Key facts for your WestJet child travel plan
WestJet primary sources reviewed April 4, 2026. Always confirm the specific child, route, and capacity with WestJet before you book.
Planning a WestJet unaccompanied minor flight? For children aged 8 to 11, the service is mandatory. Children under 8 cannot fly alone.
Organizing a child's solo flight can feel daunting, but taking it step-by-step makes it easier. This guide walks you through WestJet's rules on age, booking, fees, documents, and what to expect at the airport. Let's get started.
Is Your Child Eligible to Fly Alone on WestJet?
The short answer: Children 8–11 must use the UM service. Children under 8 cannot fly alone with WestJet.
Eligibility is very specific. The service is only available on non-stop WestJet flights between points in Canada. It is not offered for international travel or connecting flights.
Key detail: You must submit an online request form first. WestJet will respond with a reservation code, and you have 72 hours to call and pay for it.
Understanding WestJet's Age Requirements
The main rule: Children aged 8 to 11 must use the UM service. Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult (16 years or older).
Always check the child's age on both the outbound and return flight dates. A birthday during the trip can affect the rules. Provide WestJet with the correct date of birth from the start.
If siblings are traveling together, the rules for the youngest child usually apply. Do not assume an older sibling can act as the responsible adult.
What Does the WestJet Unaccompanied Minor Service Provide?
It's a travel handoff, not a babysitting service.
WestJet staff will assist your child through the airport, from check-in to boarding. However, the child is expected to be able to manage their own self-care needs, such as using the restroom and following instructions.
The service includes a verified handoff to the adult named in the booking at the destination. It's a supervised travel arrangement, not a replacement for a guardian.
How to Book the Unaccompanied Minor Service
Booking rule: Submit the online form, wait up to 48 hours for the reservation code, then call with payment within 72 hours or the booking expires.
Before You Pay
Have all the details ready: the child's full legal name, date of birth, flight number, and the full names and contact details for both the sending and receiving adults.
After You Book
Save the booking reference, ticket number, and any written confirmation of the UM service. Double-check your booking to ensure the service is correctly applied.
Passport, Consent and Essential Documents
What to carry: Provide legal name, date of birth, gender, ID and both adults’ complete details.
Make sure the names on the ticket, passport, and consent forms match perfectly. Keep all documents in your child's carry-on bag.
Check if you need additional notarized consent letters for travel, especially if the child is traveling with one parent or has a different last name.
Service Fees and Additional Costs
Fee rule: The 2026 tariff lists CAD100 per direction and service pages show CAD100–118 with tax.
When you call to pay, ask for a full itemized quote that separates the airfare, the UM service fee, baggage costs, and taxes.
Remember that a cheap fare might not include the UM service. Confirm the total cost before you finalize the booking.
WestJet Child Baggage Policy and What to Pack
Baggage rule: Baggage follows the fare.
Pack a light, manageable carry-on bag for your child. Inside, include: a paper card with emergency contacts, their travel documents, any permitted medication, a phone charger, a light jacket, and a snack.
Keep valuables to a minimum and use a discreet name tag.
Strollers, Car Seats and Special Equipment
Equipment rule: Adaptive equipment is separate.
If you need to bring a stroller or car seat, ask about the airline's policy. This request is separate from the UM service and must be arranged in advance.
Airport Handoff: Check-in, Boarding and Pickup
Airport rule: The sender completes check-in and the named collector presents ID.
At Departure
Arrive early to complete the paperwork. The adult dropping the child off will need to show ID and must stay in the airport until the flight departs.
At Arrival
The adult picking up the child must arrive early with the same photo ID that was provided during booking. The child will only be released to the named person.
Connections, Codeshares and International Travel
Route rule: Only nonstop WestJet flights between Canadian points; no international, points redemption or connecting UM itinerary.
International rule: WestJet does not offer UM internationally.
Always check the "operated by" line. The service is not valid on codeshare or partner-operated flights.
