Yes, WestJet lets you bring one carry-on plus one personal item; a small backpack counts as the personal item if it fits under the seat.
What The Allowance Looks Like
On most WestJet fares, the cabin allowance is two pieces: one carry-on for the overhead bin and one personal item for under the seat. WestJet lists the carry-on size as 56 cm × 23 cm × 36 cm (22 in × 9 in × 14 in), and the personal item size as 41 cm × 14 cm × 33 cm (16 in × 6 in × 13 in). Bags must fit the sizer with wheels and handles included. The airline also notes you should be able to lift the carry-on to the bin on your own, with help available for guests who need it. You can review the current sizes and fare rules on the WestJet carry-on page.
| Fare Type | What You May Bring | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Econo / Member Exclusive / EconoFlex | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item | Carry-on up to 56×23×36 cm; personal item up to 41×14×33 cm |
| Premium / PremiumFlex | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item | Same cabin sizes; checked bag rules differ by route and fare |
| Business / BusinessFlex | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item | Same cabin sizes; faster boarding helps with bin space |
| UltraBasic (most routes) | Personal item only | No paid carry-on option at the gate; oversize items get checked with fees |
| UltraBasic (Europe or Asia) | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item | Route-based exception published by WestJet |
| UltraBasic with Extended Comfort | 1 carry-on + 1 personal item | Extended Comfort must be on all flights in one direction |
| Partner-operated segments | Varies | Follow the operating carrier’s cabin policy for that flight |
Where A Backpack Fits In
A backpack can play either role. A sleek daypack that fits 41×14×33 cm slides under the seat and counts as the personal item. A larger backpack that stays within 56×23×36 cm rides in the bin and counts as the carry-on. WestJet’s examples list a backpack under carry-on items, and the personal item list is open-ended, so a small backpack that fits the size and the under-seat test works fine.
Liquids And Small Items
Security rules still apply to both pieces. In Canada, liquids, aerosols, and gels in the cabin must be in containers of 100 ml/100 g or less and fit in one clear one-litre bag per person. Full details sit on the CATSA liquids page. Pack those items in whichever bag you plan to keep under the seat so they are easy to reach during screening.
Bringing A Backpack With A Carry-On On WestJet: What Works
Think of the setup as one bag up top and one bag down below. The overhead slot is your roller, duffel, or larger backpack. The under-seat slot is your small backpack, laptop bag, or purse. If the small backpack stands taller than the seat gap or bulges past the sizer, switch roles: move it to the bin as your carry-on and treat the laptop sleeve, purse, or a compressible sling as the personal item.
Quick Size Checks You Can Do At Home
- Measure three sides. Compare to 56×23×36 cm for the bin and 41×14×33 cm for under-seat space.
- Load the backpack, then press lightly. If the frame softens and fits the shape, it usually passes the under-seat fit test.
- Hard shells rarely pass under-seat limits unless they are tiny. Soft packs give you margin.
- Remember the sizer counts wheels, handle ends, straps, and exterior pockets.
Weight, Handling, And Bin Reality
WestJet states that the carry-on must be light enough for you to stow without help, with assistance available on request. Aim for a load you can lift to forehead height in one smooth move. That habit speeds boarding and reduces the chance of a gate check on busy flights.
Dash 8 And Tight Bins
WestJet Encore turboprops have smaller bins. Crew may ask for a plane-side check even when the bag fits the sizer. Keep medication, keys, documents, and devices in your personal item, since a plane-side check means the carry-on comes back at the gate after landing, not during the flight.
Packing Moves That Keep You Within The Rules
Use The Under-Seat Space Well
Load dense items low and flat, then stack light layers. Slim pouches beat bulky cubes in a small backpack. Slide the pack in with the back panel facing down and zippers out, so you can grab what you need without wrestling the bag.
Build A Bin-Ready Carry-On
Pick a rectangular profile that matches the 56×23×36 cm box. Wheels narrow side up. Handles facing out. That stance saves bin space and makes your bag easy for seatmates to move a few inches if crew ask.
