Although Southwest Airlines sometimes offers cheap airplane tickets and cheap vacation packages, they are making it more expensive to transport unaccompanied minors (age 5 to 11). As of April 23rd the airline doubled the fee it charges, increasing to $50 each way.
The following are tips you should follow prior to purchasing tickets to have your children fly as unaccompanied minors:
Check for airline updates and additional fees, which often vary widely and can change on short notice.
Some airlines waive the unaccompanied minor fee for children who have achieved frequent flier status.
Some airlines do not allow unaccompanied minors to fly after 9 p.m., on the last flight of the days, or if bad weather may result in flight delays.
Several carriers will give children snacks, while others will not charge checked bag fees for minors, and a few airlines charges only a single fee for two or more children traveling on the same flight.
Some airlines charge unaccompanied minor fees only for children age 5 to 11. Others charge this fee for teens as old as 15.
Thoroughly read the airlines rules and have the required phone numbers and identification information ready when you arrive at the airport.
Make paper copies of everything, including the airlines posted unaccompanied minor policy. This is particularly important since the advice of reservation agents at the airport sometimes conflicts with an airlines posted rules.
Give your child snacks, cash, a charged cell phone, emergency phone numbers and activities to keep them occupied. Tell your child what should be done in the event something goes wrong.
www.cheapfares.com