Southwest UM and Young Traveler policy: key facts
Southwest Airlines primary sources reviewed June 16, 2025. Before payment, match this summary to the exact Southwest Airlines flights, adults and destination documents. This summary covers Southwest UM and Young Traveler guidance.
Southwest Airlines allows children aged 5 to 11 to fly alone with their Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. For kids 12-17, they are considered "Young Travelers" and can fly alone without the service, but they must be mature enough to handle the journey independently.
This guide is designed to be your go-to resource for planning a solo trip for your child on Southwest. We'll cover everything from booking and fees to the airport handoff and what to do if there's a delay.
Can my child fly alone on Southwest Airlines?
The short answer is yes, with some important rules. Children aged 5-11 must use the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service. This is a mandatory program that provides an escort from check-in to the gate, and from the gate to the designated pickup adult at the arrival airport.
Young Travelers, aged 12-17, are not required to use the UM service. However, they must be able to handle the travel experience on their own. It's a good idea to talk to your teen about the trip to make sure they are comfortable with the responsibility.
It's also important to know that the UM service is only available on domestic flights. It is not offered on international routes or on Southwest's Getaways vacation packages.
Southwest's age rules for solo travel
The rule is clear: ages 5–11 traveling without someone aged 12+ use UM. Ages 12–17 are Young Travelers and must be sufficiently mature for independent travel.
This means a 10-year-old flying alone must use the UM service. A 14-year-old, however, is considered a Young Traveler and can fly without the service. The child's age is determined on the day of the flight.
If you have siblings flying together, the rules are based on the youngest child. For example, if an 8-year-old and a 14-year-old are traveling together, the 8-year-old would require the UM service, and the 14-year-old would be treated as a regular passenger.
What the Unaccompanied Minor service includes
Think of the UM service as a handoff, not a personal care service. Southwest Airlines staff will escort the child from the check-in counter, help them through security and to the gate, and ensure they board the aircraft safely. At the destination, they will escort the child to the designated pickup person.
The service includes a special lanyard for the child, which helps airport staff identify them. The child will also be allowed to preboard, making it easier for the crew to get them settled.
Flight attendants will check on UM travelers periodically, but they are not assigned to watch a single child continuously. The child should be comfortable following instructions and managing their own basic needs.
How to book the Unaccompanied Minor service
Booking the UM service is straightforward, but you need to provide all the details. You can book it online, over the phone, or at the airport counter.
Before you pay
When you make the reservation, be ready to provide the child's full legal name, date of birth, the flight numbers, and the full names and contact details of both the adult dropping the child off and the adult picking them up.
After you book
Once the booking is confirmed, the UM service will be noted in your reservation. You may also receive a UM form to fill out, which you'll present at the airport. Save your confirmation and receipt.
For Young Travelers, you don't need to book a special service. However, if you book through a travel agency, you may need to contact Southwest directly to add the Young Traveler designation to the booking.
Travel documents your child will need
Having the right documents is crucial. You will need proof of age, like a birth certificate or passport. You'll also need the completed UM form and the adults will need government-issued photo ID.
For domestic travel, REAL-ID-compliant identification is recommended. For international travel, a valid passport and visa are required, but remember that the UM service is not available on international flights.
If your child is traveling with only one parent or a guardian, a notarized consent letter from the other parent is not typically required for domestic flights, but it's always a good idea to have one, especially if there are custody concerns.
Understanding the costs for the UM service
The UM service comes with a fee. Current terms direct users to Optional Travel Charges; Southwest's family hub cites USD100 one way per UM. Verify the live amount.
This fee is charged per child, per direction of travel. For example, a round-trip flight would have two fees. The fee is in addition to the cost of the child's ticket.
When you book, ask for a full breakdown of the cost. The fee is subject to change, so it's always best to confirm the exact amount at the time of booking.
Baggage allowance for your child
Southwest's generous baggage policy applies to children too. UM may carry one carry-on and one personal item; checked baggage follows current fare rules.
For their carry-on bag, pack light. Put the child's documents, a contact card with both adults' phone numbers, any medication, a charger, a light snack, and a sweater in a small bag they can easily carry.
Check in any larger bags. Southwest's standard baggage allowance is two free checked bags, which is a great benefit.
Strollers, car seats, and baby equipment
You can bring strollers and car seats. They are subject to the airline's family-equipment and aircraft rules, which are separate from solo-child acceptance.
Check with Southwest on the specific rules for your equipment. For instance, a stroller can often be checked at the gate, and an approved car seat may be used on board if you've purchased a seat for the child. A change of aircraft could affect these rules.
Check-in, boarding, and airport handoff
The airport process is structured and requires both adults' participation. Both adults obtain gate instructions and should be at the gate at least 45 minutes before departure/arrival.
Departure
Arrive at the airport early. The adult dropping the child off will need to check in at the counter, show ID, and fill out any final paperwork. You may be able to get a gate pass to escort the child to security, but this depends on airport security rules.
