Bulgaria Air unaccompanied minor service: what you need to know
Based on Bulgaria Air information as of March 24, 2026. Always confirm the latest rules directly with the airline before you finalize any booking.
If you are planning for your child to fly alone on Bulgaria Air, this guide walks you through each step. We cover who is eligible, what it costs, how to book, and what to expect at the airport.
Children aged 5 to 11 must use the unaccompanied minor service and pay a full fare. Teens aged 12 to 17 can request the same service optionally. Always get confirmation in writing before you book.
Can a child fly alone on Bulgaria Air?
The short answer: Children aged 5 to 11 must use the unaccompanied minor service and pay a full fare. Teens aged 12 to 17 can request the same service optionally.
But the practical answer also depends on the specific route. The service is normally for direct Bulgaria Air flights. A Sofia transfer may be allowed with proper contact details and a designated person at the transfer point.
Age limits and travel requirements
The age rule: Children 5–11 traveling alone use Bulgaria Air's service and pay a full fare. Ages 12–17 can request the same handling optionally.
Check your child's age on both the outbound and return dates. A birthday during the trip can change the rules. Always give Bulgaria Air the correct birth date when you book.
If siblings are traveling together, you pay only one service fee. Tell the agent the age of each child. The youngest often sets the rules for everyone.
What the service includes
What to expect: Bulgaria Air provides supervision from check-in through arrival. The child is escorted to the gate, assisted during boarding, and handed over to the named adult at the destination.
This is a travel handoff service, not babysitting or medical care. Bulgaria Air staff also have other passengers to look after, so your child should be comfortable following directions.
Tell Bulgaria Air about any mobility, sensory, communication, allergy, or medical needs before booking. The UM service is not medical care, medication administration, or continuous personal assistance.
How to book
Booking rule: Request the service in advance through Customer Service and wait for confirmation. It cannot be added and paid for at the airport as a last-minute product.
Before you pay
Give Bulgaria Air the child's legal name and birth date. Provide full contact details for both the sending and receiving adults, plus a backup contact. Ask for written confirmation of everything.
After ticketing
Save the record locator, ticket number, service confirmation, and receipt. Reopen the booking and verify that the child service appears on every flight.
Paperwork you need
What to bring: International travel needs a ticket, passport, visas, the UM form, and permission. On a domestic flight, you can use a birth certificate original or notarized copy instead of a passport.
Make sure names match across the ticket, passport, ID, and airline form. Keep all documents in the child's carry-on bag, never in checked luggage.
Bulgaria Air's forms do not replace official government documents. For international travel, you will need passports, visas, and possibly a notarized consent letter.
Costs and charges
Fee point: The non-refundable UM amount is €40 per domestic segment and €70 per international segment. Two same-family children traveling together pay one service fee.
Ask for an itemized total that separates airfare, service charge, taxes, seat fees, and baggage charges. Save the receipt.
Baggage and packing
Baggage rule: Baggage follows the fare you purchase. There is no extra allowance for using the unaccompanied minor service.
Pack a small, simple carry-on bag with travel documents, a contact card, permitted medicine, a phone charger, warm layers, and snacks. Keep valuables to a minimum.
Strollers, car seats, and baby equipment
Equipment rule: You can bring a stroller, child restraint, bassinet, or adaptive device, but check with Bulgaria Air first. The rules for equipment are separate from solo travel rules.
At the airport: check-in and boarding
Airport rule: At the counter, the adult dropping off the child presents the completed form and ID. The adult picking them up must show matching ID.
Departure
Arrive early. The sender may need to show ID, complete forms, and stay until the aircraft departs. Airport security, not Bulgaria Air alone, decides if the adult can go to the gate.
Arrival and pickup
The collector should arrive early with the ID listed in the record. Bulgaria Air may refuse release to an unapproved substitute. Keep your phone on near arrival time.
Connections, codeshares, and international travel
Route rule: The service is normally described for direct Bulgaria Air flights. A Sofia transfer can be accepted only with the required contact details and designated accompanying/receiving person at the transfer point.
International rule: For international Bulgaria Air travel, the airline form does not replace a passport, visa, exit permission, notarized consent, or custody document.
Read the "operated by" line for every flight. A marketing flight number doesn't mean another airline follows Bulgaria Air's rules. Separate tickets, airport changes, and overnight stops each need their own plan.
Special assistance needs
Support rule: Tell Bulgaria Air about any mobility, sensory, communication, allergy, or medical needs before booking. The UM service is not medical care, medication administration, or continuous personal assistance.
If your child cannot manage essential medicine or personal care, ask Bulgaria Air if an adult companion is required.
A real-world example
A parent calls Bulgaria Air to book an unaccompanied minor ticket for their 8-year-old traveling from Sofia to London. The agent confirms the service and explains the €70 international fee. The parent saves the confirmation and gets the total fare in writing.
On travel day, both adults track the same flight status. The sender follows the airport rules for waiting. The receiver arrives early with their ID ready.
