Sending a child on a flight alone is a big decision, and Italy's flagship carrier has built a structured system around it. ITA Airways offers a formal unaccompanied minor service with mandatory age thresholds, staff escorts, and a dedicated lounge at its Rome hub. Here is how the program works for families considering it.

Age Rules and When Service Is Required

TheITA Airways unaccompanied minorservice is mandatory for children aged 5 to 13 on domestic Italian flights and 5 to 14 on international routes . That means if a child in those age brackets is flying alone, or even with another minor, the service must be activated.

For older teens, the rules loosen. Passengers aged 14 to 17 on domestic routes and 15 to 17 internationally can fly solo without the service, but they can still request it voluntarily . Thevoluntary unaccompanied minor servicecarries the same fees and level of assistance as the mandatory version, so it is essentially the same program offered as an opt-in.

Fees and How to Book

The service is not available through online booking. Families must contact the ITA Airways Assistance Team or a travel agency to book the flight, issue the ticket, and activate the service in one process .

Fees vary by route. Domestic Italian flights run around €70 to €80 one way, while European medium-haul routes sit near €85. Long-haul destinations cost more: India and Maldives fall around €125, and routes to Argentina, Brazil, Japan, San Francisco, and Los Angeles reach €150 . The fee is charged per child, with no sibling discount .

Airport Experience and the Fantasia Lounge

The handover process is structured. At check-in, the accompanying adult must present their own ID, the child's travel document, and a completedUnaccompanied Minor AFFIDAVIT form . The adult is required to remain at the airport until the flight actually departs .

For departures or connections through Rome Fiumicino, ITA Airways operates a dedicated Fantasia Lounge for unaccompanied minors in Terminal 1. The 120-square-meter space is open daily from 5:30 AM to 10:00 PM and includes games, a library with over 200 children's titles, and Italian design elements . Access is arranged when the unaccompanied minor service is booked .

Connecting Flights and Important Restrictions

Unlike some carriers that prohibit connections for unaccompanied minors,ITA Airways permits connecting itinerarieswith a key restriction: the child cannot be booked on the last flight of the day for a connection, unless that airport has only one scheduled flight per day . If ITA Airways needs to rebook the minor due to operational changes, the service carries over to the new flight .

Documentation for International Travel

For international trips, documentation requirements go beyond the standard form. Italian minors under 14 leaving their place of residence typically need a Declaration of Accompanying Person signed by parents or guardians and certified by local police or an Italian consulate . Families with non-Italian nationality should check with the destination country's embassy or consulate for any additional requirements .

Summary

ITA Airwaysunaccompanied minorThe service covers ages 5 to 13 domestically and 5 to 14 internationally on a mandatory basis, with voluntary coverage available for older teens. Fees range from roughly €70 to €150 one way depending on destination, charged per child with no sibling discounts. The service must be booked through the airline's Assistance Team rather than online, and the Fantasia Lounge at Rome Fiumicino offers a dedicated space for young travelers during their journey.