SAS Unaccompanied Minor Policy: Quick Facts
SAS primary sources reviewed July 20, 2025. A final SAS confirmation is still needed because capacity, fees and forms can change by itinerary. This summary covers SAS child-travel service.
Can your child fly alone on SAS? The short answer is: children aged 5 to 11 must use the mandatory unaccompanied minor service. The service is optional for children aged 12 to 17, but can be booked for anyone under 18. This guide breaks down the entire policy, from booking and fees to documents and the airport handoff, to help you plan with confidence.
Can a Child Fly Alone on SAS?
The first thing to check is your child's age. SAS requires children aged 5 to 11 to use the unaccompanied minor service if they are traveling without an adult aged 16 or older. For children aged 12 to 17, the service is optional, but it's available for anyone under 18. However, the service is not available on all routes. SAS can assist on specified Asia and North America routes, but it does not support the child's journey if it continues on another airline. Also, the service may be declined if weather makes landing uncertain. Always check the route and the operating carrier before you book.
Age Limits and Travel Requirements
The age rules are strict. A child's age on both the outbound and return flight dates determines eligibility. If your child has a birthday during the trip, it can affect the fare, the rules, and the service itself. Make sure you provide the airline with the correct date of birth. If you are planning to have siblings travel together, do not assume that an older child can act as an adult for a younger sibling. SAS makes the final decision, and the youngest child's age usually sets the rule for the entire group.
What the Unaccompanied Minor Service Includes
It's important to understand the limits of the service. The service is primarily a handoff process to help guide the child through the airport and to the aircraft. It is not a babysitting service or a substitute for medical care. The flight crew will have many other passengers to attend to, so the child must be able to follow safety instructions and manage their own personal needs, like using the restroom or eating. Children using this service cannot use SAS lounges. You must disclose any language, medical, or medication needs when you book so the airline can be prepared. Also, confirm with the airline exactly where their responsibility starts and ends—who meets the child at departure, who looks after them during a connection, and who checks the ID of the person picking them up.
How to Make the Booking
For children aged 5 to 11 traveling within Scandinavia and Europe, you can select the service online. For other routes or to add the service after the initial booking, you must contact SAS directly for assistance. When you make the booking, use the child's full legal name and correct date of birth. Also, be ready to give the names, contact details, and IDs of both the sending and receiving adults.
Before You Pay
Before you hand over any money, go through the proposed itinerary with the agent or check your online booking carefully. Confirm the flight number, the legal operator, all stops, and the adults at each point. This is your chance to catch any errors before they become a problem.
After You Book
Save your booking reference, the ticket number, and a receipt or written confirmation of the service. Then, reopen the booking and double-check that the child's request is shown on every flight segment. A simple change can sometimes drop this special service from the record.
Passports, Visas, and Consent Forms
Documentation is one of the most critical parts of the planning. You will need the child's passport or ID, the completed SAS forms, parental consent, and guardian identification. Some countries require written consent for children aged 12-16. The names on the ticket, passport, visa, consent letter, and airline form must all match exactly. Keep all these documents in an easy-to-reach place, and never put the only copy in checked baggage. Remember, the SAS form is for the airline, and it does not replace a travel authorization required by a country's government.
Fees: Service Charge and Airfare
The fee structure is straightforward. The charge is included when you book as a UM ticket. If you add the service later, an assistance fee applies. A standard domestic fee reference is DKK/NOK/SEK 350 or EUR 30 per child per flight. Always ask for an itemized quote that breaks down the airfare, taxes, and any service charges. This way, you'll know exactly what you're paying for. Also, confirm the airline's refund policy before you pay, especially since the service may still need manual approval.
Baggage Allowance and What to Pack
The baggage allowance is whatever is included with the child's ticket. The unaccompanied minor service does not provide any extra baggage. However, one stroller up to 23 kg and one approved child seat can be checked for free. Pack a small, manageable cabin bag for the child. Put the SAS documents, a contact card, any permitted medicine, a charger, a warm layer, and a snack for a possible delay inside. The bag should be light enough for the child to lift and manage on their own.
Strollers, Car Seats, and Baby Equipment
You are allowed to bring items like strollers and car seats. However, these are handled under SAS's standard policy for family equipment, which is separate from the unaccompanied minor service rules. Ask the airline if the item can be used in the cabin, must be checked in, or can be returned at the aircraft door. The answer can change if the aircraft type changes, so it's a good idea to check again before your trip.
