Emirates is bracing for one of its busiest periods for child travel, with more than 3,500 unaccompanied minors expected to fly over the next two weeks as summer holidays get under way ahead of the new school year in Dubai.
The numbers sit within a broader trend: over the past five years, more than 250,000 children have used Emirates’ Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger services. Most are aged 11 and under, with the heaviest traffic on routes connecting Dubai to the UK, Russia, Kenya, France, India and Egypt.
Children aged 5 to 12 travelling alone are required to use the service and fly on an adult fare. Bookings can be made up to 24 hours before departure via Emirates LiveChat, by phone, or at any local Emirates office. Families with children aged 12 to 15 can opt into the Young Passenger Service for USD 50 per flight, subject to availability, if they want the same level of supervision.
The journey starts at a dedicated Unaccompanied Minors Lounge near the check-in area at Dubai International Airport Terminal 3, which has recently been renovated. Children wait there with access to PlayStation 5 Pro consoles, free Wi-Fi, complimentary snacks and a supervised private space before boarding.
A specialist Emirates team member meets the child at check-in and stays with them through security, immigration and priority boarding, carrying their passport and handing them over to cabin crew at the aircraft door. Inflight, crew check on the child throughout the flight and can accommodate dietary requests and seating preferences arranged in advance.
Children onboard have access to complimentary toys, more than 100 video games and a library of children’s content on the ice entertainment system, including Disney, Marvel, Star Wars and Harry Potter titles, as well as CBeebies, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network. Parents can also pre-order a birthday cake, with crew marking the occasion using a Polaroid camera.
At the destination, an Emirates specialist meets the child at the aircraft door and accompanies them through arrivals until a parent or guardian collects them, with ID required at both ends of the journey.
For children on connecting Emirates flights at Dubai International, the maximum layover allowed without prior approval is eight hours. Overnight stays at a transit airport require an adult guardian and Emirates sign-off.
