Emirates is currently experiencing a busy period as it prepares to welcome over 900 children back to Dubai after their summer holidays. These children will be utilizing the airline’s Unaccompanied Minors Service, which provides a supervised and safe travel experience for children aged 5 to 11. Children aged 12-15 can also fly alone at the discretion of their parents and guardians. The service is most commonly used by British families, followed by Indian, American, Filipino, and French families.
In the past five years, over 120,000 children have used Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger services, with a majority of children being 11 years old or younger. When parents bring their children to Dubai International Airport, they can go to the Unaccompanied Minors Lounge for check-in. The parent or guardian must provide identification and sign a permission form. Once checked in, children can relax in the lounge with video games, free WiFi, comfortable seating, and complimentary drinks and snacks supervised by the airline.
For children on connecting flights at DXB, the maximum connection time allowed is 8 hours. If the connection time is longer, approval from the airline is required. Children on connecting flights will be taken to a lounge to rest before being handed over to cabin crew. If they need to leave the airport for a meal, they will be accompanied by an airline specialist. Young passengers are not allowed to stay overnight at the connecting airport unless an adult guardian is arranged and approved by Emirates.
Overall, Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors Service provides a safe and supervised travel experience for children returning to Dubai after their holidays. With comfortable lounges, entertainment, and complimentary snacks, children can relax before their flights. With proper procedures in place for check-in, connecting flights, and overnight stays, parents can trust that their children will be well taken care of during their journey with the airline. Traveling alone can be a daunting experience for children, but with the support and supervision provided by Emirates, parents can have peace of mind knowing that their children are in good hands.
