Infant & Child Flight Fares from Canada to India (2026)

On Canada to India flights, a lap infant under 2 typically pays about 10% of the adult fare plus taxes, a child aged 2 to 11 in their own seat pays a child fare that’s often cheaper than the adult fare, and a child who turns 2 before the return flight needs a seat for the trip back. Canadian-born babies also need their own passport and an OCI card or e-Visa for India.

✈ QUICK ANSWER
✓ Fact-checked · Oct 2026

Booking a baby on a 15-hour flight is mostly paperwork and arithmetic. The paperwork is where families lose time, so I’ve put the fares first and the documents straight after.

How much does an infant ticket to India cost?

An infant under 2 who sits on a parent’s lap generally costs 10% of the adult fare on international routes, plus taxes and fees. That’s a rule, not a quote: each airline publishes its own.

For example, Air Canada’s children’s travel page lists the international lap-infant fare as 10% of the adult fare, excluding taxes and fees. Third-party summaries of Air India’s policy describe infants as up to 10% of the adult fare plus taxes. Both are in line with the general industry norm.

Here’s a worked example. Say the adult fare for your dates is CA$1,600. The infant’s base fare would be about CA$160, then taxes and fees on top. That’s a number to ask about, because the taxes on a Canada to India ticket are not small and they aren’t discounted for babies.

One adult can hold one infant on their lap. If you’re travelling with twins, or two babies under 2, you need two adults, or buy a seat for one of them.

Passenger	Typical fare, Canada to India	Seat
Infant under 2, on lap	About 10% of adult fare, plus taxes	No seat; lap or bassinet
Infant under 2, own seat	Usually the adult fare, sometimes a child fare	Own seat, car seat allowed if approved
Child 2 to 11	Child fare, often below adult; ask for it	Own seat
Age 12 and up	Adult fare	Own seat

The exact discount on a child fare differs by airline and by fare class, and sometimes a promotional adult fare comes out as cheap as the child fare. Compare both when you search.

What if my baby turns 2 during the trip?

The age that counts is the age on the day of each flight. A baby who is 23 months old going out and 2 years and 1 month old coming back needs a seat, and a child fare, on the return.

That catches families on long stays. If your baby’s second birthday falls anywhere between departure and return, tell whoever is booking. Airlines handle the repricing differently, so ask how yours does it before you pay.

Do babies get bassinets on Canada-India flights?

Often, yes, but the bassinet is for small babies, and you have to ask for it. Bassinets are limited and handed out by availability.

• Weight and length. Air Canada lists its bassinet limit at 12 kg (25 lb) for an infant who can’t sit upright, on some wide-body aircraft only. Other airlines set their own limits and some measure length as well.
• Seat position. Bassinets attach to the bulkhead wall, so you’re in the first row of a cabin. That means no under-seat storage in front of you.
• Request early. Ask at booking and again at check-in. A bassinet isn’t guaranteed.

If your baby is around 8 or 9 months and over 10 kg, don’t rely on it. Ask the airline for the limit before you plan around it.

For help with the nitty-gritty of travelling with a baby on a long flight, see our tips for travelling with a baby on a plane.

What baggage can an infant carry?

It depends on the airline, so read your ticket, but baby gear is generally forgiving. Many airlines allow one stroller and one car seat per child free of charge, on top of the normal bag allowance. Air Canada lists both on its children’s page. An infant’s own checked allowance varies from nothing to a small one: third-party summaries of Air India’s policy mention up to 10 kg for infants, but confirm on your ticket.

• Stroller. Check it at the gate so you can use it through the connecting airport.
• Car seat. If your baby has a seat, an approved car seat can go in it. Check the airline’s approval list first.
• Formula, milk, baby food. Allowed through security in reasonable quantities, but screening rules vary by airport. Check CATSA’s page for families.
• Nappies and wipes. Carry plenty. A delay is the one time a long flight gets longer.

Our baggage and packing guide covers the rest.

Document	Infant or child	Notes
Passport	Own passport, valid 6 months past arrival	Can’t be added to a parent’s
OCI card or e-Visa	One of the two	e-Visa needs its own application, at least 4 days ahead
Birth certificate	Carry the original	Also needed for OCI
Consent letter	If travelling without both parents	Recommended by Canada, not mandatory

Which routing is easiest with a baby?

A nonstop, if you live near one. Toronto has the most nonstop departures to Delhi, and Vancouver has fewer. Everyone else connects, and a baby makes every connection harder.

If you do connect, choose a layover of 2.5 to 4 hours. Shorter and you’re running with a stroller and a car seat; much longer and you’re entertaining a tired baby on an airport floor. Keep the whole itinerary on one ticket, so a delay on the first flight isn’t your problem to fix. And if you’re heading on from Delhi to a smaller city like Amritsar, book that hop on the same ticket for the same reason. Our layovers and connections guide explains how the pieces fit.

Does a Canadian-born baby need OCI or a visa for India?

