Virgin Australia Airlines'minor policy rules and regulations ensure the safety and well-being of young travelers flying alone. Understanding these rules is crucial for parents, guardians, and young travelers alike.
Age Restrictions: Virgin Australia Airlines allows unaccompanied minors between the ages of 5 and 14 to travel alone. Children under five years old are not eligible for the unaccompanied minor service; they must travel with an adult companion who is at least 15 years old.
Booking and Documentation: Parents or guardians must contact Virgin Australia Airlines' reservations department to book a flight for an unaccompanied minor. The child's full name, age, and contact information are required. Official identification documents such as birth certificates or passports may be requested.
Unaccompanied Minor Service Fee: Virgin Australia Airlines charges a separate service fee each unaccompanied minor traveling. The fee varies depending on the route and destination. It is important to inquire about the fee when making a reservation.
Check-in and Escort Procedures: At the airport, the parent or guardian must accompany the unaccompanied minor to the check-in counter. Required paperwork and emergency contact information must be completed. A Virgin Australia Airlines representative will escort the child through security checkpoints and to the departure gate.
In-Flight Assistance and Supervision: Virgin Australia Airlines ensures that unaccompanied minors receive proper care and attention during the flight. Flight attendants will provide necessary assistance and supervision throughout the journey. Communication and Reporting: Parents or guardians must remain in contact and provide accurate contact information throughout the trip. Virgin Australia Airlines may need to contact them regarding any changes or emergencies.
Connecting Flights and Transfer Assistance: Virgin Australia Airlines provides assistance for unaccompanied minors on connecting flights. Airline staff will supervise and escort the child to their next flight's gate.
Special Needs and Medical Conditions: Parents or guardians must inform Virgin Australia Airlines in advance of any special needs or medical conditions of the unaccompanied minor. This information will help airline staff provide appropriate assistance and accommodations.
Restrictions and Limitations: Virgin Australia Airlines may have specific restrictions and limitations on destinations or routes for unaccompanied minors. It is important to inquire with the airline about any specific policies or regulations.
Note: Please be aware that Virgin Australia Airlines' policy for unaccompanied minors is subject to the following laws and restrictions. It is recommended to check the official Virgin Australia Airlines website or contact customer service directly for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Children under 5 years old are not permitted to travel alone. They must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 18 years old.
Children aged 5 to 14 years (inclusive) may travel alone as unaccompanied minors. The unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for this age group.
Children aged 15 to 17 years (inclusive) are not eligible for the unaccompanied minor service. They may travel alone on any United or United Express flight.
Special policies apply when two or more children are traveling together. For example, if two children are traveling together, one 10 years old and the other 16 years old, the younger child is considered an unaccompanied minor.
You can book your child's flight online or through reservations. Your child will be assigned a seat that allows flight attendants to provide the necessary care.
Children aged 5 to 15 years can only travel on direct United flights.
They are not permitted to travel on flights with layouts. They can also travel on the last direct flight of the day.
The airline charges an additional fee for the unaccompanied minor service.
Book flights for unaccompanied through the online portal.
Visit the airline's website or your preferred booking platforms.
Information about the ticket booking, including departures and arrivals, transfers, and the total number of passengers, including unaccompanied minors.
During the booking process, please specify the number of unaccompanied minors.
Review the available options, considering various factors such as departure and arrival times, stops, and journey duration.
Review and select your new seat assignment, taking into account the cabin class and ticket type.
For additional services, please contact us directly, specifying your location or the device.
After completing the page, the platform will send you an email confirming your booking.
Book flights for unaccompanied minor through the offline.
The unaccompanied minor travel ticket booking service is also available by phone. Not everyone is comfortable using computers or modern technology, so if booking online isn't your preferred option, Virgin Australia as provided another way to book by phone.
The first step is to contact Virgin Australia customer service.
When a customer service representative answers, tell them which service you would like to book.
Inform them that you wish to book the unaccompanied minor service.
Provide them with the necessary documents and other information required to book this service.
If you wish to add any other services, you can inform them of that as well.
Pay the required amount for the services, and your booking will be confirmed.
Booking a flight for an unaccompanied minor through the airport ticket counter
Go to a local airport or airline ticket office to book a flight for an unaccompanied minor.
Speak with a staff member at the airport ticket counter.
Inform the staff member that you wish to book a flight for a child traveling alone.
Be sure to provide all relevant details, such as the departure and arrival cities, the flight duration, and a complete list of passengers, including the unaccompanied minor. Add any important details about the unaccompanied minor, such as their name, age, and any special requirements.
Consult with the travel agent to choose the best flights based on the number of layovers, flight distance, and departure and arrival times.
Before finalizing your travel arrangements, thoroughly double-check the correctness of the reservation details given by the agency, including the flight times and destinations.
Verifying these particulars a second time can assist guarantee a smooth voyage. Go to the ticket window at the airport after you arrive to pay for your reservation.
