For the third time in lower than two years, WestJet has made amendments to the construction of its baggage charges. This time, WestJet has elevated the quantity you’ll must pay to your first checked bag in most markets by round $5.
The change was quietly carried out on September 16, 2025, although it’s simply beginning to get consideration within the media.
WestJet Will increase Charges for First Checked Baggage
On September 16, 2025, WestJet quietly elevated its checked baggage charges by $5–6 for passengers travelling on UltraBasic, Econo, and Member Unique Fares to most markets.
As a reminder, WestJet launched a further $10 price for checking baggage on the airport in October 2023, and then elevated checked baggage charges by round $5 throughout the board in February 2024.
This newest change is the third such modification to the Calgary-based airline’s baggage coverage within the final two years.
For passengers travelling in Canada and the US, the next desk illustrates the bags price will increase:
For passengers travelling to/from Latin Caribbean and Mexico, the next desk illustrates the bags price will increase:
For passengers travelling to/from Europe, the next desk illustrates the bags price will increase (if any):
For passengers travelling to/from all different places, the next desk illustrates the bags price will increase:
As you’ll be able to see, WestJet has elevated the checked baggage price by $5–6 (if in any respect) to your first checked bag.
It’s value noting that baggage charges for journey to/from Asia stay unchanged.
Word that the quantity that it is advisable pay for checked baggage (if any) relies on the date of buy, not on the date of journey.
Which means that in case you bought your WestJet ticket on or earlier than September 15, 2025, you’ll be topic to the “previous” set of charges, which could be discovered on the WestJet web site (or within the above tables).
WestJet Doubles Down on Ancillary Income… Once more
Prior to now few years, WestJet has discovered inventive methods to generate ancillary income from passengers.
Except for introducing an additional price for checking baggage on the airport and growing its checked baggage charges (twice), the airline introduced in UltraBasic fares and launched Prolonged Consolation as an ancillary possibility in 2024.
The previous fare guarantees a low value in trade for a seat on a aircraft (and never a lot else), whereas the latter possibility provides passengers a bit extra legroom, a drink, and Zone 2 boarding.
Prolonged Consolation additionally guarantees passengers early entry to overhead bin house (which comes as a perform of Zone 2 boarding, however solely actually issues if the flight is full or in case you board early), in addition to a faster exit upon arrival (which is just because Prolonged Consolation seats are in direction of the entrance of the economic system cabin).
Extra not too long ago, WestJet introduced a serious cabin reconfiguration that may see (amongst different issues) the introduction of “fixed-recline seats” (e.g., seats that don’t recline) in addition to the addition of an additional row (e.g., much less leg room) within the economic system cabin in comparison with earlier layouts.
Within the press launch, the adjustments are described as a mirrored image of the airline’s dedication “to elevating each side of the journey expertise and assembly visitor demand for a broader vary of product choices.”
My learn on these adjustments is that they’re simply one other technique to generate extra income from passengers by charging for issues (baggage, leg room, a seat that reclines) that was once included as a part of the journey expertise or that used to price much less.
Actually, I’d argue that WestJet is adjusting its strategy to economic system journey to be extra aligned with ultra-low-cost service Aptitude Airways (which additionally options seats that don’t recline), and fewer with the likes of Air Canada and Porter Airways (each of which supply passengers complimentary beer, wine, and snacks, in addition to seats that recline).
After all, the best technique to skirt WestJet’s growing baggage charges is to carry the WestJet® RBC World Elite Mastercardǂ, which provides a primary free checked bag for the cardholder and as much as eight passengers on the identical reserving†.
WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercardǂ
- Earn 25,000 WestJet factors upon making your first buy†
- Then, earn a further 20,000 WestJet factors upon spending $5,000 within the first three months†
- Obtain an annual companion voucher for discounted journey on WestJet flights, with a co-pay beginning at $119 plus taxes and costs†
- Standing Raise as much as 50 instances per 12 months and earn standing with out flying†
- Free first checked bag for the first cardholder and as much as eight visitors on the identical reservation†
- WestJet factors by no means expire
- Minimal revenue: $80,000 private or $150,000 family
- Annual price: $119
Even with the annual price on the cardboard growing from $119 to $139 as of November 5, 2025, it’s nonetheless a fantastic deal for anybody who would in any other case pay to verify a bag on no less than three WestJet flights in a 12 months.
Conclusion
WestJet has quietly elevated its checked baggage charges by round $5 in most markets. This alteration got here into impact for UltraBasic, Econo, and Member Unique Fares bought on or after September 16, 2025.
That is the third modification to WestJet’s baggage price construction up to now two years.
It stays to be seen if Air Canada and/or Porter Airways will comply with swimsuit, as was the case in earlier baggage price hikes.
In any other case, in case you’re purchasing for a WestJet fare and don’t have baggage included by means of standing or bank card advantages, be sure you evaluate the worth variations between fares that embrace baggage and people who don’t. Typically, the price of paying extra for a extra inclusive fare is lower than including issues a la carte after the very fact.
†Phrases and situations apply. RBC isn’t chargeable for sustaining the content material on this web site. Please click on on the Apply Now hyperlink for the hottest data.
