Airline gears up for a busy summer period as young passengers travel alone.
Dubai: Emirates expects more than 3,500 children to travel alone over the next two weeks, during one of the busiest summer periods for its Unaccompanied Minors Service.
The increase is driven by families starting their summer holidays ahead of the new school year in Dubai, prompting the airline to prepare for thousands of children travelling without parents or guardians.
Over the past five years, more than 250,000 children have used Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger services. Most are aged 11 and under, with the busiest routes linking Dubai to the UK, Russia, Kenya, France, India, and Egypt.
Who can use the service
Children aged 5 to 12 travelling alone must use Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors Service and are required to pay an adult fare. The service can be booked up to 24 hours before departure via Emirates LiveChat, by phone, or through a local Emirates office.
Young passengers aged 12 to 15 may travel independently without the service if their parent or guardian opts out. However, families who prefer additional assistance can request the Young Passenger Service for $50 per flight, subject to availability.
Children aged 5 to 12 can also fly in a different cabin from their parent or guardian on the same flight, but they are considered accompanied passengers and are not eligible for access to the Unaccompanied Minors Lounge or other dedicated services.
Dedicated support at DXB
At Dubai International Airport, parents and guardians can escort young travellers to Emirates’ newly renovated Unaccompanied Minors Lounge located near the check-in area.
The person dropping off the child must present valid identification and sign a permission form. The child is then checked in and waits in a supervised lounge equipped with PlayStation 5 Pro consoles, free Wi-Fi, sofas, complimentary drinks and snacks, and child-friendly bathrooms.
An Emirates specialist accompanies the child throughout the airport journey, safeguards their passport, assists with security and immigration procedures, and arranges priority boarding so the young traveller can settle in before general boarding begins.
Onboard and arrival care
Once onboard, cabin crew regularly monitor the child, assist with meals, seating, and inflight entertainment, and provide support throughout the journey.
Parents can also pre-request special meals, select preferred seating such as window or aisle seats, or arrange for siblings to sit together. Children have access to complimentary toys, over 100 video games, and a wide range of entertainment on Emirates’ ice system, including content from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Harry Potter, CBeebies, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network.
Birthday cakes can be ordered at least 48 hours before departure, with cabin crew able to celebrate the occasion onboard and capture the moment with a Polaroid photo.
At the destination, an Emirates specialist meets the child at the aircraft door and accompanies them until they are handed over to the authorised parent or guardian at arrivals. The person collecting the child must also present valid identification.
Rules for connecting flights
Children connecting between Emirates flights at Dubai International are allowed a maximum transit time of eight hours. Any longer layovers require airline approval.
During connections, young passengers are taken to the Unaccompanied Minors Lounge while they wait, and any trips for meals within the airport are supervised by an Emirates specialist. Overnight layovers are not permitted unless an adult guardian is arranged to meet and care for the child at the transit point, subject to Emirates’ approval.
