Porter Solo Booking: Key Facts at a Glance
Porter Airlines sources reviewed August 20, 2025. Rules can change. Always confirm with the airline for your specific trip before you book or travel.
Managing a Porter Airlines booking for a solo child traveler is straightforward when you know the age rules. Kids under 8 need an adult. Those 8–11 must use the unaccompanied minor service. Teens 12–17 have the option to travel independently or request the service.
This guide brings together everything you need: how to book, change, cancel, check in, handle baggage, and manage the airport handoff.
Your Porter Booking Action Center
Every step depends on Porter confirming the child and the unaccompanied minor service on your specific flights. Use this guide to manage the entire process.
Making Your Child's Reservation
How to book: You must call the Porter Call Centre. Do not book online and assume the service is added. The online system is not the confirmed channel for this service.
Use the child's full legal name and correct birthdate. Save your booking reference, ticket number, and the UM service confirmation.
Changing or Updating a Booking
If you need to change dates, flights, or names, call Porter. After any change, ask them to confirm the UM service is still active on the new itinerary.
Adding or Changing the UM Service
To add, remove, or update the service, call the airline. Make sure the names of the adults dropping off and picking up the child match their official IDs.
Handling Flight Changes, Delays, and Rebooking
Key rule: The UM service is only available on nonstop Porter-operated flights. If the flight is changed to a codeshare or connection, the service is no longer valid.
If there's a delay or missed connection, check the new operator and arrival time. Both adults should stay reachable until the child is picked up.
Cancellations and Refunds
Call Porter to cancel. Ask for a breakdown of the airfare and the UM service fee. Understand the refund rules and what happens if you don't show up. Save all receipts.
Fees and Extra Costs
The fee: Porter charges CAD/USD 100 to 115 each way, plus taxes. The exact amount depends on the route and current rates.
Get an itemized total: airfare, UM fee, seat selection, baggage, taxes, and any change fees. Ask if siblings on the same flight are charged separately.
Check-in and the Airport Process
At the airport: Go to the staffed counter. The parent checks in with the child and all documents. Follow the airline's instructions and be prepared to stay until the flight departs.
Online check-in is usually blocked for unaccompanied minors. Arrive early and ask if the parent can get a gate pass.
Airport Assistance and the Guardian Handoff
Know who is responsible for the child at each stage: check-in, security, boarding, and arrival. The pickup person must arrive early with a photo ID that matches the booking.
Managing Baggage
The rule: The baggage allowance depends on the fare you purchase. Lap infants don't get a separate allowance.
Keep documents, medicine, and a contact card in the carry-on. Save bag tags and report any lost baggage immediately.
Passports, Visas, and Consent Forms
What you need: Proof of age, passport or ID, Porter's forms, a consent letter, and photo IDs for both adults. For international travel, also check passport, visa, and notarized consent requirements.
Domestic vs. International Travel
For international flights: Porter's rules are the same, but you also need to meet the passport, visa, and entry requirements for every country on the itinerary.
Authorized Pickup and Drop-Off Contacts
Only the adult named in the booking can pick up the child. Make sure their ID matches. If you need to change the pickup person, get Porter's approval in advance.
Real-World Example: Handling a Schedule Change
You get an email about a flight change. Here's what to do:
- Open your booking and compare the old and new flights.
- Check the operator, stops, and times.
- Don't accept the new flight until you've called Porter and confirmed the UM service is still active. If it's a codeshare or connection, the service is invalid.
- After confirmation, check guardian contacts, fees, and baggage.
- Share the new confirmation with the pickup person.
On travel day, both adults use the same flight-status source. The sender follows the airport rules, and the pickup person arrives early with ID.
Tips for Keeping Your Booking Accurate
Keep a simple timeline: when you booked, when you made changes, and who approved them. This helps both adults stay on the same page.
Always check the UM service is active after any change—ticket reissue, schedule update, or seat change. Special requests can disappear when a booking is rebuilt.
