Travelling with children

Travelling with children comes with a few extra details, but it doesn’t have to feel complicated. This page covers what to know before you go, including booking, seating, baggage, identification, and helpful tips, so you can focus on travelling together.

Booking

  1. Infant under 2 (lap-held)

    Make sure your infant is added to your booking before you travel. 

    • On most routes, lap-held infants don’t pay a base fare or taxes. 
    • Some international destinations charge infant taxes. 
    • On flights to the United States, government fees may apply.

  2. Booking an extra seat for your infant

    To purchase a seat for your infant, please contact us, as extra seats cannot be booked online.

    Seats for infants cannot be added to an existing reservation. If you’ve already booked your flight, you’ll need to make a new reservation that includes the additional seat.

    • Standard fares, taxes, and fees apply to the extra seat.  
    • When an extra seat is purchased, your infant may travel in an approved car seat or child restraint system.  
    • Please let us know if you plan to use a car seat or child restraint system when making your booking. 

  1. Infants under 7 days old

    If your infant is seven days old or younger, it’s a good idea to check in with your doctor before flying. 

    Bringing medical clearance, like an Air Travel Requirements Assessment Form (ATRAF) or a signed doctor's note, can help keep things moving smoothly at the airport.

  2. If your infant turns 2 during your trip

    If your child turns two before your return flight, you’ll need to purchase a seat for the trip home.

    Contact us before your return flight and we’ll help update your booking.

  3. Bassinets on the 787 Dreamliner

    Bassinets are available in the Economy cabin on select 787-9 aircraft. 

    • Bassinets can be requested during booking by selecting eligible seats.  
    • Availability is limited and can’t be guaranteed.
    Bassinet details

  1. Children under the age of 12

    • Children aged two and older need their own seat.
    • Children 4 years and under must travel with someone who is at least 16 years old.
    • Children 5 to 11 must travel with someone who is at least 12 years old.

Baggage allowance

  1. Infants under 2 (travelling on an adult’s lap)

    Checked baggage 

    • You can check two pieces of infant or child equipment at no charge, or check one and gate-check another 

    Carry-on baggage 

    • One diaper bag

  2. Infants under 2 (with their own seat)

    Checked baggage

    • You can check two pieces of infant or child equipment at no charge, or check one and gate-check another 

    Carry-on baggage 

    • One diaper bag 

  1. Adult baggage allowance

    The accompanying adult follows the baggage allowance based on fare type, WestJet Rewards tier status, and the WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard‡.

    Use the baggage calculator to check allowances for adults and children. 

    The baggage calculator does not apply to infants. 

    Baggage calculator

  2. Items accepted as infant equipment

    • Playpen 
    • Stroller (including multi-piece) 
    • Car seats and restraint systems  

Seats

  1. Infant under 2

    Lap-held infants must be seated with one accompanying adult.  

    • Each adult may be responsible for one infant under two. 
    • Infants can’t sit in emergency exit rows. 
    • For safety reasons, two lap-held infants cannot be seated in the same row due to oxygen mask limitations. 

    You can select seats during booking or later in Manage Trips. 

Bassinets are available for infants who:

  • Weigh less than 25 lb (11 kg) 
  • Measure less than 26 in (66 cm) 
  • Cannot sit upright 

Additional information 

  • Bassinets are located in front of seats 9B, 9D, 9F, 9J, and 25E in the Economy cabin.  
  • These seats do not have under-seat storage. 
  • Infants must be held on an adult’s lap whenever the seat belt sign is on. 
  • A cabin crew member must attach or remove the bassinet. 
  • Bassinets are subject to availability 

  1. Children aged 2 to 14

    If you’re travelling with a child under 14: 

    • We recommend selecting seats ahead of time (fees may apply) 
    • You can select seats during booking or later in Manage Trips. 
    • If you don’t select seats, Standard seats are automatically assigned at no extra cost about 26 hours after booking or before check-in. You’ll be notified by email.
    WestJet seating requirments for children under the age of 14

Identification

  1. Flights within Canada

    Children under 18 don’t need ID to travel within Canada. If you’re travelling with an infant under two, you may be asked to show proof of age.

  2. Flights to another country

    Every guest, including children and infants, need the right travel documents for their destination and any countries they pass through.

  1. Proof of infant age

    You can confirm your infant’s age with a document like a birth certificate. A photocopy works.
     

    If you can’t provide proof of age:

    • You may need to purchase a seat; or
    • Travel may not be allowed.

  2. Accompanying adult identification

    An accompanying adult must meet ID requirements and may be asked to confirm they are at least 16 years old.

Travelling while pregnant

  1. If you’re expecting, it helps to plan ahead. We share guidance for different stages of pregnancy, including travel after 36 weeks, plus tips to help you stay comfortable along the way.

    Expectant and new mothers

Helpful tips

Before you head to the airport, take a quick look at what you can and can’t bring in your carry-on and checked baggage, including baby formula and food. You’ll find the latest details on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website.

We recommend arriving a little earlier than standard check-in times. This gives you more time to get settled, move through the airport with ease and connect with our WestJetters if you need support with infant equipment or gate-check tags.

If you’re travelling with children under five, you’re welcome to board during special boarding, after our priority guests. 

This gives you extra time to: 

  • collapse and stow gate-checked infant equipment 
  • get settled in your seats 
  • connect with our Cabin Crew about safety information for you and your child

Takeoff and landing can feel uncomfortable for little ears due to changes in pressure. You can help ease the discomfort by: 

  • feeding or nursing during takeoff and landing 
  • offering a pacifier 
  • giving gum or a small snack (if age appropriate) 

If your child has a cold or ear infection, consider speaking with a doctor before travelling, as congestion can increase pressure in the ears.

If your child is prone to motion sickness, you may want to speak with a doctor about ways to help prevent discomfort.

And if you need one, every seat pocket has an airsickness bag available.