Sporting equipment
Because suitcases aren't the only things you may want to pack, it's best to be aware that sporting equipment will count as a piece of checked baggage. Below you'll find what you need to know about bringing everything from surfboards to ski boots to soccer balls.
Sporting equipment overview
- Sporting equipment is subject to all applicable baggage fees. Fees are combinable where applicable - if an item is overweight, oversized and a second item, all three fees apply. A handling fee of $50 CAD will be charged on firearms and select sporting equipment.
- WestJet accepts sporting equipment that meets the packing requirements, and weight and size restrictions for travel on domestic, international and chartered flights.
- With the exception of vaulting poles, the maximum length accepted is 3 m (118 in.) for any sports item.
- Travelling with one of our airline partners? Be sure to familiarize yourself with the fees for your journey by visiting our airline partners page. Fees are collected on a one-way basis by the airline operating the first flight for each direction of your journey.
- The arrow(s) and the bow/crossbow must be packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping.
- A set consists of a bow/crossbow, a quiver of arrows and a maintenance kit.
- All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply.
To ensure the safety of our guests, employees and aircraft, WestJet does not accept E-bikes, E-scooters, Segways, hoverboards, etc. These devices use lithium or lithium-ion batteries above the allowable limit, up to 100-watt hours (Wh), and are prohibited in the cabin or in checked luggage.
- A maximum of one bicycle and one helmet are allowed per guest.
- All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply - please see below. A handling fee of $50 CAD will be charged at the airport for bikes.
- You may check your bicycle and container with a maximum:
- weight of 45 kg (100 lb.) without paying an excess weight fee
- dimension of 292 cm (115 in.) without paying an oversize baggage fee
- A bicycle (including the container) exceeding the maximum:
- weight must be shipped by cargo
- dimension of 292 cm (115 in.) is subject to oversize baggage fees
- length of 3 m (118 in.) is not accepted
- WestJet may refuse carriage of improperly packaged bicycles. A bicycle must be packed flat in a bicycle bag or box. Before flying with your bike, please:
- Remove pedals.
- Partially deflate your tires.
- Fix handlebars sideways.
- Pack the bicycle in a box or bag to protect your bike and prevent leakage from bicycles containing hydraulic fluid.
- One broom and one equipment bag (containing uniform, gloves, shoes, but no rocks) count as one piece of baggage. All other additional checked baggage rules apply.
- The oversize bag fee will be waived. Applicable extra piece fees apply.
- One golf set consisting of golf balls, golf clubs and golf shoes will be accepted per guest.
- Golf equipment must be packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specially designed for shipping, or in a bag with an attached hood.
- Bags with built-in tripods must have the legs taped or secured to the bag.
- The oversize bag fee will be waived. Applicable extra piece and overweight fees apply.
- One helmet, a puck/ring/football/stick, a set of pads, and a pair of cleats, shoes or skates are included as part of one accepted set, per guest.
- If the bag's primary use is to transport equipment, the oversize bag fee and overweight fee (up to 100 lbs.) will be waived.
- Applicable extra piece fees will apply.
- One set is accepted per guest including a kayak and one paddle/oar.
- A river kayak must be packaged for shipping to prevent damage.
- Maximum dimension accepted: 300 cm x 76 cm x 45 cm (length x width x height) or 118 in. x 30 in. x 17 in.
- Sea kayaks are not accepted as their size exceeds our allowances.
- All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply.
- Paintball gun or marker
- Must be placed in a gun case or comparable checked baggage
- This item may be restricted to certain destinations as it may be considered a firearm
- Any battery source must be disconnected
- Mask
- Hopper
- Air tank
- Aluminum or composite tanks can up to 591 mL (20 oz). Larger tanks require approval.
- All tanks must be drained, and any valve must be secured in the open position (or removed). CO2 cartridges are not permitted.
- Paintballs (packaged in the original manufacturer's container)
One set is accepted per guest and includes one:
- One parachute per guest.
