WestJet flying with babies

What restrictions apply on WestJet flights regarding infants?

Infants (children under 2 years of age) may only travel on the lap of a passenger aged 16 years or older, or in a separate seat secured in an approved child restraint system. If the infant is less than 8 days old, you should talk with your pediatrician first since the changes in air pressure can cause ear pain to the infants. Infants may not be seated in the emergency exit row.

A passenger can be in charge of only one infant during the flight. If you have twins or more than one infant, you will need another person of 16 years or older to take care of the second infant.

When am I required to reserve a seat and purchase a ticket for my baby?

All infants must have a ticket, but lap-held infants travel free of charge (no base fare or taxes charged, but certain fees, such as the APHIS, Customs, and  Immigration fees must be collected on flights to the US).

You must purchase a full-fare ticket and reserve a separate seat for your child when:

• He/she is 2 years of age or older.
• You are traveling with an infant but do not wish to hold that infant on your lap.

Infant on Lap

All infants under the age of two may travel as lap-held infants with a guest of 16 years or older and will not require a seat reserved for them. You will have to hold your infant on your lap at all times. Due to the number of oxygen masks in each row, only one lap-held infant is admitted per row.

For lap-held infants, two pieces of infant equipment (for example, an approved infant restraint system, playpen or stroller) are permitted at no charge (in addition to the adult passenger’s free checked baggage allowance).

Bassinets

On Boeing B787-9 aircraft, bassinets are available in Economy Class (seat 9B, 9D, 9F, 9J, and 25E) for infants unable to sit upright with a maximum weight of 25 lbs (~9 kg) and a maximum length of 26 inches (66 cm). You can request a bassinet seat when you book your flight, but to guarantee a bassinet, you should go to any WestJet counter at the airport.

Infants with Reserved Seats

For infants occupying their own seat, WestJet requires you to use an approved restraint system. If you reserve a seat for your infant, you must contact WestJet so information regarding the restraint system can be added to your reservation. The following restraint devices are allowed on WestJet flights:

You can check a stroller or a playpen at no cost when traveling with an infant. For a fare-paying infant or child, only one piece of infant/child equipment will be permitted at no charge (in addition to his/her checked baggage allowance).

Special Considerations when Flying with Infants

To make your flight a little easier when flying with infants there are some considerations you should take into account:

• When booking your flight, you should choose flights that fit their normal feeding and sleeping schedules and avoid busy flights.
• You may take on board, in addition to your carry-on allowance, a diaper bag that must contain items for an infant: extra diapers, baby wipes, snacks, bottles, pacifiers, toys and an extra set of clothes.
• If you are concerned with the discomfort that your baby might feel due to air pressure changes, you can always give your child a piece of candy or gum or their pacifier, or you can feed them during take-off and landing.
• You will need proper identification (valid passport and proof of age of the infant, among others).

More information here >>