Find below airline child and infant travel policies for Canadian Airlines. You may click on the links to each airline (in alphabetical order) to be taken directly to the airline’s website page that describes their policies on domestic and international travel with children and infants, including ticket cost, approved child restraint systems, baggage allowance,bassinet requests, and documentation requirements. I will provide a brief summary of each policy (as of May 17, 2012).
You will also find a link to each airline’s customer service phone number and email addresses in case you need to ask customer service a specific question regarding your situation, or to request seats or special meals to make your journey more comfortable. Happy flying!
Seat Guru run by TripAdvisor is also a fabulous resource which includes seat maps and information on different airlines globally, including detailed infant and child policies by each airline. Check it out!
AIR CANADA Infant and Child Travel Policies
Click here for all Air Canada contact information
Restrictions: Infants under 7 days old will not be transported; only one infant under the age of two is allowed per traveling adult, regardless of whether separate seats are purchased (E.g. if you have infant twins, two adults MUST be traveling)
Required documentation: Valid passport for any international travel; birth certificate showing the names of both parents for infant-in-lap or child under age of 18; the following may also be requested: any legal documents pertaining to custody, a parental consent letter signed and dated by the non-traveling parent authorizing travel if the child is traveling with only one parent; death certificate if one of the parents is deceased
Ticket price: under age of 2 infant in lap ticket is free of charge for flights within Canada or the U.S., infant-in-lap flying internationally is 10% of the adult fare cost, all infants and children traveling in own seat pay full standard fare for Canada or U.S. destinations or a child fare (up to age 12) for all other international flights; if child turns 2 during trip, own seat must be purchased for return flight
Checked baggage allowance: standard cost for each checked bag; large heavy strollers are required to be checked and will count as one piece of baggage toward the maximum number of checked bags allowed for your fare type; car seats not being used on-board the aircraft must be checked and count against the checked baggage allowance.
Carry-on allowance: A child traveling as an infant-in-lap is allowed Baby is allowed one standard carry-on bag in addition to the guardian’s one allowed bag, a child traveling on own ticket also allowed one standard carry-on bag; formula, breast milk, juice and baby food in small containers are permitted in carry-on; a stroller with a collapsed diameter not exceeding 25.5 cm (10 in) and a length not exceeding 92 cm (36 in) is allowed in addition to the carry-on allowance and can be checked at that gate
Approved child restraints: All approved devices must fit between the armrests of the seat, and are not allowed in the Executive First Suites. Infants traveling in their own seats are required to travel in an approved child restraint.
Models manufactured in Canada after January 1, 1981 must bear the National Safety Mark, which indicates the number of the standard(s) to which the restraint device conforms: CMVSS 213 for a child restraint device or 213.1 for an infant restraint devices. Models manufactured to United States standards on or after February 26, 1985 must bear the following two labels: “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). Foreign-built car seats must adhere to Transport Canada regulations.
The CARES™ child restraint device is allowed for children ages 1 to 4, weighing between 10-20 kg (22-44 lbs), whose height is 100 cm (40 inches) or less and who are capable of sitting upright, but cannot be installed in the Executive First Suite.
Devices not accepted for in-flight use include: booster seats and belly loops, vest or harness type devices, and Little Cargo® seats.
Pouch-type infant carriers (e.g. SNUGLI®, Baby Hawk or Ergo) are allowed for use on Air Canada flights, except during take-off, landing, taxiing on the runway and at any time the seat belt sign is on.
Bassinet Request: A bassinet for an infant may be requested in advance by contacting Air Canada Reservations on aircrafts where they are provided, but the bassinet will not be confirmed until the time of the flight’s departure (they are provided are on a first come, first serve basis). They may only be used for infants less than 12kg (25 lbs) that are unable to sit upright.
AIR TRANSAT Infant and Child Travel Policies
Click here for all Air Transat contact information
Restrictions: Newborns less then 7 days old are not accepted for travel; only one infant under the age of 2 is allowed per traveling adult, regardless if separate seats are purchased (E.g. if you have infant twins, two adults must be traveling)
Required documentation: Valid passport for any international travel; birth certificate showing the names of both parents for infant-in-lap or child under age of 18; the following may also be requested: any legal documents pertaining to custody, a parental consent letter signed and dated by the non-traveling parent authorizing travel if the child is traveling with only one parent; death certificate if one of the parents is deceased
Ticket price: under age of 2 infant in lap ticket is free of charge; for any infant or child purchasing own seat standard adult fare applies; if child turns 2 during the trip, own seat must be purchased for return trip; 10% adult fare for international flights
Checked baggage allowance: Infants travelling on an adult’s lap do not have a baggage allowance; however, some baby and child equipment (1 stroller, 1 car seat) is accepted free of charge. Any additional and/or substituted item (such as a playpen, booster seat, additional car seats, etc.) exceeding your free checked baggage allowance will be subject to excess baggage charges.
Carry-on allowance: 1 diaper bag is allowed free of charge for infant-in-lap in addition to standard allowance of one carry-on and one personal item
Approved child restraints: Infants under age 2 traveling in their own seat are required to sit in an approved car seat. Approved child restraints must comply with those approved by Transport Canada (click here for details).
