Checked and excess baggage

From what to pack to how you can pack it, you'll find all you need to know about checked baggage right here. Looking for information on fees? Please see our service fees page.

You will be able to prepay for up to two pieces of checked baggage on WestJet operated flights when you book online or through Manage Trips at any time up to 24 hours before your flight. Checked baggage fees may also be paid when you check-in online or at the airport 24 hours to 60 minutes before you fly.

One medically required wheelchair, per guest, will be carried at no extra charge.

The device must be transported in the cargo compartment.

Braces, crutches, walkers and canes, along with other assistive devices, will also be permitted free of charge.

Please see assistive devices for more information.

The dimensions of checked baggage must be within 157 total centimeters or 62 total inches and not weighing more than 23 kilograms or 50 pounds.

Any piece of baggage exceeding the size or weight allowance is subject to all applicable oversized weight and size restrictions and fees.

If you are bringing overweight or oversized baggage, we recommend that you arrive 30 minutes prior to the recommended check-in times to allow time for screening.

Guests are encouraged to pre-pay for their first and second bags, as baggage fees will increase by $10 within 24 hours of departure.

Piece	Allowed on aircraft	Fee
First piece on WestJet or WestJet Encore	✓	May apply¹
Second piece on WestJet or WestJet Encore	✓	May apply¹
Third piece on WestJet² or WestJet Encore	✓	Yes
Fourth piece on WestJet²	✓	Yes
Fourth piece on WestJet Encore (Bombardier Q400)	✕	N/A

Oversized and overweight baggage

Piece	Allowed on aircraft	Fee	Details
Oversized baggage on WestJet or WestJet Encore	✓	Yes	158 cm – 203 cm (62 in. – 80 in.) in combined dimensions.
Overweight baggage on WestJet or WestJet Encore	✓	Yes	More than 23 kg (51 lb.) but not exceeding 45 kg (100lb.)³
Overweight baggage on WestJet travelling to/from Europe	✓	Yes	More than 23 kg (51 lb.) but not exceeding 32 kg (70lb.)
Sporting equipment on WestJet or WestJet Encore	✓	May apply¹	See our sporting equipment page for items accepted, packing instructions, restrictions and items which will not be charged an oversize fee.

Learn more about baggage fees

All cremation containers will be X-rayed. Documentation from a funeral home does not provide exemption to the screening requirement.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority recommends that cremated remains be transported in temporary containers (such as those made from plastic, cardboard or cloth) as these containers are more likely to scan clearly and pass security screening. Please note: screening officers are not permitted to open a cremation container, and will not inspect the contents if you open it yourself.
Containers that do not pass security screening as carry-on baggage will not be accepted as checked baggage.
For more information please visit catsa.gc.ca

Lap-held infant
Two pieces of infant equipment (e.g. infant restraint system, playpen or stroller) are permitted at no charge and can be checked at the gate as you board.

Fare-paying child/infant
One piece of equipment for a child/infant (e.g. approved restraint system (car seat), playpen or stroller) will be permitted at no charge in addition to the checked baggage allowance for the fare class booked.

WestJet only allows infant and child restraint systems approved by Transport Canada or the Federal Aviation Administration to be used on board the aircraft. For details on non-acceptable and acceptable infant and child restraint systems, please see approved restraint systems (car seats).

WestJet will review requests for one piece of checked baggage containing humanitarian aid (departing Canada) or return of one rescue animal (to Canada) per guest.

Request a fee waiver for humanitarian baggage.

In spite of our best efforts, baggage may sometimes be delayed or go missing. Should this occur, one of the best ways to help ensure you and your belongings are reunited is to attach a tag with your name and contact information, clearly, to each bag.

It's also a good idea to place your contact information inside your baggage. You can place a business card or our WestJet guest information form in a visible spot.

We recommend that whenever your medical equipment fits within the carry-on baggage dimensions you take it as carry-on baggage. Medication should be packed in your personal item. Although we do not charge a fee for medical equipment, most portable medical devices (PMEDs) must be approved for air travel as they contain batteries which are classified as dangerous goods. Please review the Medical equipment and medication page well in advance of when you intend to travel to be sure these items arrive safely.

