WestJet Baggage Fees (2026)
Quick summary
WestJet is Canada's second-largest carrier, offering tiered fares from the no-frills UltraBasic up to fully flexible Business. Most fares still include a free carry-on and personal item, but WestJet raised checked-bag fees twice in 2026 (most recently April 23, 2026). On domestic Canada and Canada–U.S. routes the first prepaid checked bag now runs roughly CA/US $45–53 on Econo and $55–65 on UltraBasic, with higher fees if you wait until online check-in or the airport. Fees are billed in CAD when booking from the Canadian site and USD from the US site, and vary by route.
The bottom line on WestJet baggage
WestJet is a tiered full-service carrier where a carry-on and personal item are free on every fare except UltraBasic, which drops you to the personal item alone. The trap is UltraBasic itself: once you add back a carry-on or a checked bag, the fare that looked cheapest often ends up costing more than a plain Econo ticket, especially with checked-bag fees raised twice in 2026.
The surest way to save is to prepay bags online through Manage Trips up to 24 hours out, since airport and check-in fees are significantly higher than the roughly CA/US $45–53 prepaid rate. Frequent flyers can go further with the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard or elite status, either of which can waive the first checked-bag fee.
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Our own 1–5 rating of WestJet's baggage policy, scored from the verified data on this page. See airline rankings → · How we score →
Hidden pitfalls most travelers miss
- UltraBasic looks cheapest but includes only the personal item; once you add back a carry-on or a checked bag, a plain Econo fare often ends up cheaper overall.
- Checked-bag fees are significantly higher at online check-in or the airport than the roughly CA/US $45–53 prepaid rate — pay through Manage Trips up to 24 hours out.
- Overweight (23–32 kg) and oversize (over 157 cm) charges stack on top of the standard bag fee, reaching roughly CA/US $150–177 per piece.
WestJetbaggage allowance & fees at a glance
| 🎒 Personal item | Free on every fare. One personal item up to 41 x 14 x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 in) that fits under the seat in front of you — e.g. a small backpack, purse, or laptop bag. |
| 🧳 Carry-on allowance | Free on every fare except UltraBasic. One carry-on up to 56 x 23 x 36 cm (22 x 9 x 14 in) for the overhead bin; it must fit without assistance. UltraBasic fares on Canada/US routes include only the personal item — a carry-on must be added for a fee. |
| 🧳 First checked bag | CA/US $45–53 |
| 🧳 Second checked bag | CA/US $55–65 |
WestJet checked bag fees
| 1st checked bag — Econo (prepaid) | CA/US $45–53 |
| 1st checked bag — UltraBasic (prepaid) | CA/US $55–65 |
| 2nd checked bag — Econo (prepaid) | CA/US $60–71 |
| 2nd checked bag — UltraBasic (prepaid) | CA/US $70–83 |
| Checked at airport / online check-in | Significantly higher than prepaid — pay via Manage Trips up to 24h before |
| Max weight / size per bag | 23 kg (50 lb) and 157 cm (62 in) total before overweight/oversize fees |
| EconoFlex / Business & up | 1st bag free (varies by fare/status) |
Excess baggage cost calculator
Estimate what WestJet will actually charge for your bags — one way, typical domestic/regional route.
- Checked bag #1$49
You'd save $4 by flying Air Canada for this baggage.
Estimates only. Fees vary by route, fare type, and date — always confirm before booking.
WestJet vs Air Canada vs Porter Airlines: baggage compared
Head-to-head on the fees that actually decide the cheaper airline for bags.
| WestJet | Air Canada | Porter Airlines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on included | ✅ Free | ✅ Free | $37 |
| 1st checked bag | $49 | $45 | $34 |
| 2nd checked bag | $65 | $60 | — |
| Overweight surcharge | $163 | $100 | $78 |
| Weight limit | 23 kg | 23 kg | 23 kg |
Flying WestJet abroad?
WestJet is a full-service carrier based in Canada — if this is an international trip, a travel eSIM means you land with data already working, with no roaming bill.
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🔁 Change & cancellation
UltraBasic is the most restrictive (changes/cancellations heavily limited or not allowed). Higher fares (EconoFlex, Premium, Business) add free or low-cost changes. All bookings can be cancelled for a full refund within 24 hours of purchase. Always confirm your specific fare's rules at checkout.
WestJet flight delayed or cancelled?
Compensation rules follow the route, not the airline — a Canada-departing WestJet flight delayed 3+ hours can be worth up to €600. Checking costs nothing.
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Other common fees
| Seat selection | From ~CA$10+ (varies by fare, route, seat type) |
| Overweight bag (23–32 kg / 51–70 lb) | Additional fee per bag (roughly CA/US $150–177 combined with oversize) |
| Oversize bag (over 157 cm / 62 in total) | Additional fee per bag |
| Carry-on add-on (UltraBasic) | Extra fee to bring a full-size cabin bag |
What stops you paying these fees on WestJet
- An overweight bag costs +$163 here over 23 kg, each way. A scale costs about $10 — the maths on that →
How to avoid extra fees
- Prepay your checked bags online via Manage Trips up to 24 hours before departure — airport and check-in fees are significantly higher.
- Skip UltraBasic if you need a carry-on; once you add a bag, a higher Econo fare is often cheaper overall.
- The WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard and elite status can waive the first checked-bag fee.
- Book from the site matching your wallet currency — Canadian site charges CAD, US site charges USD.
- Keep each bag under 23kg and 157cm total; going over stacks an overweight or oversize charge on top of the standard bag fee.
WestJet baggage — FAQ
＋ − Does WestJet include a free carry-on?
Yes, on every fare except UltraBasic. UltraBasic on Canada/US routes includes only a free personal item; a carry-on costs extra.
＋ − How much is the first checked bag on WestJet?
As of April 23, 2026, the first prepaid checked bag on domestic/US routes is roughly CA/US $45–53 on an Econo fare and $55–65 on UltraBasic, rising further if you wait until online check-in or the airport. Fees are in CAD (Canadian site) or USD (US site).
＋ − Can I get a refund if I cancel?
All fares are fully refundable within 24 hours of booking. After that, refundability depends on your fare — UltraBasic and Econo are largely non-refundable, while higher fares offer more flexibility.
＋ − What are WestJet's overweight and oversize bag fees?
Each bag should stay under 23kg (50lb) and 157cm (62in) total. Overweight (23–32kg) and oversize bags each carry an additional fee — combined they can reach roughly CA/US $150–177 per piece on top of the standard checked-bag charge.
Sources & official policy links
Independent guide — not affiliated with WestJet. Figures here reflect WestJet's published Canada fares as of 2026-07-12.