Checked and excess baggage

When your pet flies WestJet, they're our special guests too. They may ride in the cabin or checked in with their kennel on most domestic and international flights. Details are: 

• A pet kennel fee applies for pets  
• To add your pet to your travel plans, please contact us by phone
• 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

• 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.

• Cremated remains are accepted in addition to carry-on and personal baggage allowance for all fare classes including UltraBasic. 
• Up to 350 milliliters (mL) of cremated remains are accepted as carry-on baggage. If the volume is more than 350 mL, the cremated remains may be transported in checked baggage.
• 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.  
  • An empty permanent container made of stone, metal, or ceramic may be transported in carry-on or checked baggage. 
• All carry-on items must go through security screening, documentation from a funeral home does not provide an exemption from screening. 
  • Screening officers are not permitted to open cremation containers and will not inspect the contents if you open it yourself. 
  • Containers that do not pass security screening will not be accepted as carry-on or checked baggage.  
• Documentation is not specified but may be required depending on the guest's itinerary and destination. WestJet recommends the guest carry: 
  • Death certificate. 
  • Certificate of Cremation. 
  • If the remains are those of an animal, additional documentation from a veterinarian indicating the animal has been properly cremated. 
  • For information about transporting cremated remains to a specific destination, please review the local consulate website. 
• For more information about travelling with cremated remains and meeting CTSA requirements, please see visit catsa.gc.ca

Lap-held infant
Two pieces of child/infant equipment (infant restraint system, playpen or stroller) are permitted at no charge and can be checked at the gate as you board. Wagons, stroller wagons, and other substitutions must be checked in.

Fare-paying child/infant
One piece of child/infant equipment (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. Wagons, stroller wagons, and other substitutions must be checked in.

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

* Note: 

• WestJet must be the marketing and operating carrier on the entire journey. 
• A WestJet guest who presents a CFOne card indicating the guest is a family member (i.e., "CF-F" or "V-F") is not eligible for waived baggage fees. 

Any military personnel travelling for business or personal reasons can do so with a maximum of 4 bags on WestJet flights and a maximum of 3 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 physical or digital 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.

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

• 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.

Do not

• 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 bag. These items should be taken in your personal item in the rare event that your checked baggage is delayed or damaged.

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.