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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.

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.

ID at boarding

The WestJet agent at the gate will verify your ID prior to boarding by ensuring that the name on your boarding pass matches your name on the ID and that you resemble the photo on your ID.

Denial of boarding

You may be denied boarding if you do not resemble the photo on your ID, or if you present more than one piece of identification and there is a significant discrepancy between these forms of identification.

We no longer are required to deny boarding if you do not appear to be the gender or age listed on your ID. However, we must still verify your ID if you appear to be 18 or older.

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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

For an international flight, the following identification may be accepted:

  • Passport
  • Nexus Card
  • International Travel Document (i.e. Laissez-Passer)

**please note: gender must be included on the above ID for international flights

OR

  • Valid Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC)

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.
Travel to the Dominican Republic Canadian citizens travelling to the Dominican Republic require a passport valid for the length of their stay, and hold proof of onward travel for entry.
Travel to Jamaica If you are travelling to Jamaica, you must hold a return ticket or proof of onward travel for entry. Baggage allowances into Jamaica are reduced. Please see checked baggage for more information.
Travel to Turks & Caicos If you are travelling to the Turks and Caicos, you must hold a return ticket or proof of onward travel for entry.

 

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, and date of birth, excluding fishing, hunting, or boating license.1

OR

One of the following:

  • Passport
  • Nexus Card
  • US Permanent Resident Card
  • US Enhanced Drivers License
  • International Travel Document (i.e. Laissez-Passer)

 

OR


Two pieces of valid (not expired) government-issued2 non-photo ID (one of which must show name and date of birth), excluding any fishing, hunting or boating licenses. 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.(2)


Transport Canada requires every guest 18 years of age and older to present original identification to board a domestic flight. A photocopy is NOT accepted.

Expired, accreditation documents e.g. "tradesman certificate" 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.

Travel to the United States – Electronic Travel Systems Authorization (ESTA)

Travelling to the United States by air and you are a foreign traveler who does not require a visa to travel to the United States, please visit https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta to find out how to apply online for an Electronic Travel Systems Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours prior to travel. Applicants who apply on the same day of their flight’s departure risk not having an approved ESTA prior to their scheduled departure. Canadian Citizens do not require an Electronic Travel Systems Authorization for travel to the United States.

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.:

  1. Full name
  2. Gender
  3. Date of birth
  4. Citizenship
  5. Passport number
  6. Passport country of issuance
  7. Passport expiration date
  8. Country of residence
  9. 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-check logo

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 or NEXUS card
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.

If your passport has been lost or stolen, contact the consulate/embassy of your issuing country immediately. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Travelling to Canada by air and you are a foreign traveler who does not require a visa to travel to Canada, please visit Canada.ca/eTA to find out how to apply online for an Electronic Travel Authorization prior to travel. Foreign travelers with a valid Canadian visa, U.S. citizens, Canadian Citizens and Canadian Permanent residents do not require an Electronic Travel Authorization for travel to Canada.

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.