Child Flying Alone on PIA: Age Rules, Unaccompanied Minor Form and Escort in Pakistan

Short answer: PIA will not carry a child under 5 unless an escort aged 18 or more travels with them. A child aged 5 to 11 can fly alone only with a completed Unaccompanied Minor form, a confirmed booking and an adult who waits at the airport. For ages 5 to 16, PIA can arrange an escort if you give 7 days or more notice and pay an extra charge.

A mother in Lahore books her 8 year old on a morning flight to Karachi. The grandfather will be at the other end. At the counter she is asked for a form she has never seen. The check-in line behind her grows. She had not read the rule that says her child needs one.

We read PIA's Conditions of Carriage on 13 October 2026. The figures and ages in this guide are taken from it.

Children under 5 need an adult escort

PIA's article 7.7.1 says a child under 5 years of age on the date the flight commences will not be accepted for carriage unless accompanied by an escort aged 18 years or more.

The age is counted on the day of the flight, not on the day of booking. A child who turns 5 a week after you book is still under 5 on the first flight, and a child who turns 5 the day before the flight is 5.

The escort does not have to be a parent. The page names only the age of 18 or more. Carry the escort's CNIC or passport, and a letter from the parents, so that the airline and the immigration officer can see who the adult is.

Children aged 5 to 11 need the Unaccompanied Minor form

PIA states that a child between 5 and 11 will not be accepted for carriage unless the Unaccompanied Minor form has been filled. The form is completed by the parent or guardian, and the guardian must be present at check-in.

The conditions that go with the form are in article 7.7.2:

1. The parent or guardian stays at the departure airport until the child has boarded.
2. The child holds a confirmed reservation, and no diversions are expected.
3. A stopover of more than 4 hours is not allowed unless a responsible adult accompanies the child.
4. An adult at the destination is named and will receive the child.

Ask for the form from PIA's airport office or ticket office. We could not find a downloadable copy on the Conditions of Carriage page, so we do not describe its fields.

Ages 5 to 16 can have an escort arranged by PIA

Article 7.7.1 says that for a child between 5 and 16, PIA can arrange an escort, provided it receives 7 days or more notice before travel and an extra charge is paid.

The page does not say what the charge is. Call the PIA Contact Centre on 111-786-786 and ask for the amount, the route and what the escort does at each end. Ask also whether the escort stays with the child on a connecting flight.

The overlap in the table is real. A child of 8 falls in both the 5 to 11 row and the 5 to 16 row, so a family can choose between the form and the paid escort. Which of the two you can use may depend on the route. Ask which applies on yours.

Prepare the papers a week before the flight

Do the booking early, because the escort option needs 7 days. The rest of the work is paper.

1. Book a direct flight or one with a short connection, under 4 hours.
2. Call PIA on 111-786-786 and tell them the child's age and the route.
3. Ask for the Unaccompanied Minor form or the escort fee.
4. Name the adult who will receive the child, with a CNIC copy and phone number.
5. Reach the airport early, and stay until the child has boarded.

Check-in has its own timing. The guide to PIA online check-in explains what opens when. Changing or cancelling a ticket is covered in the page on PIA ticket refunds.

If your child needs a wheelchair or other help, see PIA special assistance. For delays, the child's rights are the same as any passenger's, as set out in the guide to flight delay and cancellation compensation.

Common questions

At what age can a child fly alone on PIA?

From 5, with the Unaccompanied Minor form for ages 5 to 11. Under 5, an escort aged 18 or more must travel with the child.

Does the parent have to wait at the airport?

Yes. The conditions say the parent or guardian stays at the departure airport until the child has boarded.

Can my child take a flight with a stopover?

Only if the stopover is short. PIA does not allow a stopover of more than 4 hours unless a responsible adult accompanies the child.

How much does the PIA escort cost?

The page does not give a figure. It says an extra charge applies and that PIA needs 7 days or more notice. Call 111-786-786 for the amount.

Who receives the child at the other end?

An adult named on the form. The conditions require a person at the destination to receive the child.

Do the same rules apply on international flights?

The article does not separate domestic from international flights. The destination country may add its own rules, so check with its embassy before you fly.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Last checked on 13 October 2026, Pakistan time. We read article 7.7 of PIA's Conditions of Carriage. The page does not give the escort fee, the form fields or any rule for ages 12 to 15 beyond the escort option, so we could not verify those. PIA's contact number comes from its contact page.