Pets
When your pet flies WestJet, they're our guest. Okay, so they don't get spicy snack mix or inflight entertainment, but we do work hard to ensure your furry friends travel in comfort and safety. Please review the following information before jetting off so you and your pets can be as prepared as possible. Start with our general entrance requirements for guests travelling with pets. This document includes information every pet owner travelling out of the country needs to know, including which health certifications and vaccination requirements their pet needs, and how to contact the agencies responsible for accepting them at your destination.
Travelling options for pets:
- Space for pets cannot be reserved online. To add your pet to your travel plans, please contact us by phone.
- A pet kennel fee applies for pets traveling in the cabin or as checked baggage. Please note that an empty kennel or a pet in a kennel will be counted towards your carry-on baggage allowance as either a personal item or a carry-on item, depending on its size.
- Kennel fees can be paid through our contact centre by credit card or with Travel Bank funds.
- We limit the number of pets permitted on each flight, so we strongly recommend requesting space for your pet as soon as you have completed your booking. If you do not request space for your pet(s) 48 hours before departure, space may not be available, and you may not be permitted to travel with your pet(s).
- To add a service dog to your travel plans, visit our service dogs page.
- Pre-booking is the only way to ensure space is saved on the aircraft for you pet. If you do not prebook, it is possible your pet may not be able to travel.
Pets travelling as carry-on must have room to stand, sit and move naturally in their kennel. Depending on the type of aircraft, you may be required to sit in a window seat due to space limitations beneath non-window seats. Please be aware that if you are travelling with a cat on a flight where a guest with a severe allergy to cat dander is also travelling, we may be required to move you toward the rear of the aircraft to meet the Canadian Transportation Agency's buffer zone requirement for the allergic guest. If this is required, you will be notified before you board your flight, and you will be seated to allow for a minimum of a bank of seats between the persons with a disabling allergy to cats and your cat.
Pet types (species) accepted in the cabin |
Birds (see entrance requirements) |
Total # of pets accepted in cabin per guest and per kennel |
One (1) |
Size restrictions (per kennel) beneath the seat |
41 cm L x 21.5 cm H x |
Kennel must be: |
Soft-sided |
Kennel must not be: |
Able to allow the animal's head to stick out |
Working dogs do not provide a service to a person with a disability or provide personal assistance to their handler.
Working dogs are trained to perform tasks at the direction of their handler. These tasks may include:
- locating people or items (search, rescue, avalanche, or tracking dogs)
- performing specific tasks for the military or police (detection, scout, sentry)
- other highly specialized skills
Please note:
- WestJet offers this program, but this is not something offered by many air carriers. We strongly recommend that you confirm the policies for the acceptance of working dogs of our partner airlines or any other transportation service provider as their policies may be different from ours.
- This program does not apply to WestJet Vacation package bookings.
- Working dogs will be charged the pet in cabin fee, and if the specialty dog requires additional floor space to ensure its comfort and safety on board, an additional seat must be purchased (based on availability).
- Working dogs are not accepted in Business cabin on the 787 Dreamliner.
Documentation requirements
You will be required to present a Registered Certificate Identification card at the airport.
Control measures
Control measures are always required. Specifically, your working dog must:
- be under your control
- wear a harness, vest or collar and leash (tether) or be inside a kennel
- behave in a manner that indicates the dog has been properly trained to be in public environments
Working dogs which pose any type of threat to health and safety, to crew members or other guests, may be denied transport as a working dog and/or in the cabin of the aircraft.
Advance notification requirements
For your best experience, we recommend providing us with as much advance notice as possible, as working dogs are only accepted on space-available basis.
Your pet may not be able to travel with you due to entrance restrictions. Please review general entrance requirements for guests traveling with pets to identify if this will affect your travel plans.
Entrance restrictions
- These restrictions apply to travelling with a pet. There are differences when travelling with a service dog. Please see our service dogs page for more details.
- Before travelling with your pet in or out of any province, territory or across borders, we strongly recommend confirming the entrance requirements with the consulate, embassy or appropriate government authority. You are responsible for meeting entrance requirements for any province, territory or country you are entering, including the point of departure.
