Knowing about the identification requirement while traveling with the minors in Southwest will help you know how to get ready for your trip to the airport. The company has this policy in place to ensure that children ages 5–11 can travel alone via the organization’s Unaccompanied Minor service on eligible domestic flights.
Does a Southwest unaccompanied minor need to show ID?
In most situations, the child does not have to present an adult face government photo ID to travel Southwest flights. The parent/guardian dropping off the child will have to present a photo ID in order to get a gate pass and go through the airport process though. It will also ensure that the adult who will be receiving the child at the point of arrival is the same adult who travelled with the child and had a photo ID from the government to release the child.
Parents should, however, bring verifying documentation of the child, as airline staff will need to check details in the Unaccompanied Minor forms.
What ID do you require for delivering unaccompanied minors to Southwest?
The parent/guardian accompanying the child to the airport must have a current photo ID to get gate pass. The adult will also need to follow the TSA identification process to pass through airport security, according to Southwest.
The drop off adult should bring:
- Appropriate government provided photo identification.
- Child’s travel itinerary.
- Filled out paperwork for Southwest Unaccompanied Minors.
- Address, phone, email, or other contact information of the person to whom the child will go.
- All supporting documents as requested when booking.
What ID does the person picking up the child need?
An adult receiving the child must provide his/her government photo ID and sign Southwest’s required release form. The identification should match what is included in the child confirmation statement of the travel documents.
This is a crucial aspect of Southwest employees’ unaccompanied minor program because Southwest does not turn the child over to any individual when he or she arrives at the destination airport.
What are Southwest Airlines’ ID rules for children flying alone?
Children from 5 to 11 years are referred to as unaccompanied minors and the airline company offers them Unaccompanied Minor service. The child must be on a qualifying trip and Southwest will not accept an unaccompanied minor on an international itinerary or flight with transition or on a smaller aircraft.
| Traveller | Southwest requirements |
| 5-11 years | Needs Unaccompanied Minor service |
| 5 years and below | Cannot travel alone |
| 12-17 years | Young Traveller travel according to current guidelines |
| Adult accompanying the child | Has to have a valid photo ID. |
| Adult collecting the child | Photo ID issued by the government required. |
What documents should an unaccompanied minor have?
Although an ID card with photo is not obligatory for flying domestically in Southwest Airlines, it certainly helps at the airport.
It is necessary to tell parents about the following:
- Copy of the child’s itinerary.
- You must provide documents from southwest Unaccompanied Minor.
- Emergency contact information.
- Pickup person’s details.
- Appropriate proof-of-age or guardianship documents (as applicable).
Southwest insists the child bring with them Southwest’s documentation of serving as a UMin at the time of the trip.
Do unaccompanied minors need ID at TSA?
The whole point of TSA ID policy is that we can see the ID of adults. Southwest clearly indicates that they expect that the adult leaving an Unaccompanied Minor to have acceptable identification to get a gate pass and into the secure area.
Current TSA requirements should be verified prior to travel by parents as identification requirements may change.
What do parents need to know before a minor flies Southwest solo?
Key points include:
- Verify if the child meets age requirements.
- Check if the tour is available.
- Please carry appropriate adult identification.
- Fill out the necessary Unaccompanied Minor documents.
- Verify the pick-up person’s details.
- Ensure that the pick-up adult has current government issued photo identification.
- Come in time to fill out your ticket counter and gate.
Conclusion
In most cases, the Southwest unaccompanied minor doesn’t need an adult-style picture ID for a domestic flight, however the adults collecting and dropping off the minor will need to have the adult ID they require.
Also Read: Allegiant air Unaccompanied Minor
It is important to go through the policy before travelling to get acquainted with the unaccompanied minor’s policy of Southwest Airlines.