Infants / Children sitting in a purchased seat can use a car seat or C.A.R.E.S* device on board. Canadian-made car seats must be manufactured after Jan. 1, 1981 and must display inspection label: CMVSS 213 or 213.1 Canada. U.S.A.-made seats must be manufactured after Feb. 26, 1985 and must display these labels: “This child restrain system conforms to all applicable Federal motor Vehicle Safety Standards” and “This Restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Car seats manufactured in any other country are not approved for use on board. It is important to verify the car seat width as the maximum seat width on an aircraft is 40 cm / 15 ½ in. for Economy class or 47 cm / 18.5 in. for Club Class.
Booster seats or vest-type restraint systems do not provide sufficient protection on airplanes for small children. Thus, they are not approved for airline use!
Bassinet Request: Bassinettes may be requested in advance by calling the Information and Seat Selection Centre, but is not confirmed until you board the aircraft and the in-flight crew assesses the suitability for your child. The infant’s weight may not exceed 11 kg (24 lbs) and his or her height may not exceed the size of the bassinette 27 x 12 x 6 in (68 x 30 x 15 cm).
Kid-Friendly Extras: Air Transat offers a surprise bag for kids between 2 and 11 years old; Canadian residents can join the Air Transat Kids Club; infants under age two receive a kit containing infant-care items; LIMO! courtesy stroller service which offers parents a break between the aircraft and baggage claim area in Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver airports (simply pick up a LIMO! for your young child after deplaning the aircraft and leave it with an agent before exiting- available on a first-come, first-served basis); at Canadian gateways family check-in counters are available for families travelling with young children and unaccompanied minors; pre-boarding for families
PORTER AIRLINES Infant and Child Travel Policies
Click here for all Porter Airlines contact information
Restrictions: Newborns less then 7 days old are not accepted for travel; only one infant under the age of 2 is allowed per traveling adult, regardless if separate seats are purchased (E.g. if you have infant twins, two adults must be traveling)
Required documentation: Documentation verifying infant’s age (birth certificate) for infant-in-lap seat,
Ticket price: no charge for infants under two (2) years of age without a dedicated seat; standard adult fare applies to purchase of own seat; 10% of adult fare for international flights
Checked baggage allowance: infant-in-lap is allowed to check one car seat free of charge (subject to weight and size limitations for checked bags)
Carry-on allowance: infant-in-lap carry-on items that are free of charge include one stroller (subject to carry-on weight and size restrictions and one diaper bag
Approved child restraints: Only approved car seats are allowed. Canadian-made car seats must be manufactured after Jan. 1, 1981 and must display inspection label: CMVSS 213 or 213.1 Canada. U.S.A.-made seats must be manufactured after Feb. 26, 1985 and must display these labels: “This child restrain system conforms to all applicable Federal motor Vehicle Safety Standards” and “This Restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Car seats manufactured in any other country are not approved for use on board.
No other child restraint systems, harnesses, or booster seats are allowed.
Bassinet Request: It does not appear that bassinet seats are available on Porter flights.
WEST JET Infant and Child Travel Policies
All Contact information for West Jet
Restrictions: No minimum age restrictions, but recommend checking with doctor if traveling with a newborn less than 8 days old; only one infant under the age of 2 is allowed per traveling adult, regardless if separate seats are purchased (E.g. if you have infant twins, two adults must be traveling)
Required documentation: Children under the age of two and all ages of children are required to show proof of age/ identification such as a birth certificate, birth record, or birth registry (photocopies are acceptable); for international travel children must meet the entrance requirements at customs; if you are travelling alone with a child, it is strongly recommended that you bring a notarized letter signed by the child’s legal guardian for flights leaving Canada.
Ticket price: If you are travelling with a lap-held infant, the infant will fly at no charge; however, on flights to the United States you will have to pay the U.S. Department of Agriculture APHIS fee (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) and the U.S. INS Fee. Once your child has reached their second birthday, Transport Canada requires that they occupy their own seat. As such, if your infant has their second birthday while you are travelling and you take your return flight within 30 days of their birthday, you will not be charged, beyond any applicable taxes and fees that we are required to collect. You may purchase baby’s own seat at regular fare cost. Please refer to the One Person One Fare program for information on travelling with a child under two years of age who has a physical or mental disability.
Checked baggage allowance: When travelling with an infant, you may check in an approved restraint system (car seat) and stroller at no additional charge. A playpen may be substituted for either a car seat or stroller.
Carry-on allowance: Two free items of carry-on baggage are permitted per fare-paying customer and no additional bags are allowed for infant-in-lap (unless traveling to Jamaica- only one carry-on permitted). Approved child restraints are approved for carry-on (strollers are not).
Approved child restraints: If an infant is flying in his/her own seat, an approved child restraint is required. f you are planning on using a child restraint on board, you must call the Sales Super Centre before your flight (1-800-581-9499) to add information to your reservation regarding the restraint system.
Only approved car seats are allowed. Canadian-made car seats must be manufactured after Jan. 1, 1981 and must display inspection label: CMVSS 213 or 213.1 Canada. U.S.A.-made seats must be manufactured after Feb. 26, 1985 and must display these labels: “This child restrain system conforms to all applicable Federal motor Vehicle Safety Standards” and “This Restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.” Car seats manufactured in any other country are not approved for use on board.The AmSafe Child Aviation Restraint System (CARES) will be permitted for use onboard WestJet aircraft as an alternative to a car seat.
Non-acceptable infant and child restraint systems include booster cushions and seats, belly or loop belts, and infant carriers.
Bassinet Request: Bassinet seats do not appear to be available on West Jet air crafts.
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Airline Child and Infant Policies: United States
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