Air only reservations with WestJet

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   Air only reservations with WestJet

We know travelling with infants and children can be a challenge. That's why we gathered everything you need to know right here, plus a few helpful hints to help make your flight a smooth one.

1. Identification and proof of custody
2. Newborn infants and infants under two years of age
3. Approved restraint systems (car seats)
4. Children (two years of age and older)
5. WestJet's guardian fare program
6. Expectant mothers
7. Post-delivery travel
8. More tips for travelling with children

1. Identification and proof of custody

Regardless of age, all guests require identification. For domestic travel, you may use a birth certificate, birth record, birth registry document or health care card (with birth date) for your children. We'll also accept photocopies. For international travel, your children must meet the entrance requirements at customs.

If you are travelling alone with a child, we strongly recommend that you bring a notarized letter signed by the child's legal guardian for flights leaving Canada. For minors travelling alone, we strongly recommend that you visit Foreign Affairs Canada for more detailed information on documentation required for travel. You may need additional documentation (like proof of custody, notarized letters, etc.) for minors travelling alone or with one adult.

You are responsible for making sure you have the right identification and travel documentation for you and your children. Without them you may not be allowed to board your flight, and that's the last thing we want.

2. Newborn infants and infants (under 2 years of age)

If you plan to travel with an infant, especially one less than eight days old, we recommend checking with your physician or pediatrician first. Changing and lowered air pressure during the flight may cause ear pain or be associated with other effects in infants.

Children under the age of two at the time of their departure are considered infants and are not required to purchase a seat. Please be sure to bring appropriate identification for your infant. Photocopies are acceptable.

Lap-held infants

As a fare-paying guest, you may bring one infant under two years* of age without purchasing a ticket for them. You will be required to hold your infant on your lap during taxi, take-off, landing, at any time the seat belt sign is illuminated, and at any time you are instructed to do so by the flight crew.

Transport Canada mandates that infants are not permitted in the emergency exit row, and that no person shall be responsible for more than one infant (any child under two years of age) on board. For example, infant twins would need two persons, 12 years of age or older, to travel with them. Infants must be held by the accompanying adult, or secured using an approved restraint system for the duration of the flight. Two lap-held infants will not be seated in the same row, due to the number of oxygen masks in each row.

If you are travelling with a lap-held infant, the infant will fly at no charge; however, on flights to the United States you will have to pay the U.S. Department of Agriculture APHIS fee (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and the U.S. INS Fee. Once your child has reached their second birthday, Transport Canada requires that they occupy their own seat. As such, if your infant has their second birthday while you are travelling and you take your return flight within 30 days of their birthday, you will not be charged, beyond any applicable taxes and fees that we are required to collect.

*Please refer to our One Person One Fare program for information on travelling with a child under two years of age who has a physical or mental disability.

3. Approved restraint systems (car seats)

You may purchase an additional fare at regular price and bring your own Transport Canada approved restraint system for your infant to travel in. If you do, you must call our Sales Super Centre at 1-800-581-9499 so we can add information to your reservation regarding the restraint system. The AmSafe Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES), a harness and buckle device that attaches directly to the aircraft seat, will be permitted for use onboard WestJet aircraft as an alternative to a car seat.

Extra baggage allowance

When travelling with an infant, you may check in an approved restraint system (car seat) and stroller at no additional charge. A playpen may be substituted for either a car seat or stroller.

4. Children (two years of age and older)

Children over the age of two are not required to be in a Transport Canada approved restraint system (car seat), but if you want to bring one, you can.

If your child is between the age of two and 11, an adult must accompany them. If your child is 12 years of age or older, they may travel alone. Please note: youth, 16 years of age and under, who are travelling without a parent or legal guardian, are considered minors by the Bahamian government. If your child is travelling to the Bahamas alone, they must have a notarized letter of permission from their parents or guardians.

5. WestJet's guardian fare program

The WestJet guardian fare program allows parents or a guardian to escort their children at a substantially reduced rate. To qualify for this reduced rate, you or the guardian escorting your child or children must return immediately to your city of origin after arrival.

For reservations and any questions, please call WestJet at 1-800-581-9499.

6. Expectant mothers

If you are an expectant mother more than 36 weeks into your pregnancy, we recommend that you check with your physician or midwife before travelling.

7. Post-delivery travel

If you have given birth within the last seven days, we recommend that you check with your physician or midwife before travelling.

8. More tips for travelling with children

   Flight selection

   If you are travelling with children, you might want to book flights that fit into their regular feeding and sleeping schedule. Also, to avoid busy flights, you may want to look into booking flights during non-peak travel times, like Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

   If you are travelling with an infant, be sure to pack your carry-on with enough diapers, baby wipes (you can never have too many), snacks, bottles, pacifiers and toys. A change of clothes for your little one can't hurt either. To make it all a little easier, the washroom at the rear of the aircraft is equipped with a change table.

   Ear pressure

   As any parent who has flown with children knows, take-offs and landings can be painful for little ears. It's caused by a pressure imbalance and you can help soothe the discomfort by:

   • Feeding or nursing babies during take-off and landing.
   • Giving your child a piece of candy or gum (if they are allowed, of course).
   • Giving your child their pacifier.

   If your child has a cold or ear infection, you may want to contact your doctor to make sure it's safe for them to travel, as the pressure felt in the ears increases when congested.

   Motion sickness

   If your child suffers from airsickness, you may want to consult your doctor about medications or methods to help minimize their discomfort. But, in case you need it, every seat pocket is equipped with an airsickness bag.

For guests travelling on a WestJet Vacations package, the following exceptions apply to the information listed above:

• Car seats are not provided by the transfer company
• Car seats are accepted at no charge
• Requests and payment for cribs and cots can be made directly with the hotel
• Please see our hotel information for more details
• The guardian fare program is not available