WestJet Raises Baggage Fees as Fuel Pressure Mounts, With Higher Costs for Prepaid, Airport and Oversized Bags

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 24, 2026

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Under WestJet’s new fee table, travellers on Econo or Member Exclusive fares within Canada and the United States now pay 45 to 53 dollars for a first checked bag if it is prepaid, 60 to 71 dollars through self serve check in, and 70 to 83 dollars at the airport. A second checked bag on those same fares now costs 60 to 71 dollars prepaid, 75 to 89 dollars through self serve check in, and 85 to 100 dollars at the airport.

On UltraBasic fares within Canada and the United States, the first checked bag now costs 55 to 65 dollars if prepaid, 70 to 83 dollars through self serve check in, and 80 to 94 dollars at airport check in. The second bag rises to 70 to 83 dollars prepaid, 85 to 100 dollars through self serve check in, and 95 to 112 dollars at the airport. WestJet’s baggage fee change page shows these figures represent a 5 dollar increase on the first and second prepaid checked bags and a 10 dollar increase on the first and second bags paid at the airport compared with most tickets bought between September 16, 2025 and April 22, 2026.

The increase also reaches long haul routes. On UltraBasic fares to Europe and Asia, a first checked bag now costs 80 to 94 dollars if prepaid, 95 to 112 dollars through self serve check in, and 105 to 124 dollars at the airport. The second bag rises to 110 to 130 dollars prepaid, 125 to 148 dollars through self serve check in, and 135 to 159 dollars at the airport. On standard economy fares to Europe, the first checked bag remains 45 to 53 dollars if prepaid, but the second bag climbs to 110 to 130 dollars prepaid.

The sharpest jump hit additional and oversized baggage. WestJet said fees for excess, overweight and oversized bags rose by 50 dollars. Its published tables now show third and fourth bags on Canada and U.S. routes at 150 to 177 dollars through self serve check in and 160 to 189 dollars at the airport, with overweight and oversized baggage charged at similar levels.

For travellers, the practical takeaway is clear: the gap between prepaying online and paying at the airport has widened again, making advance bag purchases more important for anyone trying to limit travel costs. The new fees also do not apply retroactively, because WestJet separates the new pricing for tickets bought from April 23, 2026 onward from earlier bookings. The airline continues to offer free first or second checked bags to some passengers, including Premium and Business guests, certain WestJet Rewards members, and eligible WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard holders under its published rules.