✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
Here’s the headline that matters before you book a cheap Sunwing deal: Sunwing Airlines no longer exists as its own carrier. WestJet completed the full integration of Sunwing on May 28, 2025, folding the old Sunwing fleet under a single WestJet air operator certificate. Any “Sunwing” flight you take in 2026 is operated by WestJet, on a WestJet aircraft, under WestJet fare classes and baggage pricing. What survives is Sunwing Vacations, the tour operator — and your baggage depends entirely on whether you booked a package or a bare flight.
The good news: a genuine Sunwing Vacations all-inclusive package (departures from Nov 25, 2025 onward) includes one free checked bag plus a free carry-on and a personal item — nothing to add. The trap: if you booked flight-only or an “e-package,” you’re on WestJet’s rock-bottom UltraBasic fare, which strips you down to one personal item — no free checked bag and, on most sun routes, no carry-on either. Same Sunwing logo on the booking page, two completely different outcomes.
Quick facts
| Operator (2026) | WestJet — Sunwing integrated May 28, 2025 |
| Free personal item | Under-seat item, every fare and package |
| Free carry-on | Packages: yes. Flight-only UltraBasic: no* |
| Free checked bag | All-inclusive packages only (from Nov 25, 2025) |
| Carry-on size | 56 x 23 x 36 cm (22 x 9 x 14 in), lift unaided |
| Checked weight limit | 23 kg (50 lb), max 158 cm (62 in) total |
| First checked bag (UltraBasic) | From C$75 + tax (tickets from Apr 23, 2026) |
| Old Sunwing rules | Gone — WestJet terms now apply |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | Under-seat size (purse, backpack, laptop bag). Included on every fare and package, UltraBasic included. Must fit under the seat in front of you. |
| Carry-on bag | 56 x 23 x 36 cm (22 x 9 x 14 in), must be light enough to lift into the bin unaided. Free on Sunwing Vacations packages and on WestJet Econo and up; NOT on flight-only UltraBasic, except UltraBasic to/from Europe and Asia, or with Extended Comfort purchased. |
Checked baggage & fees
| Package all-inclusive (from Nov 25, 2025) | 1 checked bag free; e-packages and flight-only excluded |
| Weight limit | 23 kg / 50 lb per bag (Economy) |
| Size limit | 158 cm / 62 in total (length + width + height) |
| Flight-only UltraBasic, 1st bag (tickets to Apr 22, 2026) | C$50 pre-paid / C$60 online / C$70 airport + tax |
| Flight-only UltraBasic, 1st bag (tickets from Apr 23, 2026) | C$75 pre-paid / C$85 online / C$95 airport + tax |
| Flight-only UltraBasic, 2nd bag (from Apr 23, 2026) | C$105 pre-paid + tax |
| Overweight / oversize | Surcharge above 23 kg or 158 cm |
Baggage by region & route
Checked-bag inclusion on the cheapest fare can depend on where you fly, not just the fare name. Here is what the lowest fare includes by route:
| Booking type / route | Cheapest fare includes |
|---|---|
| Sunwing Vacations all-inclusive package (any sun destination) | 1 checked bag included |
| Flight-only / e-package UltraBasic, sun / domestic / US routes | No checked bag and no carry-on (personal item only) |
| Flight-only UltraBasic to/from Europe or Asia | No free checked bag, but a carry-on IS allowed |
| WestJet Econo and higher (flight-only) | Carry-on free; checked bag paid or included by fare |
What each fare includes
| Fare / booking type | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunwing Vacations package (all-inclusive) | Free | Free | 1 free (from Nov 25, 2025) |
| Flight-only UltraBasic | Free | No* | Paid, from C$75 + tax |
| WestJet Econo (flight-only) | Free | Free | Paid (varies by route) |
| WestJet Extended Comfort / Premium | Free | Free | Often 1-2 included |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
What you actually get on a cheap “Sunwing” deal fare depends on what you clicked. A real Sunwing Vacations all-inclusive package is the easy win: since Nov 25, 2025 the first checked bag, the carry-on and the personal item are all free, so a family lands in Varadero or Cancun with zero baggage upsell. Don’t pre-pay for a bag you already have.