Check-in, Boarding, and the Airport Handoff
The airport process is a serious affair. You'll need to arrive early and go to the staffed counter. The adult dropping the child off must be there to present the child, the completed forms, and their own photo ID. The same adult must typically stay at the airport until the flight has actually departed. In some cases, the sender may receive a special security pass. Airport and security rules, not the airline alone, will decide if you can get a gate pass to accompany your child further. At the destination, the person picking the child up must arrive early with a valid, government-issued photo ID. SAS will not release the child to a substitute who has not been approved by the airline. Keep your phone on and have the child's flight status open as they get close to arrival.
Connections, Codeshares, and International Travel
These are the most complex areas. SAS can assist on specified Asia and North America routes, but not when the child's journey continues on another airline. You must check the 'operated by' line for every flight. A SAS marketing flight number does not make a partner airline follow the same rules. For international travel, the rules are even stricter. You will need the child's passport, visa, and a notarized parental consent letter. Providing the receiving adult's full address is also essential. A domestic flight approval will not cover an international border crossing. Partner and country consent rules can change availability and fees.
Accessibility and Special Assistance
If your child has special needs, you must be aware that SAS Young tickets cannot be combined with the UM service. If the child requires active medical care, they may need to be accompanied by an adult. The airline needs to pre-approve the travel to ensure they can safely accommodate the child. The unaccompanied minor service is not a medical care or personal assistance service. If your child requires help with managing their own medication, you need to discuss this with the airline. If the child cannot manage essential care on their own, the airline may require them to be accompanied by an adult.
A Real-World Planning Example
Let's say you find two flight options: one direct flight and a cheaper one with a connection. Your first check is age: if your child is 6, they are eligible. Next, check the connecting flight. Are both flights operated by SAS? If one is a codeshare on another airline, the rules may be different. If the connection is with a partner airline where SAS cannot supervise the transfer, you should avoid that route. Once you've confirmed the route, request the service, name both adults, and save the written confirmation. On the day of travel, both families watch the same flight status to stay informed.
Parent Tips and Final Checklist
Prepare your child for the journey in simple, clear steps: checking in, going through security, waiting at the gate, boarding the plane, and being met at the destination. Show them a photo of the person who will pick them up. Remind them to stay with the assigned SAS employee at all times. If there is a delay, both adults must stay reachable. Have a delay plan ready. A useful plan includes a sales office contact, avoiding partner onward travel, and getting the fare and service status in writing. Reconfirm the live booking after any change.
SAS Minor Travel Comparison Table
| Age/category | Solo eligibility | Service | Fee or fare | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | Adult required | No UM | N/A | Too young |
| 5–11 | May travel alone | UM mandatory | Ticket/route fee | Online Europe |
| 12–17 | May travel alone | UM optional | Fee if used | Consent may apply |
| Partner onward | Not supported through | No transfer | N/A | Separate policy |
Use this table as a question list. The operating airline's approval is required to accept the real trip.
Primary Source for This SAS Guide
We used one main SAS source for the time-sensitive facts on this page. Check the source again before payment and departure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Families can use this SAS FAQ to resolve the remaining age, route and guardian details.
At what age can a child travel alone on SAS?+
Children aged 5 to 11 must use the mandatory unaccompanied minor service. The service is optional for children aged 12 to 17, but can be booked for anyone under 18.
How much does the SAS unaccompanied minor service cost?+
The fee is included in the ticket when booked as a UM. If added later, there is an assistance fee. A standard domestic fee is DKK/NOK/SEK 350 or EUR 30 per child per flight.
Are there route restrictions for a child flying alone on SAS?+
SAS can assist on specified Asia and North America routes, but not when the child's journey continues on another airline. The service also requires approval on interline flights.
How do I book the unaccompanied minor service for SAS?+
For ages 5-11 traveling within Scandinavia/Europe, you can select the service online. For other routes or to add the service after booking, you must contact SAS directly for assistance.
What documents does my child need to fly alone on SAS?+
You will need the child's passport or ID, the completed SAS forms, parental consent, and guardian identification. Some countries require written consent for children aged 12-16.
