Air Canada Flying With Kids Information

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All the Air Canada flying with kids information in one place. Including:

• Flying when pregnant
• Flying with a newborn baby, and baby or toddler under two
• Kids’ baggage allowance
• Car seat policy
• Other child restraint device policies
• EXEMPTIONS TO USE OF A Child Restraint Device
• Pushchair/stroller policy
• Bassinet policy
• Baby and child meals
• In-flight entertainment for children.
• Sleep devices
• Other family services provided
• Current mask rules for children

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AIR CANADA FLYING WHEN PREGNANT

If you have a normal pregnancy and no previous history of premature labour, you may travel by air up to and including your 36th week on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express. We’re also happy to support breastfeeding onboard our aircraft, whenever safety permits

AIR CANADA NEWBORN POLICY

If you are flying with a newborn, your infant can be as young as 7 days to travel on an Air Canada flight.

FLYING WITH BABY POLICY (INFANTS UNDER 2 YEARS OLD)

When you book your flight online, indicate that you are travelling with children, and Air Canada will assign generic seats in proximity to each other for you and your children before check-in. You can then review your seat assignment by going to My Bookings.

Change tables – All Air Canada aircraft (except the Beechcraft (BEH), Dash 8-300 (DH3) and Dash 8-100 (DH1) and most Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ)) have diaper-changing tables located in either the front or back lavatories.

Lap infants and infants with their own seat.

For safety reasons, Air Canada recommends the use of a Child Restraint Device on board an aircraft rather than lap-holding your infant.

Whenever the seat belt sign is on:

An infant seated on a parent’s lap must be held securely. Lap held infants are not adequately secure during takeoff, landing and turbulence. We recommend that you purchase a seat for your child and use a child restraint device.

An infant for whom a seat is purchased must be properly secured in an approved child restraint device.

Air Canada does not provide child restraint devices. 

Travelling with more than one infant

Canadian Aviation Regulations do not allow an adult passenger (age 16 years and older), at any time, to be in charge of more than one infant on board an aircraft. This applies whether the infant is seated on the adult’s lap or sitting in a child restraint device in an adjacent seat.

Fares

KIDS’ BAGGAGE ALLOWANCE ON AIR CANADA

Regardless of your destination, you can bring 1 standard article (55 x 40 x 23 cm) + 1 personal article (33 x 43 x 16 cm). If you’re travelling with an infant on your lap, you can bring 1 additional standard article for your child’s belongings.

Checked baggage:

• To/from all destinations, infants and children age 0 to 11 years may check a car seat or booster seat free of charge in addition to their regular baggage allowance.
• Customers are asked to write their name and address on all devices with the use of an indelible (Sharpie-type) marker.
• If you are travelling with a car seat for a child of 2 years and above, we recommend that you bring your car seat for use on board instead of checking it. Please refer to our Child Welfare and Safety section.

Hand Baggage:

• A child restraint device may only be accepted as carry-on in addition to the infant’s child carry-on allowance provided a seat has been purchased for the infant/child.
• Infant sling/wrap carriers like Snugli™ or Baby Bjorn™ are accepted in addition to the infant’s carry-on allowance if required for use on board the aircraft. These carriers are not approved for use as a “restraint device” and may not be used during taxi, take-off, and landing, or at any time the seat belt sign is illuminated. The parent or guardian will have to remove their infant from the carrier every time the seat belt sign is illuminated.

Other Child Restraint Device Policies

Only approved child restraint devices can be used on board Air Canada aircraft. Some child restraint devices are a combination of a child restraint system and a booster seat. To be acceptable for use in the aircraft, the internal harness system must be installed and all child restraint device-labelling requirements must be met. When used as a booster seat, the internal harness system is removed and is not approved for use on board the aircraft.

• The use of a child safety seat or restraint device is:
  • Mandatory for an infant under 2 occupying a seat. Infants occupying a seat must be properly secured in their safety seat or restraint device whenever the seat belt sign is on. For the welfare and safety of your child, we recommend using a child restraint device for your child, especially during takeoff, landing and turbulence.
  • Optional for a small child, dependent on the manufacturer’s guidelines for the device’s maximum weigh.

Air Canada does not provide seat restraint devices for small children or infants. An infant for whom a seat has been purchased must be properly secured in an approved child restraint device.

It is important to note that the CARES CRS is the only harness-type device approved for use onboard. The device is designed for Customers weighing between 22 and 44 pounds and must have a label that indicates, “FAA Approved in Accordance with 14 CFR 21.305(d), Approved for Aircraft Use Only.”

It is not easily compatible with Bombardier Dash 8-300 (DH3) and Dash 8-100 (DH1) aircraft. Contact Air Canada Reservations for more information.

AmSafe (CARES™) device for taller individuals

Adjustable belt-and-buckle flight harness that attaches directly to the aircraft seatbelt.

Designed for taller individuals with special needs who are over 137 cm (54 in.) and up to 183 cm (72 in.) in height.

Must be used within the limitations specified by the manufacturer (as indicated on the label), and must display the same label and part number as the regular CARES™ device (please see above).

