Airline guide
WestJet pet policy: pets in the cabin, checked and cargo
Pets on WestJet can fly in the cabin with you, in the hold on your flight, or on their own with WestJet Cargo. Here are the WestJet pet fees, carrier sizes and breed rules, checked against WestJet's own pages.
WestJet pets in short
- In the cabin: cats, dogs and birds in a soft kennel under the seat. One pet per guest.
- Checked baggage: pets in a hard kennel in the hold, on the same flight as you, up to 45 kg for pet and kennel together.
- Cargo: your pet flies on its own with WestJet Cargo (Pet'Air), priced by kennel size, plus airline fees. This is the only option for snub-nosed and strong breeds.
Whichever you choose, book your pet's space early. WestJet limits the number of pets on each flight, and a pet without a reservation may not be able to travel.
Quick facts
- Cabin
- Soft kennel, $50 to $59 each way
- Checked bag
- Up to 45 kg with the kennel, $100 to $118 each way
- Pet alone
- WestJet Cargo, priced by kennel size plus fees
- Minimum age
- 8 weeks
- Book by
- At least 48 hours before the flight
- Holidays
- No checked pets December 18 to January 4
WestJet pet fee
These are WestJet's own fees for flights within Canada, per pet. They are not our prices.
| How your pet flies | WestJet fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| In the cabin | $50 to $59 | Each direction. Counts as your personal item. |
| Checked baggage | $100 to $118 | Each direction. Limited kennels per flight. |
| Cargo (pet alone) | By kennel size | Plus WestJet Cargo's fees. How WestJet pet cargo works |
WestJet shows cabin and checked fees as a range because taxes vary by departure airport. You pay through WestJet's contact centre by credit card or Travel Bank funds.
WestJet pets in the cabin
WestJet takes cats, dogs and birds in the cabin. Your pet travels in a soft-sided, airline approved kennel that is leak-proof, secure and well ventilated, and stays under the seat in front of you for the whole flight. If you take your pet out on board, WestJet may ban you from flying with a pet in the cabin.
- 1 pet per guest, and one pet per kennel.
- Pets must be at least 8 weeks old.
- The kennel counts as your personal item.
- Depending on the aircraft, you may have to sit in a window seat.
- No pets in the Business cabin on the 787 Dreamliner.
- No duffle bags, gym bags or bags that let your pet's head stick out.
- A pet cannot travel with an unaccompanied minor.
WestJet pet carrier size and dimensions
For the cabin, the kennel can be up to 41 x 25.4 x 21.5 cm (16 x 10 x 8.5 inches), length x width x height. Your pet must be able to stand, sit, turn around and lie down in it. Space under the seat differs between aircraft, and you may need to adjust a soft kennel to fit. WestJet does not publish a weight limit for cabin pets.
| Where your pet flies | Largest kennel | Weight limit |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin (soft kennel) | 41 x 25.4 x 21.5 cm (16 x 10 x 8.5 inches) | Not stated |
| Checked baggage (hard kennel) | 101 x 68 x 81 cm (40 x 27 x 32 inches) | 45 kg with the kennel |
| Cargo, Pet'Air (hard kennel) | From 21 x 15 x 15 inches up to 45 x 27 x 33 inches | Check with WestJet Cargo |
On narrow-body aircraft, WestJet's cargo tariff limits the kennel height to 30 inches. Sizes are length x width x height.
How to book your pet's space
Book your own ticket first, then add your pet online through WestJet's live chat or by phone. WestJet asks you to request space as soon as you book, and at least 48 hours before departure. Pre-booking is the only way to be sure there is room for your pet. Pets are not accepted on codeshare or partner flights, or on WestJet flights booked through a partner. At the airport, be at the gate at least 40 minutes before departure.
Pets as checked baggage on WestJet
Pets too big for the cabin can fly in the hold on your flight. WestJet takes cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas and hedgehogs as checked baggage.
- Pet and kennel together: up to 45 kg (100 lb).
- Kennel: up to 101 x 68 x 81 cm (40 x 27 x 32 inches).
- Two animals may share a kennel only if they are the same species, similar in size, get along, and each weighs 14 kg (31 lb) or less.
