WestJet
Pet travel policy for WestJet (WS) — based at Calgary (YYC), Canada.
Policy summary
WestJet accepts dogs, cats, and rabbits in the cabin on flights within Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and select transatlantic routes operated by WestJet. The pet plus carrier weight must be 22 pounds or less, and the soft-sided carrier must measure no more than 16 by 9 by 8.5 inches and fit under the seat in front of you. The cabin fee is 50–118 CAD depending on routing and is paid at airport check-in. WestJet also accepts pets in the temperature-controlled hold as checked baggage on most aircraft except the Boeing 787 (which has no live-animal-rated cargo space) and applies summer and winter temperature embargoes consistent with IATA Live Animals Regulations. Snub-nosed dog and cat breeds are excluded from the cargo hold year-round. Pet bookings must be added by phone within 24 hours of buying the ticket so that WestJet can confirm there is space on the aircraft, since a maximum of four pet carriers are allowed in each cabin and the cargo hold has its own per-flight cap.
Quick reference
| Cabin pets | Yes — cats & small dogs in approved under-seat carrier |
|---|---|
| Cargo / checked program | Yes — IATA-rated kennel via dedicated cargo division |
| Cabin fee (one-way) | $50 USD (typical, route-dependent) |
| Carrier max dimensions | 16 x 9 x 8.5 in |
| Weight limit | 22 (pet + carrier) |
| Breed restrictions | Cargo: no brachycephalic breeds, no Boeing 787 cargo. |
| Reservations | 1-888-937-8538 |
| Hub airport | Calgary (YYC) |
| Country | Canada |
How to book a pet on WestJet
Almost every airline requires you to add a pet to your reservation by phone — there is no online self-service for in-cabin or cargo pets at the major carriers, because the airline must confirm there is space on the specific aircraft type and route. Call 1-888-937-8538 within 24 hours of buying your ticket and ask the agent to add the pet to your booking. You will be quoted the fee at the time of booking and pay it at airport check-in. Bring printed proof of vaccinations and a recent veterinary health certificate, especially for international itineraries.
At the airport, plan to arrive 90 minutes before a domestic departure or three hours before an international departure. The airline gate agent will inspect your carrier, attach an in-cabin pet tag, and confirm that your pet meets the under-seat dimension and weight limits. If your animal is travelling in cargo, you will drop them off at the carrier's dedicated cargo-acceptance facility (separate from the passenger terminal) at least four hours before departure for kennel inspection and loading.