Our airline partners

WestJet is excited to connect our guests to the world as well as welcoming new guests from around the globe by growing our network of code-share and interline partners.

Fly Smart with recommendations from the Canadian Transportation Agency

Learn about travel documents, your tickets, rules while flying, your baggage, insurance coverage and special requests.

Canada Border Services Agency

The CBSA provides information about exemption limits, NEXUS, identification requirements, import/export regulations and more.

Identification requirements

Remember your ID and travel documents.

You've planned and paid for your trip and you're ready to go - don't let missing travel documents stop your plans short. Each country on your itinerary may have different entrance and exit requirements and all are strictly enforced. It's your responsibility to ensure the documents you use to leave are sufficient to get you back home. If you do not have documentation that will allow entry for you or your children to all countries on your reservation, you will not be allowed to board your flight.

Guests of all ages require identification that matches the name and spelling on their ticket. You are responsible for making sure that you, and any child travelling with you, have the proper identification and travel documentation required to enter or connect through each country on your itinerary. Please consult with the nearest embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit.

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International travel

Guest type	Identification required* *must be presented during boarding at the gate and the name on the ID must match the name on the boarding pass
Adults, children and infants	A valid passport is required. For country-specific information and other important travel issues, contact the nearest embassy, consulate or Travel.gc.ca
Children travelling with one parent	Consult Travel.gc.ca for information on child custody, consent letters and other documents, as well as the nearest embassy or consulate for the destination you are travelling to as there may be additional documentation required.
Children travelling as an unaccompanied minor	WestJet does not offer unaccompanied minor service for flights to, through or from the U.S.

Lost or stolen passports

If your passport has been lost or stolen, contact the consulate/embassy of your issuing country without delay. Canadians can report a lost or stolen passport to the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate. Passports located or turned in to a WestJet representative will be returned to the originating country.

Passports

We strongly recommend that you apply for a new passport if your current passport is damaged. Guests travelling with a passport that is damaged in any way could face significant delays and may be denied boarding.

Requirements of government authorities

As mentioned in the WestJet Privacy Policy, we are required to collect personal information by government authorities in the U.S., Canada and other countries, and that information may be disclosed to those authorities without your knowledge or consent as required by law. It is the policy of WestJet to only collect and disclose what is required by law, and nothing further.

Transit without Visa Program

WestJet is a member of the Canadian Transit without Visa Program for guests entering Canada through Vancouver International Airport only. This program allows Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Filipino nationals to travel Visa exempt with WestJet from the U.S. to Vancouver and connect to another flight departing Canada. Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and Filipino nationals must have a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada via any other city and connect to another flight departing Canada. Please view the Government of Canada website for more information.

Travel to Canada - Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). If you are a foreign traveller who used to travel to Canada without a visa, you are now expected to apply online for an eTA prior to travelling to Canada by air. Exceptions include U.S. citizens and any travellers who currently hold a valid visa.

The application process is affordable, doesn’t take long to complete, and in most cases the eTA will be granted within minutes of applying. Until the end of September 2016, if you require, but do not have an eTA, you will still be able to board a flight to Canada as long as you are holding valid travel documents, such as a passport. To apply and find out more, visit Canada.ca/eTA.

Travel to, from or over the U.S.

Secure Flight Program

Airlines are required to submit specific information to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for all guests travelling to, from or over the continental U.S. (excluding flights between two Canadian locations). The following information must be submitted 72 hours before travel or at the time of booking for bookings made less than 72 hours before flight departure:

name (as it appears on the government-issued ID that will be used when travelling)
date of birth
gender
redress number (if applicable)
known traveller number (if applicable)

For more information, please refer to the TSA's website regarding the Secure Flight Program.

U.S. Customs and Border Protections (CBP)

U.S. CBP is required to collect the following information from persons entering the U.S.:

Full name
Gender
Date of birth
Citizenship
Passport number
Passport country of issuance
Passport expiration date
Country of residence
Your address while in the U.S.

