WestJet keeps cabin baggage rules simple: every ticket lets you bring one standard carry‑on plus one personal item at no extra cost. Both pieces must fit the airline’s sizing cage, and you need to lift the bigger one into the overhead bin on your own. The charts, tips, and edge cases below show how to meet the limits and avoid a surprise gate check.
Quick Specs You Need To Know
| Item Type | Maximum Size (cm) | Typical Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Carry‑On Bag | 56 × 23 × 36 | Small suitcase, duffel, roller board |
| Personal Item | 41 × 14 × 33 | Purse, slim backpack, camera satchel |
WestJet posts no cabin weight cap, yet gate agents ask that you place the bag overhead unaided.
Understanding The One‑Plus‑One Rule
Each fare comes with two distinct pieces:
- Carry‑on bag: rides in the locker above your row.
- Personal item: stows fully beneath the seat ahead of you.
If you roll up to the gate with a third piece—say a grocery sack or second backpack—it counts as extra and must either fit within one of the two allowed items or go to the hold.
Size Matters More Than Weight
The metal sizer near the podium sets the final word on cabin eligibility. Any wheel, handle, or bulge that extends past the frame pushes the bag into checked territory.
Without a stated kilogram limit, travellers often feel free to cram heavy goods inside. Keep balance in mind: a bag crammed with hardcover books may meet the ruler but strain your shoulder and the overhead panel.
What Counts As A Personal Item?
The smaller piece must hide entirely under the seat. Popular picks include:
- Laptop sleeve or tech organizer
- Purse or cross‑body handbag
- Slim diaper bag
- Convertible daypack with tuck‑away straps
Thick backpacks often fail the under‑seat test. If the base overhangs the frame, staff may label it as your main carry‑on, forcing your roller board into the hold.
Extra Pieces That Ride For Free
WestJet lets a few essentials travel in addition to the two‑piece allowance:
- Assistive devices: canes, crutches, collapsible walkers, and similar gear travel free and do not use up your allowance.
- Medical equipment: CPAP units, ventilators, or insulin coolers ride on board even if they exceed the sizing cage, provided they fit in an approved stowage spot.
- Outerwear and small snacks: jackets, shawls, umbrellas, and packaged food for the flight may be hand‑carried.
- Items for an infant: one car seat or fully collapsible stroller per child flies free; space permitting, a stroller may be gate‑checked.
Liquids, Gels, And Powders
Security in Canada follows the 100 ml limit for each container of liquid, aerosol, or gel. Place all small bottles inside a single one‑litre transparent bag. The full rule appears on the CATSA checklist.
If your journey connects through the United States, the TSA “3‑1‑1” page lists the same limit.
Milk, breast milk, and juice for babies may exceed 100 ml once you declare them at the checkpoint.
Powder Restriction
Powders over 350 ml often trigger extra screening. Large protein mixes or bath salts belong in the checked bag unless you plan to use them during the flight.
Packing Tactics That Pass Gate Checks
Soft sides bend. Select a fabric suitcase with some give; rigid shells rarely squeeze into tight space. Roll clothing tight and fill shoes with socks to hold shape.
Balance the load. Place denser items such as chargers or toiletries at the base so the handle side remains lighter. The bag swings overhead more smoothly that way.
Test at home. Measure your bag after packing. Many travellers forget that front pockets add width once stuffed.
Use packing cubes. Separate clean and worn clothes, cables, and liquids. Opening your case at security becomes less stressful if agents need a closer look.
Quick Reference For Common Items
| Item | Cabin? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portable oxygen concentrator | Yes | Batteries must meet WestJet watt‑hour limits |
| Sports gear (skateboard, bat) | No | Checked under special item fees |
| Guitar or violin | Maybe | If within sizing cage; else buy a seat |
Special Cases Explained
Families With Infants
Gel packs to chill formula travel in the cabin. Present them to screening staff with the milk to avoid extra searches.
During boarding, place the car seat in the assigned seat or hand a collapsible stroller to staff at the aircraft door. Many parents strap diaper supplies to the back of the seat pocket for quick reach once seated.
Mobility Aids
Wheelchairs, scooters, or other large aids check free, and crew treat them as priority cargo.
Folding canes and crutches may remain with you in the cabin provided they fit in the overhead or beneath a row of seats without blocking exits.
Fees For Oversize Or Extra Bags
Once any cabin dimension goes beyond 56 × 23 × 36 cm, the item converts to checked status. Standard domestic bag fees start around CAD 35 when paid online, rising at the desk. Large musical instruments or sporting equipment attract their own fee chart.
Connecting On Partner Airlines
Many WestJet itineraries connect to Delta, Air France, or KLM metal. The partner airline honours the WestJet carry‑on limits issued on the first coupon, yet local agents apply their own locker space judgment. If your onward flight boards a regional jet with smaller bins, crew may gate‑tag roller boards that fit fine on the larger WestJet aircraft. Keep fragile items in the personal item for that reason.
Cabin Bag Versus Checked Bag: Pros And Cons
When Cabin Makes Sense
- Short trips with one change of clothes
- Valuable photo gear that you prefer close by
- Tight connections where waiting at the carousel risks a missed flight
When Checked Wins
- Multiple pairs of footwear or bulkier winter layers
- Liquids above 100 ml such as full‑size sunscreen
- Sharp souvenirs such as chef knives, which never pass security
Recent Policy Notes
WestJet adjusted cabin dimensions several years ago to match major codeshare partners, so legacy bags built to older generous specs may no longer comply. Measure before flying if your suitcase predates 2018.
During peak holiday travel, WestJet sometimes invites volunteers at the gate to check cabin bags free of charge. Accepting the offer speeds boarding for everyone and gains you more legroom under the seat.
How To Measure Your Bag At Home
Grab a rigid ruler or carpenter’s tape and follow three steps. First, set the case upright and include wheels and top handle in the height figure. Next, lay it flat to capture width and depth, making sure to press gently on bulging pockets so the measurement mirrors security screening. Finally, repeat after packing, because even a sweater rolled into the front flap can add two centimetres and push the bag over the allowance.
Write the numbers on masking tape and stick the strip on the handle. When staff ask about size, you can quote the figures without rummaging for notes.
Key Takeaways
Measure first, pack light, and keep liquids visible. Declare baby food or medical gear at security, and rely on soft‑sided luggage for an easier fit. Follow these steps and your cabin bag will breeze past the sizer and land safely in the locker.