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WestJet

WestJet Carry On Size (2026)

WestJet allows a 56 × 23 × 36 cm carry-on and a 41 × 15 × 33 cm personal item. UltraBasic gets only the personal item, except Europe, Asia or Extended Comfort.

Quick answer

WestJet’s carry-on bag is max 56 × 23 × 36 cm (22 × 9 × 14 in). The personal item is max 41 × 15 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in) on the carry-on page and flights terms (the baggage page also prints 41 × 14 × 33 cm for the middle measurement; go by 15 cm). Both must fit the sizing device, wheels included if applicable. No published carry-on kg; bags must be light enough to place in the overhead unaided (assistance available for guests with disabilities).

Econo, Member Exclusive, EconoFlex, Premium, PremiumFlex, Business and BusinessFlex: 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item.

UltraBasic: 1 personal item only. WestJet does not allow UltraBasic guests to bring or pay for a carry-on bag except:

  1. traveling to or from Europe and Asia (then 1 carry-on and 1 personal item); or
  2. Extended Comfort purchased for all flights in a single direction, including connections (then 1 carry-on and 1 personal item).

UltraBasic guests who arrive at the gate with a carry-on not covered by an exception must check it and pay a checked bag fee plus a service fee of $25 to $30 (Canadian dollars, tax included, per the flights terms). Items that are oversize or don’t fit are checked with the applicable fees. WestJet Encore may ask you to check even compliant bags at the gate (less cabin space). Check the latest on westjet.com before you fly.

Last verified:

Official sources:

How we check: We only publish what these official pages say. See How we verify fees.

Table

Cabin sizes

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Bag Official max Weight Where it goes Included when Source
Carry-on bag 56 × 23 × 36 cm (22 × 9 × 14 in) No published kg; must be light enough to lift into the overhead bin on your own Overhead bin Econo, Member Exclusive, EconoFlex, Premium, PremiumFlex, Business and BusinessFlex. UltraBasic only with the Europe and Asia or Extended Comfort exceptions Carry-on baggage; Baggage page; Flights terms
Personal item 41 × 15 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in) (carry-on page and terms). The baggage page also prints 41 × 14 × 33 cm; check westjet.com No published kg Under seat (typical) All fares including UltraBasic Carry-on; baggage hub; flights terms
Wheels and handles Must fit the sizing device (wheels included, if applicable) Not published Not published Measure packed Carry-on; baggage hub
Axis order note The size cards at the top show 56 × 23 × 36 cm and 41 × 15 × 33 cm; the text sometimes lists length × width × height (56 × 36 × 23 cm and 41 × 33 × 14 cm) Not published Not published Use the sizes at the top of this page and in the table Carry-on
Lap infant (no fare) Not entitled to carry-on allowance None None Tariff and infant notes WestJet’s international tariff (Rule 55) gives a lap infant no carry-on allowance
Encore (Dash 8 Q400 aircraft) Published sizes don’t change; less bin space, so it may be checked at the gate even if it fits the sizer Not published Cabin Valuables in personal item Carry-on “Travelling with WestJet Encore”
Sizers Airport sizing devices Not published Not published Bags that don't comply are checked, and fees apply Carry-on; baggage hub

Common reorder: travelers often say 56 × 36 × 23. WestJet’s printed order is 56 × 23 × 36.

Cabin bag fees

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Situation Cost Source
Carry-on and personal item within size (fares other than UltraBasic, or exception routes) Free Carry-on; Our fares
UltraBasic: personal item only; a carry-on outside the exceptions is taken at the gate Checked bag fee plus a $25 to $30 service fee Carry-on; flights terms (UltraBasic gate wording)
Items that don’t fit sizer Treated as checked, with the applicable fees Carry-on
Gate payment forms Canada: credit and debit; other countries: credit only Carry-on

