Play Station Area. Photo: Emirates Emirates is getting ready to face one of the busiest periods of the year for its Unaccompanied Minors Service, as over 3,500 children are expected to travel independently over the next two weeks as families begin their summer holidays ahead of the new school year in Dubai.
The airline said the seasonal surge reflects strong demand for its dedicated service, which provides supervised travel for children flying without their parents or guardians.
Over the past five years, more than 250,000 young passengers have traveled with Emirates using its Unaccompanied Minors and Young Passenger services. Most travelers are 11 years old or younger, with the busiest routes linking Dubai to the United Kingdom, Russia, Kenya, France, India, and Egypt.
The service is designed to support children throughout their journey, from check-in to arrival, giving parents peace of mind that their children are accompanied by trained Emirates staff at every stage.
At Dubai International Airport (DXB), young travelers have access to a dedicated Unaccompanied Minors Lounge, which has recently been renovated. The lounge features complimentary snacks and drinks, free Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and PlayStation 5 Pro gaming consoles, all under the supervision of Emirates staff.
Unaccompanied Minors lounge. Photo: EmiratesChildren are escorted through airport security and immigration, receive priority boarding, and are personally introduced to the cabin crew before departure. During the flight, crew members regularly check on young passengers, assist with meals and entertainment, and ensure they remain comfortable throughout the journey.
Emirates staff welcoming and engaging with children inside the dedicated Unaccompanied Minors lounge. Photo: EmiratesEmirates also offers extensive onboard entertainment for children through its ice inflight entertainment system, featuring more than 100 video games, new-release movies, Disney classics, Marvel titles, Star Wars films, and children's programming from channels including CBeebies, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network.
Unaccompanied Minors lounge. Photo: EmiratesThe airline even offers birthday celebrations onboard, with parents able to pre-order a birthday cake before departure and cabin crew capturing the occasion with a Polaroid photo as a keepsake.
Unaccompanied Minors lounge. Photo: EmiratesUpon arrival, Emirates staff accompany children through the airport until they are handed over to their designated parent or guardian, whose identity must be verified before the child is released.
For passengers connecting through Dubai, Emirates allows a maximum connection time of eight hours between Emirates-operated flights. During longer waits, approved by the airline, children remain under staff supervision in the dedicated lounge until their next flight.
The airline says the service remains a key part of its family-friendly offering, ensuring children can travel safely and confidently while giving parents added reassurance during busy holiday periods.