Yes, one or the other. Your baby has a Canadian passport, and Canadian citizens need a visa to enter India unless they hold an OCI card. If either parent is of Indian origin, OCI is usually the better choice.

Passport first. Everyone needs their own passport. The Government of India’s e-Visa rules say each traveller needs a separate passport and the passport must be valid for 6 months beyond arrival. An infant can’t be endorsed on a parent’s passport. Apply for the Canadian passport early, because that’s the step with the longest wait.

OCI. Minor children who are foreign citizens by birth can apply, with the child’s birth certificate, both parents’ documents including the Indian passports they held before and surrender certificates where relevant, a parental no-objection letter, address proof and the photo. The BLS and Toronto consulate checklists are in BLS’s guide to fresh OCI cards for minors. Processing time isn’t fixed, so check the current timeline and start the application before you book if you can.

e-Visa. If OCI won’t be ready, a child needs their own e-Visa application, filed at least 4 days before arrival through the Indian e-Visa portal. It’s a workable backup, but an OCI is a one-time job and saves repeating it.

Our guide to flying to India on an OCI card and the visa requirements guide cover the adult side.

Does a child need a consent letter when travelling with one parent?

If a child under 19 travels without both parents, the Government of Canada recommends a consent letter. It isn’t a legal requirement for leaving Canada, but it can prevent questions at the border.

The travel.gc.ca consent letter page says the letter should include the child’s name, the parents’ contact details, the accompanying adult’s details and relationship, and the destination and dates. Every parent or guardian who isn’t travelling should sign, including separated or divorced ones. A notary is recommended, and Canada says border officials may not accept photocopies. Carry the original.

How early should I book, and where do I sit?

Book at the same time as everyone else, and add the infant at that moment. On many airlines, adding a lap infant after you’ve ticketed means a phone call, and the bassinet rows may be gone by then.

On seats: keep the whole family in one block, and put the adult who’ll handle the baby next to the aisle so they can get up easily. Our seating guide covers the trade-offs.

For timing and the cheapest months, see our cheapest month to fly Toronto to Delhi.

When is a travel agent useful for a baby trip?

When the booking has moving parts: a baby plus two children, a one-parent trip, a connection onward to a smaller airport, or a baby turning 2 mid-trip. Metairfare is a Calgary-based agency with real human agents and 24/7 support, and we can add the infant, request the bassinet and note the special meals in one call. Customers have left 750+ Google reviews and 2,000+ Trustpilot reviews, and you can reach us at +1-877-700-0520.

If you’re two adults with one lap infant on a Toronto to Delhi nonstop, booking directly with the airline is fine. Add the infant at booking, request the bassinet and check the documents. That’s the whole job.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age does a child need their own seat on a flight to India?

From the second birthday. Children under 2 can sit on an adult’s lap, while a child who is 2 or older needs a seat and a ticket. Age is counted on the day of each flight, so a baby who turns 2 during your trip needs a seat on the return.

Do infants pay taxes on international flights?

Usually yes. Airlines typically charge about 10% of the adult fare for a lap infant, and then taxes and fees are added. The total depends on the airline and the route, so ask for the all-in price rather than the fare alone.

Can I bring a car seat and stroller to India for free?

Most airlines carry a stroller and a car seat free of charge on top of your bag allowance, though policies vary. Check your airline’s page before you fly. Gate-check the stroller so you have it during connections, and confirm any car seat is approved for use on board.

Does my newborn need a passport to fly to India?

Yes. A baby needs their own passport, even for a short trip, and it can’t be added to a parent’s passport. India also requires an OCI card or e-Visa. Start the Canadian passport application early, since it’s usually the slowest part.

Is OCI better than an e-Visa for a Canadian-born baby?

If your child is eligible, OCI is generally better because it’s a one-time application and avoids visa applications on every trip. An e-Visa is a fast alternative, but it must be filed at least 4 days before arrival. Eligibility depends on the parents’ history, so check the consulate’s checklist.

Do I need a consent letter if my child flies with one parent?

Canada recommends a signed letter whenever a child under 19 travels without both parents. It’s not a legal requirement, but it can stop questions at the border. Include travel details and contact information, and carry an original, ideally notarized.

How long does a baby need to be before flying to India?

Airlines set their own minimum, and it’s often about 7 days for healthy full-term babies, with a doctor’s letter for very young infants. Ask your doctor and the airline before you book, because rules and advice differ.

Can I choose the seat for a lap infant?

An infant on a lap doesn’t have a seat of their own, but you can pick your own seats near each other. Bulkhead rows with bassinet points are limited, so request one at booking and again at check-in. Don’t count on it until it’s on your boarding pass.

Flying to India with a baby this winter? Call +1-877-700-0520 or WhatsApp us your dates, who’s travelling and the baby’s age, and an agent will price the infant and child fares and request the bassinet.

See our Canada to India flights guide for routes, airlines and seasons.