WestJet hikes checked baggage fees for the second time in months
WestJet is increasing its checked baggage fees for the second time in less than a year.
Canadians will have to pay $10 more to check their first and second bags at airport check-in, with a $50 increase to excess, overweight, and oversized bag fees. Prepaid fees will increase by $5 for the first and second checked bags.
WestJet told Daily Hive in an email that the fee hikes are effective as of Thursday, April 23, 2026.
“These updates are due to industry revenue trends as well as impacts from current global conditions,” stated the spokesperson.
This comes not long after the carrier increased the first checked bag fee for travellers who buy UltraBasic or Econo fares last September.
How much more you’ll need to pay based on fares
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Starting today, travellers flying with WestJet on the UltraBasic fare in the United States and Canada will pay $60 to $93 for the first checked bag, and $75 to $111 for the second checked bag, depending on when and where they pay.
Passengers in the Econo fare will need to pay $50 to $81 for the first checked bag, and $65 to $99 for the second checked bag. These price increases are the same for checked luggage fees on WestJet flights to and from the Caribbean and Mexico.
UltraBasic passengers travelling to Europe and Asia will need to pay $85 to $123 for the first checked bag, and $115 to $158 for the second bag, based on when and where they pay.
Those who bought Econo fare for flights to Europe will pay between $50 to $81 for the first checked bag, and $115 and $158 for the second. On flights to Asia, the first checked bag is free for Econo passengers; however, the second checked bag will cost $115 to $158.
WestJet isn’t the only major airline that recently upped its checked baggage fees. Last week, Air Canada announced baggage fee increases on its Economy Basic, Standard, or Flex fares purchased on or after April 13, 2026.
Soaring fuel prices amid the United States-Iran war have shaken up travel for Canadians. Earlier this week, WestJet announced that its reducing capacity in order to manage fuel costs. The carrier also added a temporary fuel surcharge on certain flights earlier this month.
Check out other services that are impacted by rising oil prices.