WestJet Airlines Pet Travel Policies – In-Cabin & Checked Pets

A small dog under the seat is a different product from a crate in the hold. WestJet sells both, with tight kennel sizes, a 48-hour reservation cut-off, and destination bans that surprise people bound for London or Barbados. Book the pet as soon as the human ticket exists; a paid seat does not reserve an animal space.

WestJet Airlines Pet Travel Policies cover cats and dogs in the cabin and a wider list (including birds, rabbits and some small mammals) as checked baggage on most WestJet-operated flights. One cabin pet per guest, in one soft-sided kennel. Emotional support animals are not accepted; they travel as pets. Trained service dogs follow a separate disability process. Pets are not taken to, from or through Barbados, Hawaii, Iceland, Ireland, Jamaica, Glasgow or London in cabin or as checked kennels.

WestJet In-Cabin Pets and Checked Pets Rules

WestJet in-cabin pets and checked pets rules split on size, aircraft and weather.

Cabin pets stay in a leak-proof, well-ventilated soft carrier under the seat for the entire flight. Official maximum kennel size is 41 cm long × 21.5 cm high × 25.4 cm wide (16 × 8.5 × 10 in). The animal must stand, sit, turn and lie down without the head outside the bag. The kennel counts as your personal item. UltraBasic guests on routes with no carry-on bag may still bring the kennel plus a personal item. Window seats are often required because under-seat height varies. Cabin inventory is capped per aircraft (commonly three on a 737, two on a 787, one on a Dash 8).

Checked pets travel in a hard-sided IATA-style kennel, wheels off, “LIVE ANIMAL” labels, water dishes, absorbent lining. Combined pet and kennel weight: 45 kg (100 lb). Kennel size up to about 101 × 68 × 81 cm (40 × 27 × 32 in). Two compatible animals of the same species, each up to 14 kg, may share one crate if they fit. Per-guest hold limits: six on a 737, four on a 787, two on a Dash 8. Heat and cold embargoes can close the hold. Brachycephalic breeds may be refused in high temperatures. Larger or unaccompanied animals use WestJet Cargo.

Option	Who it suits	Kennel	Combined weight	Typical fee each way	Book by
Cabin	Small cat or dog	Soft-sided, 41 × 21.5 × 25.4 cm	No official kg cap; must fit and stay inside	CAD/USD 50–59 Canada/U.S.; 100–118 beyond	≥ 48 hours before departure
Checked baggage	Medium/large pet on your flight	Hard-sided, max ~101 × 68 × 81 cm	45 kg including crate	100–118 Canada/U.S.; 200–236 beyond	≥ 48 hours; Live Animal form at check-in
WestJet Cargo	Oversized or flying alone	IATA crate, often IPATA agent for strong breeds	Quoted separately	Cargo tariff	Cargo desk, not the passenger PNR

If you are unsure whether the carrier will fit, call +1-833-894-5333 with aircraft type and kennel measurements before you buy a crate.

WestJet Airlines Pet in Cabin Weight Limit

WestJet Airlines pet in cabin weight limit is not a single published kilogram on the official pets page. Eligibility is the closed carrier under the seat and a calm animal that can turn around. Some agents still treat about 10 kg combined as a practical check. Weigh pet plus bag at home. A snug 9 kg dog in a bulky carrier can fail at the gate even when the dog alone looks “cabin size.”

How to Add a Pet to WestJet Flight Reservation?

How to add a pet to WestJet flight reservation (and Add pet to WestJet flight booking): complete the human ticket, then add the animal online where the tool appears, or by live chat or phone. Pay the kennel fee by card or Travel Bank. Do this immediately—wait until 48 hours before departure and the flight may already be at its pet cap. Codeshare and partner-ticketed WestJet metal often cannot take pets. Check in at the counter with extra time; hold pets need the Live Animal declaration and stickers.

Flying with Dog on WestJet International

Flying with dog on WestJet international is allowed on many routes that are not on the ban list, but the destination writes the health rules. You must meet export and import law for every country on the ticket, including transit. Typical papers: rabies certificate, a veterinary health certificate (often within 10 days), microchip, and country permits. Dogs entering the United States from Mexico need current CDC import steps, including a Dog Import Form and, where required, a screwworm inspection. Japan and South Korea add antibody titres and government-endorsed certificates. WestJet does not police every consulate rule at booking; a missing stamp can stop the animal at the border.

WestJet Pet Health and Documentation Requirements

WestJet pet health and documentation requirements: minimum age eight weeks and fully weaned; clean, healthy, and mannerly. Sedation is discouraged. For hold travel, a fit-to-fly note is wise. You complete a Live Animal Handling Declaration for checked kennels, with destination contacts. Service dogs need the disability documentation WestJet specifies, reserved at least 48 hours ahead with Special Care—not the pet fee.

WestJet Airlines Pet Travel Hotline

Use the WestJet Airlines Pet Travel Hotline when the website will not attach a pet, when you fly a 787 versus a Dash 8, or when a UK or Caribbean city is on the itinerary. Call +1-833-894-5333 with PNR, pet weight, kennel size, and destination.

Short FAQs

Can I add the pet the day before travel? Usually no. Space must be requested at least 48 hours out.

Is there a WestJet Airlines pet in cabin weight limit in kilograms? Official rules stress fit and behaviour; confirm any 10 kg practice when you Add pet to WestJet flight booking.

Are ESAs free in the cabin? No. They travel as pets, with fees and a carrier.

Who do I call for hold temperature embargoes? The WestJet Airlines Pet Travel Hotline at +1-833-894-5333.

Closing Conclusion

Reserve the animal with the ticket, measure the soft cabin bag to 41 × 21.5 × 25.4 cm, and treat international papers as seriously as a passport. Cabin is calmer when the dog truly fits; the hold is a 45 kg, weather-sensitive crate product. Check banned cities before you pay. For a last confirmation of WestJet in-cabin pets and checked pets rules, keep the PNR handy and call +1-833-894-5333 so the pet is on the same flight you are.