In the standard boarding timeline, how many minutes before departure does UAX boarding begin?

• A. 26 minutes
• B. 30 minutes
• C. 35 minutes
• D. 40 minutes

Answer: (A)

Unaccompanied minor (UAX) handling requires extra steps: verifying paperwork, escorting the passenger from the gate to the aircraft, and ensuring they’re seated with a crew member nearby before the doors close. Because of these additional tasks, UAX boarding is placed in its own early window so everything can be wrapped up without delaying other passengers.

Beginning 26 minutes before departure gives just enough time for the escort and seat assignment to be completed, while still leaving a clear sequence for the rest of boarding and a safe margin before pushback. If boarding started later, there wouldn’t be enough time to complete the required checks and escort; if it started much earlier, it would bog down the boarding flow unnecessarily.