WestJet Carry-On Rules & Bag Size Guide 2026

WestJet is Canada's second-largest airline, founded in Calgary in 1996 and now serving more than 100 destinations across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. The airline operates a mixed fleet of Boeing 737 and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, with newer additions including the 737 MAX family. WestJet positions itself as a value-oriented carrier with friendly service — a model that has expanded significantly from its original Western Canadian focus to become a true national and international carrier. The carry-on policy is passenger-friendly on standard fares, but the EconoBasic fare restricts overhead bin access in line with trends at other North American carriers.

WestJet Carry-On Allowance at a Glance

Fare Type	Carry-On Bag	Personal Item	Weight
EconoBasic	Not included (personal item only)	41 × 15 × 33 cm	No limit
Econo	51 × 43 × 23 cm	41 × 15 × 33 cm	No limit
EconoFlex	51 × 43 × 23 cm	41 × 15 × 33 cm	No limit
Premium	51 × 43 × 23 cm	41 × 15 × 33 cm	No limit
Business (Dreamliner)	51 × 43 × 23 cm	41 × 15 × 33 cm	No limit

The key divide is EconoBasic versus everything else. EconoBasic passengers are limited to the personal item under the seat — no overhead bin access for a standard carry-on. All other fare types include full carry-on access.

Carry-On Dimensions in Centimetres and Inches

Measurement	Centimetres	Inches
Length	51 cm	20 in
Width	43 cm	17 in
Depth	23 cm	9 in

WestJet specifies dimensions in inches, as is common for North American carriers. The 20 × 17 × 9 inch allowance is compatible with most standard carry-on bags marketed for North American travel. Note the width at 43 cm / 17 inches — this is slightly wider than many European carrier limits, giving a bit more packing room.

Personal Item Rules

WestJet includes a personal item on all fares, including EconoBasic:

• Dimensions: 41 × 15 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in)
• Placement: Under the seat in front of you
• Weight: No published limit
• Examples: Laptop bag, small backpack, purse, briefcase

The 15 cm depth limit is tight, similar to many European carriers' under-seat policies. A slim laptop bag or a compact daypack that can compress to 15 cm works well. For EconoBasic travellers, this is your entire cabin luggage allowance — choose a bag that maximises the available dimensions.

No Weight Limit: What It Means in Practice

WestJet's no-weight-limit policy is a genuine passenger benefit compared to carriers like Aegean (8 kg) or Condor (6 kg). However:

• You must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin yourself
• Flight crew are not required to assist with heavy items
• Very heavy bags may be flagged by gate agents if they are causing slow boarding
• On domestic Canadian routes, overhead locker space can be limited on busy 737 flights — boarding early helps

Practically, a bag that you can comfortably lift to shoulder height is your realistic upper limit, regardless of any published policy.

EconoBasic: Understanding the Restriction

WestJet's EconoBasic fare was introduced to compete with ultra-low-cost carriers on price-sensitive routes. The overhead bin exclusion mirrors similar policies at Air Canada's Basic fare and at US carriers like American, Delta, and United on their cheapest tickets. Key facts:

• EconoBasic passengers with a carry-on bag at the gate will be required to check it, with applicable checked baggage fees
• At busy airports, the fee is charged before boarding begins
• Upgrading from EconoBasic to Econo during online check-in can sometimes be cheaper than the gate bag fee — check both before your flight

Tips for WestJet Passengers

Measure your bag against the 51 × 43 × 23 cm limit. Many standard North American carry-ons are marketed as "22-inch" or "20-inch" bags — these typically refer to the total height of the bag including wheels and handles. Always measure the bag dimensions separately from the wheel base to ensure compliance.

The personal item width is 15 cm — measure it. The 15 cm depth limit for the under-seat item is strict enough that a standard padded laptop backpack may not comply if fully loaded. A slim laptop bag or a backpack you can compress to 15 cm is the safest choice.

WestJet Rewards (WestJet dollars) status does not add carry-on allowance. WestJet Rewards status provides lounge access, priority boarding, and discounts, but does not increase cabin bag size or weight allowances. Priority boarding does help secure overhead locker space on busy flights.

WestJet 787 Dreamliner routes have more generous overhead bin space. On Dreamliner flights (typically transatlantic routes to London, Dublin, Paris, and Caribbean leisure destinations), the wider overhead bins accommodate bags more easily than the 737's narrower lockers. Standard carry-on bags will fit in either aircraft.

Check the WestJet-Swoop relationship. WestJet's ultra-low-cost subsidiary Swoop was absorbed into WestJet operations, but some routes previously operated by Swoop may have inherited different expectations. Confirm which fare product applies when booking routes that were historically associated with Swoop.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Canadian aviation security (CATSA) rules apply on WestJet departures from Canadian airports, and TSA rules apply from US airports:

• Liquids: Maximum 100 ml (3.4 oz) per container in a clear, resealable 1-litre bag — CATSA and TSA both enforce this rule
• Power banks: Must travel in carry-on luggage; power banks over 100 Wh require airline approval
• Sharp objects: Not permitted in the cabin
• Aerosols and gels: Subject to the 100 ml rule in the cabin; larger amounts must go in checked luggage

Passengers on WestJet's transatlantic routes connecting through UK airports face additional UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) rules for any UK-originating leg.

The Bottom Line

WestJet offers a passenger-friendly carry-on experience on Econo fares and above — reasonable dimensions, no weight limit, and a practical personal item allowance. The EconoBasic fare is the exception and is best avoided by anyone travelling with more than a slim under-seat bag. WestJet's no-weight-limit policy is a real advantage for heavy packers, provided you can lift the bag yourself. For transatlantic Dreamliner routes, generous overhead bin space makes carry-on travel particularly straightforward.

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Rules change — always verify with WestJet before you fly.