WestJet infant and child policy: lap infants, bassinets and kids flying alone
A guide to WestJet's infant and child policies. Find rules from WestJet on lap infant fares, baggage allowance, car seats, and the unaccompanied minor program.
WestJet’s policies for families stand out because lap infants do not pay a base fare on most routes, and you can check two pieces of infant equipment at no charge. The airline also offers an unaccompanied minor service, but it is restricted to flights between two Canadian cities.
| Topic | What WestJet says |
|---|---|
| Who counts as a lap infant | An infant under two years old can travel on an adult's lap. Each adult is permitted to hold one lap infant.Source |
| Lap infant, domestic flights | On most routes, infants held on an adult's lap do not have to pay a base fare or taxes.Source |
| Lap infant, international flights | For some international destinations, infant taxes are charged. On flights to the United States, government fees may be applicable.Source |
| Baby in its own seat | To purchase a seat for an infant, standard fares, taxes, and fees apply. When an extra seat is bought, the infant can travel in an approved car seat or child restraint system.Source |
| Lap infant limits | Each adult can be responsible for one infant under two. Due to oxygen mask limitations, two lap-held infants are not permitted to be seated in the same row for safety reasons.Source |
| Turning 2 during the trip | If a child has their second birthday before the return flight, a seat must be purchased for the journey home.Source |
| Bassinet | Bassinets are available on select 787-9 aircraft in the Economy cabin. They can be requested by selecting eligible seats during booking.Source |
| Car seat on board | Booster cushions and booster seats (including combination system CMVSS 213.2) used without their internal harness are not permitted for use on the aircraft.Source |
| Infant baggage | For a lap-held infant, you can bring one diaper bag as carry-on baggage. Additionally, two pieces of infant or child equipment, like a stroller or car seat, can be checked at no charge.Source |
| Youngest age to fly alone | Children must be at least eight years old at the time of travel to use the unaccompanied minor program.Source |
| Service required for | The unaccompanied minor service is mandatory for children traveling alone who are at least 8 years old but have not yet turned 12.Source |
| Service optional for | For children traveling alone who have reached their 12th birthday but not their 18th, the unaccompanied minor service is optional.Source |
| Service fee | The fee for the unaccompanied minor service is $100-118 per direction, depending on tax.Source |
| Flights allowed | The unaccompanied minor service is only offered for travel between two Canadian cities and is not available on flights to the United States or other international destinations.Source |
Lap infants and infant fares
On WestJet, an infant under two years old can travel on an adult’s lap. Each adult is permitted to hold one lap infant, and for safety, two lap-held infants cannot be in the same row. On most routes, there is no base fare for a lap infant, but some international destinations charge infant taxes. For flights to the United States, government fees may apply.
If your child turns two before the return flight, you must purchase a seat for that journey home. You can also choose to buy a seat for an infant, which is subject to standard fares and fees.
“Lap-held infants must be seated with one accompanying adult. Each adult may be responsible for one infant under two.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“On most routes, lap-held infants don’t pay a base fare or taxes.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Some international destinations charge infant taxes. On flights to the United States, government fees may apply.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Standard fares, taxes, and fees apply to the extra seat. When an extra seat is purchased, your infant may travel in an approved car seat or child restraint system.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“Each adult may be responsible for one infant under two. For safety reasons, two lap-held infants cannot be seated in the same row due to oxygen mask limitations.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
“If your child turns two before your return flight, you’ll need to purchase a seat for the trip home.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Newborns and proof of age
When traveling with an infant under two, WestJet may ask you to provide proof of your child’s age. The airline’s official page mentions that a document like a birth certificate is acceptable for this purpose, and a photocopy is fine.
The information we reviewed does not specify a minimum age for a newborn to fly. We suggest you confirm any rules about flying with a very young baby directly with the airline before you make your booking.
“If you’re travelling with an infant under two, you may be asked to show proof of age. You can confirm your infant’s age with a document like a birth certificate. A photocopy works.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Bassinets
Bassinets are available on some WestJet flights to help your baby rest. You can find them in the Economy cabin on select 787-9 aircraft. If you want to use a bassinet, you can request one by selecting the eligible seats when you are booking your flight.
Because bassinets are only on certain planes and in specific seats, it’s a good idea to book early and confirm availability with the airline if this is important for your trip.
“Bassinets are available in the Economy cabin on select 787-9 aircraft. Bassinets can be requested during booking by selecting eligible seats.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Strollers and car seats
You can check two pieces of infant or child equipment, such as a stroller or car seat, at no charge. The airline’s page states you can check one item and gate-check another. If you buy a seat for your infant, you can use an approved car seat or child restraint system on board.
However, WestJet does not permit booster cushions or booster seats used without their internal harness system on the aircraft. This includes combination system CMVSS 213.2 seats when used in booster mode.
“The following restraint systems are not permitted for use on board the aircraft: Booster cushions Booster seats, including combination restraint system CMVSS 213.2 when used without the internal harness”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Baby baggage
When you travel with a lap-held infant, you are allowed to bring one diaper bag as your carry-on baggage. This is in addition to the two pieces of infant or child equipment, like a stroller or car seat, that you can check for free.
The official information does not specify any size or weight limits for the diaper bag, but it’s always wise to pack what you need while keeping standard carry-on dimensions in mind. Confirm any specific limits with WestJet.
“Infants under 2 (travelling on an adult’s lap) Checked baggage You can check two pieces of infant or child equipment at no charge, or check one and gate-check another Carry-on baggage One diaper bag”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Kids flying alone
WestJet offers an unaccompanied minor service for children traveling alone. The service is mandatory for children who are at least 8 years old but have not yet turned 12. For kids from their 12th birthday until their 18th, the service is optional. The fee is $100-118 per direction, depending on tax.
A major restriction is that this service is only offered for travel between two Canadian cities. It is not available on flights to the United States or other international destinations.
Full details, with the airline’s own wording: WestJet unaccompanied minor policy: ages, fee and rules.
“Children must be at least eight years of age at the time of travel.”
Official wording, westjet.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
Related pages
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