Young passenger information

Your flight may not be operated by Air Transat. Should this be the case, please refer to the note at the bottom of the page.

Quick Reference Guide for Young Passengers travelling on Air Transat

	Minimum 7 days to under 8 years of age	8 - 11 years inclusively	12 - 17 years inclusively
TERMS OF ACCEPTANCE	These young travellers must be accompanied by another passenger who is 16 years of age or older, in order to be accepted for travel on Air Transat.	May travel alone upon the purchase of our Unaccompanied Minor Service. Please refer to the Unaccompanied Minor section below for complete details on paperwork, identification requirements, services, fees and handling.	May travel alone. We will be pleased to offer assistance to/from the gate however Youth travellers must be able to travel independently. For peace of mind, you may choose to register your Youth traveller in our Unaccompanied MInor Service. All paperwork, identification requirements, services, fees and handling will apply. See our Unaccompanied Minor section below for complete details.

SPECIAL SERVICES FOR OUR YOUNG PASSENGERS!

Some countries require written permission and special documentation for passengers under the age of 18 years who are traveling alone (or with only one parent/legal guardian or other persons).

Unaccompanied minors (age 8-11)

Children between the ages of 8 and 11 years inclusively and who are travelling alone are very important at Air Transat. Our special “VIP Service” ensures these young travellers receive the highest quality of service, from check-in to arrival in their destination.

Important to know: children under the age of 8 will not be accepted for travel on our flights, unless accompanied by a person age 16 or older. Air Transat regrets that we cannot accompany children to connecting flights on another airline.

In addition to being escorted through the airport processes, our VIP service includes advance seat selection, priority baggage handling, a comfort kit on board (includes blanket and a headset) a surprise pack and free snacks from our On Board Bistro menu.

To make a reservation, please contact our Seat Selection and Information Centre ((44) 20 7616 9187 / 00800-28 38 76 73) up to 2 days prior to departure for flights departing from Canada and up to 3 days prior to departure for flights departing from all European cities. People who are hearing impaired can call 1-866-234-5136 (TTY) toll free within North America or 514-906-5196 in the local Montreal area.

The cost is 65 £ (100 $ CA) per unaccompanied child, per flight segment, for this mandatory service.

Please check in 3 hours prior to flight departure in order to complete the required form and check baggage. During check-in, you will have to provide complete information regarding the person who will meet the child at the destination (full name, complete address and phone number). Photo ID will be required by the Air Transat representative from the person collecting the child at the destination to confirm the information provided on the form and to ensure the child's security. The child will not be released to a person who is not listed on the form.

Special tags will be attached to the child's baggage, in order to identify them easily. The child will also be given a pouch (containing their travel documents – passport, tickets, Customs forms, etc.) to wear around their neck, and identify them as an unaccompanied minor.

An Air Transat representative will accompany our VIP during boarding. At no time is the child left alone; Air Transat personnel are there at all times to watch over our young passengers.

The parent or guardian accompanying the child to the airport must remain at the airport until the flight is airborne as confirmed by an Air Transat agent.

Priority boarding

All children travelling alone get priority boarding on all of our flights.

During boarding, the child will be introduced to the flight director in charge of cabin crew. The flight director will escort the child to their seat and introduce them to the flight attendant responsible for that section of the cabin and explain the safety procedures.

During the flight

Cabin crew will pay special attention to the child during the whole flight, making sure they are comfortable and safe.

At the destination

Upon arrival, cabin crew will introduce the unaccompanied minors to Air Transat ground staff as they deplane.

The Air Transat representative will then accompany the child through the customs and immigration desk and to baggage claim. Customs and Immigration as well as to the baggage claim area.

Once they have cleared the arrivals area, the Air Transat representative will check the identity of the person who has come to meet the child using the information given on the form by the parent of guardian and request photo ID. If the information does not match, Air Transat will contact the parent or guardian who accompanied the child to the airport at point of origin.

If no one is present to greet the child at the destination, local authorities will be contacted. All subsequent costs incurred (meals, accommodations, etc.) will have to be reimbursed by the parent or guardian.

Preparing the child for the trip

Before the trip, make sure your child is fully prepared by explaining everything that will happen, from departure to arrival. This should reduce any anxiety that you or your child may feel. Also, make sure your child is well rested and able to lift his carry-on bag (not too heavy), which should contain a snack and a few of your child's favourite toys.

Instruct your child on how to contact you by phone if needed. Finally, make sure the person who will be greeting your child at the destination is fully aware of all the flight details as well as the formalities of picking up an unaccompanied minor (i.e. the person must provide a picture ID, sign the form, assume responsibility for the child).

Young passengers travelling alone (12 to 17 years)

Passengers between the age of 12 and 17 years old can travel alone as "Youth Passengers" with Air Transat. We will make every effort to assist them for the duration of their journey with us. Air Transat cannot be responsible for youth passengers at any time: if they travel alone, they must be able to do so unassisted.

Parents/guardians wishing to have the enhanced Unaccompanied Minor Service for a Youth Traveller may do so at a rate of 65 £ (100 $ CA). All paperwork, identification requirements, services, fees and handling will apply.

Air Transat guidelines for boarding, as described above, also apply in the case of young passengers.