WestJet Baggage Allowance Policy - How To Beat Extra Fees

Canadian citizens may not find WestJet airline unfamiliar at all. It’s, in fact, one of the more recognisable Canadian carriers. If you’re thinking about choosing Westjet for your next trip, you should learn more about the airline's baggage policy. In this article, we will go into detail about WestJet Baggage Allowance, plus useful tips to save you from unnecessary fees and hassle before boarding. 

• UltraBasic can bring 1 personal item for free (on Europe-Asia routes an additional carry-on is permitted). All other fares can bring 1 carry on and 1 personal item across all routes.

• Carry-on bags must stay within 53 x 38 x 23 cm (21 x 15 x 9 in), and personal items within 41 x 15 x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 in).

• The first checked bag for UltraBasic fares starts at $75 when paid at the gate, with higher fees applying for additional bags.

Westjet is one of the low-cost carriers in Canada. BOSSHEP, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview of WestJet - Canada's Leading Low-Cost Airline

Founded in 1996, WestJet Airlines Ltd., commonly shortened to WestJet, is Canada's second-largest airline and also the country's signature budget airline. Westjet was ranked as North America's Best Low-Cost Airline by Skytrax in 2018 and the sixth Best Low-Cost Airline in the same year. 

This budget airline can be compared to Air Canada in terms of scale. It has flights to 275 destinations worldwide and 100 destinations across  Central America, North America, Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia.

Westjet offers their passengers up to 10 different fare types. As a low-cost carrier, Westjet has launched its seriously no-frills airfare - UltraBasic. The ticket comes with a personal item you can easily store under the seat, no carry-ons, and a pre-assigned seat at the back of the plane.

For the remaining airfares, there’s a strict allowance in place for carry-on and checked luggage, as well as extra fees for non-compliant cases. Below is what you can expect to pack when boarding a Westjet plane.

Westjet Baggage Allowance - Carry-On Weight And Size Limits

Check West-jet underseat bag approved here.

Passengers travelling on WestJet (excluding Ultrabasic) are allowed to bring one carry-on bag and one personal item on board. These two bags can be stored in either the overhead cabin or the under-seat compartment. There is no weight limit, but your baggage shouldn’t be too heavy to carry around yourself or lift onto the overhead cabin.

The carry-on bag:

• It could be a backpack, a duffel bag, or a suitcase;

• Must not exceed 21 x 9 x 15 in (53 x 23 x 38 cm).

The personal item:

• It could be a briefcase, a camera, a garment, a kennel, a laptop, or a purse;

• Must not exceed 16 x 6 x 13 in (41 x 15 x 33 cm).

For the ultra-low-cost Ultrabasic airfare, passengers will board the plane with one personal item only (21 x 9 x 15 in (53 x 23 x 38 cm)). In general, you can't buy extra carry-ons with this class unless you're: 

• Travelling on Europe and Asia routes where you are eligible for one carry-on and one personal item, according to the airline's policy.

• Buying their Extended Comfort service, which includes one carry-on and one personal item in the package.

In addition to the carry-on baggage, the following items are allowed:

• A diaper bag with the child’s items;

• An approved restraint system for children with a purchased seat;

• Canes and walkers;

• Cremated remains;

• Duty-free items;

• Human organs for transplant or delicate scientific instruments;

• Medical devices, syringes, or needles;

• Properly labelled medication;

• Two litres of blood for personal use and properly packaged.

Best Backpack For Flying With WestJet

CabinZero under-seat-ready Military 28L.

CabinZero under-seat-approved bags are made to board many major airliners, including Westjet. With smart packing, 28L is enough to squeeze clothes that last several days.

“I needed a bag that could carry clothes for a whole week and pair of extra sneakers, that will pass strict hand luggage measurement,” Goran Đ. - one of our customers, shared about their experience, “and that could be convenient for use like a day pack in busy public transportation. This bag gave me all of this. I love this bag!”

That should be a lot for hand luggage when you're comparing this 28L backpack with a purse and small handbag. Most importantly, the backpack gets a solid yes from the gate agent to board the plane and has enough structure to keep your items from being crushed in tight spaces.

WestJet Baggage Allowance - Checked Bag Policy and Fees

Westjet checked baggage policies are constantly updated, as we can see a jump of $5 in checked bag fees as of February 15, 2024. But let's forget about it, as the carrier has changed its allowance again from June 4, 2024. The table below shows updated charges if you prepay during your book. 

Baggage fees for flights to or from Europe:

Baggage fees for flights to or from Asia:

Baggage fees for flights within Canada and the US/to or from the Caribbean, Latin America, and Mexico/and the rest of the world:

Here's the catch:

Instead of fixed fees, Westjet has a three-tiered fee schedule. They charge the least if you prepay, more at the self-serve kiosk, and the most when check-in at the airport. On average, you will pay $10 more for your checked bags at the self-serve kiosk and $10 more during airport check-in. For details, check out the Westjet website.

Excess Baggage Policy

Make sure your bag fits into Westjet measurement, or you'll pay the extra!

Starting from the third bag, passengers of all ticket classes flying to all destinations have to pay an extra fee. 

Overweight bags and oversized bags are also surcharged. Baggage that exceeds 50 lbs (23 kg) but still under 100 lbs (45 kg) is considered overweight baggage. Baggage that exceeds 62 in (157 cm) but still under 80 in (203 cm) is considered oversized. 

Items that fall into these categories will be surcharged, and if they exceed these limits, they must be transported by cargo. Note that all of these surcharges are combinable, meaning if your baggage exceeds multiple limits, you will have to pay all of the fines at once.