Accessibility and Special Travel Assistance
Support rule: The child must satisfy independent self-care needs.
If your child needs help with mobility, communication, or has medical needs, inform WestJet in advance. If they cannot manage essential tasks alone, the airline may require an adult companion.
A Practical Example for Planning
Let's say you find a non-stop WestJet flight within Canada. The first thing to do is check the age of your child.
If they are between 8 and 11, you then complete the online request form. You receive a reservation code within 48 hours and call to pay. On the day of travel, both parents track the flight. If a schedule change occurs, you must call WestJet to ensure the new flight is still a non-stop Canadian service.
Parent Tips and Final Checklist
Prepare your child for the journey by explaining the process. Show them a photo of the person who will pick them up.
Delay plan: Any connection or international reroute needs an adult or different airline arrangement.
Write down the booking reference and phone numbers. Reconfirm all details after any schedule change.
WestJet Minor Travel Comparison Table
| Age/category | Solo eligibility | Service | Fee or fare | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 8 | Adult required | No UM | N/A | Too young |
| Age 8–11 | Online request | UM mandatory | CAD100–118 | Non-stop Canada |
| Response | Wait up to 48h | Provisional | N/A | Email code |
| Payment | Call within 72h | Confirm service | Fee due | Otherwise expires |
This table is a planning guide. Only the airline can approve a child's travel on a specific itinerary.
WestJet Booking and Service Action Center
This section is a quick-reference guide for managing your booking. All actions depend on WestJet's final approval of the child and the service.
Use these points to verify reservations, handle changes, and prepare for fees, check-in, and baggage.
Booking and Reservations
Booking rule: Submit the online form, wait up to 48 hours for the reservation code, then call with payment within 72 hours or the booking expires.
Provide the child's full legal name and exact birth date. Save the booking reference and the written confirmation of the UM service.
Manage, Modify or Update Your Booking
You can retrieve your reservation online or through the original booking channel. Before making any changes, check the child's name, flight details, operator, and contact information.
After a change, always confirm with WestJet that the UM service is still active and that all passenger information is correct.
Add or Manage the Minor Service
To add, remove, or update the UM service, you must contact WestJet directly. Ensure the guardian and emergency contact details match their identification exactly.
The official airline booking, not a separate message, must reflect any new escort or collector.
Flight Changes, Delays and Rebooking
Route rule: Only nonstop WestJet flights between Canadian points; no international, points redemption or connecting UM itinerary.
If a delay or schedule change happens, check the new operator, stops, and arrival time before accepting a new flight.
Disruption rule: Any connection or international reroute needs an adult or different airline arrangement.
Cancellation, Refund and Travel Credit
When requesting a cancellation, ask the agent to separate the airfare from the UM service fee. Confirm the refund or credit amount and the timeline for processing.
Keep all cancellation and refund receipts. Processing times can vary.
WestJet Fees and Additional Charges
Fee point: The 2026 tariff lists CAD100 per direction and service pages show CAD100–118 with tax.
Request a detailed breakdown of all costs: airfare, UM fee, seats, bags, taxes, and any change fees.
Check-in, Boarding Pass and Gate Process
Airport rule: The sender completes check-in and the named collector presents ID.
Online check-in is usually not possible for UM travelers. Use the staffed counter, and arrive early to complete the paperwork. Ask about the possibility of a gate pass.
Airport Assistance and Guardian Handoff
Confirm who will receive the child at the departure and arrival airports. The meet-and-assist service and the UM service are not always the same.
The collecting adult must arrive with current photo ID. A late or unapproved pickup can cause issues.
Carry-on, Checked and Delayed Baggage
Baggage rule: Baggage follows the fare.
Keep all travel documents in a light, easy-to-manage carry-on. Save bag tags and report any missing baggage immediately.
Passport, Visa, Consent and Child ID
Document rule: Provide legal name, date of birth, gender, ID and both adults’ complete details.
