How WestJet's unaccompanied minor service works
The route, the age and the clock all decide eligibility. Because the rules are strict and the booking runs on a form, this is exactly the kind of trip we set up for you.
This is the rule that surprises people most. WestJet's unaccompanied-minor service is offered on Canada-domestic flights only, between two Canadian cities, on WestJet-operated nonstops. It is not offered to the United States or any other international destination, and never on a connecting itinerary. So a child flying alone from Calgary to a US city cannot use it, and the nonstop-Canadian requirement matters more than the price.
A child under 8 is not eligible for the unaccompanied-minor service and cannot fly alone. WestJet's wider accompaniment rules also apply: a child 4 or under must travel with someone at least 16, and a child 5 to 11 with someone at least 12. So a young child always needs a qualifying older traveller, not just the service.
A child aged 8 to 11 flying without an adult must use the unaccompanied-minor service, it is not optional, and it carries a per-direction fee. A traveller aged 12 to 17 may fly as a regular passenger or use the service by choice. Either way, it is still Canada-domestic nonstops only, so the routing rule applies at every age.
The flight cannot depart before 5:30am or arrive after 10:00pm, and the service is not offered on red-eye flights. WestJet also caps the number at 4 unaccompanied minors per flight, and they can fill up, so the eligible flights on a given day are narrower than the full schedule. That is worth knowing before you settle on a date.
The service is not available to a child who is deaf or blind, who requires a service dog, who has an allergy requiring an epinephrine auto-injector, who needs help with essential medication, or who cannot communicate in English or French. These are safety-based limits, so if any apply, a child cannot travel on the service and needs an accompanying adult instead.
You book the service through WestJet's dedicated online form, and WestJet replies within about 48 hours; after the form is submitted you have 72 hours to confirm and pay. You provide guardian details and the child's date of birth and ID, the pick-up adult must be over 18 with government photo ID, and the guardian arrives at the airport at least 90 minutes before departure. That is exactly the kind of booking we handle for you.
The unaccompanied-minor fee, ages and routing rules are set by WestJet and change. We never publish the fee because it depends on your trip, an agent quotes it, plus our service fee, before anything is charged. You can read WestJet's own rules at westjet.com, and because it runs on a special form with strict conditions, letting us set it up is often the easiest path. For a US or international trip, ask us about WestJet's separate Guardian fare option instead.
The unaccompanied-minor rules that get children refused
Check the route, the age and the clock before you book anything, the gate is the wrong place to find out.
The rule that strands families: WestJet only carries unaccompanied minors on Canada-domestic nonstops. Not to the US, not international, never on a connection. So a child flying alone from Calgary to Orlando simply cannot use the service, and needs an accompanying adult or WestJet's separate Guardian fare. Call us with the ages and cities and we will find what actually works and set it up on the form correctly.
Frequently asked
Can my child fly alone on WestJet to the US?+
What ages can use WestJet's unaccompanied minor service?+
Are there time limits on WestJet unaccompanied-minor flights?+
Is there any child WestJet will not carry as an unaccompanied minor?+
Does an unaccompanied minor cost extra on WestJet?+
Contact options
Reach WestJet directly, or let us handle it.
Contact WestJet directly
The airline's own official channels, free.