- Pets may be denied entry at your destination (including Canada) if they are in poor health and may be subject to a medical examination. Any costs associated with a medical examination will be at your expense.
- Please view general entrance requirements for guests travelling with pets for more information. Entrance and documentation requirements are subject to change and may vary depending on your destination, the animal's breed and the type of animal travelling (e.g. a pet and a rescue animal can have different requirements).
- Entrance and documentation requirements are subject to change and may vary depending on your destination, the animal's breed and the type of animal (for example, a pet or a rescue animal).
- WestJet assumes no responsibility for your compliance with any such requirements.
- A designation of "does not accept" is applicable to both carry-on and checked baggage.
- If any of the countries on your itinerary include a note to see details, this means there are specific restrictions that must be met in order for your pet to be permitted to travel.
- WestJet does not accept pets for travel to/from Barbados, Hawaii, Ireland (Dublin), Jamaica or the United Kingdom.
Bird embargoes
- Birds of any type may not be imported into the Dominican Republic.
- Endangered birds and the remains of extinct birds may not be exported from Mexico at any time.
- When travelling with a bird, an import/export permit may be required and may need to be arranged in advance. You should contact the local country's embassy or consulate to confirm the import/export regulations for pet birds. There are also additional import regulations that require advance arrangements in order to return to Canada or the U.S. with a pet bird.
- Pets are not permitted on itineraries which include flights operated by our code-share and interline partners.
- For your pet's comfort, we recommend considering flights without connections, as well as early morning or late evening flights in the summer and midday flights in the winter.
- A pet may not travel with an unaccompanied minor.
- Pets that are younger than eight weeks old will not be accepted for transport.
- Pets travelling in the cabin must remain in the kennel and be stored under the seat in front of you at all times. If you remove your pet from its kennel while on board, you may be banned from travelling with your pet in the cabin on future WestJet flights.
- Pets that appear to be aggressive, unruly or in distress may be denied for transport at our discretion.
- All kennels are subject to approval by WestJet at check in. See the kennel information for carry-on pets or kennel information for "Checked" and "On their own (as cargo)" sections above.
- WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of pets while in transit.
- The limits of liability outlined in our baggage claim page apply to pets as well. These amounts are not automatically payable but reflect the maximum compensation payable, as each claim is subject to proof of loss.
- Consequential damages such as loss of enjoyment or companionship, inconvenience, etc. are not compensable.
For your pet's health and safety, WestJet recommends consulting your veterinarian before reserving travel if your pet is pregnant or in heat (estrus). Additionally, you should not administer any tranquilizer or other medication to your pet before travel without first consulting a veterinarian.
- Your pet must be fed and watered within the four (4) hour period before check-in. Only feed your pet a light meal prior to departure and provide a quick drink of water before check-in. Containers with food and water are prone to spilling during the course of kennel-handling and transportation. For the comfort of your pet, WestJet recommends that you empty all food and water containers before your flight.
- Exercise your pet before leaving for the airport. Some airports may require pets to remain in the kennel at all times.
- You should arrive at the boarding gate at least 40 minutes before flight departure. If you arrive less than 10 minutes before departure you will be denied boarding.
For guests travelling on a WestJet Vacations package, the following information applies in addition to the information listed above:
- Pets are not accepted at all hotels. Please contact the hotel directly for inquiries about pet acceptance.
- Extra charges may apply and must be paid directly to the hotel. Guests wishing to travel with their pets are required to contact us so we can ensure your pet is added to your flight reservation.
- Space for pets cannot be reserved online. To add your pet to your travel plans, please contact us by phone.
- A pet kennel fee applies for pets travelling in the cabin or as checked baggage. Please note that an empty kennel or a pet in a kennel will be counted towards your carry-on baggage allowance as either a personal item or a carry-on item.
- Kennel fees can be paid through our contact centre by credit card or Travel Bank funds.
