Travelling with an infant or child

The policies, regulations, and tips below are designed to help you plan your trip with your infant or child, and to help make your travel as enjoyable as possible.

Are you planning on having your child travel alone? You'll want to learn more about Air Canada's service for unaccompanied minors.

Please also view important information for passengers flying on code share flight(s).

Pregnant women travelling by air

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

Booking, ticketing and seating rules for infants and children

Infant (under age 2)

An infant as young as 7 (seven) days can travel on an Air Canada flight.
Only one infant is permitted per adult passenger (16 years of age or older).
Whenever the seat belt sign is on:
- An infant seated on a parent's lap must be held securely;
- An infant for whom a seat is purchased must be properly secured in an approved child restraint device (see ‘Child restraint policy' below).

Booking, ticketing and seating rules for infants:

Type of travel	Seating	How to book	Fare
Within Canada	Parent's lap	Online or via Air Canada Reservations	$0
Within Canada	Own seat	Air Canada Reservations	Adult fare
Between Canada and the U.S.	Parent's lap	Air Canada Reservations	$0 (taxes apply)
Between Canada and the U.S.	Own seat	Air Canada Reservations	Adult fare
International	Parent's lap	Air Canada Reservations	10% of adult fare*
International	Own seat	Air Canada Reservations	Child's fare*
Executive First Class cabin	Child restraint devices are not permitted in Executive First Class at any time. Exception: On our B777-300 aircraft with three-cabin configuration, child restraint devices are accepted only at seats 1D and 1G of the Executive First Cabin.

*International travel: Discount does not apply to taxes, fees, charges and surcharges. If an infant's second birthday occurs between the departure and return segments of an international trip, the fare can be determined from one of the two options below:

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

Child (age 2 to under age 12)

The use of an approved child restraint device is optional for children age 2 and up (see ‘Child restraint policy’ below).
Child restraint devices are not permitted in the Executive First Suite at any time.

Booking, ticketing and seating rules for children:

Type of travel	Seating	How to book	Fare
Within Canada	Own seat	Online or Air Canada Reservations	Adult fare
Between Canada and the U.S.	Own seat	Online or Air Canada Reservations	Adult fare
International	Own seat	Air Canada Reservations	Child fare*
Executive First Suite	Child restraint devices are not permitted in the Executive First Suites at any time. When occupying an Executive First Suite, a child age 2 to 5 must be seated directly in front of the accompanying parent or guardian. The child and the accompanying guardian will receive a mandatory briefing on the safety features of the Executive First Suite prior to takeoff. Please contact Air Canada Reservations whenever booking travel with young children in Executive First Class to ensure the availability of appropriate seating. Exception: On our B777-300 aircraft with three-cabin configuration, child restraint devices are accepted only at seats 1D and 1G of the Executive First Cabin.

*International travel: Discount does not apply to taxes, fees, charges and surcharges. The child fare applies only to children under age 12. Youths aged 12 and over pay the adult fare.

Ticketing rules are subject to change without prior notice.

Baggage allowance

A child or infant's baggage allowance is over and above that of the parent(s).

Checked baggage:
Please refer to the checked baggage table that corresponds to your itinerary to determine the allowance for your infant or child.

Carry-on baggage:

The normal carry-on baggage allowance applies to children and infants occupying a seat.
If you are travelling with an infant on your lap, you may bring one standard carry-on bag not exceeding 10 kg (22 lb) in weight to carry their belongings, in addition to your personal carry-on allowance.

Important: Always pack remotely-controlled toys in your checked baggage. This will make clearing of your carry-on baggage much easier.

Special services

Formula, breast milk, juice and baby food (in small containers) are permitted in carry-on baggage. Because onboard refrigeration may not always be available on all aircraft types, the cabin crew is unable to look after these items onboard. We therefore ask that you bring these items in a small cooler to keep them at the desired temperature. If available, extra ice may be provided as needed.
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.
All of our aircraft (with the exception of our Dash 8-300 and Dash-8 100 aircraft) have diaper-changing tables located in either the front or back lavatories.

Stroller, bassinet and child restraint device policies

Please see below for detailed information on the following policies:

Stroller policy

Small strollers

Air Canada strongly recommends the use of small collapsible umbrella type strollers (see examples below).

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 your carry-on allowance, regardless of destination. It can be checked at the gate to be delivered to you at the aircraft door at the end of your flight.

Large strollers

Because gate facilities in airports are not designed to accommodate them, large, heavy strollers will need to be checked in and will count as one piece of baggage toward the maximum number of checked bags allowed by your fare type. Large strollers are also subject to space limitations, and there is a risk that they cannot be accommodated in the aircraft.

