Related Airlines
Flying with Babies and Kids on Westjet
Infant and Child Baggage Allowance on WestJet Flights
The same standard checked luggage allowance as an adult ticket is applied to children traveling on their own tickets, which means when they have their own seat purchased (lap baby infants under 2 years old are not eligible). All regular checked baggage fees may apply.
Along with the guest's free checked luggage, WestJet also permits the free check-in of child and infant equipment, including car seats and a stroller. A baby playpen may be substituted for one of these 2 items. [AMZ asins='B00RXW8CVC,B000RRD7UG,B07MZFD26C,B00TSL2UJ6']
Infants under two fly free on lap with WestJet
Infants who are under the age of two at the time of departure may travel on a guest's lap while being held by an adult (age 16 or older) without needing to purchase a seat for them.
All infants must have a ticket, however those who are carried on the lap do not pay taxes or the base fare. On some international flights, some additional fees may apply.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's APHIS fee (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and the U.S. Immigration User Fee must be paid when traveling to the United States.
During taxi, take-off, landing, whenever the seat belt sign is turned on, and whenever the flight crew instructs you to do so, you must keep your newborn in your lap.
Infants must be carried on the lap of an accompanying passenger who is at least 16 years old or buckled into a car seat for the length of the flight.
If you are traveling with an infant on your lap, you will not be able to bring a carseat into the cabin for your child. Buying a separate ticket for your child is the only way to ensure that they can travel in their car seat.
According to Transport Canada, nobody is permitted to be in charge of more than one infant at a time when traveling on board an aircraft. For instance, infant twins would require two people who are at least 16 years old to travel with them. If you are traveling with more infants than adults, you will be required to purchase an extra seat for those children that are not seated on your lap, and they will need to travel in an approved car seat that you must provide.
Due to the number of oxygen masks in each row, two lap-held infants cannot be seated in the same row.
GUARDIAN FARES ON WESTJET
The guardian fare permits parents or other responsible adults to accompany children between the ages of 2 and 11 on the majority of WestJet flights. To accompany a child on a flight, the guardian may purchase a discounted Guardian Fare. With a guardian fare, Guardians will sit next to or close to the child they are accompanying.
The guardian's return flight must leave at least two hours after the original flight arrives at its destination, and return to the original departure city within 24 hours.
Please contact Westjet Reservations directly to learn more about Guardian Fares.
Transport Canada mandates that your youngster occupy their own seat after they turn two years old. You will need to book a return ticket for your 2-year-old at the full fare if their second birthday occurs while you are traveling. Contact WestJet to make reservations for the return flight to minimize problems or delays.
Newborn Infants (Less than 8 days old) Require Special Permission to Fly on Westjet
If you intend to travel with a baby who is younger than 8 days old, WestJet requires a doctor's note granting authorization for your baby to fly. When you check in at the airport, please show the letter to a WestJet agent.
Children Over 2 Years Old Flying on Westjet
A ticket is required for passengers 2 years of age and older. Family seating is available for children under 14 at no additional cost, meaning you will be seated together or in close proximity.
When you buy your flight, you can choose seats for your family to guarantee that everyone will sit together. You may also contact Westjet to placed together as a family, or when you board the flight crew will do their best to allow all children under 14 to sit with your family group.
Extra Baggage Allowance for Infants and Children on WestJet Flights
You can check a car seat and stroller for free while traveling with a young child. A playpen can be checked in place of a stroller or a car seat.
Before boarding, you can check your stroller and/or car seat at your gate. You must purchase an additional ticket/seat for your child to bring a car seat into the cabin of your flight. If you do so, you must contact Westjet immediately so they can add details about the restraint system to your reservation. Your infant may only travel in car seats that meet the certification and labeling requirements below.
Bringing a Car Seat Into the Cabin on Westjet Flights
Westjet only accepts child or infant restraint systems, also known as car seats, if certified by Transport Canada or the Federal Aviation Administration for use in the cabin and complies with WestJet's carry-on baggage acceptance policies.
Car seats and other restraining systems are not provided by WestJet.
