Do you have a question about travelling as a family? We can help! Click here to use "Ask WestJet", our new search tool, or review our Family Travel Tips below.

1. Planning and Packing

2. Arriving at the Airport and Layovers

3. Takeoff and landing

4. Entertainment and snacks

Family Travel

Travelling with a family can be wonderful, but we all know there may be times when things don't go as planned. Here are some tips from our WestJet family to yours on how to make the best of your travel experience.

• Flight selection : You may want to try to book flights that fit into your child's regular feeding and sleeping schedule. Also, consider booking flights during non-peak travel times, such as Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9am and 5pm, if possible, in order to avoid crowded and noisy flights.
• Seat Selection: When travelling as a family, you may wish to select your seats for a nominal fee so you can be seated together. You have two seat selection options; either select your seats when you make your booking or use the "manage your flights" tool on the Itinerary Look-Up page up to 24 hours before your flight departure.
• Communicate : Talk to your child about the trip. Discuss with them what they should expect, including such things as the security x-ray check.
• Baggage : Pack children's carry-on in baggage so that they can handle it themselves; a backpack Is a great way to keep hands free! Carry on what you need for the flight, and ensure that it can be stored away neatly. Don't forget Transport Canada's carry-on restrictions and allowances; see Travel Advisories for more information on what items you may or may not bring on board.
• Packing : If you are travelling with an infant, be sure to pack your carry-on with enough diapers, baby wipes, snacks, bottles, pacifier (if used), toys and a change of clothes for your little one. The washroom at the rear of the airplane is equipped with a baby change table.
• Car seats : Car seats are the safest and most comfortable way for infants to travel on a plane. If you purchase a seat for any child under 2 years of age, you must use a car seat and ensure it is approved for motor vehicle or aircraft use. If the infant is not restrained in a seat certified for motor vehicle or aircraft use, the adult must hold the infant during taxi, takeoff, landing, any time the seatbelt sign is illuminated and when instructed to do so by the flight crew.  Please call WestJet at 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538) for more information on Transport Canada approved car seats.

A great alternative to carrying all of your kid gear on the flight is renting the latest in car seats, strollers and other equipment in the city you are visiting. There are many companies that provide this service, and most will deliver directly to you! Here are a few we know of:

British Columbia
Wee Travel - Serving Vancouver and surrounding areas
Phone: (604) 222-4722
Web site: www.weetravel.ca

Alberta
Little Traveller Rentals, Ltd. - Serving Calgary, Banff and surrounding areas
Phone: (403) 869-BABY (2229)
Web site: www.littletraveller.ca

One Tiny Suitcase - Serving Calgary and Banff
Toll Free: 1-877-ONE-TINY
Phone: (403) 208-1167
Web site: www.onetinysuitcase.ca

Baby On The Move equipment rentals & more - Serving Calgary, Banff and surrounding areas
Toll free: 1-877-572-2229
Phone: (403) 685-2212
Web site: www.babyonthemove.ca

Manitoba
The Baby Bin Boutique - Serving Winnipeg and surrounding areas
Phone: (204) 487-4687
Web site: www.babybin.ca

Ontario
Borrow 'Til Tomorrow - Serving Niagara Falls, The Greater Niagara Region, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie shorelines
Toll Free: 1-800-924-4914 U.S. & Canada only
Phone: (905) 892-6960
Web site: www.borrowtiltomorrow.com

Precious Travellers, Inc. - Serving Ottawa and surrounding areas
Phone: (613) 825-9462
Web site: www.precioustravellers.ca

Wee Travel - Serving Toronto and surrounding areas
Phone: (416) 737-1622
Web site: www.weetravel.ca

Baby Getaway Equipment Rentals - Serving Pearson Airport and the GTA
Phone: (416) 695-2345
Web site: www.babygetaway.com

Quebec
Travel-Buggy Services Inc. - Serving Montreal, including the South Shore, Laval, the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships
Phone: (514) 659-2323
Web site (English): www.travel-buggy.com
Web site (French): www.bebes-en-voyage.com

The above list is provided to you for your convenience and does not imply an endorsement, recommendation or guarantee by WestJet concerning any particular company or their products and/or services; however we do appreciate any feedback you may have from your experiences with these companies. Please feel free to send us your comments.

We can help you plan a smooth check-in experience too. WestJet offers your family a range of simple and convenient ways to check in for your flight, even before you get to the airport. Click here for a complete list of our self-serve check-in options.

