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WestJet Personal Item Size (2026)

WestJet's personal item can measure up to 41 × 15 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in). On UltraBasic, it is your only free cabin bag on most routes.

Quick answer

WestJet’s personal item is max 41 × 15 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in) on the dedicated carry-on page, flights terms, and WestJet's tariff (the baggage page also prints 41 × 14 × 33 cm; go by 15 cm). It fits under the seat in front of you and is free on every fare, including UltraBasic.

On UltraBasic (most itineraries in North America and to sun destinations), this personal item is your only free cabin bag. You may not bring or pay for a carry-on unless you are traveling to or from Europe or Asia, or you bought Extended Comfort for all flights in one direction (including connections). Econo, Member Exclusive, EconoFlex, Premium and Business (and Flex versions) get the personal item plus one carry-on (56 × 23 × 36 cm).

Must fit the sizing device, wheels included if applicable. No published kg limit for the personal item. A pet kennel in cabin counts as your personal item. Pack ID, medication, keys, and devices here in case a carry-on is checked at the gate (especially on WestJet Encore). Confirm 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

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Field Value Source Notes
Official max 41 × 15 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in) Carry-on baggage; Flights terms The baggage page also prints 14 cm in the middle; same bag
Hub alternate 41 × 14 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in) Baggage page Inches match; 14 or 15 cm middle measurement; check westjet.com
Prose alternate on carry-on page “41 cm length × 33 cm width × 14 cm height” Carry-on page text Measurements listed in a different order, with 14 cm; same bag as 41 × 15 × 33 cm, not a new size
Weight Not published Carry-on Not published; confirm on westjet.com if a kg limit appears later
Placement Under the seat in front of you (typical) Carry-on hero Soft under-seat OK
Cost FREE on all fares Carry-on; Our fares Core line
Carry-on, for comparison 56 × 23 × 36 cm (22 × 9 × 14 in); wheels count in the sizer Carry-on Full details on our WestJet carry-on size page
UltraBasic (no exception) Personal item only cabin allowance Carry-on; Our fares Your only free cabin bag
UltraBasic to or from Europe or Asia Personal item and carry-on Carry-on Exception
UltraBasic with Extended Comfort Personal item and carry-on Carry-on; Our fares Exception
Examples listed Briefcase, purse or crossbody bag, camera, laptop, small musical instrument, sports ball, garment, diplomatic, consular or camera bag, kennel Carry-on table Examples; must still fit the maximum size
Pet in cabin A kennel counts as the personal item Carry-on “Pet in cabin” Not a free extra bag
Additional items (such as a coat) Coat, hat or umbrella; medication; medical devices; diaper bag; stroller; duty-free items (must fit within your allowance) Carry-on Additional items Extras; not a second backpack
Musical instrument (UltraBasic) May be the one personal item if within personal size Baggage page small instruments section Compare with the carry-on examples on westjet.com
Gate and oversize process If it doesn't comply, it must be checked; UltraBasic trolley also service fee $25 to $30 Carry-on; flights terms See our baggage fees page
Encore Sizes don’t change; more likely the personal item is the only bag that stays with you Carry-on Encore note Pack valuables here

Free and paid

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Booking type This personal item Carry-on 56×23×36 Hold
UltraBasic (typical routes in North America and to sun destinations; no exception) Free, the only cabin piece Not allowed (checked, with fees, if brought) Paid
UltraBasic to or from Europe or Asia, or with Extended Comfort Free Free (included) Per ticket
Econo, Member Exclusive and EconoFlex Free Free Per fare; see the baggage fees page.
Premium and Business (and Flex versions) Free Free 1 or 2 bags free (baggage fees page)

There is no paid upgrade that enlarges the personal item. Money buys checked bags, a higher fare, or Extended Comfort (which restores the carry-on, not a bigger under-seat box).

Gotchas

  • On UltraBasic this is usually the whole cabin allowance, not “plus a roller.”

  • 41×15×33 is not 56×23×36; soft backpacks expand; measure packed.

  • Go by the 15 cm middle dimension on the carry-on page and terms; WestJet's baggage page and some WestJet text also print 14 cm (same bag, not a new size).

  • No published kg limit for the personal item; check westjet.com in case one appears later.

  • Europe and Asia routes and Extended Comfort bring back the trolley, so “UltraBasic never gets carry-on” is not quite right.

  • Wheels count if the personal item has them; must fit the sizer.

  • Pet kennel consumes the personal item slot.

  • United, American and Air Canada personal item inches do not apply to WestJet.

  • Encore; treat the personal item as the bag that must stay with you.

  • Duty-free items and leftover food must fit within your fare’s carry-on and personal item allowance (not unlimited extras).

  • A musical instrument on UltraBasic may count as the one personal item if it’s within the personal item size (baggage page wording); check for your booking.

Traveler caution: On WestJet UltraBasic inside North America, pack like the personal item is your only cabin bag (laptop, meds, valuables). Confirm 41 × 15 × 33 cm on westjet.com before you fly.

FAQ

What is the WestJet personal item size?
Go by 41 × 15 × 33 cm (16 × 6 × 13 in) from the carry-on page and flights terms. The baggage page also shows 41 × 14 × 33 cm with the same inches; measure to fit the airport sizer. No published weight limit.

Does UltraBasic only get a personal item?
Yes on most routes. UltraBasic includes one personal item only. Carry-on is allowed on UltraBasic when traveling to or from Europe or Asia, or when Extended Comfort is purchased for all flights in a single direction (including connections).

Can I bring a personal item and a carry-on on Econo?
Yes: one carry-on bag (56 × 23 × 36 cm) and one personal item.

Does a purse count as my WestJet personal item?
A purse or crossbody bag is listed as a personal item example, but it must still fit 41 × 15 × 33 cm (the size to go by) and the sizing device.

Does a pet kennel count separately?
No. Cabin pet kennel is considered your personal item.

What if my personal item is too big?
Items that don’t fit the sizing device are treated as checked baggage; checked fees apply. On UltraBasic, a bag the size of a carry-on that isn’t covered by an exception also triggers a $25 to $30 service fee on top of the checked fee.

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.