But if your “Sunwing” booking is flight-only or an e-package, you’re on WestJet’s UltraBasic fare — a seat and one personal item, full stop. No checked bag, and on the Caribbean/Mexico/Central America sun runs (and domestic/US routes) not even a carry-on. Budget about C$75 each way for the first checked bag if you pre-pay at booking on tickets bought from Apr 23, 2026. Two travellers, round trip, one bag each runs roughly C$300 in fees on top of the headline. If you actually need a carry-on, upgrading flight-only to Econo (which bundles it in) usually beats paying per-bag both ways. Add bags at booking — never at the gate.
Oversize, sports & special items
Oversize, sports and instruments now follow WestJet’s rules, since WestJet operates every flight. Golf clubs, skis, bikes, surfboards and similar gear are accepted as checked baggage and may carry oversize or special-handling fees; bags over 23 kg (50 lb) or beyond 158 cm attract overweight/oversize surcharges. Musical instruments can travel as carry-on if they fit the cabin allowance, or be checked / bought their own seat. Strollers and mobility aids fly free — declare oversize items when you book.
2025/2026 changes to know: the Sunwing Airlines brand was fully absorbed into WestJet, integration completed May 28, 2025, and the old Sunwing 5 kg carry-on cap is retired. From Nov 25, 2025, Sunwing Vacations all-inclusive packages include a free first checked bag (e-packages and flight-only excluded). And WestJet raised checked-bag fees for tickets purchased on or after Apr 23, 2026 — UltraBasic’s first bag jumped to C$75 pre-paid, up from C$50. Any older Sunwing baggage guide is out of date for 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Does Sunwing Airlines still exist in 2026?
Not as a separate carrier. WestJet completed the integration of Sunwing Airlines on May 28, 2025. “Sunwing” flights in 2026 are operated by WestJet using WestJet aircraft, fare classes and baggage rules. Sunwing Vacations (the tour operator) still sells packages.
Does my cheapest Sunwing fare include a checked bag?
It depends what you booked. A Sunwing Vacations all-inclusive package (departures from Nov 25, 2025) includes one free checked bag. A flight-only or e-package booking is on WestJet’s UltraBasic fare, which has NO free checked bag — you pay from about C$75 each way.
Is a carry-on bag free on a cheap Sunwing/WestJet fare?
On Sunwing Vacations packages and on WestJet Econo and up, yes. On flight-only UltraBasic you only get a personal item — no carry-on — except on routes to/from Europe and Asia, where a carry-on is included.
How much does a checked bag cost on UltraBasic?
For tickets bought on or after Apr 23, 2026, the first checked bag is about C$75 pre-paid at booking. Older tickets are cheaper, around C$50 pre-paid. Add it at booking to pay the least.
How big can my carry-on be?
The carry-on limit is 56 x 23 x 36 cm (22 x 9 x 14 in) and it must be light enough to lift into the overhead bin unaided. The personal item must fit fully under the seat in front of you.
What's the checked baggage weight limit?
Up to 23 kg (50 lb) per bag in Economy, with a maximum size of 158 cm (62 in) total (length + width + height). Heavier or larger bags trigger overweight/oversize surcharges.
I booked an all-inclusive package — do I need to pay for a bag?
No. Sunwing Vacations all-inclusive packages departing from Nov 25, 2025 include a free first checked bag plus a free carry-on and personal item. Don’t pre-pay for bags you already have. This does not apply to e-packages or flight-only bookings.
Can I bring golf clubs or skis on a Sunwing flight?
Yes — sports equipment now follows WestJet’s checked-baggage and oversize rules. Golf clubs, skis, bikes and similar gear are accepted within weight/size limits or as oversize for an extra fee. Declare them when you book.
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