A child flying alone — known as an unaccompanied minor — follows a specific process at every airline operating in Brazil. The details vary from one airline to another, but the general logic is similar: special assistance from start to finish.
Before booking, it's worth confirming with your chosen airline the age range accepted for this service, the required documents, and the fee charged, since each airline sets its own rules within what civil aviation regulations allow.
Who can travel this way
What age range counts as an unaccompanied minor
Each airline sets its own age range for the unaccompanied minor service, generally covering children from a minimum age up to a limit before adulthood. Below the accepted minimum age, traveling alone usually isn't allowed, even with parental authorization. That's why the first step is always to confirm this age range with the airline before booking.
Before the trip
Required documents and authorization
In addition to the child's identification document, airlines usually require a liability form filled out by the parents or legal guardians, listing who will drop the child off at the departure airport and who will pick them up at the destination. This form is checked by airline staff at both boarding and arrival, and the child is only released to the person authorized and registered in advance.
During the trip
How special assistance works during the flight
Children registered for the unaccompanied minor service get crew support throughout the entire trip, including help boarding, during the flight, and during any connection. In many cases, they board and deplane before other passengers, making it easier for staff to keep track of them. Connecting flights usually have stricter rules for this service, since the child also needs to be accompanied while changing planes.
Cost
Unaccompanied minor fee
The special assistance service for unaccompanied minors usually comes with its own fee, charged separately from the ticket price and set by each airline. This amount covers the extra staff support on the ground and in the air, so it's worth factoring it into the total budget for the child's trip, not just the ticket price itself.
In practice
5 steps to prepare for your child's trip
- 01
Confirm the accepted age range before booking
Each airline sets its own age limit for the service — confirm it before finalizing your ticket.
- 02
Prepare the liability form ahead of time
Gather the details of who will drop off and who will pick up the child, since these names are usually required when registering for the service.
- 03
Choose direct flights when possible
Connections have stricter rules for unaccompanied minors and can limit the flight options available.
- 04
Arrive at the airport well ahead of time
Registering for the service and having documents checked takes longer than a regular check-in.
- 05
Calmly walk the child through the process
Knowing what to expect at check-in, boarding, and drop-off at the destination helps the child feel more secure during the trip.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
From what age can a child fly alone?
The minimum age varies by airline, generally within what civil aviation regulations allow for this type of service. Before booking, it's worth confirming directly with the airline what age range it accepts for unaccompanied minors.
What documents does a child need to fly alone?
In addition to the child's identification document, airlines usually require a liability form with the details of who drops the child off at departure and who picks them up at the destination. This form is checked by airline staff before boarding and at drop-off.
Is there a fee for the unaccompanied minor service?
Yes, each airline charges its own fee for this service, separate from the ticket price, covering the extra support provided by staff from start to finish.
Can a child traveling alone take a connecting flight?
It depends on the airline. Connecting flights usually have stricter rules for the unaccompanied minor service, since the child needs support while changing planes too, so not every airline allows this option.
Who can pick up the child at the destination airport?
Only the person registered in advance on the liability form, with identification checked by airline staff. That's why it's important to correctly set and provide this name before the trip.
Who wrote this
Who wrote this
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