Arrival and pickup
The adult named on the UM form must be at the airport to pick up the child. They must arrive early and bring a valid, government-issued photo ID. Southwest staff will only release the child to this person.
Connections, codeshares, and international flights
The UM service is for domestic, nonstop or same-plane flights. UM is limited to nonstop or same-plane domestic service, not international or Getaways packages.
If your child has a connecting flight where they have to change planes, they are not eligible for the UM service. The flight must be direct or a same-plane service (a flight with a stop where the child stays on the plane).
International travel is not permitted for UM travelers. UM and unaccompanied Young Travelers are not accepted on international Southwest service under current terms.
Special assistance and accessibility
Children must be able to manage basic personal needs. Flight attendants observe periodically rather than continuously; maturity is required.
If your child needs help with mobility, hearing, seeing, or communication, discuss this with Southwest's special assistance team before you book. If the child cannot manage essential tasks, the airline may require them to travel with an adult companion.
A real-life planning example
A parent is booking a flight for their 9-year-old from Chicago to Denver on Southwest. The first step is to check the age: the child is between 5 and 11, so they are eligible and required to use the UM service.
The parent books the flight online and selects the UM service. They provide the child's details and the flight number. The airline asks for the names and contact details of both adults.
On the day of travel, the parent drops the child off at the airport, presents the UM form and their ID, and waits until the flight departs. The pickup adult in Denver arrives at the airport early with their ID and is able to collect the child without any issues.
Final travel tips for parents
Prepare your child for the journey. Explain the steps: checking in, going through security, finding the gate, boarding the plane, and meeting the pickup adult. Show them a photo of the person who will meet them.
Plan for delays: Southwest can refuse likely disrupted UM travel and does not take the child outside the airport. Have a backup plan in case of a delay.
Final tip: Choose nonstop, carry age proof, arrive 45 minutes early and verify the current fee at checkout. Use the travel date—not the article date—as the reason to verify Southwest Airlines one last time.
Southwest Airlines minor travel comparison table
| Age/category | Solo eligibility | Service | Fee or fare | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under5 | Adult required | No UM | N/A | Too young |
| 5–11 | Domestic nonstop/same-plane | UM mandatory | Live fee/child | Lanyard |
| 12–17 | May travel alone | Young Traveler | Normal fare | No UM |
| International | Not eligible alone under program | No UM/YT | N/A | Adult needed |
For Southwest UM and Young Traveler policy, use this Southwest Airlines unaccompanied minor policy table as a question list. Only the operating airline can approve the real trip.
Primary source for this Southwest Airlines guide
In this travel note, we used one main Southwest Airlines source for the time-sensitive facts on this page. Check the Southwest Airlines source again before payment and departure.
Frequently asked questions
The questions below turn the Southwest Airlines airline policy guide into practical checks for booking, documents and airport handoff.
How old does a child need to be to fly alone on Southwest?+
Children aged 5 to 11 must use the Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service. Kids aged 12 to 17 are considered 'Young Travelers' and can fly alone without the service, but must be mature enough for independent travel.
Is there a fee for the Unaccompanied Minor service on Southwest?+
Yes, the fee is typically around USD 100 each way per child. However, it's best to confirm the exact amount at the time of booking as it can change.
Can an unaccompanied minor have a connecting flight on Southwest?+
Yes, but the flight must be either nonstop or a same-plane service (a flight with a stop where the child stays on the plane). They cannot switch planes.
How do I book the Unaccompanied Minor service on Southwest?+
You can book it online, over the phone, or at the airport counter. You will need to provide the names and contact information for both the adult dropping off and picking up the child.
What documents does my child need for a Southwest UM flight?+
You'll need proof of age (like a birth certificate or passport), the UM form, and the adults dropping off and picking up the child will need government-issued photo ID.
What is the baggage allowance for an unaccompanied minor on Southwest?+
Children on Southwest get the standard two free checked bags, plus one carry-on and one personal item. This is the same as adults.
Who can pick up my child at the airport?+
Only the adult named on the UM form can pick up the child. They must present a valid, government-issued photo ID.
Can I change the pickup person after booking?+
Yes, but you must contact Southwest and get their approval before the flight arrives. The change must be updated in the official booking.
What if my child's Southwest flight is delayed or canceled?+
Southwest will not accept UM travel if they foresee a disruption. The airline will not take the child outside the airport if there is a delay. The child will be supervised by staff.
Can my child fly alone on an international Southwest flight?+
No. Southwest does not accept unaccompanied minors or unaccompanied young travelers on any international flights.
Continue your planning
Editorial and verification note
For Southwest UM and Young Traveler policy, Southwest Airlines controls flight acceptance. Public authorities control passports, consent, transit and entry. The single primary carrier link appears in the source section above.
Southwest UM and Young Traveler policy editorial note: Updated June 16, 2025. AI assisted the research structure and quality checks. A person should still compare this itinerary with current Southwest Airlines instructions. We do not claim Southwest Airlines affiliation.