Emirates to welcome 3,500 young solo travellers this summer: here’s what parents need to know
From booking to arrival, here's how every journey is supervised
DUBAI – Families across the UAE are preparing for the busy summer travel season, and Emirates is gearing up for one of the year's busiest periods for young passengers flying independently.
Over the next two weeks, the Dubai-based airline expects to welcome more than 3,500 children travelling alone as schools break for the holidays ahead of the new academic year in Dubai.
The surge highlights the growing popularity of Emirates' Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger services, which have become a trusted option for families whose children are travelling without parents or guardians. Over the past five years alone, more than 250,000 children have flown using the airline's dedicated services, with the majority of young travellers aged 11 years and under.
The busiest routes for independent young passengers connect Dubai with the UK, Russia, Kenya, France, India and Egypt. Emirates says its service is designed to provide complete supervision from check-in until arrival, giving parents and guardians reassurance that children remain under dedicated care throughout every stage of the journey.
Who can use the service?
Emirates has different travel arrangements depending on a child's age.
Children aged between five and 12 who are travelling without an accompanying adult must use Emirates' Unaccompanied Minors Service. They are required to travel on an adult fare, and parents can book the service up to 24 hours before departure through Emirates LiveChat, by calling 00971600555555, or through any local Emirates office.
Young travellers aged between 12 and 15 have more flexibility. They may travel independently if their parent or guardian chooses not to request additional assistance. However, families wanting extra support can opt for the Young Passenger Service, which costs $50 per flight, subject to availability. The service offers supervised assistance throughout the airport and onboard journey similar to that provided for younger children.
Emirates also allows children aged between five and 12 to travel in a different cabin class from their parent or guardian on the same flight. In these cases, the child pays an adult fare but is considered an accompanied passenger. This means they are not eligible to use the Unaccompanied Minors Lounge or receive the additional services reserved for children travelling alone.
Booking and airport procedures
Parents and guardians accompanying children to Dubai International Airport should head directly to Emirates' recently renovated Unaccompanied Minors Lounge located close to the check-in area.
Before travel, Emirates requires the adult dropping off the child to present proof of identification and complete a permission form authorising the journey. Once check-in formalities have been completed, children can wait for their flight in a private lounge designed specifically for young travellers.
The lounge offers a comfortable environment where children can relax before departure. Facilities include new PlayStation 5 Pro gaming consoles, complimentary Wi-Fi, comfortable seating areas, children's bathrooms, and free snacks and drinks. The area is supervised by trained Emirates staff throughout, ensuring children remain under constant care until boarding begins.
Supervision from check-in to boarding
One of the key features of the service is continuous supervision throughout the airport experience.
A dedicated Emirates specialist meets every child at the Unaccompanied Minors check-in desk and remains with them until they board the aircraft. For additional security, the staff member carries the child's passport during airport procedures and guides them through security screening and immigration.
Young passengers also receive priority boarding, allowing them extra time to settle into their seats before other travellers board. Once at the aircraft door, the Emirates specialist formally hands the child over to the cabin crew, ensuring responsibility is transferred smoothly before departure.
Parents can also make several requests before the flight. Special dietary meals can be arranged in advance, while seating preferences such as window or aisle seats can be specified. Families travelling with more than one child may also request that siblings are seated together where possible.
Entertainment and care in the air
Once onboard, Emirates cabin crew continue supervising young travellers throughout the flight while helping ensure they remain comfortable and entertained.
Crew members regularly check on children during the journey, assisting with meals, adjusting seats when required and helping them use the airline's inflight entertainment system.
Young passengers have access to Emirates' award-winning ice entertainment platform, which includes more than 100 video games alongside an extensive selection of children's programming and films. Entertainment options feature newly released movies, Disney classics, collections from Marvel Studios and Star Wars, the complete Harry Potter film series, as well as programmes from CBeebies, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network.
Children also receive complimentary toys and giveaways during their journey, helping make the experience more enjoyable.
Special celebrations are available for birthdays. Parents can order a birthday cake at least 48 hours before departure, allowing cabin crew to celebrate the occasion during the flight. Emirates also captures the moment using a Polaroid camera, giving children a printed keepsake from their journey.
Arrival and connecting flights
Support continues after landing.
At the destination airport, another Emirates specialist meets the child at the aircraft door and accompanies them through arrivals procedures until they are reunited with their parent or guardian. The adult collecting the child must provide proof of identification before Emirates completes the handover.
The airline also has specific procedures for children travelling on connecting Emirates flights through Dubai International Airport.
For young passengers transferring between Emirates-operated flights, the maximum permitted connection time is eight hours. Longer transfer periods require Emirates' approval.
During transit, children are escorted to an Unaccompanied Minors Lounge, where they can rest while waiting for their next flight. If they need to leave the lounge for a meal, an Emirates specialist accompanies them throughout.
The airline does not permit children travelling alone to stay overnight at a connecting airport unless an adult guardian has been arranged to meet and care for them during the transit period. Any such arrangements are subject to Emirates' approval.
The airline says these procedures form part of its broader commitment to protecting young travellers while providing a family-friendly travel experience. With thousands of children expected to fly independently over the coming weeks, Emirates' dedicated services are designed to ensure every stage of the journey, from booking and airport formalities to onboard care, transit support and final arrival, is managed under continuous supervision by trained staff.