WestJet Airlines Pet Policy

Making a Reservation

• Space for pets cannot be reserved online. To add your pet to your travel plans, kindly contact West Jet by phone. 
• A pet kennel fee applies for pets traveling in the cabin or as checked baggage. Please note that an empty kennel or a pet in a kennel will be counted towards your carry-on baggage allowance as either a personal item or a carry-on item, depending on its size. Kennel fees can be paid through a WestJet contact centre by credit card or with Travel Bank funds.
• West Jet limits the number of pets permitted on each flight, so we strongly recommend requesting space for your pet as soon as you have completed your booking. If you do not request space for your pet(s) 48 hours before departure, space may not be available, and you may not be permitted to travel with your pet(s).
• Pre-booking is the only way to ensure space is saved on the aircraft for your pet. If you do not prebook, it is possible your pet may not be able to travel.

In-Cabin Pet Travel 

Conditions for acceptance in-cabin

• Pets are not permitted on itineraries which include flights operated by WestJet code-share and interline partners.
• For your pet's comfort, it is recommended you consider flights without connections, as well as early morning or late evening flights in the summer and midday flights in the winter.
• A pet may not travel with an unaccompanied minor.
• Pets that are younger than eight weeks old will not be accepted for transport.
• Pets travelling in the cabin must remain in the kennel and be stored under the seat in front of you at all times. If you remove your pet from its kennel while on board, you may be banned from travelling with your pet in the cabin on future WestJet flights.
• Pets that appear to be aggressive, unruly or in distress may be denied for transport at WestJet’s discretion.
• All kennels are subject to approval by WestJet at check in. See the kennel information for carry-on pets or kennel information for "Checked" and "On their own (as cargo)" sections above.
• WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of pets while in transit.
• The limits of liability outlined in WestJet’s baggage claim page apply to pets as well. These amounts are not automatically payable but reflect the maximum compensation payable, as each claim is subject to proof of loss.
• Consequential damages such as loss of enjoyment or companionship, inconvenience, etc. are not compensable.

Kennel or Crate Requirements for In-Cabin Travel: 

• Pets travelling as carry-on must have room to stand, sit and move naturally in their kennel. Depending on the type of aircraft, you may be required to sit in a window seat due to space limitations beneath non-window seats.
• Please be aware that if you are travelling with a cat on a flight where a guest with a severe allergy to cat dander is also travelling, WestJet may be required to move you toward the rear of the aircraft to meet the Canadian Transportation Agency's buffer zone requirement for the allergic guest. 
• Pet cats, dogs, rabbits, and birds are welcome to travel in-cabin provided they comply with the rules of admission. 1 pet is accepted in cabin per guest and per kennel. 
• Your kennel is your personal item in your carry-on baggage allowance. You may need to adjust your kennel to fit within the maximum height and depth available beneath the seat. Please note, space beneath the seat varies by aircraft type.
• Maximum kennel size permitted in cabin is 41 cm L x 21.5 cm H x 25.4 cm W (16 in. L x 8.5 in. H x 10 in. W)
• Your pet’s kennel must be Soft-sided, airline-approved, leak-proof, secure, and well-ventilated. The kennel cannot be a duffle bag, gym bag or other type of non-kennel bag, and your pet’s head should not be sticking out of their kennel. 

Pet Travel as Checked Animals

Conditions for Acceptance for Travel as Checked Baggage: 

• Pets are not permitted on flights operated by WestJet’s code-share and interline partners. WestJet is also unable to accept pets on flights we operate but were booked through one of our partners.
• For your pet's comfort, consider flights without connections, as well as early morning or late evening flights in the summer and midday flights in the winter.
• A pet may not travel with an unaccompanied minor.
• Pets that are younger than eight weeks old will not be accepted for transport.
• A maximum of two (2) animals, of the same species and comparable in size up to 14 kg (31 lbs.) each, that are compatible, may be shipped in one kennel. Maximum total weight restrictions (animal[s] plus kennel weight) apply. Animals over 14 kg (31 lbs.) each must be shipped individually.
• Pets that appear to be aggressive, unruly or in distress may be denied for transport at our discretion. 
• All kennels are subject to approval by WestJet at check in. See the kennel information for carry-on pets or kennel information for "Checked" and "On their own (as cargo)" sections above.
• WestJet assumes no responsibility for the care or feeding of pets while in transit.
• Consequential damages such as loss of enjoyment or companionship, inconvenience, etc. are not compensable.
• The following animal breeds are restricted for travel into or through Ontario, Canada: Pit Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 

Kennel or Crate Requirements for Checked Travel: 

• Though WestJet accepts the following pets in checked baggage - Birds, cats, chinchillas, dogs, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, rabbits.  Please note that not all pets are accepted in all countries. Please check your destination’s entry requirements and whether your pet is permitted to travel. 
• Number of pets permitted per passenger - Six (6) on flights with WestJet 737 aircraft, four (4) on flights with WestJet 787 aircraft, two (2) on flights with WestJet Dash 8 or Saab aircraft. 
• Kennels can weight a maximum of 45 KG (~100 lbs.)
• Kennels must be in good condition (Damaged, chewed or scratched kennels may be denied).
• Kennel must be large enough that the animal(s) can stand up, stand erect, turn around, sit and lie down without its head touching the top of the kennel. 
• Kennel must be hard-sided.
• Kennels must be secure with original fasteners; no missing, broken, or loose fasteners.
• Kennel must be well ventilated with no labels obstructing ventilation holes.
• Kennel must be marked with "LIVE ANIMAL" stickers (provided at check-in)
• Kennel must be marked with directional "THIS WAY UP" arrow stickers (provided at check-in) on two sides and should be marked with your pet's name.
• The kennel must be secured with plastic cable ties (provided at check-in) as per instructions provided by a WestJet representative.
• Kennels must be free of toxic or harmful materials, treatments, paint, or preservatives.
• Kennel must be clean and sanitized.
• Kennels must be designed to prevent any part of the animal from protruding outside the enclosure in a way that could result in injury to the animal (e.g. nose or paws) or to any nearby person or animal.
• The kennel must have food and water containers attached to the kennel door.
• Kennel must have original manufacturer’s secure door lock(s). Locking pins must engage the container beyond the extrusions by 1.6 cm (5/8 in). 
• Kennel must have exterior handle(s) or handholds are sturdy enough to enable the kennel to be lifted without tilting. 
• Kennel must have a ¾" protecting rim.
• Kennel must have a solid bottom and roof.
• Kennel must have the wheels removed.
• Kennel must have a leak proof floor and be lined with absorbent material like a towel or unused litter pad.

Breed-Specific Restrictions 

The following breeds are considered snub-nosed/brachycephalic/strong and must travel by WestJet Cargo. 

Brachycephalic Cat Breeds: British Shorthair, Burmese, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Selkirk Rex, Scottish Fold. 

Brachycephalic Dog Breeds: Affenpinscher, Brasileiro, Brussels Griffon, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Bulldog – (all breeds), Bullmastiff, Cane Corso, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chihuahua (apple-headed), Chow Chow, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Toy Spaniel, Japanese Chin, Lhasa Apso, Neapolitan Mastiff, Pekingese, Pug - all breeds, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tibetan Spaniel. 

Strong Breeds: American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, Anatolian Shepard, Bandog, Cane Corso, Caucasian Shepherd, Doberman, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff (all breeds), Pitbull (all breeds), Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Wolf Dog Hybrids.