Note: Address information is not required of U.S. citizens and legal U.S. Permanent Residents (who must provide their alien registration number).

TSA Pre✔®

is an expedited security screening program that connects travellers departing from specific airports within the U.S. with smarter security and a better travel experience. TSA Pre✔® helps take the stress out of travel with no need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts or light jackets.
uses a risk-based, intelligence-driven approach to provide the most effective security in the most efficient way.
travellers who have passed the TSA Pre✔®/ NEXUS or Global Entry vetting requirements become trusted travellers and receive expedited security screening.

With TSA Pre✔®

dedicated security lane
expedited airport security screening
no removal of belts, shoes, light jackets, bag of liquids, gels and aerosols (100 ml limit) from carry-on, laptops

Guests with TSA Pre✔®

To obtain a boarding pass with TSA Pre✔®, please enter your Known Traveler Number (KTN) during web, mobile, kiosk check-in or at a WestJet guest assistance counter at the U.S. departure station. If eligible, you will receive the TSA Pre✔® indicator on your boarding pass and you can head straight to the TSA Pre✔® security checkpoint.

Guest type	Identification required* *must be presented during boarding at the gate and the name on the ID must match the name on the boarding pass
Adults, children and infants	WestJet requires a valid passport
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)	Non-Canadian visitors from Visa Waiver countries. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires an online application be completed for travel authorization prior to travel to the U.S.
Children travelling with one parent	Consult Travel.gc.ca for information on child custody, consent letters and other documentation.
Children travelling as an unaccompanied minor	WestJet does not offer unaccompanied minor service for international travel.

Travel within Canada

Guest type	Identification required* *must be presented during boarding at the gate and the name on the ID must match the name on the boarding pass
Adults 18 years of age or older	One piece of valid (not expired) government-issued¹ photo ID that includes name, date of birth and gender. OR Two pieces of valid (not expired) government-issued² non-photo ID (one of which must show name, date of birth and gender). The names on the two pieces of ID must match. If the last names do not match due to a name change, the guest must present a marriage certificate or legal change of name certificate to verify the change. Expired, accreditation documents e.g. "tradesman certificate", or any document that indicates "not to be used as identification" will not be accepted for travel.
Infants (under two years of age)	Proof of age required* (a photocopy is acceptable) *If you do not have proof of age, you will be required to purchase a seat for your child. The purchase price for the seat will be fully refunded if proof of age is provided to WestJet within 7 days of the flight having been completed.
Children	All children must be accompanied by an adult on WestJet operated flights until they reach their twelfth birthday unless they travel as an unaccompanied minor. We strongly recommend that all children travel with one piece of government-issued identification. The age to travel alone may differ if your child is travelling on a code-share flight. Please review the other airline's guidelines for restrictions.
Children travelling with one parent	Consult Travel.gc.ca for information on child custody, consent letters and other documentation as additional information may be required if you are planning onward travel to the U.S. or another country.
Children travelling alone (12 to 17 years of age)	Your child may be denied boarding if they appear to be less than 12 years of age and are not able to present proof of age.
Children travelling as an unaccompanied minor (see age restrictions)	A photocopy (not the original) of your child's government-issued identification showing their name, gender and date of birth must be presented and sent with your child. Each parent/guardian that is picking up or dropping off a child must also have government-issued identification.

WestJet Vacations package bookings

All identification information outlined above applies to your travel. You should also be aware that some hotel and activity suppliers may require ID for redemption of services.

NEXUS

Avoid long line-ups and save time by using automated self-serve NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada at nine major international airports and U.S. Global Entry kiosks for entry into the U.S.

Visit cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/prog/nexus/menu-eng.html

Valid identification

You are responsible for making sure that your identification is valid and not expired. Please consult with the nearest embassy or consulate of each country you plan to visit for entry requirements.

Visit Global Affairs Canada

Legal Notes

Legal note1