Car seats and other child and infant equipment can be checked by guests for free in addition to their free checked baggage allotment with WestJet. You must reserve a seat for your child if you intend to use a car seat for them while flying. Call Westjet to get your reservation ready for a car seat.
The business class of the airplane does not permit the use of car seats.
For taxi, takeoff, landing, or any other time the seatbelt sign is illuminated, the infant or child must be restrained in the car seat.
All newborns and young children fastened in car seats must sit next to an adult passenger who is at least 12 years old, and some seats on the aircraft are not acceptable for car seats (for example over-wing exit row or bulkhead seats).
Rear-facing car seats are typically placed in a window seat.
Devices Prohibited on Westjet Flights
The use of the following restraining systems is prohibited Westjet aircraft:
- Booster seats, including combination restraint system CMVSS 213.2 when used without the internal harness
- Belly or loop belts
- Baby hammock (such as FlyeBaby™)
Only during flight may the following restraining systems be used on board the aircraft:
- Snugli®-style baby carriers are acceptable for use throughout flight, but not during takeoff or landing.
Labeling Certification Requirements for Car Seats on Westjet
Car seats must be labeled in accordance with the laws of the country where they were made. On WestJet aircraft, only seats bearing the following labels are permitted:
Systems made in Canada
The CAN-TSO number, manufacturer's name, and subassembly component number must be clearly visible.
The car seat must conform to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 213 or 213.1, as indicated on the National Safety Mark.
American manufactured car seats
On the car seat, there must be the following statements of compliance:
"This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards"; and
"This Restraint is Certified for Use in Motor Vehicles and Aircraft" (in red lettering)
Australian/New Zealand manufactured systems
Must bear two labels:
A red Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754: 2013 or later, and
A green label indicating that it is acceptable for use on board aircraft
European and U.K. manufactured systems
Two labels must be present on a child restraint system:
The UN standard ECE R44 - revision 03 or later series and ECE R129-02 or later series, and
Qualification “For Use in Aircraft” according to the German “Qualification Procedure for Child Restraint Systems for Use in Aircraft” (TÜV Doc.: TÜV/958-01/2001)
AmSafe CARES Harness
The child aviation restraint system "CARES™", and the Special CARES™ aviation restraint systems are manufactured by AmSafe, and are a harness and buckle device that attaches directly to the aircraft seat.
Once you've made your reservation, get in touch with Westjet to let them know if you'll be using the Special CARES restraint system on the flight so that they can prepare accordingly.
Rules for the AmSafe CARES harness to be accepted:
A legible label that reads "CARES FAA APPROVED in accordance with 14 CFR 21.305(d), approved for aircraft use only PNR (part number) 4082-1-(X)-" must be attached to the harness and buckle device (X)
The harness and buckle device must be used within the limitations specified by the manufacturer found on the device
The guest responsible for the occupant must be familiar with the installation guidelines and restrictions for the device provided by the manufacturer, the method for locking and releasing the device's occupant, and procedures for removing the person who is confined inside the device.
ID/Documentation Requirements for Children and Infants on Westjet Flights
ID Requirements for Travel Within Canada on Westjet Flights
Infants (0-2 Years) Flying Within Canada Without a Ticket (Lap Babies)
Proof of age required is 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 Flying Within Canada on Westjet
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 within Canada
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.
ID Requirements for Infants and Children Flying To/From the USA
WestJet requires a valid passport or NEXUS card for all Infants (0-2 Years Old) and Children (2-14 Years Old).
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.
ID Requirements for Infants and Children on International Flights
For an international flight, the following identification may be accepted for children and infants:
Passport
Nexus Card
International Travel Document (i.e. Laissez-Passer)
**please note: gender must be included on the above ID for international flights
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.
Comments / Discussion / Questions
Let us know your personal experience or ask any questions here in the comments section below. You will need to login using your Emote or Google account. Be sure to upvote any helpful comments for other travellers preparing for their trip :-)
[AMZ asins='B00RXW8CVC,B000RRD7UG,B07MZFD26C,B00TSL2UJ6']