Boeing 777 economy class // Economy Klasse // classe économique

Children travelling alone

Being on board an aircraft is generally an exciting adventure for children. If your little ones are well prepared beforehand, you as parents can also travel free from stress. Special regulations apply to children travelling alone.

Children travelling alone by air

Parents often worry when their child goes on this particular adventure. There are many reasons why a child must fly alone, but there is no cause for concern. Our unaccompanied minors (UM) service will take care of your child before, during and after the flight when they travel alone. This service is compulsory for an UM under 12 years of age.

You can also book this service on request for minors between 12 and 17 years of age. Please note that children aged between 12 and 17 years will not receive special assistance in the event of flight disruptions (e.g. cancellation of onward flight connections) if you did not book the UM service for them.

We are currently offering an unaccompanied minors service for children travelling alone on all direct flights and connecting flights in Zurich, Geneva and Brussels. The service will be available again for connecting flights in Munich, Frankfurt and Vienna from May 1st, 2025.
Please note that unaccompanied children under 12 years are not permitted to take a pet with them in the cabin.

If your planned itinerary includes flights operated by airlines other than SWISS, please contact our ​Service Centre before booking the ticket to ensure that the UM service for unaccompanied children is available.

Contact our Service Centre
Up to 2 yearsCan only travel when accompanied by someone over 18 years of age 2–4 yearsCan only travel when accompanied by a relative/legal guardian over 16 years of age
or a person over 18 years of age 5–11 yearsFor children travelling alone: the UM service is compulsory
or the child can only travel accompanied by a person over 12 years of age 12–17 yearsThe UM service is available on request but is not compulsory1
BookingYou cannot book tickets for unaccompanied children online, but rather only via the Service Centre or your travel agency. Contact the Service Centre if you have any questions. DocumentsMake sure that your child has all the necessary travel documents with them. Complete the handling advice form on a computer and print out enough copies. Your child will need three copies of the form for each leg of their flight. They would therefore six copies if travelling Zurich–Paris–Zurich; for a journey with a transfer, for example Vienna-Zurich-Malaga, six forms are requested. With your signature you confirm that the costs of meals, overnight accommodation or transfers will be paid if the person due to collect your child does not turn up at the destination and your child therefore must fly back. Please also observe the special immigration regulations for children. Handing over your childA parent or authorised person of legal age must bring the child to check-in along with the signed handling advice forms. At the airportOur UM service staff will collect your child from check-in and go with them through passport control and security to the gate. The person who brought the child must remain at the airport until the flight has taken off. On the aircraftA member of the cabin crew will welcome the child on board and look after them for the duration of the flight. At the destinationOur UM service staff will welcome your child at the gate upon landing and take them through passport control and customs. The person collecting the child must arrive at the terminal on time, be of legal age and able to provide identification.

The prices for the UM service apply to flights operated by SWISS. The fare is charged per child and leg of the flight. Outbound and return flights count as two separate flights.

ZoneCosts Within SwitzerlandCHF 95
EUR 85
USD 95
CAD 135 Within EuropeCHF 95
EUR 85
USD 95
CAD 135 Levant and North AfricaCHF 105
EUR 95
USD 105
CAD 145 Short-haul intercontinentalCHF 130
EUR 115
USD 130
CAD 175 Medium-haul intercontinentalCHF 140
EUR 125
USD 140
CAD 190 Long-haul intercontinentalCHF 170
EUR 150
USD 170
CAD 230

Talk to your child about the planned trip well in advance. Answer their questions and encourage them to look forward to their adventure. Explain to them exactly what will happen on the journey and who will be waiting for them at their destination. Make sure your child is well rested before travelling and has everything they need in their hand baggage.
  1. If parents still wish to book the UM service, the UM fee applies to the child concerned and any accompanying passenger(s)

Travelling with children

  • Overview
  • General information
  • At the airport with children
  • On board with children

Help and questions

Our Service Centre will be happy to help if you have any further questions. Contact them by phone or e-mail.

Service Centre

Download the handling advice form

Unaccompanied children may only travel with multiple copies of the signed handling advice form.

Handling advice form