Free and paid

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Product or booking type (official names) Carry-on 56×23×36 Personal 41×15×33 Checked Source
UltraBasic: North America, Central America and typical routes to sun destinations (no exception) No, you can’t bring or buy one Yes, the only cabin piece Paid (baggage fees page) Carry-on; Our fares footnotes 11 to 12
UltraBasic to or from Europe or Asia Yes Yes Per ticket Carry-on; Our fares
UltraBasic with Extended Comfort (all flights in one direction, including connections) Yes Yes Per ticket Carry-on; Our fares
Econo and Member Exclusive Yes Yes 1st bag paid (most routes); 1st bag free to or from Asia Baggage page; baggage fees page
EconoFlex Yes Yes 1st free (most routes) Our fares; baggage hub
Premium and PremiumFlex Yes Yes 2 bags free Our fares; baggage hub
Business and BusinessFlex Yes Yes 2 bags free Our fares; baggage hub

UltraBasic trap: on most North America and itineraries to sun destinations this is not “hand baggage only with a trolley.” It is personal item only. A 56 cm roller on UltraBasic (not to Europe or Asia, no Extended Comfort) means checking it and paying the bag fee plus a $25 to $30 service fee.

Econo and EconoFlex: cabin rights match (both pieces). What changes is whether a checked bag is included, not the centimeters.

Gotchas

  • UltraBasic has no free trolley except to or from Europe or Asia or with Extended Comfort.

  • Cannot pay to add a carry-on on UltraBasic outside those exceptions.

  • Wheels count; must fit the sizer with wheels included.

  • No published carry-on kg limit; you must be able to lift the bag yourself.

  • Personal item middle measurement: go by the carry-on page and terms, 41 × 15 × 33 cm; the baggage page also prints 14 cm in the middle (same bag, not a third size).

  • Service fee $25 to $30 on top of checked fee for UltraBasic gate trolley.

  • Encore may require bags that fit to be checked anyway. Pack medication and your laptop in your personal item.

  • On mixed itineraries, a partner or the first operating airline can change the rules.

  • Air Canada’s 23 × 40 × 55 cm is not WestJet’s size.

  • The fare name is UltraBasic (not Air Canada’s “Economy Basic”). WestJet’s current site pages take priority over older tariff PDFs that still say “Basic.”

Traveler caution: On WestJet UltraBasic inside North America, the free cabin piece is the personal item, not the roller. Econo and up still get the 56×23×36. UltraBasic to Europe or Asia, and Extended Comfort, bring back the trolley. Measure wheels in. Confirm on westjet.com before you fly.

FAQ

What is the WestJet carry-on or cabin bag size?
Carry-on bag: 56 × 23 × 36 cm (22 × 9 × 14 in). Personal item: 41 × 15 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in) on the carry-on page and flights terms. Must fit the sizing device (wheels included). No published carry-on weight limit; must lift overhead unaided. Source: the official WestJet pages.

Does WestJet UltraBasic include a free carry-on?
Usually no. UltraBasic allows one personal item only. Exceptions: to or from Europe and Asia, or when Extended Comfort is purchased for all flights in a single direction (including connections). Otherwise a gate trolley is checked, then bag fee plus a $25 to $30 service fee.

Do Econo and EconoFlex include a carry-on trolley?
Yes: 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item. EconoFlex’s advantage is mainly checked bag inclusion (1st bag free on many routes), not a bigger cabin size.

Do wheels count on WestJet carry-on?
Yes. Bags must fit the sizing device with wheels included (if applicable).

What if my WestJet carry-on is too big?
Bags that don’t comply are treated as checked baggage; checked fees apply. UltraBasic carry-ons outside the exceptions also incur a $25 to $30 service fee. Check current fees on westjet.com.

Does WestJet Encore allow the same carry-on size?
Published max sizes are the same, but Encore has less cabin space and may require even bags that fit the sizer to be checked at the gate. Keep essentials in your personal item.

Related

Disclaimer

Fees, fare bundles, and size rules change. Confirm the latest limits and live bag prices on official WestJet pages before you travel. BagRule is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with WestJet.