Unaccompanied minors are children under the age of 18 who are traveling without their parents or another adult designated by their parent or legal guardian, who will remain with them at all times during the flight and are responsible for them in the event of an emergency. If you want to travel on El Al Israel Airlines, but don’t have a parent or guardian who can escort you on your flight, this post will help you understand how to plan your trip. This guide takes you through the Unaccompanied Minor service that El Al Airlines offers and what you need to do before, during, and after your flight to ensure that your trip goes smoothly.
How old do you have to be?
The minimum age for an unaccompanied minor is 12 years old. This means that if you are younger than 12, you will not be permitted to fly alone. If you are within one year of your twelfth birthday, you can travel alone but only after completing certain requirements as part of El Al’s special program for minors. Children between 12 and 17 must also have a signed consent form from their parent or legal guardian at least 30 days prior to departure. All documentation needed must be submitted together with your El Al Reservations and payment details. Please note that children cannot travel alone from New York City (JFK) or Newark (EWR) airports; they must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult over 18 years old who will meet them at their final destination.
What does an Unaccompanied Minor ticket mean?
An unaccompanied minor is a El Al Ticket provided by many airlines, allowing children ages 5-14 years of age to travel alone in most circumstances. In order for your child to be considered an unaccompanied minor, there are a few requirements
When can I get an Unaccompanied Minor ticket?
You can purchase an UM ticket for children ages 2 through 11 years old. Children under 2 years old travel at no cost in your lap. There is no minimum or maximum age when traveling with an UM ticket. If a child is 12-years-old, they are considered an adult and would need to book their own ticket on EL AL; they would not be covered by UM policy.
How long will it take until I get my El Al Boarding Pass?
If you’re traveling as an unaccompanied minor, you’ll need to go through airport security like any other passenger. However, if your flight departs from a North American airport, once you get through security, you can El Al Check in at one of their kiosks (or with an agent if one isn’t available). At time of Check-in El Al it will print out a El Al Boarding Pass for you that gets scanned before boarding. During busy periods, it may take up to 60 minutes for an agent or kiosk operator to verify your age and issue your boarding pass – but only about 15 minutes when checking in after clearing security. If there are no delays and everything goes smoothly then expect about 20-30 minutes until getting on board.
What happens after I board the plane?
By law, airlines are required to have a designated area for unaccompanied minors on every flight. While you’re waiting in line with other fliers, go ahead and find your seat. You will probably be sitting with other children around your age who have parents that aren’t traveling with them—you’ll notice them because they’ll be wearing special tags on their bags and uniforms. Boarding passes for kids are pink (unlike an adult’s blue or green) so it’s easy to spot. Once everyone is settled in, crew members will give you a tour of where everything is located: your seatbelt slot, emergency exits, how to access snacks and entertainment options via touchscreen, etc.
What if they try to put me in another seat than the one I reserved?
If you booked a seat for an unaccompanied minor, and they don’t have one available on your flight, they’ll give you a $2,000 voucher. It’s unclear if it will be attached to your passport or not. But remember: You need to El Al Check in at least 90 minutes before your flight. So get there early enough and claim your seat! If that’s not possible and you’re traveling with a different airline, they’ll give you $1,300 per hour of delay up until when they can get you on another airline (maximum is $600). They also suggest calling them two hours before departure if possible so that their staff can assist. Because who wants these things?!?
Why did you stop recommending Tel Aviv Airport as a transit hub between Europe and Asia?
As a frequent traveler for both business and leisure, I have had many layovers in Tel Aviv (TLV) Airport. There is a lot of hustle and bustle at TLV between travelers with connecting flights, non-connecting flights, and long layovers. The old part of airport Terminal 1 has four gates that are used for non-connecting passengers from long haul flights from Europe, so it often gets quite busy around those gates. It’s extremely easy to walk around on your own or leave your child alone for about 10 minutes while you go get coffee/food or go through security again if you have another flight soon.
Are there any extra fees?
El Al Plane unaccompanied minor policy does not include any additional fees, but you will be required to pay for any charges incurred for your child during travel. You can do so at airport Check-in El Al or through your local El Al Customer Service center. Please note that international regulations require all minors (under 18) traveling without an adult companion to be in possession of a written permission from their parents/guardians, confirming their authority to travel alone and giving you permission to escort them. These documents must be presented at Check-in El Al.
Can I bring a car seat, booster seat or stroller on board with me?
In case you were wondering, yes! Provided you have your own seat and it fits in with El Al’s standard size restrictions, all of your child’s car seats and strollers are welcome on board. However, if you are bringing your child on a return flight or travelling with them for more than one leg of their journey, then you should be aware that most airlines require babies to sit in a child restraint device until they reach either 24 months of age or their weight is 20 kg (44 lbs). If these requirements are not met and your baby still doesn’t fit into an approved safety device then they may not be allowed on board.
Do I need a visa for Israel even though my connecting flight lands in Tel Aviv but my final destination is somewhere else in Asia (or vice versa)?
Yes, you need a visa for Israel even if your flight only stops in Tel Aviv. Keep in mind that visas are issued by Israeli Airline El Al consulates, so you’ll need to make sure your country of residence has one that’s accepting applications. In general, they aren’t easy to get. For citizens of most countries, there are two exceptions: minors and spouses of Israelis. They can enter without a visa as long as they don’t stay more than three months (the spouse exception only covers those who have applied for citizenship).