Keep Screening Smooth
Liquids live in the personal item. Laptops and tablets sit near the top. Metal items drop into a small zip pouch before the checkpoint, then return to the same pouch after the trays roll out. A small routine like this keeps the line flowing and keeps your things together.
Gate Situations And How To Handle Them
Your Small Backpack Looks A Bit Tall
Take a breath and re-shape. Remove the water bottle, move the jacket to your shoulders, and compress the front pocket. Many daypacks drop a few centimetres with that quick reset. If it still looks chunky, swap roles: bin for the backpack, under-seat for a slim tech sleeve or purse.
You Booked UltraBasic And Brought Two Bags
UltraBasic on most routes allows one personal item only. At the gate, staff may tag the second bag for the hold and collect fees. If you want both pieces in the cabin on that fare, you need Extended Comfort on every flight in that direction, or you need to be on a Europe or Asia route where the two-piece cabin set is allowed for UltraBasic. The fare grid on the WestJet carry-on page spells out those exceptions.
You Have A Connection On A Partner Airline
Follow the operator of that leg. If the next flight is run by a partner, their cabin size rules apply on that segment. When in doubt, use the smaller under-seat backpack and a tight carry-on footprint so you pass both sets of rules.
Backpack Reality Check Table
| Backpack Type | Counts As | Why / Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Slim laptop daypack (18–20 L) | Personal item | Slides under the seat; keep the laptop near the top for screening |
| Commuter backpack (20–26 L) | Personal item or carry-on | Works as a personal item if packed flat; full load may move it to the bin |
| Travel backpack (30–40 L) | Carry-on | Stays within 56×23×36 cm when not overstuffed; use side cinch straps |
| Framed hiking pack (50 L+) | Neither | Frame and depth exceed cabin limits; check it or use a smaller pack |
| Kids’ school backpack | Personal item | Fits under the seat, even with a lunch box, if pockets stay flat |
| Camera backpack | Personal item or carry-on | Counts as a personal item when it fits the 41×14×33 cm box |
How To Measure, Pack, And Prove Fit
Measure The Shell, Not Just The Fabric
Stand the bag on a table and measure length, height, and width at the widest points, including pockets, wheels, handles, and any frame ends. If the numbers hug the limits, pack softer layers near the edges so the shape can flex into the bin or under the seat.
Pack To The Shape Of The Cabin
For the bin, build a firm rectangle. For the seat gap, build a low, flat stack. Roll clothing to fill corners, and move power banks, chargers, and snacks into a thin pouch that sits on the aisle side for quick grabs.
Show, Then Stow
At the gate, keep both bags closed and tidy. If staff ask about size, place the backpack in the sizer or slide it under the seat during pre-boarding. A neat fit speaks for itself.
Extras That Do Not Count Toward Your Two Pieces
Some items ride in the cabin in addition to your carry-on and personal item. WestJet lists examples such as a diaper bag for an infant, approved car seats for a paid seat, certain medical devices, mobility aids, and personal clothing like coats or umbrellas. Duty-free items must sit within your two-piece allowance; they are not a third bag and need to be consolidated with your existing items. You can find those notes and more on the carry-on policy page.
Simple Checklist Before You Leave Home
- Carry-on fits 56×23×36 cm and you can lift it to the bin.
- Backpack fits 41×14×33 cm or rides in the bin if larger.
- Liquids sit in one one-litre bag; each container is 100 ml or less.
- Medication, keys, documents, and devices live in the under-seat bag.
- UltraBasic booked? Make sure your plan matches the personal-item-only rule unless you meet a published exception.
- Flying on a Dash 8? Expect tighter bins and be ready for a plane-side tag.
Bottom Line That Helps You Fly Smooth
Yes, you can bring a backpack and a carry-on on WestJet. Pick the role for your backpack based on size: small under the seat, larger in the bin. Stay inside the published measurements, keep your valuables in the personal item, and build a tidy shape for both bags. With that simple setup, you walk on with two pieces and walk off with the same two, no stress and no surprises.