✓ Policy web-verified 2026-05-31
WestJet’s baggage allowance in 2026 is fare-driven. Your fare bundle decides whether a carry-on is included, how many checked bags are free (usually none on the cheaper fares), and how much each bag costs. The big trap is the cheapest fare, UltraBasic: on most routes it includes only a personal item, with no full carry-on and no checked bag. Everything else is paid.
Carry-on size is 56 x 23 x 36 cm (22 x 9 x 14 in) and a personal item is 41 x 14 x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 in). Checked bags are capped at 23 kg (50 lb) and 157 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions. WestJet does not publish a strict carry-on weight number — the rule is that you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin unaided.
Checked-bag fees rose with a fee structure that applies to tickets bought on or after April 23, 2026, and the price you pay depends on when you pay: prepaid online is cheapest, then online check-in, then at the airport counter. Fees also vary by region and exact route, so the figures below are ranges.
Quick facts
| Personal item | 41 x 14 x 33 cm (16 x 9 x 13 in) — included on all fares |
| Carry-on | 56 x 23 x 36 cm (22 x 9 x 14 in) — NOT included on UltraBasic (most routes) |
| Carry-on weight | No fixed limit; must be liftable into the bin unaided |
| Checked bag weight | 23 kg (50 lb) standard |
| Checked bag size | 157 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions |
| First checked bag (Econo, domestic/US) | ~CAD $45-53 prepaid, more at airport |
| First checked bag (UltraBasic, domestic/US) | ~CAD $55-65 prepaid, up to ~$94 at airport |
| First checked bag (UltraBasic, Europe/Asia) | ~CAD $80-94 prepaid, up to ~$124 at airport |
| Free checked bags | EconoFlex 1; Premium / Business 2 |
| Overweight (23-45 kg) / oversize (158-203 cm) | ~CAD $150-177 per bag |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal / under-seat item | 41 x 14 x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 in). Included on every fare, including UltraBasic. Must fit under the seat in front of you. |
| Cabin / carry-on bag | 56 x 23 x 36 cm (22 x 9 x 14 in) · No fixed weight limit — must be liftable into the overhead bin unaided Included on Econo and above; NOT included on UltraBasic except on Europe/Asia routes or when Extended Comfort is bought |
Checked baggage & fees
| Checked allowance | 0 free on UltraBasic and Econo; 1 free on EconoFlex; 2 free on Premium and Business |
| Weight limit | 23 kg (50 lb) per bag standard |
| Typical fee | First bag from ~CAD $45 (Econo, prepaid) to ~$94+ (UltraBasic, airport); Europe/Asia higher. See fare table for detail. |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UltraBasic | Included | Personal item only (carry-on allowed only to/from Europe & Asia, or with Extended Comfort) | None free; first bag ~CAD $55-65 prepaid (domestic/US), ~$80-94 prepaid (Europe/Asia) |
| Econo / Member Exclusive | Included | 1 carry-on + personal item | None free; first bag ~CAD $45-53 prepaid (domestic/US) |
| EconoFlex | Included | 1 carry-on + personal item | 1 free; second bag ~CAD $60-71 prepaid |
| Premium / PremiumFlex | Included | 1 carry-on + personal item | 2 free |
| Business / BusinessFlex | Included | 1 carry-on + personal item | 2 free |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What WestJet’s cheapest fare (UltraBasic) actually includes at deal prices: a personal item only — no checked bag, and on most routes no full carry-on either. UltraBasic gets a carry-on only on flights to/from Europe and Asia, or if you buy Extended Comfort for the whole direction.
So a headline UltraBasic fare is a personal-item-only ticket. Budget realistically: a first checked bag is roughly CAD $55-65 prepaid on domestic/US routes and $80-94 prepaid to Europe/Asia — and noticeably more if you wait until the airport. If you need to bring a real bag, pricing out EconoFlex (1 free bag) against UltraBasic-plus-paid-bag often closes the gap.
Worst-case trap: showing up at the gate with a carry-on you weren’t entitled to on UltraBasic — WestJet checks it and charges both a checked-bag fee and a separate gate service fee.
Oversize, sports & special items
When you pay matters. WestJet prices checked bags in tiers: cheapest when prepaid in advance, higher at online (self-serve) check-in, highest at the airport counter. Always add bags when booking.
Overweight and oversize. A bag over 23 kg up to 45 kg (100 lb) — capped at 32 kg (70 lb) on Europe routes — or measuring 158-203 cm (62-80 in) in total dimensions incurs an extra fee of roughly CAD $150-177 per bag. Bags over 45 kg or larger than 203 cm are generally not accepted.
Extra bags. Third and fourth checked bags cost more — around CAD $150-177 (domestic) and $200-236 (international) each. A fourth bag is not accepted on WestJet Encore aircraft.
Sports equipment & instruments. Many sports items travel as a standard or oversize checked bag; some are exempt from the oversize surcharge. Musical instruments can go as carry-on if they fit the cabin-bag size, or you can buy a seat for larger instruments. Check WestJet’s sporting-equipment page for the item-by-item rules before you fly.
Figures are ranges. Exact fees vary by specific route and date, and the structure shown applies to tickets purchased on or after April 23, 2026. Always confirm the price on your own booking.
Frequently asked questions
Does WestJet's UltraBasic fare include a checked bag?
No. UltraBasic includes only a personal item. There is no free checked bag, and on most routes no full carry-on either — you get a carry-on on UltraBasic only to/from Europe and Asia, or if you purchase Extended Comfort for the whole direction.
How much does a checked bag cost on WestJet in 2026?
On domestic and US routes the first checked bag runs about CAD $45-53 prepaid on Econo and $55-65 prepaid on UltraBasic, rising toward $80-94 at the airport. To Europe and Asia, UltraBasic's first bag is roughly $80-94 prepaid. Fees vary by route and are lowest when prepaid.
What is WestJet's carry-on size limit?
A carry-on bag may be up to 56 x 23 x 36 cm (22 x 9 x 14 in). WestJet does not publish a strict weight number — you must be able to lift it into the overhead bin unaided.
What is WestJet's personal item size?
A personal item may be up to 41 x 14 x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 in) and must fit under the seat in front of you. It is included on every fare, including UltraBasic.
What is the checked bag weight limit on WestJet?
The standard checked-bag limit is 23 kg (50 lb) and 157 cm (62 in) total linear dimensions. Heavier bags up to 45 kg (32 kg to Europe) or larger up to 203 cm incur an overweight/oversize fee of about CAD $150-177.
Which WestJet fares include free checked bags?
EconoFlex includes one free checked bag; Premium, PremiumFlex, Business and BusinessFlex include two. UltraBasic and standard Econo include none — every checked bag is paid.
What happens if I bring a carry-on on UltraBasic when I'm not allowed one?
WestJet will require you to check the bag at the gate and charge both a checked-bag fee and a separate gate service fee. It is always cheaper to prepay a bag or buy a fare that includes carry-on.