FAQs

There are 6 FAQs for Special Needs.

Can my child travel alone on an Emirates flight?

Yes. Emirates has two categories of service, with separate conditions and requirements, for our passengers between the ages of 5 and 16 who are travelling unaccompanied by an adult.

For children between the ages of 5 and 11, classified as Unaccompanied Minors, we have separate check-in facilities and dedicated ground staff to help on departure and arrival.

For the purposes of fares, any passenger aged 12 or over is considered an adult. However, passengers between the ages of 12 and 17 are not be able to accompany a child alone without a passenger who is 18 years or older. In such cases, both passengers would be considered Unaccompanied Minors and the applicable adult fare paid for all. Please contact your local Emirates office to arrange these bookings.

We also provide special attention for those children between the ages of 12 and 15—classified as Young Passengers.

Please visit the Unaccompanied Minors page for more information, or contact your local Emirates office. 

Are there any special services for passengers travelling with young children or infants?

Emirates offers special assistance to make travelling more comfortable and convenient for our youngest flyers and their families, at every stage in their journeys. Please visit the Travelling with Infants page, or contact your local Emirates Office for more information.

What are the ticketing rules for child and infant passengers on Emirates?

Infants 0-1 years

Tickets for infants travelling on the parent’s lap or in a bassinet are discounted from the full adult fare. When booking online, a request for a bassinet can be made in the Passenger Details section.

Infants less than seven days old will only be allowed on board in the case of travel for emergency medical reasons (in incubators) or if the mother is travelling on compassionate grounds.

Children in car seats (6-36 months)*

Children between 6-36 months may travel on board in car seats as long as a separate seat is purchased for the child. During takeoff and landing, however, the child must be held and restrained by the parent until the aircraft has reached cruising altitude.  

Children 2-11 years

Tickets for children travelling in a separate seat are also discounted from the full adult fare.

Please Note: the Emirates Unaccompanied Minor service is not available in conjunction with a discounted 'child' ticket—a full adult fare must be purchased.

Please contact your local Emirates office to book an unaccompanied minor.

IMPORTANT: New information concerning infant bookings

Any person 2 years or older must occupy a seat when travelling on Emirates. Therefore, any infant who reaches the age of 2 after the commencement of the journey must pay the applicable child fare and is required to occupy a seat for that part of the journey.

• Where a passenger travels as an infant on the outward journey and as a child on the onward/ return journey, applicable infant fare will apply for the outward journey and child fare for the onward/return flights.

• Where a passenger is an infant but is 2 years or older on travel date at point of origin, the applicable child fare will apply for entire journey

If the above has not been done at the booking or ticketing stage, then check-in staff will arrange this at the airport on departure.

If seats are not available at the ticketing or check-in stage, the adult and child passengers will be booked together on alternate flights, subject to availability.

Should travel plans change while en-route and an infant turns 2 years old after travel has commenced the unused coupon(s) will be reissued at the applicable child fare for the rest of the trip and a seat will also be booked for all remaining flights.

IMPORTANT: Conditions of travel to Canada

Parents travelling to Canada with a child under 18 years old are strongly advised to hold documentation showing that the child is theirs. Parents who are separated or divorced are also advised to keep legal and other relevant documents in order to clarify custody rights.

Children travelling to Canada alone or with adults who have no legal custody over them are strongly advised to hold letter of travel consent signed by legal guardian or parent with legal custody. This letter should contain:

a. Authorisation to travel, and
b. Destination in Canada, stating length of stay, and
c. Signor’s address and telephone details.

* Two infants may fly with two accompanying adults if suitable seating and oxygen masks are available.

Two infants with one accompanying adult may travel if the second infant is over 12 months and is able to sit in a seat with a seat belt, or is over six months and restrained. The second infant will travel at the applicable child fare rather than the infant fare. Three infants can travel with two adults if each adult watches over an infant during take-off and landing and if either the third infant is over 12 months and is able to sit in a seat with a seat belt, or is over six months and is restrained. A child fare will apply to the third infant.

If this is not possible, the third infant must have an escort. For escort charges and arrangements, please contact your local Emirates office or travel agent.

What if I have special medications that I must carry with me?

If you require special medication, you should always carry your prescription with you when you board any flight. Different countries have different laws governing the possession and importation of prescription drugs, and some countries have limited supplies should you require a refill of your prescription, so it is always better to bring an extra supply with you. For further information concerning any particular medications, consult with your physician and contact the local embassy of the country to which you are travelling.

Can my pet travel in the cabin with me?

No live animals—neither pets nor service animals—are permitted in the cabin of any Emirates aircraft. They can, however, travel in the aircraft hold subject to certain conditions and extra charges.

Pets and other animals can only be accepted for travel on Emirates flights provided that the IATA Live Animals Regulations are met in their entirety, as well as any additional government regulations which apply in the place of origin, transit and destination. The container in which each animal travels must be of adequate size, suitable design, and sufficient strength to prevent escape and/or injury during flight. For more information please contact your local Emirates Office.

Please Note: Certain countries prohibit the importation of animals and birds as baggage. All animals must travel as cargo to or via the following countries: Australia, Cyprus, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, Seychelles, South Africa, the Sultanate of Oman, and the United Kingdom. Animals are also prohibited on flights to and from any cities in India other than Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai.

How do I make arrangements for other special needs and / or assistance?

Please contact your local Emirates Office and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.