Keep your child's documents simple and accessible. The child should know the pickup adult's name and carry a paper contact card. Keep medicine and documents in the carry-on.
Before departure, review the policy one more time. Confirm age, route, operator, fee, baggage, and handoff. If something is unclear, ask Porter for written confirmation.
After the trip, keep receipts until any claims or refunds are settled. Protect your child's privacy—don't post their itinerary online.
Give each adult a short action sheet with the booking reference, service status, flight number, local airport time, meeting point, and emergency contact. Review it with the child. If anything changes, update both copies. This final check ensures everyone has the same information.
Final Action Checklist
Porter Solo Travel: Reference Table
| Age/Category | Eligibility | Service | Fee | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 8 | Must travel with adult | Not available | N/A | Adult must be 16+ |
| 8–11 | Must use UM service | Required | $100–115 each way | Call Centre only |
| 12–17 | Can travel alone | Optional | Fee if used | May request UM |
| Partner flight | Not eligible | No UM | N/A | Check operator |
Official Source for This Guide
Check this official page before you book, change, or cancel your child's flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common parent questions about managing a Porter booking for a solo child traveler.
What age can a child fly alone on Porter?+
Kids under 8 need an adult 16+. Ages 8–11 must use the UM service. Teens 12–17 can travel alone or request the service.
How much does the Porter UM service cost?+
The fee is CAD/USD 100 to 115 each way, plus taxes.
Which flights allow the UM service?+
Only nonstop Porter-operated flights. Codeshare or partner flights are not eligible.
How do I book the UM service?+
Call the Porter Call Centre. Online booking doesn't guarantee the service is added.
What documents do I need?+
Proof of age, passport/ID, Porter forms, consent letter, and photo IDs for both adults.
What is the baggage allowance?+
It depends on the fare you buy. Lap infants don't get a separate allowance.
Can I send a car seat or stroller?+
Yes, but these follow Porter's regular equipment rules. They don't affect the age rules.
What happens at check-in?+
Go to the staffed counter. The airline will verify the adults dropping off and picking up.
Can a child with a disability use this service?+
Yes, but tell Porter about any needs—medical, mobility, or communication—when you book.
Can an infant travel alone?+
No. Infants under 2 must travel with an adult 16 or older.
What happens if the flight is delayed?+
If the flight is rerouted or becomes a codeshare, the UM service is no longer valid.
Does the policy change for international flights?+
Porter's rules are the same, but you also need passports, visas, and consent forms.
Can siblings travel together?+
Yes, but the youngest child's age sets the rules. Confirm with Porter when booking.
Who can pick up my child?+
Only the adult named in the booking. They must show photo ID that matches the record.
Can I change the pickup person?+
Yes, but only with Porter's approval before the flight. Get written confirmation.
Will the crew give my child medicine?+
No. You must disclose medical needs when booking. If the child can't manage, you may need to travel with them.
Can I go to the gate with my child?+
This depends on the airport and security. Ask at check-in.
Do I always need a consent letter?+
Often yes, especially for international travel. Check with Porter and the authorities.
What should I pack in the carry-on?+
Documents, contact card, medicine, charger, sweater, and snack. Keep it light.
Are codeshare flights covered?+
No. Only nonstop Porter-operated flights are eligible. Check the operator.
What's the first thing to check?+
Confirm your child's age and whether the route is a nonstop Porter-operated flight.
What proof should I keep?+
Save the booking reference, service confirmation, and all receipts.
Can a route change affect the service?+
Yes. If the flight changes to a codeshare or connection, the service is invalid.
When should I recheck the booking?+
Check after any change and again a day or two before departure.
Continue your planning
Editorial and verification note
Porter Airlines controls flight acceptance. Government agencies control passports, consent, and entry. We used the official source listed above.
Editorial note: Updated August 20, 2025. AI helped structure the research, but a real person wrote and reviewed this guide. Always compare this information with the latest Porter instructions.