WestJet Carry-On Size Guide: New 2025 Rules & Dimensions

If you’ve ever stood at the gate watching fellow travellers wrestle bags into the sizer, you know the anxiety. WestJet’s new carry-on dimensions of 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) took effect May 6, 2025, and they’re actually a relaxation — not a reduction, and this guide lays out exactly what fits, what doesn’t, and how strict enforcement really is, with the official numbers you need before you pack.

Carry-on maximum dimensions: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) ·
Personal item maximum dimensions: 41 x 33 x 14 cm (16 x 13 x 6 in) ·
New rules effective date: May 6, 2025

Key facts at a glance

The table below compiles the official baggage dimensions from WestJet’s website.

How strict is WestJet with carry-on size?

WestJet’s official policy is clear, but enforcement can vary by gate. The airline provides baggage sizing devices at airports to check compliance, and those devices were delivered by March 13, 2025 (WestJet official news release). Here’s exactly what the rules say.

“This change aligns with industry-standard overhead bin sizing used by other North American carriers.”

Official carry-on dimensions

• Maximum dimensions: 56 cm × 36 cm × 23 cm (22 in × 14 in × 9 in) including wheels and handles (WestJet official baggage page)
• Must fit in the overhead bin without assistance
• No published weight limit, but must be liftable unaided

Sizer enforcement at gates

WestJet provides standardized sizers at all airports it serves. If your bag doesn’t fit, you’ll be asked to check it at the gate. The airline’s news release notes the transition period (before May 6, 2025) accepted both old and new dimensions, so enforcement during that window was more lenient. After that date, the new 22×14×9 in standard applies uniformly.

Personal item vs carry-on distinction

• Personal item: 41×33×14 cm (16×13×6 in) — must fit under the seat in front of you (WestJet official baggage page)
• Carry-on: larger bag for the overhead bin — dimensions above
• Ultra Basic fare: personal item only, no carry-on included (WestJet YouTube policy video)

The implication: travelers who previously struggled with the smaller limit now have more room, but lax enforcement during the transition is over.

Can you bring a backpack and a carry-on WestJet?

Yes, you can bring one carry-on and one personal item — but each has its own size limit. Here’s how to tell which bag goes where.

What counts as a personal item

• Small backpacks, purses, laptop bags, and camera bags (WestJet official baggage page)
• Must fit under the seat: maximum 41×33×14 cm (16×13×6 in)
• Small musical instruments (e.g., violin case) also qualify if within size (WestJet official baggage page)

Backpack as personal item vs carry-on

A backpack that meets personal-item dimensions (under the seat) can be your personal item. But if the backpack exceeds 41×33×14 cm, it must go in the overhead bin as your carry-on — and you’d need a different personal item for under the seat. The Travelpro Blog notes that older personal-item dimensions were slightly larger (43×33×16 cm), but the current limit is the official 41×33×14 cm (Travelpro Blog analysis).

Size limits for each item

The following table lists the dimensions for each bag type and where they must be stowed.

The catch: always measure your backpack before heading to the airport; a few extra inches can force an unexpected gate check.

Will a backpack count as a personal item?

Yes, a backpack can be your personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you. The maximum dimensions for a personal item are 41×33×14 cm (16×13×6 in), including handles and pockets. If your backpack is larger, it counts as a carry-on.

• Backpack as personal item: must be ≤ 41×33×14 cm
• Backpack as carry-on: must be ≤ 56×36×23 cm
• Examples of personal items: small daypacks, laptop bags, camera bags (WestJet official baggage page)

“Personal items must fit completely under the seat in front of you. Examples include small backpacks, purses, laptop bags, and camera bags.”

What this means: if you plan to bring only a backpack, ensure it meets the personal item size to avoid surprises at the gate.

What are the new carry-on rules for 2026?

WestJet’s latest change took effect in 2025, and as of early 2026 no further adjustments have been announced. The key points:

Effective date May 6, 2025

• The relaxed dimensions became mandatory on May 6, 2025 (WestJet official news release)
• Transition period from March 3 to May 5 accepted both old (21×15×9 in) and new sizes

New dimensions 22×14×9 inches including wheels

The new limit is 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) — and that measurement includes wheels and handles. Previously the limit was 53 x 38 x 23 cm (21 x 15 x 9 in) (Travelpro Blog).

Alignment with standard overhead bins

WestJet announced the change to “align with industry-standard overhead bin sizing used by other North American carriers” (WestJet official news release). That means bags that fit on Delta Air Lines, for instance, now fit WestJet.

The pattern: WestJet’s move brings it in line with the competition, simplifying multi-airline travel.

Did WestJet reduce carry-on size?

No — WestJet actually relaxed (increased) the size limit. Here’s the before-and-after.

Previous vs new dimensions

• Old carry-on: 53 x 38 x 23 cm (21 x 15 x 9 in) — from third-party source (Travelpro Blog analysis)
• New carry-on: 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) — official WestJet policy
• Change: The new limit is 3 cm (1 in) taller and 2 cm (1 in) narrower, but overall volume increased slightly

Relaxed not reduced

The total volume of the allowed carry-on increased from approximately 46,280 cm³ to 46,368 cm³. More importantly, the new 22-inch height matches the standard overhead bin size used by most North American airlines, reducing confusion and the need to cram bags into sizers.

Impact on travelers

• Most existing carry-on luggage that fits other airlines (e.g., Delta, American) now fits WestJet
• No need to buy new luggage for WestJet flights
• Greater peace of mind at the gate

The catch: the width shrank slightly (from 15 to 14 inches), so very wide bags may still be problematic.

Related reading: WestJet Carry-On Baggage Size & Dimensions · WestJet to Relax Carry-On Baggage Sizing (2025 Update)

For comparison, Ryanairs carry-on size rules are even more restrictive, allowing only a 40x30x20 cm personal bag for free.

Frequently Asked Questions