Have you ever heard of or flown WestJet Airlines? Perhaps you’re curious about what the Canadian airline’s policies are regarding carry-on and checked luggage, so be sure to read on. To answer your questions in this regard, I will cover as many of them as I can in this article here, and offer you links to additional relevant information.
WestJet Airlines Ltd. is the second-largest Canadian airline, second only to Air Canada, and is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. WestJet operates an average of nearly 800 flights per day to transport over 66,000 passengers daily.
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Let me fill you in on WestJet’s current rules and regulations and then answer common questions I hear about them.
How Strict is WestJet Airlines With Its Carry-on Luggage Policy?
WestJet is considered among travelers as one of the stricter airlines in regard to baggage size and weight. WestJet recommends carefully measuring your carry-on and personal items before traveling. In addition to your one carry-on bag, you’ll also be allowed one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase, backpack, diaper bag, or laptop bag.
WestJet Airlines, like other carriers, implements its own policies. If your luggage is deemed to be “oversize,” you could very well have to pay additional check-in fees at your boarding gate.
Carry-on luggage items have size restrictions, but not weight restrictions, and are typically stowed in the luggage bins overhead of passenger seats. Personal items typically are stowed underneath the seat of each passenger, though they may need to go in the overhead bin, as well.
Including handles and wheels, your carry-on luggage (e.g., bag, backpack, suitcase) on WestJet Airlines flights is not to exceed: 21” l x 15” w x 9” h (53 x 38 x 23 cm), or 45 total linear inches/114 cm.
Your carry-on item must also be light enough so you can store the bag in the overhead luggage compartment by yourself (individuals with special needs or disabilities can receive assistance upon request).
Personal items (e.g., laptop, purse, briefcase, etc.) should not exceed 16” l x 13” w x 6” h (41 cm x 33 cm x 15 cm).
Take some preemptive cautionary steps beforehand and invest in some WestJet-compliant carry-on luggage so that you can travel in peace and quiet.
How Can I Measure My Carry-on Bag to Make Sure It Fits on a WestJet Airlines Flight?
To help you verify your baggage conforms with WestJet’s carry-on size restrictions, the carrier recommends taking note of bag sizers at airport locations that feature its required 21″ x 15″ x 9″ dimensions.
It’s also a good idea to measure your carry-on bag before you leave for the airport to ensure that your entire bag, along with the wheels and handles, measures 21″ x 15″ x 9″ or less.
It’s important to remember that the three-dimensional measurements together – length + height + width – cannot add up to more than 45 linear inches/114 linear cm. If you happen to be traveling with a soft-sided or expandable suitcase, you may want to measure your carry-on again after it’s packed to ensure it still complies.
My WestJet-compliant Luggage Recommendations
Would you like to know what carry-on luggage I would recommend for flying with WestJet Airlines? I personally recommend the following WestJet-compliant carry-on luggage bags because of the carrier’s strictness with its luggage policies.
This is a great carry-on bag for travelers that want to get great value out of their travel baggage investment.
This Travel Pro bag is one you’ll fall in love with, and it may be the last carry-on bag you’ll ever purchase!
WestJet Airlines’ Carry-on Luggage Allowance
WestJet Airlines passengers are allowed to bring one carry-on item and one personal item on board its flights. Any items which do not fit into a sizing device or which are considered to be oversized will need to be checked, with checked baggage fees assessed accordingly.
WestJet can charge you $75.00 CAD / $56 USD extra for bags between 63 to 80 linear inches total (158 to 203 centimeters). Bags in excess of 80 linear inches will not be accepted.
Bringing Carry-on Liquid Items Onto WestJet Airlines Flights
You are allowed to bring liquid items onboard WestJet Airlines flights in your carry-on baggage as long as they pass through security checkpoints.
Toiletries and items in the form of liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers of 3.4 fl. Oz. (100 ml/100g) or less must be packed neatly in a clear, resealable one-quart (1 liter) plastic bag. Try these Ziploc one-quart baggies.
Duty-free liquids, aerosols, and gels of more than 3.4 oz. / 100 ml are allowed to be brought on board WestJet flights, as long as they are contained in a duty-free issued Secure Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB).
You’ll find plenty more information here on our TravelontheFly site about what items you are and aren’t allowed to bring on a plane with you.
You may also want to verify these requirements with WestJet’s website.
How Strict Is WestJet Airlines With Your Carry-on Size?
You shouldn’t have to worry about anything as long as your item(s) fit in the overhead bin above you or underneath the seat in front of you.