Final checklist and tips
Prepare your child in calm steps: counter, security, gate, aircraft, pickup. Show them a photo of the receiving adult. Tell them to stay with the assigned Bulgaria Air employee.
Delay plan: If Bulgaria Air changes the flight, both adults must stay reachable. Revalidate the child arrangement before accepting a new operator, connection, or arrival time.
Parent note: The fee is €40 per domestic segment and €70 per international segment. Two children from the same family pay only one service fee. The service must be requested in advance and cannot be added at the airport. For domestic flights, a birth certificate can be used instead of a passport.
Age and eligibility comparison
| Age or Category | Eligibility | Service Required | Estimated Fee | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | Not eligible | None | N/A | Must travel with adult |
| 5 to 11 | Eligible route | Mandatory | €40 domestic / €70 international per segment | Request in advance |
| 12 to 17 | May travel alone | Optional | Same fee if used | Request if needed |
| Sofia transfer | Requires designated adult | Conditional | Per segment | Confirm with airline |
Primary source for this guide
Check this carrier source before making a payment, change, cancellation or airport decision.
Frequently asked questions
The questions below turn the Bulgaria Air policy into practical advice for booking, documents, and the airport experience.
What age does Bulgaria Air allow for unaccompanied minors?+
Children aged 5 to 11 must use the unaccompanied minor service and pay a full fare. Teens aged 12 to 17 can request the same service optionally.
How much does the Bulgaria Air unaccompanied minor service cost?+
The fee is €40 per domestic segment and €70 per international segment. Two children from the same family pay only one service fee.
Can my child fly on any Bulgaria Air route as an unaccompanied minor?+
The service is normally for direct Bulgaria Air flights. A Sofia transfer may be allowed with proper contact details and a designated person at the transfer point.
How do I book an unaccompanied minor ticket on Bulgaria Air?+
You must request the service in advance through Customer Service. It cannot be added at the airport.
What paperwork do I need for my child to fly alone on Bulgaria Air?+
For international flights, you need a ticket, passport, visa, the UM form, and permission. For domestic flights, a birth certificate can be used instead of a passport.
What is the baggage allowance for an unaccompanied minor?+
Baggage follows the fare you purchase. There is no extra allowance for using the unaccompanied minor service.
Can I bring a stroller or car seat for my child?+
Yes, but check with Bulgaria Air first. Equipment rules are separate from solo travel rules.
What is the check-in process like?+
At the counter, the adult dropping off the child presents the completed form and ID. The adult picking them up must show matching ID.
Can a child with special needs use this service?+
Tell Bulgaria Air about any medical or mobility needs before booking. The UM service is not a substitute for medical care.
Can an infant travel as an unaccompanied minor?+
No. Infants must travel with a qualifying adult under separate rules.
What if my child's flight is delayed?+
Both adults must stay reachable. Before accepting a new flight, verify that the child arrangement is still valid.
Do the rules change for international flights?+
Yes. International travel has additional requirements like passports, visas, and possibly notarized consent letters.
Can my two kids travel together as unaccompanied minors?+
Yes, and you pay only one service fee. Tell the agent the age of each child. The youngest often sets the rules.
Who is allowed to pick up my child at the airport?+
Only the adult named on the Bulgaria Air record. They must arrive early with valid photo ID.
Can I change the person picking up my child?+
Yes, but only if Bulgaria Air approves the change before the flight arrives. Do not rely on a last-minute text.
Will the flight crew give my child medicine?+
Do not count on it. Tell Bulgaria Air about any medical needs before booking. If your child cannot manage their own medication, ask if an adult companion is required.
Can I go to the gate with my child?+
This depends on the airport and security rules. Check with the Bulgaria Air agent at check-in.
Do I need a notarized consent letter for my child to travel?+
It depends on your destination and family situation. The Bulgaria Air form does not replace official documents.
What should my child pack in their carry-on?+
Keep it simple. Include a contact card, travel documents, medication, phone charger, warm layers, and a snack.
What's the most important thing to check before my child's flight?+
Confirm your child's age qualifies and that every leg of the trip is confirmed with Bulgaria Air.
What proof should I keep from my booking?+
Save the booking reference, written confirmation of the service, and the receipt.
What route detail can change the service rules?+
Check if the flight has a Sofia transfer. A transfer requires special contact details and a designated person at the transfer point.
How close to departure should I recheck everything?+
Check the live reservation after any schedule change and again 24 hours before the flight.
Continue your planning
Editorial and verification note
This guide is for planning purposes. Bulgaria Air has final say on flight acceptance. Government authorities control passport, visa, and entry requirements. The link to the primary policy page is in the source section above.
Bulgaria Air unaccompanied minor booking editorial note: Updated March 24, 2026. This content was researched with human oversight and AI-assisted organization. A person should still compare this guide with current Bulgaria Air instructions before traveling. We are not affiliated with Bulgaria Air.