Air Canada loves kids! Here are some policies, regulations, and tips to help you plan your trip with your infant or child, and to help make your travel as enjoyable as possible.

An infant is defined as a passenger under 2 (two) years of age. For international flights only, infants between 0 and 2 years travelling on their parent's lap pay 10% of adult fare, and a child between 2 (two) and 11 (eleven) years of age pays a child fare.

Please use the detailed table below to determine fares for infants and children as they apply to travel within Canada and between Canada and the United-States, as well as to international flights.

For detailed information on children travelling alone, please consult the Unaccompanied Minors (UM) page.

Important: Air Canada, in accordance with government regulations, will now be checking photo IDs at the departure gate for all passengers who appear to be over 12 years of age. The name on the ID must match the name used on the reservation or ticket. For more information: Passenger Protect website. For travellers younger than 12, an original birth certificate or non-government issued ID, i.e. a student card is suggested--but not mandatory--at this time.

Important information for passengers flying on code share flight(s).

• Any woman with a normal pregnancy and no previous history of premature labor may travel up to and including her 36th week on Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz.

Information for passengers with infants:

• Bookings for an infant can be made online only for flights within Canada provided the infant will be seated on the parent's lap (i.e. no extra seat is required). If you prefer to reserve a seat for your infant on one of these flights, or you wish to book a transborder or international flight, please contact Air Canada Reservations.
• An infant as young as seven days can travel on Air Canada flights.
• Only one infant is permitted per adult passenger (16 years of age or older).
• Formula, baby's milk, or temperature-sensitive medications may be refrigerated on board free of charge.
• All of our aircraft (with the exception of Dash 8s) have diaper-changing tables in the lavatories. Depending on the aircraft, these may be either in the front or back lavatories.
• Infants' and children's meals are available only on International flights and in Executive Class within North America. An infant meal consists of such food as strained fruits, vegetables, meats and desserts. A children's meal is designed for children two years of age and older. Examples of the choices available are hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, sandwiches, brownies and raisins. To order an infant/child meal, please call Air Canada Reservations at least 18 hours prior to departure.

How to proceed for infants/children: seats, safety, ticketing

*NOTE: If an infant has their second birthday between the departure and return segments of an international trip, the fare can be determined from one of the two options below:

1. The child can pay the full published child's fare for that flight (and be certain to have a confirmed seat both ways), OR
2. The child can pay infant fare on the departure, and the published child's fare on the return.

This information is subject to change without prior notice.

Infant baggage allowance

Stroller Policy

Children may be transported in their strollers throughout any airport Air Canada serves.

Air Canada strongly recommends the use of small umbrella type strollers when traveling with children.

Collapsible strollers may be checked at the gate and will be delivered to you at the aircraft door at the end of your flight.

Large, heavy strollers should be checked-in as part of your checked luggage, as gate facilities in airports are not designed to accommodate them. Large strollers are subject to space limitations, and there is a risk that they cannot be accommodated in the aircraft.

Bassinet Policy

Bassinets may be provided in Economy Class only on the following aircraft upon request by a passenger with an infant, and are assigned on a first come, first served basis subject to availability at the time of flight departure:

• Boeing 777-300 (77W)
• Boeing 777-200 (77L)
• Airbus 340-300 (343)
• Airbus 330 (333)
• Boeing 767-300 (763)
• Boeing 767-200 (767)

Please note that while bassinets may be requested in advance, we are unable to confirm availability until the time of your flight’s departure.

For safety reasons, bassinets may be used only for infants weighing less than 12kg (25lbs) who are unable to sit upright, and are installed by the cabin crew once the seat belt sign has been turned off.

We look forward to assisting you with your travel needs.

Acceptable Child Restraint Devices: restrictions for an infant/child occupying a seat

Air Canada is bound by Transport Canada regulations with regards to acceptable Child Restraint Devices.

• Child restraint devices (car seats) count towards your individual baggage allowance. Exception: If a child is occupying a paid seat, the child restraint device will be accepted in addition to your baggage allowance, free of charge.
• Foreign-built car seats must adhere to these criteria as well.
• The following are non-acceptable devices: booster seats, belly loops, vests, harnesses, SNUGLI^® carriers, and Little Cargo^® seats (notwithstanding any claims from manufacturer(s) that they are approved for use in aircraft).
• A restraint device that cannot be restrained due to size, design, or damage must be checked in, as it cannot be stowed under the seats or in the overhead bins.
• Please contact your travel agent or Air Canada Reservations to clarify this due to certain exceptions.

Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (Canada) child restraint devices

• This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicles safety standards.
• This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.

An infant for whom a seat has been purchased must be properly secured in a child restraint device.

A child, over two years of age but weighing less than 18 kg (40 lbs), can be secured in a child restraint device.

Infants or children weighing less than 9 kg (20 lbs) must be secured in a rear-facing infant restraint device.

Infants or children weighing 9 kg (20 lbs) or more, up to a maximum of 18 kg (40 lbs), must be secured in a forward-facing restraint device.

The device must fit between the armrests of an aircraft seat and must have been manufactured on or after January 1, 1981.

Infant must be fastened when in device.

When travelling with an infant's or child's car seat, please ensure that the car seat itself is identified with your name and address in indelible (Sharpie-type) marker.

CARES™ child restraint device

The CARES child restraint device is designed for children over 1 year of age, weighing between 10-20 kg (22-44 pounds), whose height is 100 cm (40 inches) or less and who are capable of sitting upright.

The CARES child restraint device must display the following:

• Legible CARES label with approval standards (FAA approved in accordance with 14 CFR 21:305 (d) and approved for aircraft use only).
• Part number 4082-1 on label

The CARES child restraint device must be used within the limitation specified by the manufacturer (as indicated on the label).

Remotely-controlled toys

If you are carrying remotely-controlled toys, please ensure they are packed in your checked baggage. This will make clearing of your carry-on baggage much easier.

ID required for Children travelling

Important: Immigration authorities in most countries are becoming increasingly vigilant when children are crossing borders. Whether travelling alone or accompanied by an adult, each child must travel with their own travel documents, as well as supporting documentation: e.g. their birth certificate, showing the names of both parents, and/or legal documents pertaining to their custody.

The adults traveling with minors are additionally strongly advised to be holding a notarized letter of travel consent signed by the parent(s) or guardian(s) with legal custody. The letter must include the signor's address, phone details, and the authorization to travel, the destination and the projected length of stay.
If a parent/guardian is divorced or deceased, custody document or a death certificate are required.