Does WestJet include baggage?

WestJet includes baggage within the fare for EconoFlex (1 bag), Premium (2 bags), and Business passengers (2 bags). Additional bags beyond these limits can be checked for additional fees. Passengers with lower-tier fares can expect to pay for carry-on and checked baggage.

Does WestJet charge for baggage on international flights?

This depends on where you’re flying. Generally, EconoFlex fares and higher do not incur fees for the first checked bag on international flights. But on flights to Asia, lower-tier Econo or Member Exclusive fares also include a first checked bag.

How strict is WestJet with carry-on size?

As with any airline, WestJet has size restrictions for carry-on luggage to ensure cabin safety. They are likely to measure your bag if it appears to exceed the maximum allowed dimensions, so you must be prepared to check the piece if it’s too big.

Is there a fee to carry on a personal item with WestJet?

WestJet doesn’t charge a fee to bring 1 standard carry-on (excluding UltraBasic passengers on most routes except Europe and Asia, and those who purchase Extended Comfort) and 1 personal item into the cabin. If your carry-on exceeds the maximum dimensions, then you may incur a fee to check the item.

What is the maximum allowable size of my carry-on and personal items on WestJet?

WestJet permits passengers to bring 1 standard carry-on and 1 personal item into the cabin, providing they do not exceed: Personal: 16 x 13 x 6 inches (41 x 33 x 15 centimeters) Carry-on: 21 x 15 x 9 inches (53 x 38 x 23 centimeters)

WestJet Baggage Fees and Policies (And Tips for Covering the Expenses)

Updated: September 30, 2024, 1:05pm CDT

Edited by:

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Table of Contents

Key Takeaways
WestJet Carry-On Allowance
WestJet Checked Baggage Allowance
Excess Baggage Fees
Exclusions and Waivers
Can I Prepay for Baggage?
Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees

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Key Takeaways

On WestJet, you can bring 1 personal item and 1 standard carry-on bag for free. UltraBasic fares do not include a carry-on except on some international routes.
Checked baggage fees vary based on the fare type and route.
Additional charges apply for extra baggage, with lower fees for pre-purchasing online.

WestJet has a clear-cut baggage policy that makes life easy when you’re planning your travels.

Checked luggage is included with some fares, and where it’s not included, the first checked bag is a relatively reasonable $35 to $133, depending on your destination.

WestJet Carry-On Allowance

You can bring along 1 personal item and 1 standard carry-on bag (excluding UltraBasic fare holders) for free on WestJet, but they must follow certain size restrictions:

Personal: 16 x 13 x 6 inches (41 x 33 x 15 centimeters)
Carry-on: 21 x 15 x 9 inches (53 x 38 x 23 centimeters)

WestJet allows each UltraBasic guest to bring 1 personal item. Carry-on bags are not allowed (even by paying for them) — except in the following cases:

UltraBasic guests traveling to and from Europe and Asia are allowed to bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item.
UltraBasic guests are allowed to bring 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item when Extended Comfort has been purchased for all flights in a single direction, including connections.)

WestJet doesn’t publish weight restrictions for personal or carry-on items other than saying that they must be light enough for you to lift into the overhead compartment without assistance.

If you’re traveling with an infant, you can bring a diaper bag and an approved restraint system car seat into the cabin. You can also check a stroller or car seat at the gate.

WestJet Checked Baggage Allowance

Checked bags must weigh less than 50 pounds (23 kilograms). The maximum allowed linear dimensions for a checked bag are 62 inches (157 centimeters).

When airlines refer to “linear dimensions,” they’re talking about the number you get when you add up the length, width, and depth of the item. So a suitcase that’s 24 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 18 inches deep has linear dimensions of 62 inches — just clearing WestJet’s size allowance.

Some fare types include the first or second bag for free, while others incur a fee.

