Infants under two

Newborn infants

If you plan to travel with an infant less than 8 days old, WestJet requires an approval letter from a physician that gives your newborn permission to fly. Please present the letter to a WestJet representative when you check-in at the airport.

Infants between eight days and two years of age

Fare-paying guests, 16 years of age or older, may allow one infant under two years of age to travel in their lap without requiring a seat to be purchased for them.

Once your child has reached their second birthday, Transport Canada requires that they occupy their own seat. If your infant has their second birthday while you are travelling, you will be required to purchase a return flight for your 2 year old, at full fare. To avoid issues or delays for your return flight, contact WestJet to book for the return.

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.

Be sure to pack your carry-on with enough diapers, baby wipes, snacks, bottles, pacifiers and toys. A change of clothes for your little one is always a good idea. To make it all a little easier, the washroom at the rear of the aircraft is equipped with a change table.

How to book a flight with an infant

1. Search for your flights by indicating your origin and destination and travel dates. When selecting the number of guests, add the number of infants you will be travelling with.
2. Select your flights.
3. Enter the details for all guests, including the infant(s).
4. Select your seats. Note: For safety reasons, only one lap-held infant is allowed per group of seats on each side of the aisle.
5. Enter your payment information and confirm your itinerary.

A ticket is required for all infants, but lap-held infants are not charged a base fare or taxes. Certain fees must be collected on flights to the United States including the U.S. Department of Agriculture APHIS fee (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and the U.S. Immigration User Fee.

If you are travelling with an infant that is less than two years of age and they have a physical or mental disability requiring care that is over and above the care needs normally expected for a child of the same age, please refer to our attendant section.

When travelling with an infant, you may check in a car seat and stroller at no additional charge. You may substitute a playpen for either a car seat or stroller. No other substitutions, e.g., a wagon or stroller wagon, are permitted.

You may check your stroller or car seat at your gate before you board. You may purchase a seat for your infant and bring a Transport Canada-approved car seat for your infant to travel in. If you do, you must call us so we can add the required information to your reservation. Detailed information on accepted models and devices can be found on our car seats and restraint systems page.

Please be sure to bring appropriate identification for your infant. (Photocopies are acceptable).

Ear pressure

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

• Feeding or nursing your child 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. Of course, in case you need it, every seat pocket is equipped with an airsickness bag.

For guests travelling on a WestJet Vacations package, the following information applies in addition to the above information:

• 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