Air France Unaccompanied Minor: Kids Solo Service Guide

Every year, many children travel alone with Air France, whether they’re going to school in Europe, visiting grandparents in Canada, heading to the French Caribbean, or joining summer camps in the U.S.

Behind this huge number is a program parents truly trust: Air France’s Kids Solo service.

Few airlines offer a service as warm, organized, and reassuring as Air France does for young solo travelers. Here’s the fully updated guide to help you know completely about the Air France unaccompanied minor policy.

What Is Air France’s Kids Solo Unaccompanied Minor Service?

Kids Solo is the official name of the Air France unaccompanied minor program designed for children traveling without a parent or guardian aged 18 or older. It offers supervised travel to ensure safety and comfort throughout the journey. With this service, children are assisted from check-in until they are handed over to the authorized adult upon arrival.

Kids Solo includes several features that make the trip smooth and secure:

• Dedicated ground staff

• Priority boarding and early assistance at the gate

• Continuous supervision from the cabin crew during the flight

• Lounge access is not available for Business or La Première class UMs, only dedicated Kids Solo rooms at select airports (e.g., Paris CDG Terminals 2E/2F/2G for connections). General lounge access is denied for UMs in premium cabins.

• Fun entertainment kits and child-friendly meals

• A strict handover process at the destination, where staff verify IDs and signatures before releasing the child

The program is designed to give parents confidence and ensure young travelers feel supported at every step.

Air France Unaccompanied Minor Age Rules

Air France applies different rules based on whether the flight is domestic, regional, or international. Here’s how the age categories work:

Domestic flights:

(within metropolitan France and to Corsica)

• Ages 4 to 11: Kids' Solo service is mandatory

• Ages 12 to 17: Optional, parents may request the service

Flights to/from French overseas territories:

Including Martinique, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Reunion, etc., and the intra-Caribbean network

• Ages 4 to 11: Mandatory

• Ages 12 to 17: Optional

Other European and international flights:

Including North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Middle East.

• Ages 5 to 14: Kids' Solo service is mandatory

• Ages 15 to 17: Optional, but strongly recommended for long-haul flights

Important Notes:

• Children under 4 are not allowed to travel as unaccompanied minors on any Air France route.

• Children under 5 are not permitted on international flights unless traveling with an adult.

Special Rules for Air France Unaccompanied Minor International Flights

For medium-haul and long-haul international routes, the Air France unaccompanied minor service becomes mandatory for all children up to their 15th birthday (meaning until the day before they turn 15). This higher age requirement exists because international travel often involves:

• Longer flight times

• Complex airport procedure

• Immigration and security checks

• Multi-step connections at large hubs

Even if your teenager looks mature, Air France staff will treat them with the same full supervision until they turn 15. This ensures consistency, safety, and proper handling across all international destinations.

How to Complete the Air France Unaccompanied Minor Form

The official document needed for Kids Solo is the “Unaccompanied Minor Handling Advice” form, known in French as Fiche de prise en charge mineur non accompagné. You can download the latest version from the official website.

Here’s what parents and guardians must know:

• Two Original Copies Required: The form must be completed in duplicate. Air France does not accept photocopies.

• Details of Guardian: The form requires details for drop-off or pick-up adults name, ID, and phone number.

• Medical and Special Needs: Any allergies, dietary needs, medications, or medical conditions must be clearly stated.

• Verified Drop-Off and Pick-Up Details: The adults responsible at departure and arrival must be identified with full name, ID number, and phone.

• Government ID Required: Both the drop-off and pick-up adults must present official photo ID at the airport.

Pro tip: Complete the form at home and bring it already signed. You will still sign it again in front of the check-in agent, but having it pre-filled makes the airport process much faster and easier.

Also read What is the Air France Baggage Allowance: What You Can Carry

Booking Process for Air France Unaccompanied Minor Tickets

You can’t complete a Kids Solo booking fully online because Air France adds extra verification steps for safety. Here’s how the process works:

1. Start your booking on the Flightsquest just like any other ticket search.

2. When choosing passengers, select “Unaccompanied minor” in the age category.

3. Complete the booking and pay for the ticket.

4. Immediately payment, you’ll see a notification asking you to call Air France to finalize the Kids Solo registration.

5. Call the dedicated Kids Solo phone line (visible in your booking confirmation) or the general reservation center.

6. Provide all required details, including four emergency contacts and any special requests or medical information.

7. Remember, only a parent or legal guardian can make the booking. Other adults, such as grandparents, relatives, or family friends, must have written authorization from the legal guardian.