- Parachutes that contain an automatic activation device may be accepted, however, a parachute containing a compressed or explosive-type activation device is not allowed.
- All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply.
- Pair of fins
- Mask
- Regulator
- Snorkel
- Speargun (scuba gun) (Note: this item may be restricted to certain destinations as it may be considered a firearm.
- Tank harness
- Aqua-lung cylinder or scuba tank
- Cylinders containing compressed air or a special gas mixture are prohibited.
- Only empty cylinders (pressure gauge must read zero) are allowed.
- Tank valve must be open.
- Diving lamp
- Must be disconnected from the battery.
- The battery must be removed and the battery terminals must be taped over to prevent accidental functioning during transport; for transport in checked baggage it must be packed separately.
- All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply.
One set is accepted per guest and includes one:
- Skateboards may be brought as carry-on baggage if they are within the size requirements.
- All items must be packed for shipping to prevent damage.
- All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply.
One skateboard or fold-up scooter (non-motorized) in addition to one helmet are accepted per guest.
One set is accepted per guest including helmet, skis, boots and poles; or a snowboard and boots; or a pair of water skis.
- All items must be packed for shipping to prevent damage.
- Ski wax must be non-flammable. Butane or torches used to remove ski wax are not accepted.
- Multiple skis can be packed together in a ski bag if they fit.
- The oversize bag fee will be waived.
- Applicable extra piece and overweight fees apply.
- Inflatable sport balls such as basketballs, footballs, soccer balls and volleyballs should be partially deflated and are also permitted in carry-on baggage.
- Bowling balls are accepted as carry-on or checked baggage but must be packed in a bowling bag. You are permitted one set of bowling equipment within applicable size and weight limits. A set consists of a bowling bag, one 10-pin bowling ball or two five-pin balls, and bowling shoes.
- All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply.
When properly packaged and within the sizing restrictions sports racquets are also permitted in carry-on baggage.
All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply.
We accept sport wheelchairs in checked baggage; however a fee may apply for sport wheelchairs which are not guest's primary mode of mobility.
Are accepted in checked baggage when less than 9.8 feet (3 metres) long.
An oversized baggage fee will apply for each board exceeding 62 inches (157 cm).
- One set is accepted per guest including a paddleboard and one paddle/oar; or a surfboard and sail; or a surfboard and kite.
- All boards must have the skeg/fin removed, be padded, and packed properly to prevent damage to the board, sail and other baggage.
- All applicable oversized, overweight and extra piece fees apply.
A handling fee of $50 CAD will be charged at the airport for each surfboard, paddleboard, wakeboard and set of wave skis.
You are allowed to transport vaulting poles on flights operated by 737 aircraft only.
The vaulting poles must be transported in a maximum 5.31 m (17 ft.) nylon vaulting-pole bag. The total weight of the pole and bag must not exceed 100 lbs., or they must be shipped as cargo.
An overweight fee for vaulting poles may apply.
An oversize fee does not apply.
The vaulting poles must be packed to prevent damage to the seal of the aircraft, e.g. the ends padded with bubble wrap.
If you are an interline guest, you must check with the partner air carrier for vaulting pole acceptance.
For additional packing instructions, more detail on restrictions or other information related to sporting equipment, please contact us.
Limits of liability
For domestic travel only, WestJet's maximum liability as a result of damage and/or loss is 1,131 Special Drawing Rights per bag (approximately $1800 CAD). For international travel, WestJet's liability will be limited by either the Montreal Convention or the Warsaw Convention, as applicable. In most cases, the limitation amount will be 1,131 Special Drawing Rights. If you have purchased excess valuation ‑ which is available at the airport, prior to departure, for a fee ‑ the maximum liability is $3,000 CAD (which includes the standard 1131 SDRs).
In the event that a bag is lost, guests will be reimbursed for their baggage fee in addition to settlement for the loss of baggage.
You may wish to consider the purchase of travel insurance for items valued exceeding WestJet's maximum liability.