Children Travelling Alone (Unaccompanied Minors)

We take your child’s safety very seriously and only accept a limited number of Unaccompanied Minors (UMNRs) on each flight.

UMNRs can only be booked on flights operated by Virgin Australia – we cannot book UMNRs on flights operated by our partners.

Note: UMNRs are not accepted on international long haul flights. We expect to offer this service in the near future.

What is an Unaccompanied Minor

• Any child aged 5–11 years (who is not yet 12) travelling alone must be booked as an Unaccompanied Minors (UMNR).
• If your child is under 12 years of age and is not booked as an UMNR, they must be accompanied by another person 15 years of age or older.
• Any child aged 12–15 years (who is not yet 15) may also travel as an UMNR – if requested by the parent/legal guardian.
• Children between 5–11 years of age attempting to travel alone, and have NOT been booked as an UMNR may be denied travel until we are provided with all relevant details in relation to the child's travel arrangements (as described below in the conditions of carriage).

How to Make an Unaccompanied Minor Booking

All Unaccompanied Minor bookings must be made via our Guest Contact Centre (Internet discount fare will be honoured).

The following additional details regarding your child’s travel arrangements will need to be provided:

• Booking password (must be quoted by any caller wishing to make future changes to the flight details, or drop-off, and pick-up details)
• Child’s name, age and gender
• Sender’s name, address, phone number and relationship to child (and if the Sender is not the parent or legal guardian, their age)
• Receiver’s name, address, phone number and relationship to child (and if the Receiver is not the parent or legal guardian, their age)
• Any special instructions (e.g. allergies, medical conditions, fear of flying)

Already Have a Booking

To ensure everything runs smoothly on the day of travel, please download the Unaccompanied Minor form and present the completed form at the check-in counter.

For your convenience the Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) form can be completed online prior to printing.

The UMNR document contains two sections:

• A letter of introduction
• A blank copy of the Unaccompanied Minor Form

Fees and Charges

Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) fees are payable upon booking and are chargeable per sector, per child.

Note: UMNR fees are non refundable.

Conditions of Carriage

Please be aware that the following conditions apply to all Unaccompanied Minor (UMNR) bookings:

• To ensure the highest level of service is delivered to all guests, we carry a maximum of six UMNRs per flight.
• UMNRs cannot be booked on connecting flights.
• If the child suffers from any medical conditions which may affect their travel the child must satisfy our Medical Clearance Guidelines (PDF, 231KB). Our cabin crew are unable to administer medication.
• If the child is unable to satisfy our Independent Travel Criteria they are required to travel with a Carer.
• If the child wants or needs to perform any of the following tasks during a flight but cannot do so without assistance, then they are required to travel with a Carer:
  • Consume food and beverages (cabin crew can assist with opening any packaging);
  • Attend the toilet (including getting to and from the toilet onboard); or
  • Administer any medication (including Epi Pens).
• Booking details can only be changed by callers who are able to quote the Reservation Number and booking password advised at the time of making the UMNR booking. For that reason it is important to protect the secrecy of the password, and ensure that it is only disclosed to those people authorised to amend the booking.
• A Sender (who will check in the child) and a Receiver (who will collect the child) must be nominated at the time of making the booking. The Sender and Receiver must be the parent/legal guardian OR someone nominated by the parent/legal guardian who is 18 years of age or older. They cannot be an airline representative.
• UMNR forms (which can be downloaded above, mailed prior to the day of travel, or filled out at the airport) must be filled out and signed when checking in and picking up the child.
• Personal information of the Sender and Receiver will need to be documented on the UMNR form, and therefore may be viewed by any person picking up the child.
• The child may be required to show proof of age (e.g. a birth certificate) on request at check-in. Boarding may be refused if this is not provided.
• ID of the parent/guardian must be presented when checking in and picking up the UMNR. The parent’s/guardian’s details on the ID must match the details in the UMNR’s booking, and on the relevant form.
• Food and drinks are available onboard for purchase by the child; alternatively, food and drinks may be packed and carried onboard.

Note: If the UMNR is not collected at the destination and we cannot contact the parent/guardian meeting the UMNR on arrival or the parent/guardian escorting the UMNR on departure, we will then be forced to contact the police.

In-flight Entertainment

The following rules apply to in-flight entertainment:

• live2air is our in-flight entertainment system available on some Virgin Australia flights. live2air offers live FOXTEL viewing, free of charge for UMNRs on Virgin Australia flights – subject to availability and parent/guardian permission.
• digEplayers (Portable Media Players) are available for hire on our international short haul flights if prior approval is received from the parent/guardian. digEplayers enable the UMNR to view in-flight entertainment featuring blockbuster movies, TV shows and an array of music. The cost to hire a digEplayer is $15.00 AU/NZ.
  • It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to determine whether or not the viewing material available on in-flight entertainment system is suitable for the UMNR, and to indicate on the UMNR form whether their child has permission to access in-flight entertainment and, where necessary, provide the UMNR money to hire a digEplayer or earphones to access the in-flight audio system.
  • The parent/guardian must acknowledge that: (a) television footage on live2air or digEplayer may be displayed on all screens for approx. 10 minutes (or potentially longer) during the flight; and (b) viewing of live2air or digEplayer footage on other guests’ screens cannot be prevented; and (c) we accept no responsibility for any live2air or digEplayer footage or audio viewed or heard by the child.