Sun Country Unaccompanied Minors

What are Unaccompanied Minors?

Unaccompanied minors refer to children traveling without a parent or legal guardian. They can travel on flights, but each airline has its policy and requirements for unaccompanied minors. Generally, an unaccompanied minor is a child between the ages of 5 and 17 traveling alone without the accompaniment of a parent, legal guardian, or another adult. Most airlines offer an Unaccompanied Minors Policy, which assists and supervises children traveling alone. The policy may include dedicated staff to escort the child throughout the airport and flight, in-flight accommodations, and arrival and pick-up procedures. In this blog, you will get all Sun Country Unaccompanied Minors policy details.

The safety and well-being of unaccompanied minors during air travel are of utmost importance. These children are vulnerable and need special attention to reach their destination safely and comfortably. It is essential to have a clear and comprehensive policy to address unaccompanied minors’ unique needs and ensure they are taken care of throughout their journey.

Sun Country Airlines is a low-cost airline headquartered in Eagan, Minnesota, United States. The airline operates scheduled passenger flights to over 50 destinations across the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Overview of Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy:

Sun Country has a policy for unaccompanied minors traveling on their airline. This policy includes specific requirements and procedures to ensure the safety and comfort of the children.

Age and Fee Requirements

The minimum age for an unaccompanied minor on Sun Country Airlines is five years old, and the maximum is 14 years old.
Children aged 15 to 17 may travel alone without the Unaccompanied Minors service, but their parents or guardians may still opt to use the service if they prefer.
The fee for the Unaccompanied Minors service on Sun Country Airlines is $150 per child each way.
This fee is in addition to the regular cost of the child’s airfare. The fee covers the assistance and supervision Sun Country Airlines staff provides throughout the child’s travel experience.

It’s important to note that Sun Country Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minors Policy is subject to change, and families should always review the policy before booking a flight for an unaccompanied minor. Additionally, families may have to provide the necessary documentation, such as proof of age and contact information for the child and their designated pick-up person.

Required Documentation for Unaccompanied Minors

Sun Country Airlines requires specific documentation for unaccompanied minors to ensure their safety and well-being during travel. The required documentation may include the following.

Proof of age: A valid government-issued photo ID, such as a passport or driver’s license, must confirm the child’s age.
Unaccompanied Minor Consent Form: This form must be completed and signed by the child’s parent or legal guardian, authorizing Sun Country Airlines to assist and supervise the child’s travel.
Contact Information: The parent or legal guardian must provide their contact information, the designated pick-up person, and any other individuals authorized to receive information about the child’s travel.

It’s important to note that the specific documentation requirements may vary depending on the child’s age, destination, and other factors.

Check-in and Boarding Procedures

The procedures may vary depending on the airport and destination but generally include the following:

Check-in: The child must be checked in at the airport by a parent or legal guardian, who must remain with the child until the flight departs. The parent or legal guardian must present the child’s required documentation, including proof of age and the Unaccompanied Minor Consent Form.
Escort: Once the child checks in, Sun Country Airlines staff will escort the child through security and to the gate. The escort will stay with the child until the flight departs.
Boarding: The child will be boarded on the plane before other passengers and accompanied by a Sun Country Airlines staff member to their assigned seat. The staff member will ensure the child is safely buckled in and comfortable before departing the aircraft.
Communication: The Sun Country Airlines staff will monitor and supervise the child throughout the flight. The staff will also communicate with the designated pick-up person to inform them of the child’s travel status.

In-flight Accommodations

Sun Country Airlines offers in-flight accommodations for unaccompanied minors to ensure their safety and comfort during the flight. These accommodations may vary depending on the flight duration and destination but generally include the following:

Assigned seat: Unaccompanied minors will be assigned a seat near the front of the plane, closer to the staff and away from emergency exits.
Special instructions: The staff will provide special instructions to the child regarding using seatbelts, emergency exits, and other safety procedures.
Supervision: The child will be under the supervision of the Sun Country Airlines staff throughout the flight and will receive assistance as needed.
Snacks and beverages: Sun Country Airlines provides complimentary snacks and beverages on all flights, and unaccompanied minors will receive the same service.
Entertainment: Sun Country Airlines offers a variety of in-flight entertainment options, including movies, TV shows, and games. Unaccompanied minors will have access to the same entertainment options as other passengers.