Baggage Allowance for Air France Unaccompanied Minors

Unaccompanied minors get the same baggage allowance as any adult passenger in their cabin class. This makes packing simple because there are no special UM baggage rules to worry about.

• Economy Class: 1 checked bag up to 23 kg + 1 carry-on up to 12 kg (total size: 158 cm).

• Premium Economy: 2 checked bags up to 23 kg each.

• Business Class: 2 checked bags up to 32 kg each.

• La Première Class: 3 checked bags up to 32 kg each.

Air France also attaches a bright orange “UM” tag to every bag and requires a name tag inside each suitcase. If the child needs help collecting luggage on arrival, staff will assist at the baggage carousel.

Extra Benefits of the Air France Kids Solo Program

Kids Solo comes with several thoughtful perks designed to keep young travelers comfortable and entertained:

• Priority boarding (the child boards with the first group, even in Economy).

• Lounge access is not available for Business or La Première class UMs—only dedicated Kids Solo rooms at select airports (e.g., Paris CDG Terminals 2E/2F/2G for connections). General lounge access is denied for UMs in premium cabins.

• Child-friendly meals including hot meals on long-haul, snacks on short-haul, and a surprise dessert.

• Entertainment kit with games, a colouring book, and headphones.

• On long-haul flights, cabin crew timely check on the child.

• Access to a dedicated Kids Solo room at Paris Charles de Gaulle (Terminals 2E/2F/2G) for smooth and supervised connections

Also read Air France Premium Economy Review

Airport Procedures: Drop-Off and Pick-Up Step by Step

Drop-off Process:

• Arrive at least 60 minutes before domestic flights and 90 minutes before international flights.

• Head to the Kids Solo check-in desk.

• The adult bringing the child must stay at the airport until the flight has actually taken off, not just until boarding.

Pick-up Process:

• The authorized adult must be at the arrival gate with photo ID 45–60 minutes before landing.

• Air France staff will release the child only after the signatures match on both copies of the UM form.

• If the pick-up person is late, the child stays under Air France supervision and in rare situations, an overnight hotel stay at airline expense.

Final Thoughts: Peace of Mind at 35,000 Feet

Understanding the Air France unaccompanied minor policy makes it easy to see why families trust Kids Solo. With clear Air France unaccompanied minor age rules, dedicated supervision, and a secure process from check-in to arrival, Air France ensures young travelers are always supported. The required Air France unaccompanied minor form organizes all essential contacts and instructions, while the Air France unaccompanied minor international procedures offer extra care for long-haul journeys.

Ready to let your child spread their wings with complete confidence? Visit Flightsquest today for the latest Air France fares, real-time Kids Solo availability, and dedicated support to make the entire booking process effortless. Secure your child’s solo adventure now with Flightsquest because some of life’s greatest stories begin with a boarding pass and a bright orange UM tag.

FAQs About Air France Unaccompanied Minor

Q1. What is Air France Kids Solo?

Kids Solo is Air France’s service for children traveling alone. Staff assist them from check-in to arrival, including boarding, connections, and handover at the destination.

Q2. What ages can use Kids Solo?

Mandatory: 4–11 years on domestic/territory routes, and 5–14 years on international routes. Optional: 12–17 years domestic, and 15–17 years international.

Q3. How do I book a Kids Solo ticket?

You must select “child traveling alone” when booking on any platform. A parent must also complete the required UM (unaccompanied minor) form.

Q4. What documents are required?

A passport (or valid ID for eligible routes), visas if needed, the UM form, and the contact details of the adult dropping off and picking up the child.

Q5. Does Air France supervise children during connections?

Yes, staff escort minors during layovers, security checks, and to the next gate. Some airports also provide special Kids Solo lounges or waiting rooms.

Q6. Can my child have a connecting flight as an unaccompanied minor?

Yes, Air France accepts most connections and staff fully escort the child during layovers, but some routes or tight connections are not allowed; confirm when booking.

Q7. Who can pick up the child upon arrival?

Only the adult listed on the booking form. They must show a valid photo ID before Air France staff release the child.