At Tour N Travel Pro, we know that flying with children can sometimes be stressful, especially when they are traveling alone. While it’s always best to ensure your child is well-prepared and comfortable for their flight, understanding airline policies is essential for peace of mind. Hawaiian Airlines, known for its excellent customer service and beautiful island routes, offers a well-thought-out Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy that provides safety and care for young passengers traveling without an adult. In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Hawaiian Airlines’ unaccompanied minor services, helping you ensure a smooth travel experience for your child.
What is the Unaccompanied Minor Service?
The unaccompanied minor service is designed for children traveling alone, typically aged between 5 and 11 years old. Under the Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy, the airline takes extra steps to ensure that children traveling solo are safe, secure, and cared for throughout the journey. Parents and guardians can take comfort knowing that the airline’s staff will supervise the child during the flight, providing assistance with boarding, during the flight, and at arrival.
While Hawaiian Airlines allows minors aged 12 to 17 to travel alone without additional assistance, the unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for children aged 5 to 11 years.
Key Features of the Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy
Hawaiian Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minor Policy includes several important features that help ensure the safety and well-being of young travelers. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
1. Age Requirements
According to the Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy, children between the ages of 5 and 11 are required to use the unaccompanied minor service. For children under 5, they are not allowed to fly alone unless accompanied by an adult or a guardian aged 16 or older.
Children aged 12 to 17 can travel alone without using the unaccompanied minor service, although parents or guardians may still request the service for added peace of mind.
2. Service Availability
Hawaiian Airlines offers unaccompanied minor services on both domestic and international flights. However, certain flights may have restrictions, such as long-haul or connecting flights. For example, the Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy does not apply to flights involving multiple connections. In such cases, a parent or guardian must arrange for an adult to accompany the child on the connecting flight.
Additionally, Hawaiian Airlines does not provide unaccompanied minor services on flights to and from certain international destinations, including some locations in Asia or Europe. It’s always important to check with Hawaiian Airlines or your travel agent (like us at Tour N Travel Pro) to confirm the details of your booking.
3. Booking the Unaccompanied Minor Service
Booking the unaccompanied minor service is a simple process but requires advance preparation. The Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy requires that you notify the airline in advance when booking the flight to ensure they can accommodate your child appropriately.
While booking through the Hawaiian Airlines website, you will need to select the option for an unaccompanied minor and pay a fee (currently $35 each way). This fee is added to the ticket price, and the child will be assigned special care during their flight.
It’s important to note that Hawaiian Airlines has limited availability for unaccompanied minors per flight, so early booking is highly recommended.
4. Checking In and Boarding
The Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy includes specific guidelines for check-in and boarding. Parents or guardians must accompany the child to the airport and check them in at the airport counter (rather than online). The child will be given a special wristband or tag that identifies them as an unaccompanied minor. At the airport, Hawaiian Airlines staff will guide the child through security and boarding.
Once the child is safely on board, the flight crew will take over, ensuring the child is comfortable during the flight. Depending on the duration of the flight, crew members may check in with the child periodically.
5. At the Destination
Upon arrival, the child will be escorted off the plane and handed over only to the designated adult. This adult must show photo identification and be present at the gate to pick up the child. The Hawaiian Airlines Unaccompanied Minor Policy is strict about who can pick up the child to ensure their safety.
It’s essential that the designated adult arrives at the gate early, as Hawaiian Airlines will not release the child to anyone who is not on the approved list. If there is any delay in picking up the child, the airline staff will keep the child supervised until the appropriate guardian arrives.
Additional Tips for Parents of Unaccompanied Minors
While Hawaiian Airlines takes great care to ensure a smooth and safe journey for your child, there are a few things you can do as a parent to further prepare your child for the trip:
Prepare Your Child: Talk to your child about the flight ahead of time so they know what to expect. Explain the role of the flight attendants and the unaccompanied minor service, so they feel comfortable with the process.
Pack Essentials: Ensure your child has everything they might need during the flight, such as snacks, entertainment (books, games, or a tablet), and a comfortable jacket or blanket. Be sure to pack a small carry-on bag with these items.
Provide Emergency Contact Information: Make sure your child knows how to contact you if needed, and provide the airline staff with a list of emergency contacts.
Arrive Early: Plan to arrive at the airport well in advance of your flight time to allow for the check-in process, which may take longer for unaccompanied minors.
Designated Pick-Up: Ensure that the person designated to pick up your child at the destination has the correct identification and is aware of the procedures for retrieving an unaccompanied minor.
Conclusion
At Tour N Travel Pro, we understand how important it is for parents to have peace of mind when their child is flying alone. Hawaiian Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minor Policy ensures that children traveling without an adult will be well-cared for, from check-in to arrival. By following the guidelines and preparing your child for the experience, you can ensure that their flight is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