- Fee within Canada: $100 to $118, each direction.
- You fill in a Live Animals Handling Declaration at the check-in counter, with a contact number and the destination address.
- Check in 2 hours before a domestic flight. If you check in less than 90 minutes before, your pet may be refused.
Each flight only takes a few checked kennels:
| Aircraft | Checked kennels per flight |
|---|---|
| WestJet 737 (including MAX) | 3 |
| WestJet 787 Dreamliner | 2 |
| WestJet Encore Dash 8 | 1 |
The kennel for the hold
The kennel must be hard-sided, in good condition, with its original fasteners and door lock, a solid roof and floor, and the wheels removed. Food and water containers go on the door, and the floor is lined with something absorbent like a towel or an unused pad. Wire, soft and collapsible kennels, plastic doors and top-loading doors are not accepted. WestJet provides the "LIVE ANIMAL" and "THIS WAY UP" stickers and the cable ties at check-in. Our airline crates are set up to these rules, and the crate size calculator gives you an estimate of the size your pet needs.
WestJet asks that your pet is fed and watered within the 4 hours before check-in, with only a light meal. It also recommends seeing your vet before you book if your pet is pregnant, in heat, a snub-nosed breed, a senior or recovering from surgery, and never giving a sedative without your vet's advice.
Holiday and seasonal limits
WestJet cuts the number of checked pets over the December holidays. For flights within Canada, its table of checked kennels per flight is:
| Dates (inclusive) | Dash 8-400 (Q400) | 737 | 787 |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 15 to 17 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| December 18 to January 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| January 5 to 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
WestJet has no heat restriction for checked pets on flights within Canada. It does suggest early morning or late evening flights in summer, midday flights in winter, and flights without connections. Cargo has its own holiday rules: see WestJet pet cargo and our guide to winter and holiday pet embargoes.
WestJet dog policy: breeds with extra rules
Snub-nosed breeds go by cargo only
For bookings made after July 4, 2023, these snub-nosed breeds, and any mix of them, cannot travel in the baggage hold and must be booked with WestJet Cargo:
- Dogs: Affenpinscher, Brasileiro, Brussels Griffon, Boston Terrier, Boxer, all Bulldogs, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua (apple-headed), Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, all Pugs, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel.
- Cats: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Selkirk Rex, Scottish Fold.
WestJet Cargo charges a higher rate for these breeds and needs a vet health certificate. See snub-nosed breeds and flying.
Strong breeds go by cargo only
Strong breeds such as pit bull types, mastiffs, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Cane Corsos and wolf dog hybrids are not accepted as checked baggage. They travel with WestJet Cargo in a reinforced CR 82 crate (metal, wood or mesh, not plastic). As cargo, a strong breed over 6 months old can only be booked by an IPATA registered agent. The full list is on our WestJet pet cargo page.
Ontario
WestJet's pet page says Pit Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are restricted for travel into or through Ontario. We cannot move these dogs through Pearson.
Want us to handle it?
Two ways we can help
Your pet flies on its own
We pick up your pet at home in Toronto or the GTA, supply the crate if you need one, book the cargo space on a WestJet or Air Canada flight and check your pet in at Pearson. On most routes you see your price on screen right after you enter your contact details.
You fly with your pet
You book your seat and your pet's space with WestJet. We can supply the airline crate, take your pet to the vet, and bring your pet to Pearson to meet you at check-in. Owners do not ride in our vehicles, so we meet you at the airport.
WestJet pet policy: questions
How much is the WestJet pet fee?
Can I bring my dog in the cabin on WestJet?
What size pet carrier does WestJet allow in the cabin?
Can my dog fly as checked baggage on WestJet?
Can snub-nosed breeds fly on WestJet?
Can I fly with my pet on WestJet at Christmas?
Can my pet fly on WestJet without me?
Last checked against the airlines' own pages on October 1, 2026.
Airlines change their rules. Always check the official page before you book.
Want us to handle it?
Tell us about your pet and your dates. We book cargo flights from Toronto and handle the crate, the paperwork and Pearson check-in.