To make your flight as worry-free as possible, I’d suggest complying with the carrier’s policies. If you need a new carry-on bag that will fit WestJet’s (and other carriers’) guidelines, get this bag and don’t have to worry about it ever again.
How Strict Is WestJet Airlines With Your Carry-on Baggage Weight?
Most airlines, including WestJet, are not concerned with carry-on/personal item weight. You should only be concerned with spaces in the cabin where carry-on items should be able to be stowed comfortably. Meeting the size dimensions of your carry-on bags I mentioned above should cover all your bases.
Should I Risk Flying on WestJet Airlines With an Oversized Carry-on?
Most individuals who fly frequently will probably tell you, “No way!” And I would have to agree with them. But know that if your bag is only slightly larger than WestJet Airlines’ specified size dimensions, you’ll likely be OK. Worst-case scenario if your carry-on is too large is that you will have to check your bag at the gate, but then you can be charged $75 CAD ($56 USD) for checking an oversized bag.
PRO TIP – You have a better chance of getting away with a slightly larger piece of luggage if your carry-on is soft-sided. That‘s why I have highlighted and pointed you toward soft-sided bags like this one here. They are a little easier to squeeze into tight spots, including into the overhead bins on a plane!
WestJet Airlines Checked Baggage Fees
If you’re flying WestJet Premium, PremiumFlex, Business, or BusinessFlex, there is no charge for your first two checked bags. EconoFlex allows you one free checked bag.
Basic, Econo, and Member Exclusive tickets pay $30 CAD ($22 USD) for the first checked bag prepaid ($40 CAD/$30 USD at check-in) and $50 CAD ($37 USD) for the second checked bag prepaid ($60 CAD/$45 USD at check-in).
I travel with a bag that is slightly larger than many airline regulations, and I have never been asked to check it. I can’t guarantee that you won’t be asked to.
Your best bet is to travel with baggage that is within WestJet Airlines’ size regulations, and then you will never have to worry about it!
You can read more about WestJet Airlines’ checked bag policies here as you’re preparing for a specific upcoming flight.
Where Can I Find a Quality Travel Bag That’s Within WestJet Airlines’ Carry-on Luggage Limits?
I recommend this great carry-on bag that is an incredible value for the cost.
And this Travel Pro bag is an excellent choice for even the pickiest travelers.
How Strict Is WestJet Airlines With Its “One Personal Item” Policy?
WestJet Airlines is considered to be quite strict in regard to baggage sizes and weights among travelers. One small personal item is allowed per passenger (e.g., purse, handbag, briefcase, laptop bag, backpack, and medically necessary items). Technically speaking, WestJet expects personal items to be 16” l x 13” w x 6” h (41 cm x 33 cm x 15 cm) or less in size, but as long as your personal item can easily be carried and stored underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead luggage bin, WestJet Airlines representatives probably won’t be asked about it.
WestJet Airlines’ Personal Item Policy
Your personal item ( e.g., purse, shoulder bag, backpack, diaper bag, etc.) must fit under the seat in front of you, and dimensions should not exceed 16” l x 13” w x 6” h (41 cm x 33 cm x 15 cm). Read more about personal items on WestJet Airlines flights here.
Carrying Additional Items Onto WestJet Airlines Flights
In addition to your carry-on bag and personal item onboard WestJet Airlines flights, you are also allowed to bring small items, such as a jacket/sweatshirt, blanket, umbrella, book, duty-free items, a reasonably sized stuffed animal, food/drink purchased past the security checkpoint, crutches, strollers, camera, etc. These won’t count as personal items unless they’re larger things that take up space overhead or underneath a seat, like purses, shoulder bags, backpacks, briefcases, large camera cases, etc.
Is the First Checked Bag Free on WestJet Airlines Flights?
WestJet Airlines charges $30 CAD for the first checked bag and $50 CAD for the 2nd checked bag if they are prepaid. Overweight (>50 lbs/23 kg) and oversize bags are assessed an additional fee of $75 CAD.
Exceptions to checked baggage fee charges include: Strollers and car seats when traveling with infants or children.
Read more about WestJet Airlines’ checked bag policy here.
So, How Strict is WestJet Airlines About Carry-on and Personal Items?
WestJet Airlines passengers are allowed to take one carry-on bag and one personal item on board its flights. Both of these items should be able to fit in an overhead luggage bin, or one of them should be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Invest in carry-on baggage that complies with WestJet Airlines’ requirements, like this one.
In case you choose to take this risk with WestJet Airlines by bringing a larger bag, be sure to at least use a soft-sided bag so you’ll be able to better navigate it into a tight space. If your carry-on or personal item is deemed to be “oversized,” you could be charged a bag check-in fee at your boarding gate.