Baggage Fees for Bookings Made on or After June 4, 2024

For Travel Within the U.S. and Canada:

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Fare Type	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in
Fare Type	First Checked Bag			Second Checked Bag			Third or Fourth Checked Bag
UltraBasic	$45 – $54	$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	$85 – $101	N/A	$100 – $118	$110 – $130
Econo or Member Exclusive	$35 – $42	$45 – $54	$55 – $65	$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	N/A	$100 – $118	$110 – $130
EconoFlex	No fee			$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	N/A	$100 – $118	$110 – $130
Premium or PremiumFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$100 – $118	$110 – $130
Business or BusinessFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$100 – $118	$110 – $130

Travel to or From Latin America, the Caribbean, and Mexico

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Fare Type	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in
Fare Type	First Checked Bag			Second Checked Bag			Third or Fourth Checked Bag
UltraBasic	$45 – $54	$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	$85 – $101	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Econo or Member Exclusive	$35 – $42	$45 – $54	$55 – $65	$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
EconoFlex	No fee			$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Premium or PremiumFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Business or BusinessFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189

Travel to or From Europe

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Fare Type	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in
Fare Type	First Checked Bag			Second Checked Bag			Third or Fourth Checked Bag
UltraBasic	$75 – $89	$85 – $101	$95 – $113	$105 – $124	$115 – $136	$125 – $148	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Econo or Member Exclusive	$35 – $42	$45 – $54	$55 – $65	$105 – $124	$115 – $136	$125 – $148	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
EconoFlex	No fee			$105 – $124	$115 – $136	$125 – $148	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Premium or PremiumFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Business or BusinessFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189

Travel to or From Asia

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Fare Type	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in
Fare Type	First Checked Bag			Second Checked Bag			Third or Fourth Checked Bag
UltraBasic	$75 – $89	$85 – $101	$95 – $113	$105 – $124	$115 – $136	$125 – $148	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Econo or Member Exclusive	No fee			$105 – $124	$115 – $136	$125 – $148	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
EconoFlex	No fee			$105 – $124	$115 – $136	$125 – $148	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Premium or PremiumFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Business or BusinessFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189

All Other Locations

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Fare Type	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in	Prepaid	Self-Serve Check-in	Airport Check-in
Fare Type	First Checked Bag			Second Checked Bag			Third or Fourth Checked Bag
UltraBasic	$45 – $54	$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	$85 – $101	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Econo or Member Exclusive	$35 – $42	$45 – $54	$55 – $65	$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
EconoFlex	No fee			$55 – $65	$65 – $77	$75 – $89	N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Premium or PremiumFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189
Business or BusinessFlex	No fee			No fee			N/A	$150 – $177	$160 – $189

Depending on the departure country, fees are charged in either Canadian or U.S. dollars, and the additional goods and service tax is applied on all itineraries that originate in Canada.

Excess Baggage Fees

You have to pay extra for bags that exceed the allowed linear dimensions, or weigh 50 pounds or more.

Oversized bags (62 inches to 80 inches/158 centimeters to 203 centimeters): $100 to $118*
Overweight bags (51 pounds to 100 pounds/23 kilograms to 45 kilograms)*: $100 to $118**

* For WestJet flights to or from Europe, a checked bag must not exceed 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
** To transport bags over 100 pounds (45 kilograms), call WestJet Cargo at 866-952-2746.

For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.), please refer to WestJet’s policies. WestJet also charges a CAD$50 (~$37) handling fee for transporting select sporting equipment and firearms.

Exclusions and Waivers

The following passengers receive free checked bag benefits:

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard holders: 1 free bag
WestJet Rewards Members:
- Silver: 2 free bags
- Gold: 2 free bags
- Platinum: 3 free bags

The free bag benefit applies to the eligible passenger and up to 8 companions on the same reservation (excluding WestJet groups and WestJet Vacations group bookings). The WestJet Rewards ID must be on the reservation at the time of check-in.

Active or Veteran Military Personnel

WestJet permits active or veteran Canadian military personnel to bring 4 bags for free if traveling for business or pleasure. On WestJet Encore, the limit is 3 bags.

WestJet waives overweight and oversized baggage charges, provided the baggage does not exceed the maximum excess allowance. It also waives baggage fees for active military personnel from other countries who show valid identification, though restrictions apply.

Humanitarian Aid

Passengers carrying humanitarian aid get 1 free bag, provided it does not exceed the standard size and weight allowances.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

WestJet encourages passengers to prepay for the first 2 pieces of baggage during booking or any time up to 24 hours before flight departure at a discounted rate. Checked baggage fees increase by $10 within 24 hours of departure or while checking in at the airport. There’s an additional $10 fee for bags checked through an agent at the airport counter.

Here are the ways you can prepay:

Log in to your booking from the Check-In tab on WestJet’s website
Use one of the airport kiosks

WestJet doesn’t let you add baggage by calling its contact center.

Credit Cards That Reimburse You for Checked Bag Fees

To pay to check bags on WestJet, use one of the Capital One cards listed below to help offset the fees:

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To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.