Remember: the airline's form does not replace a passport, visa, notarized consent, or immigration documents.
Domestic and International Child Travel
International point: WestJet does not offer UM internationally.
A domestic approval does not automatically apply to an international trip. Review immigration, customs, and the rules of each operating airline.
Authorized Pickup and Drop-off Contacts
Confirm the accepted ID, meeting point, local time, and how long the sender must stay. Ask how to update a guardian if needed.
Both adults should track the same flight. A backup collector still requires airline approval.
Primary Source for This WestJet Guide
The information on this page is based on one main source from WestJet. Always check the airline's official guidance before you book and again just before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
These FAQs offer clear answers to the most common questions parents have about WestJet's unaccompanied minor service.
What is the age requirement for a child to fly alone with WestJet?+
Children under 8 cannot use the service. Children aged 8 to 11 must use the unaccompanied minor service when flying alone.
How much does the WestJet unaccompanied minor service cost?+
As of 2026, the fee is CAD 100 per direction, plus taxes. The total can be between CAD 100 and 118.
What is the first step to book a WestJet unaccompanied minor flight?+
You must complete the online request form. WestJet will respond within 48 hours with a reservation code. You then have 72 hours to call and pay for it.
What documents are needed for a WestJet unaccompanied minor flight?+
You will need the child's full legal name, date of birth, gender, and government-issued ID. You also need the complete contact details for both the sending and receiving adults.
Can my child fly on a connecting or international flight with WestJet?+
No. The service is only available on non-stop WestJet flights between points within Canada. It is not offered for international travel or connecting itineraries.
What is the baggage allowance for an unaccompanied minor on WestJet?+
The baggage allowance is the same as what's included in the child's fare. It is a separate matter from the unaccompanied minor service fee.
What happens at the airport for a WestJet unaccompanied minor?+
The child is handed over at check-in. The sending adult must complete the process and stay until the flight departs. The child is released at the destination to the adult who presents matching ID.
Can a child under 8 fly alone with WestJet?+
No, the unaccompanied minor service is not available for children under 8. They must be accompanied by an adult (16 years or older).
What happens if my WestJet flight is delayed or cancelled?+
If a delay results in a connection or an international reroute, you will need to make a new adult-accompanied arrangement, as the UM service is only for non-stop Canadian flights.
Is the WestJet unaccompanied minor service available internationally?+
No, WestJet does not offer this service on international flights.
Can two siblings travel together under the unaccompanied minor service?+
Yes, but the rules are typically based on the youngest child's age. Confirm with WestJet if they can be placed on the same booking record.
Who can pick up my child after the flight?+
Only the adult named in the WestJet record can collect the child. They must arrive early and present a valid, government-issued photo ID.
Can I change the person picking up my child?+
Yes, but only with WestJet's approval before the flight. A message from the child is not enough. You must have the change confirmed in writing.
Will the crew give my child medicine?+
No, the crew cannot administer medication. The child is expected to be able to manage their own self-care needs.
Can I go to the gate with my child?+
The airport and security decide this. Ask at the check-in counter, bring your ID, and be ready to stay in the terminal until the flight has departed.
What should my child pack in their carry-on bag?+
Pack a paper card with contacts, their documents, any permitted medication, a phone charger, a warm layer, and a light snack. Keep the bag manageable for them.
What proof should I keep after booking the service?+
Save the booking reference, the ticket number, and any written confirmation from WestJet that the unaccompanied minor service has been added.
When should I reconfirm the booking?+
Reconfirm after any schedule change and again a few days before travel. Always check the operating carrier and route details.
Continue your planning
Editorial and Verification Note
For the most up-to-date information, WestJet is the final authority. Public authorities set the rules for passports, consent, and entry requirements. The primary link to the airline's official guidance is provided in the source section above.
Editorial Note: Updated April 4, 2026. This guide was written and reviewed to be helpful and accurate. A person should always compare this guide with the current information from WestJet. We do not claim affiliation with WestJet.