Air Canada Pregnancy, Infant and Children Travel Policy

Air Canada is a full-service airline, providing scheduled passenger services in the Canadian market, the Canada-U.S. transborder market and in the international market to and from Canada. Here’s a summary of Air Canada’s pregnancy, infant and children travel policies.

*This is for informational purposes only. For more information on travelling with children on Air Canada, click here. or contact the airline directly.

Expectant Mothers Flying with Air Canada

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

Infant (under 2 years old) Flying with Air Canada

- - An infant as young as 7 days can travel on an Air Canada.
  - Only one infant is permitted per adult passenger (16 years of age or older).
  - A infant can travel for free within Canada and to/from the United States as long as the infant will be on the lap of another passenger for the flight.
  - A seat can be purchased (full adult fare) for your infant as long as you have the proper child restraint device.
  - Child restraint devices are not permitted in Executive First Class at any time.

International Flights (outside Canada and USA):

- - Fares are as follows: 10% of adult fare if seated in parent’s lap, child fare if they have their own seat
  - If an infant’s 2nd 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 have a seat both ways, or
    - The child can pay the infant fare on the departure, and the published child’s fare on the return.

Baggage Allowance for Infants

- - Two (2) pieces of checked baggage: maximum weight per bag 23 kg (50 lb), maximum linear dimensions per bag 158 cm (62 in)
  - One (1) stroller to be checked in at the gate in addition to the two pieces of checked baggage
  - One (1) carry-on baggage not to exceed 10 kg (22 lb)

Children (2 to 12 years old) Flying with Air Canada

- - The use of an approved child restraint device is optional for children age 2 and up.
  - Child restraint devices are not permitted in the Executive First Suite at any time.
  - Adult fare is charged for flights to/from Canada and the United States for children 2 and up.
  - Child fare is charged for international flights (outside Canada and USA) for children under age 12.

Stroller, Bassinet and Child Restraint Devices

Strollers

- - Small collapsible umbrella type strollers are recommended (collapsed diameter not exceeding 25.5 cm (10 in) and a length not exceeding 92 cm (36 in))
  - 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.

Bassinets

- - Assigned on first come, first served basis, subject to availability at time of departure
  - Bassinets provided in Economy Class of only some of Air Canada’s aircraft
  - Bassinets can only be used only for infants weighing less than 12kg (25lbs) who are unable to sit upright

Child Restraint Devices

- - Air Canada is bound by Transport Canada regulations with regards to acceptable child restraint devices (with the exception of the CARES™ child restraint device). Approved restraint devices include:
    - 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
    - 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.

Special Services for Families Flying with Air Canada

- - Formula, breast milk, juice and baby food (in small containers) are permitted in carry-on baggage.
  - Infants’ and children’s meals are available only on International flights and in Executive Class within North America.
  - 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.