Arrival and Pick-Up Procedures

Sun Country Airlines has specific arrival and pick-up procedures for unaccompanied minors to ensure their safety and well-being. These procedures may vary depending on the airport and destination but generally include the following:

Notification: The designated pick-up person must be at the airport at least 30 minutes before the flight’s scheduled arrival time. They will be notified by phone or text message when the flight has landed, and the child is ready to be picked up.
Identification: The designated pick-up person must provide a valid government-issued photo ID to confirm their identity.
Escort: Sun Country Airlines staff will escort the child to the designated pick-up person and only release the child to the authorized pick-up person or an adult designated on the Unaccompanied Minor Consent Form.
Verification: The designated pick-up person must verify their identity and sign a release form before they release the child into their care.

Benefits of Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy:

Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy provides several benefits for parents, guardians, and children. Here are some of the main benefits:

Peace of Mind for Parents/Guardians

One of the most significant benefits of Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy is the peace of mind it provides to parents and guardians. When children are traveling alone, it can be a stressful and worrying experience for parents. However, Sun Country’s policy ensures that children are well cared for and have the support they need throughout their journey. Knowing their child is in good hands can help ease the anxiety and stress of air travel.

Dedicated Staff to Assist Unaccompanied Minors

Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy includes dedicated staff members to assist children throughout their journey. From check-in to arrival, the Sun Country representatives accompany the unaccompanied minors. They possess the knowledge to provide the necessary support and assistance. The representatives ensure that the child safely and comfortably exits the plane. They are also available to help with any questions or concerns the child may have during the flight.

Customizable Travel Options

Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy also offers customizable travel options. Parents can purchase additional services, such as escorting the child through security or providing a gate pass to accompany them to their seats. These other services can help alleviate parent concerns or concerns about their child’s travel experience. Sun Country’s policy allows parents to tailor the travel experience to their child’s needs and preferences.

Limitations of Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy:

While Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy has several benefits, there are also some criticisms of the policy. Here are some of the leading short comings:

High Fees

One of the primary criticisms of Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy is the high fees. The $150 fee each way can add up quickly, especially for families who frequently travel with unaccompanied minors. While the fee covers the extra attention and care provided to the child, some argue that it is excessive.

Limited Flight Options

Another criticism of Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy is the limited flight options. Sun Country is a smaller airline, which means it has fewer routes and flights than larger airlines. Additionally, if there are flight cancellations or delays, there may be limited options for rebooking the child’s travel.

Age Restrictions

Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy has strict age restrictions, which may concern some families. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 are the only ones eligible to travel as unaccompanied minors, which means that families with older children may need to consider alternative travel arrangements. While older children can still travel to Sun Country as adults, some families may prefer the extra support and care provided to unaccompanied minors.

While Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy has several benefits, it also has some valid criticisms. The high fees, limited flight options, and age restrictions can be challenging for some families. However, it’s important to note that every airline has its policies and regulations, and families should weigh the pros and cons of each airline’s policy before making a decision.

Comparison with other airlines’ Unaccompanied Minors Policies:

It’s important to note that Sun Country is not the only airline that offers an Unaccompanied Minors Policy. Many other airlines, including major carriers, have their policies and fees. Here’s a brief comparison of some major airlines’ policies and fees:

Major Airlines’ Policies and Fees

Delta Airlines: Delta’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy is available for children between 5 and 14. The fee for the service is $150 each way, and it includes dedicated staff to escort the child throughout the airport and flight.

American Airlines: American Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minors Policy is available for children between 5 and 14. The fee for the service is $150 each way, and it includes a dedicated staff member to assist the child during the flight.

United Airlines: United Airlines’ Unaccompanied Minors Policy is available for children between 5 and 15. The fee for the service is $150 each way, and it includes a dedicated staff member to assist the child throughout the airport and flight.

Pros and Cons of Sun Country’s Policy Compared to Others

Compared to other major airlines, Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy has some pros and cons:

Pros:

Sun Country’s policy has a lower age restriction than some other airlines, allowing children as young as 5 to travel alone.
Sun Country’s policy includes in-flight accommodations such as snacks and drinks, which may not be available on other airlines.
Sun Country’s policy offers customizable travel options, which can benefit families with specific needs or concerns.

Cons:

Sun Country’s policy is more expensive than other airlines, such as Southwest Airlines, which only charges $50 each way.
Sun Country has a smaller network of flights and destinations than major airlines, which may limit travel options for families.
Sun Country’s policy does not offer a direct escort service through security, unlike other airlines.

Sun Country’s Unaccompanied Minors Policy provides a safe and comfortable travel experience for children traveling alone. The policy includes age and fee requirements, required documentation, check-in and boarding procedures, in-flight accommodations, and arrival and pick-up procedures.

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