What is the baggage policy for a child on SAS?+
The baggage allowance is what is included with the child's ticket. One stroller up to 23 kg and one approved child seat can be checked for free.
Can my child take a stroller or car seat on SAS?+
Yes, you can bring items like strollers and car seats. These are handled under SAS's standard rules for family equipment and are separate from the unaccompanied minor service.
What is the check-in procedure for a SAS unaccompanied minor?+
At the airport, the sender may receive a special security pass where permitted. The adult meeting the child will be verified by SAS staff before the child is released.
Can a child with special needs use SAS's unaccompanied minor service?+
SAS Young tickets cannot be combined with the UM service. If the child requires active medical care, they may need to be accompanied by an adult.
Can an infant travel alone on SAS?+
No, infants cannot use the unaccompanied minor service. They must always travel with a qualifying adult under the airline's separate infant rules.
What happens if my child's SAS flight is delayed?+
SAS may decline solo travel when weather or other conditions make landing uncertain. If there is a schedule change, the child's arrangement must be revalidated with the airline.
Are there extra rules for international SAS travel?+
Yes. The airline's forms do not replace the child's passport, visa, or any exit, notarized consent, or custody documents required by a country. You must also check destination and transit rules.
Can siblings travel together on SAS?+
Yes, but you must ask SAS to review the ages of all children. The youngest traveler generally controls the route and service rule. Book them on one record only if the airline instructs you to do so.
Who is authorized to pick up my child from a SAS flight?+
Only the adult named in the SAS record is authorized. This person must arrive early with a valid, government-issued photo ID that matches the booking or handling form.
Can I change the pickup person for my child's SAS flight?+
Yes, but the change must be approved by SAS before the flight arrives. A message sent only to the child is not sufficient. Both adults must have a copy of the revised confirmation.
Will the flight crew give my child medicine on SAS?+
Do not assume so. SAS Young tickets cannot be combined with UM, and active medical care may require an adult. The child must be able to manage their own medication.
Can a parent go to the gate with the child on SAS?+
This decision is made by the airline, airport, and security authority. Ask SAS at check-in, bring photo ID, and be ready to remain in the terminal until the flight departs.
Is a consent letter always required for a child flying alone on SAS?+
The need for a consent letter depends on citizenship, custody, the departure country, transit, and destination. The SAS form does not replace a government travel authorization.
What should my child pack in their cabin bag for SAS?+
Pack a paper contact card, travel documents, any permitted medicine, a charger, a warm layer, and simple delay essentials. Keep the bag light enough for the child to manage on their own.
Does a codeshare flight follow the same SAS unaccompanied minor rules?+
Not automatically. SAS can assist on specified Asia/North America routes, but not when the child continues on another airline. Read the operated-by line and ask the operating airline to confirm the child in its own system.
Should I reconfirm the SAS booking after a schedule change?+
Yes. SAS may decline solo travel when weather makes landing uncertain. Check the operator, stops, service code, adults, fee, and documents again.
What is the final authority for SAS unaccompanied minor travel?+
The operating airline and relevant public authorities make the final decision. This independent page helps you prepare, but it cannot approve a SAS child booking.
What is the first detail to verify for SAS unaccompanied minor travel?+
Start with the age. Children aged 5 to 11 must use the mandatory service. The service is optional for ages 12 to 17, but can be booked for anyone under 18.
What proof should a family save for SAS?+
Save the booking confirmation, the ticket number, and the receipt for the service fee. If you added the service after booking, keep the confirmation of the assistance fee.
Which route details can change SAS unaccompanied minor travel?+
Check if the child's journey continues on another airline, as SAS cannot assist with a transfer to a partner. Also, ensure the route is on the list of permitted Asia/North America routes.
How close to departure should I recheck my child's SAS booking?+
Check the live SAS record after every change and again shortly before travel. Use the operating airline's current instructions for the most up-to-date information.
Continue your planning
Editorial and verification note
For SAS Unaccompanied Minor service, SAS controls flight acceptance. Public authorities control passports, consent, transit and entry. The single primary carrier link appears in the source section above.
SAS Unaccompanied Minor service editorial note: Updated July 20, 2025. AI assisted the research structure and quality checks. A person should still compare this itinerary with current SAS instructions. We do not claim SAS affiliation.