Sending your child on a flight alone is a stressful first. United Airlines runs an unaccompanied minor service (UMNR) that adds a layer of supervision from check-in through gate handoff, but it comes with rules, fees, and a few logistical quirks worth knowing before you book.

Here is how the program works in 2026, what it costs, and exactly what to do on the day of the flight.

Can minors fly alone on United?

United allows children ages 5 to 14 to fly alone only when enrolled in the UMNR program. There are no exceptions to the age floor: children under 5 cannot fly without a parent, guardian, or passenger who is at least 18 years old.

A few additional restrictions to flag:

  • UMNR is allowed on most United and United Express flights, but not on red-eyes or itineraries that include a connection through a non-United partner.
  • Connections through certain hubs may be restricted on the last flight of the day to avoid an overnight if a flight cancels.
  • International itineraries are permitted but require a notarized parental consent letter and, for some destinations, additional documentation. Check entry requirements for the destination country well before travel.

For travelers aged 15 to 17, UMNR is optional. They can fly as regular passengers, or parents can opt into UMNR for the added supervision. If you want the program for an older teen, you have to request it at booking — it is not applied automatically.

What United charges for UMNR in 2026

United charges a flat service fee for UMNR on top of the ticket. As of 2026, the published rates are:

  • $150 one-way for one or two children traveling together on the same itinerary
  • $300 one-way for three or four children
  • $450 one-way for five or six children

The fee is per direction, so a round-trip doubles the total. Two siblings flying round-trip together cost $300 in UMNR fees on top of their two tickets.

Note that nonstop flights and connecting flights are charged the same UMNR fee, but connections add risk and stress, so book nonstop when you can.

Fees as of 2025 anchors; verify current rates on United.com before booking.

How to book a UMNR ticket

UMNR cannot be booked entirely online. The standard process:

  1. Search the itinerary on United.com as you would for any passenger. Choose nonstop where possible.
  2. Do not complete the booking online for a child under 15. Instead, call United reservations at 1-800-864-8331 to book with UMNR applied. The agent will add the service fee and flag the reservation.
  3. Provide contact details for the adult dropping the child off and the adult picking them up. United requires full name, address, phone number, and a government-issued ID type for both adults.
  4. Pay for the ticket and the UMNR fee at the same time. You will receive a confirmation email plus a UMNR form to print and bring to the airport.

For 15 to 17 year olds who want UMNR, the same call-in process applies. You can book the ticket online first, then call to add UMNR before travel.

If your plans change, the UMNR fee is refundable when paired with a refundable fare, and non-refundable otherwise. Cancellation rules follow the ticket type.

Preparing for the flight

A few days of prep prevents most day-of problems.

Pack a small carry-on with:

  • A fully charged phone or tablet, plus a charging cable and backup battery
  • Headphones that fit your child (over-ear is more reliable than earbuds for kids)
  • Snacks that pass TSA rules — solids are fine, liquids over 3.4 ounces are not. See the TSA food guide for specifics.
  • A reusable water bottle (empty through security, fill at a fountain past it)
  • A printed card with parent and pickup-adult contact info, in case the device dies
  • Any medications in original packaging, with dosage instructions

Brief your child on the basics:

  • They will wear a UMNR wristband and lanyard from check-in until pickup. Do not remove it.
  • A United employee will walk them through security and onto the plane.
  • Flight attendants will check on them periodically. If they need anything, press the call button or ask any crew member.
  • They should stay in their seat unless going to the lavatory, and tell a flight attendant if they leave the seat.
  • The pickup adult will need to show ID at the gate. They will not be released to anyone else.

Charge everything the night before. A dead tablet on a four-hour flight is the most common UMNR complaint.

On the day of the flight

Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international. UMNR check-in takes longer than a standard check-in.

Check-in:

  • Go to the United ticket counter, not the kiosk. The agent will verify ID for the drop-off adult, attach the UMNR wristband, and issue a gate pass that lets you accompany the child through security.
  • Confirm the contact information on file for the pickup adult one more time.

Security:

  • The gate pass works exactly like a boarding pass for getting through TSA. Bring a government-issued ID.
  • Walk the child through screening. If they are nervous, ask a TSA officer for a calmer lane.

At the gate:

  • Check in with the gate agent. They will note the UMNR and arrange for a flight attendant to escort the child onto the plane during pre-boarding.
  • You are required to stay at the gate until the flight departs and is airborne. Do not leave until you see the plane push back and clear the runway. If the flight returns to the gate for any reason, United needs the drop-off adult on hand.

On the flight

United flight attendants are trained to check on UMNR passengers throughout the flight. They will:

  • Confirm the child is settled at boarding and explain the call button
  • Check in periodically and at meal service
  • Help with any seatbelt, tray table, or entertainment system issues

The seatback screens or the United app stream a selection of movies, TV, and music — see United's inflight entertainment page for what is available on your route. Download anything you want offline before boarding, because Wi-Fi access varies by aircraft and may require a purchase.

If there is a connection, a United agent meets the child at the arrival gate and walks them to the next departure. The child waits in a supervised area at the connecting hub, not alone at the gate.

At the destination

The pickup adult must:

  • Be at least 18 years old and on the UMNR form filed at booking
  • Bring a government-issued photo ID matching the name on the form
  • Request a gate pass at the United ticket counter on arrival, which requires arriving at least 30 minutes before the flight lands

The flight attendant or arrival agent will hand the child off only after verifying the ID against the form. If the pickup adult changes for any reason, call United before the flight to update the record. A mismatch at the gate causes long delays and, in rare cases, requires the child to wait at the airport until the original pickup adult arrives.

Summary

United's UMNR program is straightforward once you know the rhythm: call to book, pay $150 per direction for one or two kids, pack a charged device and a snack, arrive early, stay until the flight is in the air, and have the pickup adult ready with ID. The fee is not cheap, but the gate-to-gate supervision is worth it for a young flyer's first solo trip.

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