Key facts about Avianca's policy for young travelers
Avianca primary sources reviewed May 8, 2026. Always check the child's travel date, the operating carrier, and the specific route against the live Avianca record. This summary is a guide to the airline's unaccompanied minor policy.
Planning for a child to fly alone on Avianca? This guide walks you through the policy step-by-step, from determining eligibility 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.
Can a child fly alone on Avianca?
The short answer: Avianca's minimum solo age is 15, and that age must be reached before the itinerary begins. Ages 14 or younger need an adult over 18.
In practice, the answer also depends on the route and the specific flight. Just because a child is old enough doesn't automatically mean the service is available on every flight.
Key point: Avianca has discontinued its unaccompanied minor service. Children under 15 cannot travel alone on Avianca.
Age rules and who the policy applies to
Core age rule: Avianca's minimum solo age is 15, and that age must be reached before the itinerary begins. Ages 14 or younger need an adult over 18.
Always check the child's age on both the outbound and return flight dates. If a birthday occurs during the trip, the rules for the return flight may be different.
For siblings traveling together, the airline will consider the age of the youngest child to determine the requirements.
What to expect from the unaccompanied minor service
What the service provides: Avianca does not have an unaccompanied minor service. A solo teen (15+) will travel as an ordinary passenger. They will not be escorted by airline staff.
This is not a babysitting service. The child should be independent enough to navigate the airport on their own.
Since there is no UM service, there is no formal handoff process. A solo teen should know who is meeting them at the destination.
Care boundary: There is no Avianca staff custody chain, optional teen escort, monitored connection, or named-adult release for solo travelers.
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.
Before you confirm
Provide the child's full legal name and date of birth. Also, give the contact details for both the sending and receiving adults. Ask the agent to confirm the service is on the booking.
After you book
Save the booking reference and the service confirmation. Look at the booking again and make sure the UM request is attached to each flight segment.
Passports, consent letters, and other documents
Document rule: Carry passport/ID, visa, relationship or authorization evidence, and any immigration consent for the route.
Make sure the child's name matches across the ticket, passport, and any consent forms. Keep these documents handy. Never pack the only copy in checked luggage.
The Avianca form is for the airline's process. It is not a substitute for official government documents like passports, visas, or travel consent forms.
Understanding the service fees and airfare
Fee rule: There is no UM fee because Avianca no longer provides an unaccompanied- or recommended-minor service.
Ask Avianca for a total that breaks down the airfare, taxes, and any other charges. Save a copy of the receipt.
Before paying, understand the cancellation and refund policy.
Baggage rules and what to pack in the cabin
Baggage rule: A ticketed child receives the baggage attached to the purchased fare; infant and equipment terms need route confirmation.
Pack light in the cabin bag. Include the travel documents, a contact card, a charger, a light jacket, and some snacks. The bag should be easy for the child to manage.
Put a small name tag on the bag. Valuables should be kept to a minimum.
Strollers, car seats, and child equipment
Equipment rule: Strollers and car seats are family equipment for accompanied travel and do not change the minimum solo age.
These items are handled separately from the UM service. Ask whether an item can be used in the cabin, must be checked at the gate, or will be checked with the luggage.
Airport check-in and the handoff process
Airport rule: A solo teen follows ordinary check-in and pickup; there is no Avianca guardian handoff or release process.
At departure
Arrive early. The parent may need to show ID and fill out forms. Whether a parent can accompany the child to the gate is up to airport security.
At arrival
The designated collector should arrive early with the matching photo ID. Avianca may refuse to release the child to an unauthorized person.
Connections, codeshares, and international travel
Route rule: A solo teen uses ordinary Avianca travel. Every partner airline on a connection must separately accept the age.
International rule: Government consent and partner-airline age rules remain separate and can be stricter than Avianca's age 15 minimum.
Read the 'operated by' line. A flight number with an Avianca code doesn't mean it's an Avianca plane, and the rules may be different.
Support for children with special needs
Support rule: Accessibility assistance is not supervision. A teen needing personal care should travel with a capable adult.
If the child needs special medical, mobility, or communication help, you must get advance approval from Avianca. If they can't manage these tasks, an adult must travel with them.
A practical planning example for parents
A parent finds a direct Avianca flight for their 16-year-old. The parent confirms the child is 15 or older and meets the age requirements.
They then book the ticket normally, name both adults, and save the confirmation. On the day of travel, both adults track the same flight status.
If there's a delay, they stay reachable and have a backup plan for the teen.
Parent tips and a final checklist
Prepare the child for the journey by explaining the steps: check-in, security, the gate, the flight, and being met at the destination. Show them a photo of the adult who will be meeting them. Tell them to stay with the assigned Avianca employee.
Delay plan: A solo teen needs a family backup plan because Avianca does not provide a monitored UM rebooking process.
Final review: Check that the child meets the age requirements, that the UM service is on the booking, and that both adult contacts are correct. Have all documents ready to go.
Avianca minor travel 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 |
Use this Avianca unaccompanied minor policy table as a starting point. Only the operating airline can approve the real trip.
Primary source for this guide
We used one main Avianca source for the facts on this page. Always check the airline's official page again before you book and travel.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to the most common questions parents have about Avianca's unaccompanied minor policy.
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 policy, 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 policy editorial note: Updated May 8, 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.