Can You Fly with Pets on WestJet?

Yes, WestJet allows dogs and cats to travel with you on most flights. You have three options: in the cabin with you, in checked baggage (hold), or via cargo. However, there are important restrictions and requirements you must follow — and some routes and destinations are completely off-limits for pets.

Critical limitation: Pets are not accepted on Business cabin flights on the 787 Dreamliner, and they cannot travel on any itineraries that include code-share or interline partners. Additionally, WestJet does not accept pets to or from Barbados, Hawaii, Ireland (Dublin), Jamaica, or the United Kingdom. Check your specific route before booking.

Key Numbers at a Glance

  • Cabin pet fee: $50 CAD (one-way)
  • Maximum pet weight (cabin): 10 kg (22 lbs) including carrier
  • Carrier dimensions (cabin): 41 cm L × 25.4 cm W × 21.5 cm H
  • Minimum pet age (cabin): 8 weeks old
  • Minimum pet age (checked/cargo): 10 weeks old
  • Advance booking required: 48 hours before departure
  • Maximum pets per passenger: 1 pet
  • Health certificate validity: 10 days before travel
  • Heat embargo (checked/cargo): 29.4°C (85°F)
  • Cold embargo (checked/cargo): -6.7°C (20°F)

Cabin Travel: Flying with Your Pet in the Cabin

This is the most comfortable option for your pet. Your dog or cat travels with you in the main cabin, not in the hold.

Carrier Requirements

Your pet must travel in a soft-sided, airline-approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Hard-sided carriers are not permitted for cabin travel.

Exact dimensions: Maximum 41 cm long × 25.4 cm wide × 21.5 cm high, with a combined weight (pet + carrier) of no more than 10 kg (22 lbs).

Your carrier must have:

  • Proper ventilation on all sides
  • An absorbent mat or liner inside to manage accidents
  • Enough space for your pet to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably

Age & Health Requirements

Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old. You'll need a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 10 days of your departure date. This is non-negotiable — you will not be allowed to board without it.

Pregnant animals and animals in heat are not permitted in the cabin. Do not sedate your pet — sedation is prohibited by IATA regulations and virtually all airlines worldwide.

Breed Restrictions

WestJet restricts brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds due to respiratory risks during flight. Restricted dog breeds include: Affenpinscher, American Bully, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffon, Bulldog (all types), Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, King Charles Spaniel, Lhasa Apso, Mastiff (all types), Pekingese, Presa Canario, Pug (all types), Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Tibetan Spaniel.

Restricted cat breeds include: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, and Scottish Fold.

If your pet is on this list, contact WestJet directly before booking — some airlines make exceptions, but you need confirmation first.

Booking & Fees

You must book your pet at least 48 hours in advance. You can book online or by phone. The fee is $50 CAD per one-way flight. Only one pet per passenger is allowed.

Your pet must be fed and watered within 4 hours before check-in, and you must arrive at least 40 minutes before departure to complete pet boarding procedures.

Checked Baggage (Hold) Travel

Your pet travels in the aircraft hold, separate from you. This option is for larger pets that don't fit cabin requirements.

Carrier Requirements

Checked baggage carriers must be hard-sided and IATA-compliant. Soft-sided carriers are not accepted for hold travel.

Your carrier must include:

  • Ventilation openings on at least three sides
  • An attached water bowl or trough that can be filled from outside the crate
  • An absorbent mat or liner inside
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows on the outside

Age & Health Requirements

Your pet must be at least 10 weeks old (older than cabin travel). A health certificate issued within 10 days of departure is required.

Pregnant animals are not accepted. Sedation is prohibited.

Temperature Restrictions

WestJet will not accept pets for checked baggage travel if temperatures at the origin or destination exceed 29.4°C (85°F) or fall below -6.7°C (20°F). If you need to travel in colder conditions, ask your vet about an acclimation certificate, which may allow an exception.

Booking & Fees

Advance booking is required — you cannot show up at the airport with a pet. We're still verifying the specific fee for checked baggage pet travel — contact WestJet directly for pricing.

Cargo Travel

For pets that don't qualify for cabin or checked baggage, cargo is an option. Your pet travels as cargo with specialized handling.

Carrier Requirements

Cargo carriers must be hard-sided and fully IATA Live Animals Regulations (LAR) compliant. Requirements include:

  • Ventilation on at least three sides
  • Attached water bowl or trough
  • Absorbent liner inside
  • "Live Animals" labels with orientation arrows

Age, Health & Restrictions

Minimum age is 10 weeks. Health certificate required within 10 days of travel. Pregnant animals and sedation are not permitted. Brachycephalic breeds are restricted.

Temperature Embargoes

Same as checked baggage: no travel above 29.4°C (85°F) or below -6.7°C (20°F) without a vet acclimation certificate.

Booking & Fees

Advance booking is mandatory. We're still verifying cargo-specific fees and booking procedures — contact WestJet directly.

Assistance Animals (Service Dogs)

Assistance animals have a separate policy from regular pets. Documentation is required, and you'll need to provide proof of your animal's training and status. Contact WestJet in advance to arrange this — do not assume your assistance animal can travel under the standard pet policy.

What You Need to Do

  • Check your route: Confirm WestJet flies your route and that pets are accepted (not to/from Barbados, Hawaii, Ireland, Jamaica, or UK).
  • Verify your pet's breed: If your dog or cat is brachycephalic, call WestJet before booking to confirm eligibility.
  • Schedule a vet visit: Get a health certificate issued within 10 days of your departure date. Don't leave this to the last minute.
  • Choose your travel method: Decide between cabin, checked baggage, or cargo based on your pet's size and your comfort level.
  • Get the right carrier: For cabin, buy a soft-sided airline-approved carrier with the exact dimensions (41 × 25.4 × 21.5 cm). For checked/cargo, invest in a hard-sided IATA-compliant crate with water bowl and labels.
  • Book 48+ hours ahead: Call or book online at least 2 days before departure. One pet per passenger maximum.
  • Feed and water before check-in: Provide food and water within 4 hours of departure.
  • Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least 40 minutes before departure for pet boarding procedures.
  • Bring all documents: Have your health certificate, booking confirmation, and carrier documentation ready at the airport.

Important Restrictions & Exceptions

No pets on: Business cabin (787 Dreamliner), code-share flights, or interline itineraries.

Restricted destinations: Barbados, Hawaii, Ireland (Dublin), Jamaica, United Kingdom.

No sedation: IATA prohibits sedating pets during air travel. A sedated animal cannot maintain balance or respond to emergencies.

Pregnant or in-heat animals: Not accepted. If your pet is pregnant, confirm with WestJet before attempting to book.

Additional Resources

For more detailed guidance, see our flying with a dog guide, documents checklist, and brachycephalic breed guide. If you're comparing airlines, check out policies for Air Canada and other carriers.

Ready to plan your trip? Get your free personalized travel plan from PawGo — we'll help you navigate every step.

Data Accuracy Note

This guide is based on WestJet's official pet policy, last verified on April 9, 2026. Policies change, and specific routes may have additional restrictions. Always confirm directly with WestJet before booking — call their customer service or visit westjet.com/en-ca/pets to verify current rules for your specific flight and destination.

Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: April 10, 2026