WestJet Baggage Allowance 2026, Carry-on & Checked Bag Rules
WestJet is a Canadian airline where the cheapest Basic fare only includes one small personal item measuring 41 x 33 x 14 centimetres or 16 x 13 x 6 inches that goes under the seat, while the standard Econo fare adds one carry on bag up to 56 x 36 x 23 centimetres or 22 x 14 x 9 inches for the overhead locker with no strict weight limit, and Premium and Business fares include two free checked bags of up to 23 kilograms or 50 pounds each for domestic flights within Canada.
Published on July 9, 2026 · Last verified on July 10, 2026 by Luggage Validator
7/10
WestJet Baggage Policy Strictness
Strict
Overview
Standard baggage allowance for your selected route and fare class. All dimensions include wheels and handles.
Carry-on Bag
56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in)
Overhead bin · Not specified
Personal Item
41 × 33 × 14 cm (16 × 13 × 6 in)
Under seat ·Not specified
Checked Baggage
No free bags
Available for a fee
Included in higher fares
Free Special Items
Items you can bring for free that do not count toward your standard baggage allowance on WestJet.
Coat or jacket
Umbrella
Crutches and walking aids
For passenger's own use
Diaper bag
For infants travelling on the flight
Duty free items
Purchased at the airport on the day of travel
Standard Economy Allowance
Quick reference for your selected route type. See below for full cabin class comparison.
| Baggage Type | Free | Max Size | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on Bag Overhead bin · per piece | 1 pc | 56×36×23cm 22×14×9in | Not specified |
| Personal Item Under seat · per piece | 1 pc | 41×33×14cm 16×13×6in | Not specified |
| Checked Baggage Cargo hold · piece system | No free | - | - |
Full Cabin Class Comparison
Compare allowances across all fare types and cabin classes for your selected route.
| Item | Basic | Econo | Premium | Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item Under seat | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Personal Item Size L × W × H | 41×33×14cm 16×13×6in | 41×33×14cm 16×13×6in | 41×33×14cm 16×13×6in | 41×33×14cm 16×13×6in |
| Carry-on Pieces Overhead bin access | No | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Carry-on Size L × W × H | - | 56×36×23cm 22×14×9in | 56×36×23cm 22×14×9in | 56×36×23cm 22×14×9in |
| Carry-on Weight Per piece | - | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Free Checked Bags Piece system | No | No | 2 pc | 2 pc |
| Checked Bag Size Max per piece | - | - | ≤ 158 cm 62 in | ≤ 158 cm 62 in |
| Checked Bag Weight Per piece max | - | - | 23 kg 50 lbs | 23 kg 50 lbs |
Recent Traveller Feedback
Booked the cheapest Basic fare with WestJet from Toronto to Vancouver and did not realize until I got to the airport that this fare only includes a small personal item under the seat and does not come with a standard cabin bag for the overhead locker, so I had to pay about 65 Canadian dollars at the gate just to bring my rolling suitcase on board the plane.
65 CAD
Flew WestJet from Calgary to Montreal on the regular Econo fare and was surprised to find out that the ticket does not include any free checked baggage for domestic flights within Canada, so I had to pay about 50 Canadian dollars extra for my 23 kilogram suitcase which I was not expecting at all.
50 CAD
Booked the Premium fare on WestJet for my flight from Edmonton to Toronto and it was totally worth it because the price includes two free checked bags of up to 23 kilograms each, which was perfect for my two week business trip since I needed to bring a lot of work clothes and presentation materials with me.
Went through security at Pearson International Airport in Toronto before my WestJet flight to Winnipeg and the standard 100 millilitre liquid rule applied just like everywhere else, so I kept all my toiletries in a clear plastic bag and everything passed through the security checkpoint completely smoothly with no problems at all.
Common Luggage Compatibility
Based on WestJet · Economy class. Compare luggage compatibility across all fare types and cabin classes using the filters above.
| Luggage | Personal Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Backpack | Over Limit | OK | OK |
16" Under-seat Briefcase | Over Limit | OK | OK |
18" Cabin Suitcase | Over Limit | OK | OK |
Standard 20" Carry-on | Over Limit | OK | OK |
22" North American Carry-on | Over Limit | OK | OK |
24" Medium Checked Suitcase | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
26" Mid-size Checked Suitcase | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
28" Large Checked Suitcase (IATA Standard) | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carry on size and weight limit for WestJet?
If your WestJet fare includes a carry on bag then the maximum dimensions are 56 x 36 x 23 centimetres or 22 x 14 x 9 inches including wheels and handles, which is slightly larger than the standard international carry on size used by many other airlines.
WestJet does not publish a strict weight limit for carry on bags, and the only requirement is that the bag must be light enough for you to lift it into the overhead locker by yourself without any help from the cabin crew.
It is very important to remember that the cheapest Basic fare does not include a standard carry on bag for the overhead bin at all, and you only get a small personal item that fits under the seat on that ticket type.
Does the cheapest WestJet fare include a carry on bag?
No, the cheapest Basic fare on WestJet does not include a standard carry on bag for the overhead locker, and passengers with that fare can only bring one small personal item that must fit completely under the seat in front of them.
If you book the Basic fare and want to bring a rolling suitcase or larger bag for the overhead bin you have to pay extra for it either online before your flight or at the airport, and airport fees are usually much more expensive than booking in advance.
Many travellers find that upgrading from Basic to the regular Econo fare works out better value than adding a carry on bag separately, so it is always worth comparing both options before you complete your booking.
How much checked baggage comes with each WestJet fare type?
The regular Econo fare on WestJet does not include any free checked baggage for domestic flights within Canada or flights to the United States and Europe, and you have to pay extra if you want to check a suitcase into the cargo hold on your flight.
Both the Premium fare and the Business fare include two free checked bags weighing up to 23 kilograms or 50 pounds each, and the maximum total linear dimension for each checked bag is 158 centimetres or 62 inches just like on most other airlines.
You can pre purchase additional checked baggage online through the WestJet website or app before your trip, and this is almost always much cheaper than waiting to pay for your bags at the airport on the day of travel.
What size is the personal item on WestJet?
Every passenger on every WestJet fare gets one free personal item that goes under the seat, and the maximum dimensions for this item are 41 x 33 x 14 centimetres or 16 x 13 x 6 inches which is fairly standard for a full service airline in North America.
Common examples of acceptable personal items include a small handbag, laptop bag, backpack or briefcase, and as long as the item stays within the official size limit it is always included for free no matter which fare type you book.
This personal item is the only free baggage you get on the cheapest Basic fare, so a lot of budget travellers pack very carefully and try to fit everything they need into a good quality under seat backpack.
Is it cheaper to buy baggage online or at the airport with WestJet?
It is almost always significantly cheaper to buy your extra baggage online through the WestJet website or app before your flight rather than waiting to pay for it at the airport, and airport fees can be thirty to fifty percent higher than the online pre booking price for both the first and second checked bags.
You can add checked bags to an existing booking up until 24 hours before your flight departs, and the price usually goes up the closer you get to your departure date so booking early saves the most money.
WestJet Rewards members and holders of the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard often get free checked baggage benefits as well, so it is always worth checking if you have any elite status or credit card perks before you pay extra for your bags.
All baggage rules on this page are from the official WestJet website. Last updated July 10, 2026. Before you fly, please check the official site again to make sure nothing has changed.
Help keep this data accurate. If you spot outdated baggage rules or have recent experience flying with WestJet contribute your update