Ethiopian Airlines: Children Flying Alone

What is Unaccompanied Minor service?

Young children traveling without a parent or legal guardian are considered to be an unaccompanied minor (UM). Airline personnel are responsible for escorting UM through immigrations and customs and boarding the flight on time. This airline offers this service for a fee.

What are the policies regarding children traveling?

Unaccompanied minors under the age of five years will not be accepted without accompanying family member.

Children from the ago of 5 to 11 are considered Unaccompanied Minors with mandatory escort service.

Youth between the ages of 12 to 17 are considered minors but can be accepted without escort by paying applicable service fee.

What are the procedures that need to be taken for Unaccompanied Minors?

Prior to issuance of ticket, the client should fill an Unaccompanied Minor form with complete addresses and telephone numbers of all the responsible persons involved who will be responsible at origin, intermediate (if transfer is involved), and destination stations.

In the event that arrangements cannot be made by a parent or guardian to receive the child at the transfer point and no escort service is requested, Ethiopian will assist in making arrangements for a suitable custodian without accepting any liabililty. This arrangement of such custodianship is for children who are 12 and above years of age.

What fees apply for Unaccompanied Minors?

The following fares apply for the transportation of unaccompanied minors on international routes.

Non-code Share Flight

  • 5-11 years pay applicable adult fare. On international routes, passengers must pay USD $100 per one way; on domestic routes, passengers must pay ETB200 (USD $11) per one way. There is an optional company escort available for this age group. Note: For age group 5-11 years, if escort is requested the applicable charge is child fare + one way adult fare + service charge.
  • 12-17 years pay applicable adult fare. Optional service fees for both international and domestic routes. There is an optional company escort available for this age group. Note: Youth from 12-17 years will pay USD $100 one way if special attention is required.
Code Share Flight
  • 5-11 years pay applicable adult fare + service fee of USD $50. Company escort is required and is the price of a one way adult fare.
  • 12-17 years pay applicable adult fare + service fee of USD $100. Company escort service is optional.
For domestic flights, unaccompanied minors between the ages of 5-11 years will be accepted for transportation with company escort by paying one way adult fare for the company escort and ETB200 (USD $11) service fee. Unaccomapnied minors between the ages of 12-18 years can travel without escort by filling out UM form and paying ETB200 (USD $11) service fee.