Take advantage of the following tips to assist in making the best of your time in the airport.

• Preparation : Remember to have all your paperwork organized before arrival. If you are travelling transborder, ensure that you have appropriate documentation and passports. If you have any questions regarding documentation please call our Sales Super Centre at 1-888-WESTJET (937-8538).
• For domestic flights, arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before flight time. This will give you enough time to get checked in, through security, find your gate and catch your breath before boarding.
• For transborder flights, be sure to arrive at the airport at least two hours before flight time. This will allow you enough time to get through customs and on your way to the airplane.
• Exercise : Did you know many of WestJet's airports and terminals have play areas in the departure lounge? An early arrival at the airport provides the perfect opportunity for your child to be active and explore these play areas before boarding the plane.
• Washrooms : When possible, try to use the washroom before boarding the plane. Public washrooms are larger and equipped with change tables, making for one less cramped washroom visit.
• Priority Boarding : WestJet's customer service agents will make a pre-boarding announcement call for guests travelling with children and others who may require a little extra time to board the plane first. Taking advantage of pre-boarding will allow you the opportunity to get settled in with ease.

• Settling in : To help children settle in and possibly take a nap on the plane, you may want to bring a home comfort such as a favourite blanket or pillow for them.
• Ear Pressure : Children may be bothered by the imbalance of pressure in the ears that can occur during takeoff and landing. Here are some tips to help minimize effects:
  • Feeding or nursing babies during takeoff and landing can balance pressure.
  • If your child is allowed candy, you may want to let them have a piece. Continually sucking on a piece of candy will alleviate discomfort.
  • Pacifiers for smaller children work much the same way.
  • Don't be alarmed if your child still cries, as this will also help balance ear pressure
• Colds and ear infections: Be aware that pressure affects children who are congested worse than healthy children. Contact your physician before travelling to ensure that it is safe to travel.
• Motion sickness: If your child suffers from air sickness, consult your physician about medications or methods that can help ease these effects when flying. Be sure to keep an air sickness bag close at hand! Each seat pocket is equipped with one if the need arises. If you need more, just ask a flight attendant for one.
• Landing : Once the plane has landed and the seat belt sign is turned off, you may want to take a couple of minutes to relax rather than joining the race to get off the airplane. Flight attendants will be able to provide assistance, once most people have left the airplane.

If your children are comfortable and busy during the flight it will help the time pass faster and result in a more enjoyable flight.

• Live Seat Back Television and Entertainment : Most of WestJet's planes are equipped with Live Seat Back Television from Bell Express Vu. Each guest has a choice of 24 channels of programming, including sports, news, lifestyle and children's programming. This service also includes pay-per-view movies. Don't forget to pack headphones for everyone as most headsets are compatible with our system. If you should happen to forget your headsets, they are available for a nominal fee after takeoff from one of our friendly flight attendants.

• Toys and Books : You may want to pack along your child's favourite toys or activities. Try to bring toys that don't make noise, as this will be easier on you and other WestJet guests. Books, colouring books & puzzles are also a great distraction for children of all ages. You may also consider buying your child some small toys like a new doll or toy plane from our WestJet Store. Wrap them up and hide them in your carry-on. What could be more fun and a good distraction than a surprise gift?

• Meals and Snacks : In addition to complimentary snacks and beverages, WestJet serves a variety of Buy on Board food items on certain flights. Bringing along a child's favourite treat or snack could be an excellent diversion, especially if you pack things that require assembly. Packing small items such as cheese and crackers work great! Baby formula, baby food, juice and milk in carry-on bags for guests travelling with children two years of age and under are exempt from the Transport Canada restrictions; however guests must declare all such items to security screening authorities. Please see Travel Advisories for more information on these items and other restrictions.

Affordable Family Travel with WestJet

At WestJet our mission is "To enrich the lives of everyone in WestJet's world by providing safe, friendly, affordable air travel." Here are some other ways that WestJet can help offer your family great fares on great trips.

JetMail: WestJet's JetMail keeps you informed about low fares within Canada and the U.S. In addition to our weekly seat sale newsletters, you will receive details about our special offers, information about exciting destinations and useful travel tips for an enjoyable flying experience.

WestJet Vacations: WestJet Vacations is your one-stop shop to affordable, reliable, and easy to book travel packages to more than 30 destinations in North America.

WestJet Get Set : Get Set is an application that runs directly on your PC or MAC desktop delivering the best flights, vacation packages and special offers to your computer at the click of a button .