- We strongly recommend requesting space for your pet as soon as you have completed your booking and a minimum of 48 hours before your scheduled departure. If you check in without requesting space for your pet(s) 48 hours before departure, you may not be permitted to travel with your pet(s) as we limit the number of pets permitted on each flight. WestJet cannot assume responsibility for pets that are not accepted for travel.
- To add a service animal to your travel plans, visit our service animals page.
- Pre-booking is the only way to ensure space is saved on the aircraft for you pet. If you do not prebook, it is possible your pet may not be able to travel.
A "Live Animals Handling Declaration" must be completed for a pet travelling in checked baggage. We will provide the live animal declaration form at the check-in counter. Please be prepared with a contact number, destination address and destination contact number.
Checked kennel restrictions |
|
Pet types (species) accepted as checked baggage |
Although WestJet accepts the following pets in checked baggage, not all pets are accepted in all countries. Please see the entrance requirements section for more information. |
Total # of kennels accepted per flight |
Three (3) on flights with WestJet 737 aircraft, including MAX |
Total # of pets accepted per guest |
Six (6) on flights with WestJet 737 aircraft2
|
Weight restrictions (pet + kennel combined) |
45 kg (up to 100 lb.) |
Size restrictions (per kennel) |
101 cm L x 68 cm W x 81 cm H |
Kennel must: |
|
| Kennel must not: |
|
There are three reasons your pet may not be able to travel with you: holiday, heat and entrance restrictions. Please review all three to identify if this will affect your travel plans.
Holiday restrictions
The following restrictions are applicable for pets travelling in checked baggage due to limited room during heavy holiday travel periods.
Flights within Canada
| Dates | WestJet Link Saab | WestJet Encore Dash 8 | WestJet 737 aircraft | WestJet 787 aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
December 15 - 17 inclusive |
0 | 1 | 2 |
2 |
December 18 - January 4 inclusive |
0 | 0 | 0 |
0 |
January 5 - 7 inclusive |
0 | 1 | 2 |
2 |
U.S. and international flights
| Dates | WestJet Encore Dash 8 | WestJet 737 aircraft | WestJet 787 aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
December 15 – 17 inclusive |
1 | 2 |
2 |
December 18 - January 4 inclusive |
0 | 0 |
0 |
January 5 – 7 inclusive |
1 | 2 |
2 |
Cold weather restrictions
| Flights between | Aircraft | Dates |
|---|---|---|
Calgary - Lethbridge |
Saab 340B aircraft operated by Pacific Coastal (8P) |
November 1 to March 31 inclusive |
Calgary - Lloydminster |
Saab 340B aircraft operated by Pacific Coastal (8P) |
November 1 to March 31 inclusive |
Calgary - Medicine Hat |
Saab 340B aircraft operated by Pacific Coastal (8P) |
November 1 to March 31 inclusive |
Calgary - Cranbrook |
Saab 340B aircraft operated by Pacific Coastal (8P) |
November 1 to March 31 inclusive |
| Vancouver - Kamloops | Saab 340B aircraft operated by Pacific Coastal (8P) | November 1 to March 31 inclusive |
Heat and entrance restrictions
- These restrictions apply to travelling with a pet. There are differences when travelling with a service or emotional support animal. Please see service animals for more details.
- Before travelling with your pet in or out of any province, territory or across borders, we strongly recommend confirming the entrance requirements with the consulate, embassy or appropriate government authority. You are responsible for meeting entrance requirements for any province, territory or country you are entering, including the point of departure.
- Pets may be denied entry at your destination (including Canada) if they are in poor health and may be subject to a medical examination. Any costs associated with a medical examination will be at your expense.
- Please view general entrance requirements for guests travelling with pets for more information. Entrance and documentation requirements are subject to change and may vary depending on your destination, the animal's breed and the type of animal travelling (e.g. a pet and a rescue animal can have different requirements).
- Entrance and documentation requirements are subject to change and may vary depending on your destination, the animal's breed and the type of animal (for example, a pet or a rescue animal).
- WestJet assumes no responsibility for your compliance with any such requirements.