Sports Equipment

With Westjet, your sports equipment will be counted toward checked luggage. You can carry common items like surfboards, snowboards, bicycles, golf clubs, etc. with applicable fees. The airline also charges a handling fee for select sports items ($50 CAD). 

Like with carry-on baggage, your sports equipment has to follow the airline rules. Each item shouldn't go over 62 linear inches (width, height, and length combined) and shouldn’t be heavier than 50 pounds. All equipment (except vaulting poles) with a length exceeding 3 m (118 inches) won't be accepted. 

Notes: Fees are also combinable with sports items. For example, if it's your third bag and it's overweight and oversized all at the same time, you'll pay all three fees. 

Medical Equipment & Assistive Devices

If you need assistive devices or mobility aids on your flights, you should notify the airline in advance so they can make prior arrangements. Each passenger is eligible for one wheelchair at no extra cost. 

Checked Bag Policy For Active or Veteran Military Personnel

If you're an active or veteran Canadian military personnel, Westjet allows up to 3 free bags on WestJet Encore flights and 4 free bags on WestJet flights. 

Even when your checked bags are overweight or oversized but still within the maximum excess allowance, the airline still charges no cost. If there's any luggage exceeding the maximum excess allowance, it will be shipped as cargo.

Westjet Booking And Check-in Process

Booking With Westjet

Booking via Website

To book your flights on Westjet platform, you can follow these steps:

• Input the required info like travel dates, departure city and destination, and number of passengers

• Press Get flights and choose your flight

• Add extra comfort like seat selection, extra baggage, and travel insurance

• Fill in your details and other companions (if you travel in a group)

• Review everything and make payment.

Booking via Third-Party

You can also book your flight via OTAs (Online Travel Operator) like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights. However, we don't highly recommend these platforms as customer service is less accessible. It's also harder to cancel or rebook your flight if there's any issue you don't expect. 

Check-In With Westjet

Check-in with Westjet is pretty standard. During 24 hours before your departure, you can check in on their website or mobile app. Check-in is also available at the airport. However, keep in mind that you should arrive at least 2 hours to complete the procedures. 

If you're flying with a Premium and Business class, you can also enjoy priority check-in and become among the first to board the plane. 

You can no longer check in at self-service kiosk. They are now only for printing boarding passes or bag tags and scanning travel documents once you’ve already checked in online.

Tips To Avoid Baggage Fees

Switching to a lighter backpack can be a solution!

Subscribe to the Westjet loyalty program so you can enjoy extra checked bags for free. Silver and gold members can check up to two bags free of charge, and Platinum members can check up to three bags. 

Use co-branded credit cards: WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard is a worthy travel credit card for frequent WestJet flyers. Cardholders can get one free checked bag for themselves and eight companions with the same booking. 

Prepay your baggage as early as possible. There's a difference in the fee when paying for your luggage during the booking and at the check-in counter. You’ll get a discount if you pay 24 hours before your departure. Within 24 hours before the departure, the baggage fee jumps by $10. 

Upgrade to higher fare types to enjoy perks that come with them, which usually include extra baggage allowance. 

Pack light to stay within the limit. It's easier said than done when it comes to trying to leave what you consider essential at home. We run into this dilemma all the time with a big backpack where spacious compartments invite us to stuff more. If you start with the right backpack, like a CABINZERO 28L, you’re well on your way to travelling light, free of baggage fees. 

FAQs 

1. How Strict Is Westjet With Carry-On Luggage Size?

The thing is the gate agents don't always check all of the carry-ons, be it Westjet, Air Canada or British Airways. But Westjet does sometimes ask their passengers to screen their bags in these two cases. 

One is when your carry-on looks too big, and they think there's a high chance it won't comply with the size limits. Gate checks will also likely happen on a full flight where there's not enough cabin space for everyone. If you carry an oversized bag and are in the later boarding group, well… you’re on the wrong side of luck.

2. Can A Duffel Bag Be A Carry-On For Westjet?

Westjet considers bags, suitcases, and backpacks eligible carry-on items. This means that your duffel bags will count towards a carry-on as long as they are within the allowance of 53 cm x 23 cm x 38 cm (21 in. x 9 in. x 15 in.). And it’s the same for all airlines out there, as long as you meet their size and weight standards.

3. What Is The Weight Limit For Westjet International Flights?

For most international Westjet flights, baggage from 23 kg (51 lb.) but not exceeding 45 kg (100lb.) will be considered overweight. The allowance is stricter on flights from and to Europe, where the weight limit is from 23 kg (51 lb.) but not over 32 kg (70lb.) 

4. Does Westjet Charge For Baggage On International Flights?

Yes, the Canadian carrier does charge for checked bags on their international flights, depending on where you're travelling to and your fare type. Lower fares like Econo or Member Exclusive will start to pay from the first checked bag on most routes. 

However, first-checked bags are also free of charge on certain flights.  For example, on flights between Canada and the US or Latin, Caribbean, and Mexico, Econoflex passengers can check their first bag for free. If you're flying to/from Asia, you’re also entitled to the first free checked bag even when you're boarding with an Econo or Member Exclusive ticket. 

WestJet Will Reward If You Plan Ahead!

Planning ahead with WestJet can really pay off! If you pack light enough with the right bag, like our CABINZERO 28L, you won't be on the hook. If not, you can also pre-purchase extra baggage and prepay to avoid higher fees at the airport. 

Westjet flyers who have an airline-branded credit card, are loyalty program members, or board with a more expensive fare can also avoid potential fees. So next time, if you're flying with Westjet, keep in mind that a little planning can go a long way!

KELSEY