Bassinet policy

If you're travelling with an infant in Economy Class, you may request a bassinet in advance of travel by contacting Air Canada Reservations. However, we are unable to confirm availability until the time of your flight's departure.

Important:

bassinets are assigned on a first come, first served basis, subject to availability at time of flight departure;
bassinets may be provided in Economy Class only on the following aircraft:
for safety reasons:
- bassinets can be used only for infants weighing less than 12kg (25lbs) who are unable to sit upright;
- the cabin crew is responsible for installing the bassinet once the seat belt sign has been turned off.

Child restraint policy

Air Canada is bound by Transport Canada regulations with regards to acceptable child restraint devices (with the exception of the CARES™ child restraint device). Only approved child restraint devices can be used on board Air Canada aircraft.

All approved devices must fit between the armrests of the seat. They must be installed according to the directions on the device and secured using the seat belt fitted on the aircraft seat. For safety reasons, child restraint devices are not permitted in the Executive First Suites.

Child safety seats accepted for in-flight use:

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 device;
Models manufactured to United States standards:
- Models manufactured between January 1, 1981 and February 25, 1985 must bear the following label:
  "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards."
- Models manufactured 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.
CARES™ child restraint devices: CARES™ child restraint devices are designed 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. They must be used within the limitations specified by the manufacturer (as indicated on the label), and 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
- Please note that CARES™ child restraint devices cannot be installed in the Executive First Suite.

Devices not accepted for in-flight use:

booster seats* and belly loops,
vest or harness type devices,
Little Cargo® seats (notwithstanding any claims from manufacturer(s) that they are approved for use in aircraft).

Important rules and restrictions

An infant for whom a seat has been purchased must be properly secured in an approved child restraint device (see regulations above).
Weight restrictions are specified on all child restraint devices. Aft-facing devices are generally restricted to babies weighing less than 9 kg (20 lb), whereas forward-facing devices are generally restricted to babies or children weighing 9 to fewer than 30 kg (20 to 65 lb).
A combination system (i.e. both a child restraint system and a booster cushion) is accepted for in-flight use provided it is used as a child restraint system and the internal harness system is installed, and all labelling requirements are met. It must not be used in-flight as a booster cushion*, with the internal harness system removed.
A child restraint device (car seats, booster seats*) counts toward your baggage allowance when transported as checked baggage, unless the approved device is required onboard for seating the infant or child in his or her own paid seat.
A restraint device that cannot be restrained due to size, design, or damage must be transported as checked baggage, as it cannot be stowed under the seats or in the overhead bins.
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.
Passengers are asked to write their name and address on all devices with the use of an indelible (Sharpie-type) marker.

Please contact your travel agent or Air Canada Reservations for more information and possible exceptions to these rules (e.g. medical reasons).

*A booster seat (or cushion) is defined as a removable device for use in a vehicle for the purpose of seating in an elevated position a person whose mass is 18 kg or more. It is designed to be used with an automobile lap and shoulder belt and is therefore not approved for use in an aircraft.

Identification requirements

In accordance with government regulations, airlines are only required to check identification at the departure gate for passengers who appear to be 18 years of age or older.

However, Canada requires that all passengers, including children, carry their own valid passport when travelling by air to another country.

The following documents may also be required for any travel that includes a child, both within Canada and abroad:

Birth certificates showing the names of both parents.
Any legal documents pertaining to custody.
A parental consent letter authorizing travel (if the child is travelling with one parent, the letter must be signed and dated by the other parent; if the child is travelling without his parents, the letter must be signed and dated by both parents.)
A death certificate if one of the parents is deceased

Prior to any travel that includes a child, parents should contact the embassy or consulate of all countries the child will be visiting to inquire about entry and exit requirements.

For more detailed information, go to the travel documents page or visit the Government of Canada's Children and Travel page.

	ID required
Within Canada	For travellers younger than 18, no passport is required. However, it is recommended that children carry an original birth certificate or non-government issued ID, e.g. a student card. Please note that airlines are required by federal government regulations to check identification at the departure gate for all passengers who appear to be 18 years of age or older. For detailed information on identity screening regulations, visit the Passenger Protect website.
To/From the U.S.	All passengers, including minors (children under 18) are required to present a valid passport or other valid travel document such as a Nexus card when travelling by air between Canada and the United States. Read detailed information about required travel documents when travelling to and from the United-States.
International travel	Canada requires that all passengers, including children, carry their own passport when travelling by air to another country, although some countries still allow for a child to travel on his/her parent's passport. In addition, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has recommended a policy requiring every individual, including a child, who travels by air to have his or her own travel document. Prior to any travel that includes a child, parents should contact the embassy or consulate of all countries the child will be visiting to enquire about entry requirements. Find a list of embassies on the Embassy World website.