- A designation of "does not accept" is applicable to both carry-on and checked baggage. If your destination is heat restricted year-round, your animal may be able to travel in carry-on baggage if all other restrictions can be met.
- If any of the countries on your itinerary include a note to see details, this means there are specific restrictions that must be met in order for your pet to be permitted to travel.
| Country | General entrance restrictions | Heat restrictions |
|---|---|---|
Antigua and Barbuda |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
Aruba |
See details | Pets are not accepted in checked |
Bahamas |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
Barbados |
|
WestJet does not accept pets for travel to/from this destination |
Belize |
|
Pets are not accepted in checked baggage |
Bermuda |
Not applicable |
|
| Bonaire | Pets are not accepted in checked baggage at any time (year-round) | |
Canada |
We love Canada but, sadly, heat is not an issue |
|
Cayman Islands |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
Curacao |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
Costa Rica |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
Cuba |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
Dominican Republic |
Pets are not accepted in checked baggage at any time for flights to/from La Romana |
|
Hawaii |
|
WestJet does not accept pets for travel to/from Hawaii |
Honduras |
Pets are not accepted in checked baggage from May 15 to October 31 |
|
Ireland |
|
WestJet does not accept pets for travel to/from Dublin |
Mexico |
Pets are not accepted in checked baggage at any time (year-round) for flights to/from Huatulco, Ixtapa/Zihuatenejo and Merida |
|
Trinidad and Tobago |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
Puerto Rico |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
St. Maarten |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
St. Lucia |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
Turks and Caicos |
Pets are not accepted in checked |
|
United Kingdom |
|
WestJet does not accept pets for travel to/from the United Kingdom |
United States |
Pets are not accepted in checked baggage on flights to/from Atlanta, Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and West Palm Beach from May 15 to October 31. Other U.S. destinations are not restricted |
Bird embargoes
- Birds of any type may not be imported into the Dominican Republic at any time.
- Endangered birds and the remains of extinct birds may not be exported from Mexico at any time.
- When travelling with a bird, an import/export permit may be required and may need to be arranged in advance. You should contact the local country's embassy or consulate to confirm the import/export regulations for pet birds. There are also additional import regulations that require advance arrangements in order to return to Canada or the U.S. with a pet bird.
For bookings made after July 4th, the following brachycephalic (short/snub-nosed) breeds of cats and dogs cannot travel in the baggage compartment because they are susceptible to increased risks of heat stroke and breathing problems when they become stressed or overheated. Any mix of the below dog and cat breeds should be considered brachycephalic and must be booked to travel by Westjet Cargo.
Cats :
- British Shorthair
- Burmese
- Exotic Shorthair
- Himalayan
- Persian
- Selkirk Rex
- Scottish Fold
Dogs :
- Affenpinscher
- Brasileiro
- Brussels Griffon
- Boston Terrier
- Boxer
- Bulldog – (all breeds)
- Bullmastiff
- Cane Corso
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chihuahua (apple-headed)
- Chow Chow
- Dogue de Bordeaux
- English Toy Spaniel
- Japanese Chin
- Lhasa Apso
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Pekingese
- Pug - all breeds including the Chinese Pug
- Shar-Pei
- Shih Tzu
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Tibetan Spaniel
For bookings made after July 4th, strong breeds will not be accepted as checked animals. They must be transported in a CR 82 crate and booked by Westjet Cargo
About the container or crate:
A CR 82 crate is made from weld or wire mesh, metal, wood or a synthetic material other than plastic.
The crate door must be made of wire mesh, metal or wood and should have a secure lock that can’t be opened accidentally.
We reserve the right to refuse any animal for transport, including those that exhibit aggressive behaviour and/or cage destruction.
The following breeds* and crossbreeds* (includes crosses between these dogs and other breeds) are classified as strong or aggressive:
- American Bulldog
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Anatolian Shepard
- Bandog
- Cane Corso
- Caucasian Shepherd
- Doberman
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Mastiff (all breeds)
- Pitbull (all breeds)
- Presa Canario
- Rottweiler
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
- Wolf Dog Hybrids
- Pets are not permitted on flights operated by our code-share and interline partners. WestJet is also unable to accept pets on flights we operate but were booked through one of our partners.
