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.

Important: In accordance with government regulations, Air Canada is only required to check identification at the departure gate for passengers who appear to be 18 years of age or older.

See below for important information on Travelling with a child - Identification requirements.

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

• Any 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 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.
• Infants for whom no seat has been purchased may travel on their parent's lap and must be held securely whenever the seatbelt sign is on.
• Infants for whom a seat has been purchased must be properly secured in an approved child restraint device whenever the seat belt sign is on (see 'Restrictions for infants and children occupying a seat' below).
• 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, breast milk, juice, baby food (in small containers) and temperature-sensitive medications are permitted in carry-on baggage and may be refrigerated on board free of charge.
• SNUGLI® carriers are allowed for use on Air Canada flights, except during take-off, landing, taxiing on the runway and when the seat belt sign is on.
• 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 and 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.

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.

Child Restraint Policy

Child safety seats accepted for in-flight use

• Air Canada is bound by Transport Canada regulations with regards to acceptable Child Restraint Devices (with the exception of the CARES™ child restraint device). All devices (except CARES™) must be certified to Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 213 or 213.1. Please note that, for safety reasons, child restraint devices are not permitted in the Executive First Suites at any time.

Accepted child restraint devices:

• Models manufactured after January 1, 1981 must bear a label stating that "This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.", or that the seat has been certified to CMVSS 213 or 213.1; (Important: All foreign-built car seats must adhere to Transport Canada regulations).
• Models manufactured to United States standards
  • 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."
  • 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.
• 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 lbs), whose height is 100 cm (40 inches) or less and who are capable of sitting upright. The device 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.

Restrictions for infants and children occupying a seat

• An infant for whom a seat has been purchased must be properly secured in an approved child restraint device (see regulations above).
• A child over two years of age but weighing less than 18kg (40lbs) can be secured in a child restraint device.
• Child restraint devices (car seats, booster seats*) count toward your baggage allowance when transported as checked baggage, unless an approved device is required onboard for seating the infant or child in his or her own paid seat.
• The following devices are not accepted for use as child restraint devices on Air Canada aircraft: booster seats*, belly loops, vests, harnesses, 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.
• 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.

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.

Travelling with a child - Identification requirements

Every child who travels abroad (alone or with an adult) must have a valid passport. 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 requirements.

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