Approach the ticket counter representative and ask for a booking confirmation and any other documentation needed for your travel.
When a child travels without a parent or guardian under the Virgin Australia Unaccompanied Minor Program, a service fee is charged in addition to the regular flight fare. This fee is billed per child, per flight sector and must be paid at the time of booking.
Domestic Flights (Within Australia)
Pre-booked Unaccompanied Minor fee: AUD 60 (per child, per way)
Airport-booked Unaccompanied Minor fee: AUD 115 (per child, per way)
International Short-Haul Flights (Departing Australia)
Charges vary by destination and are payable in local currency:
Australia, Christmas & Cocos Islands: AUD 100
New Zealand & Cook Islands: NZD 99
Indonesia: IDR 934,000
Fiji: FJD 143
Papua New Guinea: PGK 225 (or AUD 100 converted)
Western Samoa: WST 175
Tonga: TOP 150
Solomon Islands: SBD 530
Vanuatu: VUV 7600
🔹 Notes:
Fees are non-refundable if the booking is cancelled.
This service must be booked through Virgin Australia’s Guest Contact Centre or airport — it is not available via online booking tools.
Fees are charged in addition to the standard fare for the child’s seat.
How Fees Work
The Unaccompanied Minor fee is separate from the ticket price — it covers the supervision and special handling your child receives from check-in, through boarding, during the flight, and until being released to the designated adult at arrival. Ground and cabin crew assist each unaccompanied child throughout the journey.
Children under 4 years of age are restricted to travel on Virgin Australia plane without the company of at least 15 years old person on the same flight and same class of air tickets.
Children from 5 years to 14 years of age are eligible to travel the domestic destinations by boarding the Virgin AustraliaVirgin Australia flight. The tickets must be booked online for minor and the unaccompanied minor service must opt-in in case the child wants to travel alone.
Children of 15 years age or more can travel alone without any restriction on Virgin Australia flight. They can also avail of the unaccompanied minor service and thus restrictions are applicable then as per the policy.
Documents to be carried - Passenger must present the travel documents of all children regardless of age. These documents include a valid passport proving citizenship and visas. Also to prevent child abduction, the airlines might require proof of the relationship between the minor and the person accompanying him/her in flight.
The service of the travel of Unaccompanied Minors can be availed by calling the Virgin Australia reservations. Unaccompanied Minors are only allowed on direct flights that do not require a change of flight.
Drop-off and Pick-up
The responsible adult or guardian is must bring the unaccompanied minor to the airport. Minor is then requested to check-in at the reservation counter and must fill the form by someone with a photo ID. The customer service agent will then review the information provided like the name and phone of the parent or responsible person that will meet the child on arrival. The same is noted on a card and then placed as a pass around the neck of unaccompanied minors to be worn throughout the flight.
On arrival at the destination, the flight attendant will take the unaccompanied minor for pick up by the person designated on the unaccompanied minor service form. Spirit requires the person responsible for pick up to present a photo ID to the Virgin Australia employee.
Conditions
Once permitted to drop the minor at the airport, the responsible adult or parent must avail of a gate pass from the reservation counter at the airport that allows the person to accompany the minor to the gate. Electronic gate passes are only made available to the person who requires assistance or for leading an Unaccompanied Minor to the gate. The Unaccompanied Minor should do the check-in at the boarding gate at least 60 minutes before flight departure. The person dropping off the unaccompanied minor must escort the child to the gate and stay there for at least 15 minutes after the departure of the flight.
Q: How old must a child be to qualify for unaccompanied minor service on Virgin Australia?
Children aged 5–11 must be booked as unaccompanied minors if traveling without an adult aged 15 or older. Children aged 12–15 may travel as UMNR on request.
Q: Can a child under 5 years fly alone with Virgin Australia?
No — children under 5 cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Q: Do unaccompanied minors get priority boarding?
Unaccompanied minors on domestic flights may receive priority check-in and, where available, lounge access before boarding.
Q: What documentation is required for the pickup at arrival?
The person collecting the child must present valid photo identification matching the details on the UMNR form.
Understanding the Virgin Australia Minor Policy is essential for parents and guardians planning air travel for children, especially when a child is flying without adult supervision. Virgin Australia has clearly defined age rules, booking requirements, and fee structures to ensure the safety and comfort of young travelers throughout their journey.
From mandatory unaccompanied minor services for children aged 5 to 11, to optional assistance for young passengers aged 12 to 15, the airline offers structured support at every stage — from airport check-in to arrival handover. Knowing the applicable fees, documentation requirements, and booking limitations in advance can help families avoid last-minute issues and unexpected costs.
Because policies, fees, and eligibility criteria may change based on route, destination, or operational requirements, passengers are strongly advised to review the latest information on Virgin Australia’s official website or speak directly with customer support before booking.
By planning ahead and following the airline’s minor travel guidelines, parents can ensure a smooth, secure, and stress-free travel experience for their children with Virgin Australia.