- For your pet's comfort, we recommend considering flights without connections, as well as early morning or late evening flights in the summer and midday flights in the winter.
- A pet may not travel with an unaccompanied minor.
- Pets that are younger than eight weeks old will not be accepted for transport.
- A maximum of two (2) animals, of the same species and comparable in size up to 14 kg (31 lbs.) each, that are compatible, may be shipped in one kennel. Maximum total weight restrictions (animal[s] plus kennel weight) apply. Animals over 14 kg (31 lbs.) each must be shipped individually.1
- Pets that appear to be aggressive, unruly or in distress may be denied for transport at our discretion.
- All kennels are subject to approval by WestJet at check in. See the kennel information for carry-on pets or kennel information for "Checked" and "On their own (as cargo)" sections above.
- WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of pets while in transit.
- The limits of liability outlined in our baggage claim page apply to pets as well. These amounts are not automatically payable but reflect the maximum compensation payable, as each claim is subject to proof of loss.
- Consequential damages such as loss of enjoyment or companionship, inconvenience, etc. are not compensable.
- The following animal breeds are restricted for travel into or through Ontario, Canada:
- Pit Bull Terrier
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- American Staffordshire Terrier
- Staffordshire Bull Terrier
1 For Saab aircraft flights, only one animal is allowed in a single kennel.
For your pet's health and safety, WestJet recommends consulting your veterinarian before reserving travel if your pet:
- Is in heat (estrus), pregnant, or recently given birth.
- Is a snub-nosed breed (brachycephalic or short-nosed). These types of pets suffer from respiratory problems that increase with stress and heat, and may not be suitable for travel in checked baggage.
- Has other medical concerns which may pose a risk during travel (e.g. recently had surgery and is in recovery, or is considered a senior animal).
Additionally, you should not administer any tranquilizer or other medication to your pet before travel without first consulting a veterinarian.
- It is recommended that you acclimate your pet with the kennel long before your travel date. Allow them to learn that the kennel is a safe space. This allows the pet to feel more comfortable and less stressed during travel.
- Your pet must be fed and watered within the four (4) hour period before check-in. Only feed your pet a light meal prior to departure and provide a quick drink of water before check-in. Containers with food and water are prone to spilling during the course of checked kennel-handling and transportation. For the comfort of your pet, WestJet recommends that you empty all food and water containers before transferring the kennel to WestJet during check-in.
- Exercise your pet before leaving for the airport. Some airports may require pets to remain in the kennel at all times.
- It is a requirement to remove your pet’s leash after your pet is returned to the kennel following security screening. In addition, although not required, WestJet advises the collar/vest/harness also be removed.
- If you are travelling with your pet in checked baggage, please ensure you allow adequate time to check in. You may be required to accompany your pet through additional security screening before proceeding through passenger screening. Recommended check-in time for guests travelling with a checked kennel is 120 minutes before domestic flight departures and 150 minutes (depending on your destination) before international flight departures. If you check in less than 90 minutes before your flight's departure, your pet may be denied boarding.
- You should arrive at the boarding gate at least 40 minutes before flight departure. If you arrive less than 10 minutes before departure you will be denied boarding.
- Once checked in, our agents may not be able to take your pet more than 60 minutes before scheduled departure for international flights and 120 minutes before scheduled departure for flights to/from the U.S.
For guests travelling on a WestJet Vacations package, the following information applies in addition to the information listed above:
- Pets are not accepted at all hotels. Please contact the hotel directly for inquiries about pet acceptance.
- Extra charges may apply and must be paid directly to the hotel. Guests wishing to travel with their pets are required to contact us so we can ensure your pet is added to your flight reservation.
Pet as cargo?
For all pets destined for London Heathrow (LHR), booking as manifested cargo is mandatory.
For more information about shipping your pets with WestJet Cargo, please contact our customer service team at service@westjetcargo.com or 1-866-WJCARGO (952-2746).