Important: Contact the Air Canada Medical Assistance Desk if the use of this larger type of AmSafe (CARES™) device is required for travel.

Prohibited Child Restraint Devices

• Booster seats: 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 (40 lb.) 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.
• Belly loops and vests or harness type devices.
• BedBox®, Plane Pal, Fly-Tot, Fly LegsUp, Flyebaby.
• Little Cargo® seats (notwithstanding any claims from manufacturers that they are approved for use in aircraft).
• Infant sling/wrap carriers similar to Snugli™ or Baby Bjorn™ are accepted in addition to the infant’s carry-on allowance if required for use on board the aircraft. These carriers are not approved for use as a “restraint device” and may not be used during taxi, take-off, and landing, or at any time the seat belt sign is illuminated. The parent or guardian will have to remove their infant from the carrier every time the seat belt sign is illuminated.

EXEMPTIONS TO USE A Child Restraint Device

• For safety reasons, child restraint devices are not permitted in the Air Canada Signature Class cabin. Some exceptions apply. Contact Air Canada Reservations for details.
• Infants under age 2 can travel in the Air Canada Signature Class cabin but must be held in the adult’s lap.
• When occupying a Classic or Executive Pod in Air Canada Signature Class, a child age 2 to 11 must be seated directly in front of, directly behind or in an adjacent seat facing the accompanying parent or guardian.
• CARES™ child restraint devices cannot be installed in the Air Canada Signature Class cabin.
• 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.

AIR CANADA PUSHCHAIR/ STROLLER POLICY

You can bring one stroller for each child you are travelling with in addition to your carry-on and checked baggage allowance and regardless of your destination.

Air Canada strongly recommends the use of small travel collapsible umbrella type strollers.

Small strollers – with a collapsed diameter not exceeding 25.5 cm (10 in) and a length not exceeding 92 cm (36 in) – can be checked free of charge at the baggage counter or at the boarding gate. When accepted at the baggage counter, your stroller is delivered to the arrivals baggage hall at your final destination. When accepted at the boarding gate, it is delivered to you at the aircraft door at every point in your journey.

Large heavy strollers can only be checked at the baggage counter because gate facilities in airports are not designed to accommodate them. Additional baggage fees do not apply. Large strollers are also subject to space limitations, and there is a risk that they cannot be accommodated in the aircraft.

AIR CANADA BASSINET POLICY

Does Air Canada supply a bassinet/carrycot?

Yes, you may request a bassinet in advance but availability will be confirmed at time of flight departure.

How do I reserve a bassinet/carrycot on Air Canada?

You can request a bassinet in advance of travel by contacting Air Canada Reservations.

When can I choose my seat on Air Canada?

When booking a new flight, select your seat from the seat map when you reach the Seat Selection screen.

What happens if I don’t reserve a bassinet/carrycot seat?

You might not be able to get one as bassinets are assigned on a first come, first served basis, subject to availability at time of flight departure.

BABY AND CHILD MEALS ON AIR CANADA

Do Air Canada provide baby food?

No, please bring your own baby food

Can I sterilise my bottles on Air Canada?

To read how to do this, see this post on sterilising baby bottles on board.

Do Air Canada provide child meals?

Special meals for infants and children are available on all of our international flights and in Air Canada Signature Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and Premium Rouge on all flights. You can order your special meal at time of booking on aircanada.com, or by contacting Air Canada Reservations at least 18 hours prior to departure.

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 on board. 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.

AIR CANADA IN-FLIGHT ENTERTAINMENT FOR CHILDREN

To keep the little ones happy, Air Canada offer a variety of giveaways on select flights. There is a KIDS section on the In-Flight Entertainment , which includes 75 hours of movies and games just for kids.

On Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights within North America, kids are offered activity books.

On international flights, your kids can enjoy new fun travel goodies, like a tote bag filled with things young explorers will love, including an activity book, a crayon kit, and more.

SLEEP DEVICES AND CHILD RIDE ON/LEG RESTS PERMITTED

Using children’s inflatable or similar sleep devices /or leg rests are NOT permitted on Air Canada. These include BedBox®, Plane Pal, Fly-Tot, Fly LegsUp, Flyebaby.

OTHER FAMILY SERVICES PROVIDED

Family Check-in – Flying with kids under age 6? Make it easier by looking for Family Check-in signage at select airports.

Early Boarding – Kids under age 6 and their family board early, before general boarding. This means extra time to store belongings and settle in.

Family Seating – Air Canada make sure you and your kids under age 14 sit close to each other at no extra charge.

Special Luggage Tag – At the Family Check-in counter, your kids can pick up a special luggage tag. It’s a fun way to add personality to their bags and commemorate a trip.

Aeroplan Family Sharing – Combine Aeroplan points with family members – for free – so you can accumulate points faster together and redeem for rewards sooner.

AIR CANADA FACEMASK POLICIES FOR CHILDREN

For all passengers over the age of 2, face coverings are a mandatory requirement issued by Transport Canada and the U.S. Transportation of Security Administration while boarding, onboard and while deplaning.

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