Several airlines, including America’s low-cost airline, JetBlue Airways, have strict policies with regard to children that fly unaccompanied by their parents and/or legal guardians, especially those that are considered minors. JetBlue airway’s unaccompanied minor policy guide is here.
In this travel guide prepared by Treknova, we will take a look at JetBlue’s unaccompanied minor policy. We will also learn more about the fees that may be included and the process involved for minors travelling alone.
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How JetBlue Airways Unaccompanied Minor – Defines “Minors” in their Policy
As per the policy laid down by JetBlue Airways, it offers special service for children who are flying by themselves. The unaccompanied minors (UMNR) program is mandatory for children between the ages of five and under 14 years.
Therefore, a child who has reached their 14th birthday and is travelling alone is no longer considered an UMNR and must be booked as an adult. However, customers may request additional assistance under these circumstances.
JetBlue also regulates that unaccompanied minors may not travel with an infant between the ages of three days and two years or a child between the ages of 2 and 4 years.
Booking an Unaccompanied Minor
In an effort to guarantee safety, JetBlue limits the number of unaccompanied minors booked on each flight to a total of three.
Travel for minors can now be booked online on the airline’s website https://www.jetblue.com. When completing the online booking, an UMNR fee of $150 per person, per way is also applied automatically to the total price that must be paid at the time of booking.
When you attempt to proceed to book a flight on JetBlue’s website for a child with no adult, you will be presented a pop-up screen, notifying you of all of the unaccompanied minor requirements. As you proceed through the booking process, you will then see the unaccompanied minor fee added in to your total reservation cost.
Seating
JetBlue’s minor policy states that minors may not occupy Mint or Even More Space seats. As an additional safety precaution, they will be seated at the back of the aircraft so the in-flight crew can assist them when needed. UMNR seats are “ABC” on the last row of the aircraft.
Unaccompanied minors will always be seated in seats “ABC” that are located on the last row of the aircraft. This is different from other airlines that do not always have a specific spot on the plane where children will be seated. Due to the proximity to the lavatory (which is located in the back of the plane), this is a perfect place for younger kids to sit, and in order to prevent accidents.
Required Documents and Identification
Children that are considered minors are required to go through certain legal procedure by filling out necessary forms and submitting documents of proof when booking reservation. These legal procedure can be carried out by the child or their parents and/or legal guardians.
(a) Unaccompanied Minor Form
The Unaccompanied Minor Form is available online on the airline’s website and must be filled out prior to travel. You will need the information for the parent/guardian dropping off the child as well as the parent/guardian picking up the child.
Also, the person must print three copies of the completed form for each flight and bring them along to the airport. It is important to enter the name as it appears on the photo ID of the person who is dropping off and picking up the child at the airport.
While you can list medication conditions and allergies, JetBlue crewmembers, however, do not administer any medication.
(b) Drop-off and Pick-up Requirements
The things that are required when dropping off and picking up a child from the airport include the following:
- Photo identification is required for both parties who drop off and pick up the minor. Minor passengers will not be accepted without the photo ID proof of their parent/guardian.
- Age restriction for the adult picking up a minor is 18 years old. They must have a valid ID and be listed in the Drop-off/Pick-up information.
- Gate passes are issued based on TSA’s discretion and security recommendation. They are not guaranteed. You can check availability at the JetBlue airport ticket counter.
- Drop-off and pick-up locations are also available on the airport’s information table you are travelling from.
Drop-off Information
A common mistake that many people often make when dealing with unaccompanied minors travelling solo is that they do not plan properly, and fail to allocate sufficient time to make it through the airport.
Here are some important requirements with regard to drop-off information that are required to be carried out by the respective parents and/or legal guardians of children travelling solo on JetBlue’s flights.
- The parent or legal guardian is required to have three copies of the UMNR form.
- The parent or guardian are also required to have their name, address and cell phone number documented on the minor’s reservation.
- The parent or guardian are advised to not leave the airport until the minor is on board the aircraft and the aircraft has departed.
- It is also advised that the parent/guardian must remain at the gate until the aircraft has departed in case of a gate return or other delay. In the event of a gate return, a JetBlue crewmember can contact the parent/guardian so that he/she can meet the minor.
However, keep in mind that the child’s parent/guardian must request a gate pass at the airport ticket counter to pick up their minor at the departure gate.
Pick-up Information
In contrast to the drop-off information, here are some important requirements with regard to pick-up information. These are required to be carried out by the respective parents and/or legal guardians of children travelling solo on JetBlue’s flights.
- The parent/guardian picking up the minor must arrive at the airport no later than 30 minutes prior to the flight’s scheduled arrival time.
- The parent/guardian must have their name, address, and cell phone number documented on the minor’s reservation.
There are chances where planes can also arrive very early, which is why the airline wants you to arrive so early. The parent or guardian will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID at the time of picking up their kids at the airport. JetBlue will not release an Unaccompanied Minor to anyone other than the designated parent or guardian listed on the form. If something unexpected comes up and that guardian can’t make it to the pick-up, you need to call JetBlue immediately to modify the form.
It is thus, important that parents and legal guardians of children travelling solo follow these guidelines carefully and for their child’s safe travel experience as well.
Connecting Flights and Other Airlines
As per the policy set by JetBlue Airways, minors may only travel on non-stop flights. They will not be permitted on connecting flights or direct flights (a flight that makes a stop but does not change aircraft).
Also, JetBlue does not provide any escort for unaccompanied minors to flights connecting with other airlines. Thus, customers will be responsible for any transfer of their minors from JetBlue to other airlines. Minors are also not allowed on JetBlue bookings with other airlines.
International Travel
Every country requires special documentation, such as a notarized letter, stating that the minor passenger has permission to fly alone. Therefore, it is recommended to contact the nearest embassy/consulate for more information with regard to minor passengers travelling solo.
For some international destinations, you will need to provide additional documentation for the minor when departing. For example, you might be required to submit a notarized letter that spells out specific information, such as:
- Name of parent(s)
- Child’s name
- Name of anyone travelling with the child
- Notarized signature of the absent parent(s)
- Travel Dates
- Destinations
- Airline
- Brief summary of reason for travelling
You may also need to supply a copy of the child’s birth certificate and a copy of their parent’s or legal guardian’s ID. Thus, it is a good idea to contact the nearest embassy or consulate to get the latest information on these special requirements.
Children Travelling with Other Passengers
Sometimes, it may be possible that a child under the age of 14 years (minor) may be accompanied by another person who is just over 14 years old. In such a case, JetBlue Airways’ policy mentions the following points.
(a) Other passenger is 14+ years
As long as the accompanying passenger is at least 14 years of age or older, children between the ages of two and 13 may be escorted without the UMNR status.
(b) Other passenger is on another reservation
However, in case the other passenger is on a different reservation, then the airline will need to book this reservation by phone in order to make sure the unaccompanied minor fee is not added to the reservation.
In addition, the $25 per person phone booking fee will also be waived. You can always contact the JetBlue customer service center for assistance. Make sure you have the six-letter confirmation code for the adult’s reservation available when contacting their customer service center for quick and easy assistance.
Conclusion
JetBlue Airways’ unaccompanied minor (UMNR) policy is very straightforward as that are with several airline carriers. It has very similar age requirements compared to other airlines and the unaccompanied minor fees are in the middle of the pack. What is more impressive is that they have three designated seats “ABC” located in the back of the plane (near the lavatory). However, they do impose strict rules on connections, which could make it quite a bit of criticizing.
