Traveling with children can be a challenge, especially if they are flying alone. Whether you are sending your child to visit relatives, attend a summer camp, or explore a new destination. You want to make sure they are safe and comfortable on their flight. That’s why it’s important to understand the Spirit Airlines unaccompanied minor policy.
Spirit Airlines is one of the low-cost carriers in the US that offers unaccompanied minor service for children between 5 and 14 years old who are traveling alone on direct domestic flights (including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands). The itinerary must include only direct or through flights with no change of aircraft required. International locations are not included in unaccompanied minor travel.
How Much Does It Cost To Book An Unaccompanied Minor On Spirit Airlines?
The Spirit Airlines unaccompanied minor fee on Spirit Airlines is $100 per child each way. This fee is in addition to the regular fare and any other fees or taxes applicable to the booking. The fee covers the extra care and attention that the airline staff will provide to the child, as well as a snack and drink on board.
What Are The Requirements And Guidelines For Unaccompanied Minors On Spirit Airlines?
There are some basic rules and guidelines that must be followed when a child is flying as an unaccompanied minor on Spirit Airlines:
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Reservation Process for Unaccompanied Minors
Reservations for a spirit unaccompanied minor must be made in advance. Only bookings made using official sources (such as the Spirit Airlines website, call center, or airport ticket counter) will be accepted. Online bookings for unaccompanied minors are not available.
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Check-in and Boarding Requirements
A parent or a guardian must be present at the airport during check-in and boarding. At check-in, an unaccompanied minor form must be completed at the airport by the drop-off parent/guardian with photo identification before the child can be accepted for travel. This form will be inserted into the lanyard that the unaccompanied minor must wear throughout the entire flight, and is needed for Spirit Airlines employees to identify unaccompanied minors.
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Escorting the Unaccompanied Minor to the Gate
The person dropping off the child at the airport should request a gate pass at the ticket counter, escort the child to the gate, and remain in the gate area with the unaccompanied minor until after the flight takes off. Gate passes will only be issued to non-traveling individuals who present a government-issued photo ID. The person dropping off the child must remain at the gate for 15 minutes after the flight takes off.
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Pick-Up Procedures at Destination Airport
The pick-up parent/guardian designated on the unaccompanied minor form must arrive at the destination airport early to get a gate pass from the ticket counter and be at the gate for aircraft arrival. The child will be escorted off the aircraft by a flight attendant and released to the pick-up parent/guardian on the unaccompanied minor form. The pick-up parent/guardian must present a government-issued photo ID to verify their identity.
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Pre-Boarding and Introduction to Flight Attendant
The child will be pre-boarded and introduced to the flight attendant as an unaccompanied minor. Unaccompanied minors arriving too late to be pre-boarded may be boarded last to ensure the introduction to the flight attendant.
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Travel Restrictions and Flight Scheduling Requirements
Unaccompanied minors are not allowed to travel on international flights, connecting flights, or flights with overnight layovers. They must travel on the first available flight of the day and arrive at the destination before 9:00 PM local time.
How to Book a Flight for an Unaccompanied Minor On Spirit Airlines?
To book a flight for a Spirit Airlines unaccompanied minor, you need to contact the Spirit Airlines call center or visit a Spirit Airlines airport ticket counter. You cannot book an unaccompanied minor online or through a third-party website or travel agent. You will need to provide the following information when booking:
- The child’s name, date of birth, gender, and contact information
- The drop-off and pick-up parent/guardian’s name, relationship to the child, and contact information
- The flight number, date, origin, and destination of the child’s trip
- Any special needs or requests for the child, such as allergies, medications, dietary restrictions, etc.
- You will receive a confirmation number and an itinerary for the child’s trip. You will also receive an email with a link to the unaccompanied minor form that you need to fill out and print before going to the airport.
What to Expect At the Airport and On Board For Unaccompanied Minors On Spirit Airlines?
On the day of travel, you should arrive at the airport at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure time. You should check in at the ticket counter with the child and the unaccompanied minor form. You will receive a boarding pass and a gate pass for the child and yourself. Also, you will receive a lanyard for the child that contains the unaccompanied minor form and the boarding pass. The child must wear the lanyard at all times during the trip.
You should escort the child to the gate and wait with them until the boarding announcement. The gate agent will call the unaccompanied minors to board first and introduce them to the flight attendant. You should say goodbye to the child and remain at the gate until the flight takes off. You can also track the flight status online or by calling the Spirit Airlines call center.
On board, the flight attendant will seat the child near the front of the plane and check on them periodically. The child will be offered a snack and a drink during the flight. The flight attendant will also help the child with any needs or requests they may have, such as using the lavatory, adjusting the seat belt, or getting a blanket.
Upon arrival, the flight attendant will escort the child off the plane and hand them over to the gate agent. The gate agent will check the unaccompanied minor form and the photo ID of the pick-up parent/guardian and release the child to them. The pick-up parent/guardian should sign the unaccompanied minor form and return the lanyard to the gate agent.
Wrapping Up
Minors traveling without parents domestic can use the unaccompanied minor service offered by Spirit Airlines for children between 5 and 14 years old who are flying solo on direct domestic flights. The service charge is $100 per child each way and covers the extra care and attention that the airline staff will provide to the child. To book a flight for an unaccompanied minor. You need to contact the Spirit Airlines call center or visit a Spirit Airlines airport ticket counter.
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