-off contacts
Confirm the meeting point, the required ID, and the local time. Ask Avianca how to officially change a guardian if needed.
Both adults should monitor the same flight status. A backup collector still needs airline approval.
A practical booking-management example
Imagine you get an email about a schedule change. You log in to the booking and compare the old and new flight details. You check that the unaccompanied minor service is still valid.
You then check that both adult contacts are up-to-date, save the new confirmation, and share it with the person meeting the child. On the day of travel, both adults use that same confirmation. The parent follows the airport waiting rules, and the collector arrives early with their ID.
How to keep your child's record accurate
Keep one clear timeline from booking to pickup. Note who approved each change and when. This simple record can prevent confusion.
Check the Avianca record again after any ticket reissue or schedule change. Special requests can disappear if the booking is rebuilt. A valid ticket doesn't always show the child service is active.
Keep the child's documents simple and accessible. The young traveler should know the name of the adult meeting them and carry a paper contact card.
Before you leave, review the reservation against the main Avianca policy. If anything conflicts, pause and ask the airline for written clarification.
After the flight, keep all receipts and service records. This is important for any baggage or refund claims.
Give both adults a short action sheet with the booking reference, service status, flight number, and meeting points. Review this with the child. This final check gives everyone a clear, shared plan.
Final action checklist
Avianca booking-management comparison
| Age/category | Eligibility | Service | Fee or fare | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant under 2 | Adult required | No solo service | Infant fare by route | Birthday can change return ticket |
| Child 2–14 | Adult over 18 required | No UM service | Purchased fare allowance | Denied boarding if unaccompanied |
| Age 15–17 | May travel alone | No UM or recommended-minor service | Normal fare/add-ons | Must be 15 before itinerary starts |
| Age 18+ | Adult | Ordinary travel | Fare-based | Can serve as responsible adult |
Primary source for this guide
Always check the carrier's official page before making any payment or airport decision.
Frequently asked questions
Use these answers with the route-specific detail in this Avianca airline policy guide; each question addresses a separate travel decision.
At what age can a child travel alone on Avianca?+
Avianca's minimum solo travel age is 15, and the child must have reached this age before the trip starts. Anyone 14 or younger must travel with an adult over 18.
Is there a fee for the unaccompanied minor service?+
There is no fee because Avianca has discontinued its unaccompanied minor service. The child pays the normal fare and any applicable add-ons.
What flights are eligible for a solo teen?+
A solo teen can travel on any Avianca flight. However, if the itinerary includes a partner airline, that carrier must also accept the child's age.
How do I book for a child under 15?+
You must include an adult over 18 on the same booking. The child cannot be booked to travel alone. You should not rely on old instructions for booking an unaccompanied minor.
What documents does the child need?+
The child needs a valid passport or ID, any required visas, evidence of the relationship with the accompanying adult or authorization for travel, and any immigration consent needed for the route.
How much baggage can the child take?+
The child's baggage allowance is based on the fare purchased. For infants, the terms are different and depend on the specific route.
Can I bring a stroller or car seat?+
Yes, these are allowed as family equipment. However, their presence does not change the minimum age requirement for a child to travel alone.
What is the check-in process?+
A solo teen follows the standard check-in process. There is no special guardian handoff or release procedure. Children under 15 must check in with their accompanying adult.
Can the service assist a child with a disability?+
Accessibility assistance is available, but it is not a supervision service. A teenager who needs personal care should travel with a capable adult.
Can an infant travel as an unaccompanied minor?+
No. An infant under 2 must travel with an adult. If their birthday falls during the trip, the return flight may require a child seat and a different fare.
What happens if the flight is delayed or changed?+
Since there is no UM service, a solo teen needs a family backup plan. The airline will not provide a monitored rebooking process for them.
Do international flights have different rules?+
Yes. Government consent and the age rules of partner airlines can be stricter than Avianca's own 15-year minimum. Always check these separately.
Can siblings travel together on the same booking?+
Avianca will look at the age of the youngest child to determine the rules. It's best to ask the airline directly about putting siblings on the same record.
Who is authorized to pick up the child?+
The adult named in the Avianca record. This person must arrive early with a current, valid photo ID that matches their name on the form.
Can the pickup person be changed?+
Yes, but only if Avianca approves the change before the flight departs. The change must be officially in the airline's system.
Will flight attendants administer medication?+
Don't assume the crew will do this. If a child needs help with medication or personal care, an adult should travel with them.
Can a parent go to the gate?+
This is at the discretion of the airport. Ask Avianca at check-in. Usually, a parent can get a gate pass with a photo ID, but you may be asked to stay in the terminal until the plane departs.
Is a consent letter always required?+
It depends on your family situation and the destination. The Avianca form is not a replacement for a notarized consent letter or custody document.
What should my child pack in their cabin bag?+
Pack a small bag with a contact card, documents, any medication, a charger, a light jacket, and a few snacks. It should be light and easy for the child to manage.
Does a codeshare flight follow the same rules?+
Not automatically. Each airline on a connecting journey must accept the child's age. A solo teen acceptable on Avianca may be refused by a partner airline.
What is the first detail to verify?+
Start by checking your child's age. They must be 15 before the trip starts to travel alone. Those 14 and under need an adult.
What proof should I save after booking?+
Keep the final booking confirmation and any receipts. You will need these for check-in.
Which route detail impacts the service the most?+
The most critical detail is the operating carrier. A solo teen uses ordinary travel, but every partner airline on a connection must separately accept the age.
How close to departure should I review the booking?+
Check the live Avianca record immediately after any change and again 24-48 hours before departure. Always follow the operating airline's current instructions.
Continue your planning
Editorial and verification note
For Avianca unaccompanied-minor booking management, Avianca controls flight acceptance. Public authorities control passports, consent, transit and entry. The single primary carrier link appears in the source section above.
Avianca unaccompanied-minor booking management editorial note: Updated May 9, 2026. AI assisted the research structure and quality checks. A person should still compare this itinerary with current Avianca instructions. We do not claim Avianca affiliation.