Question 1

Who is a Young Traveler?

Accepted Answer

We consider children ages 12 through 17 traveling alone to be Young Travelers (YTs). Our Unaccompanied Minor (UMs) procedures do not apply to unaccompanied Passengers ages 12 through 17. A Young Traveler must have the maturity and capability to travel alone, including but not limited to checking in, passing through the security checkpoint, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage.

Question 2

What information do I need to make a reservation for a Young Traveler?

Accepted Answer

You will need the following information when making a YT reservation:

The child's full name
Your relationship to the child
The child’s address
Telephone number(s), including area code
The child's date of birth

When you purchase a ticket for a YT, you represent that you’re either the parent or guardian of the YT and/or have authority to act on behalf of the parent or guardian regarding travel for the YT.

Question 3

Can a Young Traveler fly to or from international destinations?

Accepted Answer

No.

Question 4

Are Young Travelers eligible to travel on a reservation with an overnight connection?

Accepted Answer

No. Young Travelers may not travel on itineraries with overnight connections.

Question 5

How to prepare a Young Traveler for travel.

Accepted Answer

Make copies of the YT's itinerary for both the YT and whoever’s picking them up in the destination city.
Check in online 24 hours before scheduled departure to receive a boarding pass or purchase EarlyBird Check-In® automated service, when it is available.
Download the Southwest app so you can monitor flight status.
For additional information about what to expect when a child travels alone, please review "When Kids Fly Alone," published by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Question 6

Dropping off a Young Traveler.

Accepted Answer

Arrive at the airport early. Review our suggested airport arrival times and allow enough time to park the car, check luggage, go through security, and check in at the gate.
Check in at the ticket counter with a copy of the YT’s itinerary.
If you need a gate pass, which is required to accompany the child through the security checkpoint, ask at the ticket counter. Be sure to have your valid, government-issued ID.
We recommend that you stay in the gate area until the YT’s flight is in the air.
Call whoever’s picking up the YT to let them know that the flight has departed.

Remember, it’s your responsibility to ensure a YT arrives on time for check-in and boarding. Keep in mind that we reserve the right not to allow YT travel on flights that may be delayed, diverted, or canceled due to weather or other operational disruptions.

Question 7

What can a Young Traveler expect while onboard?

Accepted Answer

While onboard, the YT must follow instructions given by Employees, including those regarding wearing a seatbelt. Make sure that you and whoever’s picking up the YT are available to answer phone calls during the flight time in the event of a flight irregularity.

Please note, our Flight Attendants will not monitor the YT throughout the flight and the YT will not be escorted off the plane nor taken to meet the parent/guardian at the destination.

Question 8

How to pick up a Young Traveler.

Accepted Answer

Arrive at the airport early. Review our suggested airport arrival times.
Stop at the ticket counter to obtain a gate pass to go through the security checkpoint. You must show a valid, government-issued ID to obtain the pass. Note: Each airport may impose restrictions on gate passes being issued based on guidance from the local Transportation Security Administration.
Arrive at the gate no less than 45 minutes prior to the flight's scheduled arrival time. Check in with an Employee at the gate and let them know you’re picking up a YT.
If the YT’s flight is scheduled to arrive after the ticket counter and/or security checkpoint is closed, we will not be able to provide a gate pass. Proceed to the Baggage Service Office to let the Agent know you’re picking up a YT.
Call whomever dropped off the YT at the originating city to let them know you have picked up the YT.

Question 9

Young Traveler Terms and Conditions.

Accepted Answer

Traveling alone can be an exciting test of a minor’s independence; but whether it is appropriate depends on each minor’s individual maturity level. By purchasing this reservation, you acknowledge and confirm that:

We consider children ages 12 through 17 traveling alone to be Young Travelers (YTs), not Unaccompanied Minors (UMs). Accordingly, our UM procedures do not apply to travelers ages 12 through 17. A Young Traveler must have the maturity and capability to travel alone, including but not limited to checking in, passing through the security checkpoint, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage.
Parents and guardians are responsible for ensuring a Young Traveler arrives for check-in and boarding in accordance with each airport’s suggested arrival time. The amount of time to park, check luggage, pass through the security checkpoint, and board the flight varies based on each airport’s size, configuration, and travel season.
Additional Unaccompanied Minor Info for Travel to Hawaii: Flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii are subject to specific procedures for transportation of animals and plants, inspection of checked and carryon baggage, and State of Hawaii documentation requirements. The parent/guardian of a Young Traveler (YT) must complete the Plants and Animals Declaration Form at the departure gate prior to the YT boarding the aircraft. Once completed, the form will be retained by the YT until it is collected during the flight prior to landing.

Only trained service dogs assisting Customers with disabilities are permitted to travel with Customers. No other animals are permitted on flights between the U.S. mainland and Hawaii. Southwest Airlines does not transport pets to or from Hawaii. For more information about travel to/from Hawaii, please visit our dedicated Hawaii travel page.

Your child has sufficient maturity and capability to travel alone (this includes, but is not limited to, checking in, passing through the security checkpoint, boarding, deplaning, and claiming luggage), without adult supervision or assistance from Southwest Employees, on all scheduled service: nonstop, same-plane service with intermediate stops, and connecting service that requires your child to change planes.
Purchaser represents that they are either the parent or guardian of the minor child or has authority to act on behalf of the parent or guardian.
Parents/guardians wishing to escort a Young Traveler to/from the gate must obtain a gate pass from the ticket counter to pass through the security checkpoint. Each airport may impose restrictions on gate passes being issued based on guidance from the local Transportation Security Administration.
Southwest does not monitor Young Travelers during travel. Accordingly, each Young Traveler must have sufficient maturity and capability to request assistance from a Southwest Employee if needed and the means to contact a parent/guardian if there is a travel disruption.
Southwest Airlines reserves the right not to allow travel on flights that may be delayed, diverted, or canceled due to weather or other operational disruptions.
Southwest Airlines does not provide Young Traveler service to/from international destinations.
Southwest does not permit Young Travelers to travel on itineraries involving an overnight connection.
Southwest Airlines does not assume responsibility for any Young Traveler’s actions. THE PURCHASER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND FULLY RELEASE SOUTHWEST AIRLINES FOR ANY AND ALL INJURY OR DAMAGES TO PROPERTY OR PERSONS CAUSED BY OR INCURRED AS A RESULT OF A YOUNG TRAVELER’S ACTIONS, INCLUDING INJURIES TO THE YOUNG TRAVELER CAUSED BY HIS OR HER OWN NEGLIGENCE.