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Aiel · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 927 Location: Bangalore

I am trying to cover the process of flying as an unaccompanied minor on Domestic flights. This post will cover the background and booking process. I will update the post as the trip unfolds.

Background: We are settled in Bangalore and have a son who is 6-1/2 years old. My parents are based in Mumbai. For Christmas holidays, we checked with him if he wanted to spend Christmas with his grandparents. Due to holiday issues, my wife and me would not be able to go. He was OK with flying alone.
The travel dates decided were December 25th for Bangalore – Mumbai and January 2nd for Mumbai – Bangalore.

Shortlisting of airlines: Since he was traveling alone, the airlines were decided based on reliability and performance. Obviously, that left me with Indigo and Jet Airways as my choices for the trip.
The first choice was 9W and tried to make bookings using my miles, but seats were available only on the late night flights (~2 PM departures), which were not feasible and so it was time to crack open my bank accounts.
I took a look at the fares and shortlisted 6E-452 for BLR-BOM and 9W-335 for BOM-BLR. This was based on a combination of fares and timings.

Booking on Indigo: I took a look at the 6E website and though they provided information that they accept Unaccompanied minors (UMRs), there was no clear information provided as to how the booking can be made. I called up their call centre and an agent provided information that the booking can be made online. After the call, I again attempted to make a booking, but was unable to do so. An error was thrown up due to the age field, as it was below their limit. I made another call to the call centre and the agent informed me this time that a booking for an unaccompanied minor could only be made on the phone or at their ticketing office. I provided him the details required for making the booking and he made a booking. He also directed me to the forms available on the website, that were required to be submitted when dropping my son at the airport. I had to take four copies of the forms, which required information such as my contact details (the person dropping him at the airport) and contact details of the person of the person picking him up at the destination. They also informed me that a meal will be provided to the UMR during the flight (most likely the standard 6E sandwich and juice).
There was also a fee of Rs. 1500, as a UMR fee.
Once he had made the reservation, I went to the website and using the provided PNR, I made the payment (including the UMR fee).

Booking on Jet Airways: Similar to the 6E website, the 9W site also provided information that they accept Unaccompanied minors (UMRs), there was no clear information provided as to how the booking can be made. I called up their call centre and an agent provided information that the booking can be made online. After making the booking, a call can be made to the call centre with the PNR for tagging the ticket as a UMR. After the call, I proceeded to make the payment for a normal ticket. The booking engine did not throw up any red flags due to the age of the passenger. I called the call centre again and tagged the ticket as a UMR ticket. This can be done any time up to 24 hours before the travel. I was requested to confirm the same, once again 2-3 days before the travel. Once again, there were forms that had to be provided at the counter at BOM. When I requested for providing a link to the forms, I was merely informed that the forms were available online, but was not directed to them (unlike Indigo). Also, there was a fee of $30, which had to be paid at the time of dropping him at BOM. Surprisingly, the fee was in $ and could not be paid in advance. Still do not have the form required for 9W, I will have to check for the forms closer to the travel date.

There were issues in making the bookings with both 6E and 9W, but 6E was much smoother and easier in terms of providing information and accepting fees. For the 9W ticket, I have to send reminders about the follow-up to be done, just before the travel.
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Nimish · Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2015 3:12 pm Post subject:

I sent my daughter to Delhi as a UM a few years ago, and chose AI as the airline of choice (if I remember right), as there was no extra charge for UM on AI.
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sumantra · Member Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 4685 Location: New Delhi

Nitin, we see a winner trip report unfolding! It is nice to see you back on the forum after...ages. This is a rather unique trip report, featuring a fairly unusual (at least, in the Indian scenario) situation. It is also wonderful that you have a rather mature young man at home, ready to travel alone, and that too, by air! It will be very interesting to read about this, as you go about the process. Second, this will also demonstrate the differences between different airlines, as far as the UMRs go. I have seen Air India fussing over UMRs: members of the cabin crew doing their best to keep the little one amused (I have seen 5+ kids), right from taking them to the aircraft, keeping them in good humour on the flight, and escorting them out at the destination. AI has had a great reputation with little ones and senior citizens even in its darkest days. It had to be seen to be believed!
Cheers, Sumantra.

stealthpilot · Member Joined: 19 Dec 2006 Posts: 2325 Location: BLR, DXB

$30

Thanks for the info/comparisons
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