Reservations for Unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online. Please contact the Call Centre for more information

Children Travelling Alone
South African Airways (SAA) accepts a major responsibility when it undertakes the carriage of children travelling alone. These travellers are otherwise known as Unaccompanied Minors, (UMs) and it is most important to exercise the greatest care and discretion in the handling of these customers. It should therefore be noted that SAA has specific requirements for UMs. If your child or children will be travelling alone, the following information will guide you. The relevant ages and guidelines for children travelling alone are provided below. If the requirements for children travelling alone are not satisfied, SAA will be unable to board the child/children.

• Before you fly
• At the airport
• In the Air
• On Arrival

If a child is travelling without the supervision of a parent or guardian who is sixteen years or older, they are classified as an unaccompanied minor. To make a booking for an unaccompanied minor contact your local South African Airways Office. Bookings cannot be made online. Let us know of any allergies or special requirements your child might have.

Conditions of travel as an unaccompanied minor

Under 5 years: Children are not considered to be unaccompanied minors when they are accompanied by another passenger of 16 years of age, or older.

5 to 11 years(inclusive): Children who are five years old, but under 12 are regarded as unaccompanied minors (UM’s). Reservations for unaccompanied minors cannot be booked online. Please contact your local SAA Call Centre for more information. The child’s date of birth may be verified at time of check-in.

12 to 16 years (inclusive): Children who are at least 12 years old, but under 16, are regarded as young passengers (YP’s).

SAA considers a passenger aged between 12 and 16 as an adult, therefore no special handling is required unless requested by the parent. If this is the case the same procedure will apply as for unaccompanied minors.

Unaccompanied minors may travel on South Africa Airways flights if they:

• Have prior authorisation from SAA. This can be obtained by contacting the call centre.
• Reach their destination before 20h00.
• In the event of a connecting flight.
• Have booked through the central reservations office
• Are in possession of written consent from their parents or guardians
• Are escorted to the airport and checked-in by a responsible adult and met at destination by an authorised adult

Baggage Allowance
Children travelling alone are entitled to the full adult baggage allowance for the class of fare in which they are travelling if they are paying at least 50% of the adult fare.

Special Notes
Encourage your child to take a favourite small toy or doll on the flight, and charge them with the responsibility of looking after it throughout the journey. This will help your child feel more secure and 'at home'.

Travel Documents
On international flights the child must be in possession of the necessary documentation (a valid passport, visas and health documents).

Children not booked as unaccompanied minors can be denied travel. We therefore urge parents to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made with the call centre.

The child must be checked in at least one hour before departure for domestic flights and two hours for international flights, to ensure that the necessary documentation is completed and in order. The check-in agent will advise you at what time you should meet a South African Airways ground staff representative, who will escort your child through the necessary security and immigration (if applicable) processes to their departure gate. The parents should remain at the airport until the flight takes off.

The cabin crew will be notified before the flight of your child's name, age and any special requirements they might have. They will regularly check that your child is comfortable and entertained throughout the flight.

On arrival at the final destination, your child will again be met at the aircraft by South African Airways ground staff, who will assist with arrival procedures before leaving your child in the care of the person nominated by you to meet them and who must carry proof of identification. Kindly ensure that the person is not late as this can cause unnecessary distress to the child.

Transit
At transit stops your child will at all times remain in the care of either cabin crew or ground staff.

Onward and Return Flights
Remember to let South African Airways know if your child needs to change their travel plans at any time before or during their trip as restrictions do apply to some tickets. It is important to check that any request for travel as an Unaccompanied Minor, or escort provision, is transferred to the new flight.

Make Your Child Aware
While we will do our best to ensure that your child's experience of travelling is an enjoyable one, there are a few extra things you can do to make it just that bit easier.

Make sure your child knows who is to meet them upon arrival at the final destination. Explain to your child how important their passport and tickets are, and ensure that they can recognise both. Children should at all times wear the Unaccompanied Minor identification lanyards. It is important for them to know not to remove these as it is a form of identification. Children must not leave the aircraft unattended and must wait for the cabin crew to assist before they leave the plane.