WestJet waives baggage fee(s)* for active or veteran Canadian military personnel.

Any military personnel travelling for business or personal reasons can do so with a maximum of four bags on WestJet flights and a maximum of three bags on WestJet Encore flights at no additional charge. We will not charge overweight and/or oversized baggage fee(s) fee(s) for military personnel; however, baggage exceeding our maximum permitted size or weight will not be accepted as guest baggage and must be shipped via cargo (all applicable fees apply).

Please be aware of the following military identification we accept, and what you must produce before you board your flight:

A CFOne card with "CF" or "V"
Certificate of Service (CF 54 or CF 75) from any branch of the Canadian military
Discharge certificate from any branch of the Canadian military
DND ID card for National Defense (NDI 20)
Record of Service Card (NDI 75)
Statement of Service from any branch of the Canadian military
Valid DND temporary ID card (NDI 10)
National Association of Federal Retirees with “Canadian Armed Forces Veteran” stated on the card.

WestJet also waives the baggage fees* for active military personnel from other countries who show valid military identification.

* Note: To have your baggage fee(s) waived, WestJet must be the operating carrier on the entire journey.

This exemption does not extend to:

Current Department of National Defence (DND) public servants and their families
Serving and former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and their families
Other members of first-response agencies, peace officers, etc.
Current staff of Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) and their families
Current staff of Defence Construction Canada (DCC) and their families
Current staff of Communications Securities Establishment (CSE) and their families
Honourary Colonels/Captains(N), Lieutenant Colonels/Commanders and their families
Former Staff of the Non-Public Funds, Canadian Forces with a pension and their families
Former Staff of Department of National Defence (DND) with a pension and their families
Family members of the Staff of the Non-Public Funds (NPF), Canadian Forces (CF)
Family members of the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC)

Do	Do not
Pack fragile items carefully to prevent damage, breakage or spillage. Tag your baggage with your name, address and phone number. Tags are available at the airport if you don't have your own. Ensure all items in your baggage are able to withstand shock, normal handling, vibration, changes in temperature and changes in atmospheric pressure. Keep all loose handles, hooks and straps securely closed. These can catch on conveyors and belt loaders and cause damage to your baggage. Make a list of items you've packed and their estimated value. If the value of your bag's contents exceeds WestJet's liability, you may wish to consider purchasing baggage insurance through your own insurance company prior to travel or purchasing excess valuation through WestJet. Ensure your baggage does not contain any restricted items. Include contact information inside your luggage. This can help us reunite you with you baggage sooner in the event your baggage is delayed or missing. Download and print an inside baggage tag.	Lock your baggage. All bags must be accessible for inspection. Leave your baggage unattended at the airport. It could be subject to tampering and/or theft. Pack identification, jewelry, keys, medication and mobile devices in your checked baggage. These items should be taken in your carry-on baggage in the rare event that your checked baggage is delayed or damage

Do not

Pack fragile items carefully to prevent damage, breakage or spillage.
Tag your baggage with your name, address and phone number. Tags are available at the airport if you don't have your own.
Ensure all items in your baggage are able to withstand shock, normal handling, vibration, changes in temperature and changes in atmospheric pressure.
Keep all loose handles, hooks and straps securely closed. These can catch on conveyors and belt loaders and cause damage to your baggage.
Make a list of items you've packed and their estimated value. If the value of your bag's contents exceeds WestJet's liability, you may wish to consider purchasing baggage insurance through your own insurance company prior to travel or purchasing excess valuation through WestJet.
Ensure your baggage does not contain any restricted items.
Include contact information inside your luggage. This can help us reunite you with you baggage sooner in the event your baggage is delayed or missing. Download and print an inside baggage tag.

Lock your baggage. All bags must be accessible for inspection.
Leave your baggage unattended at the airport. It could be subject to tampering and/or theft.
Pack identification, jewelry, keys, medication and mobile devices in your checked baggage. These items should be taken in your carry-on baggage in the rare event that your checked baggage is delayed or damage

If you are travelling with one of our airline partners, the baggage policies of the other carrier may apply. Please 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.