WestJet personal item size

Updated 2026-08-10 · Source: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/baggage/carry-on · Free · No sign-up

WestJet allows a free personal item up to 16 x 13 x 6 in, under the seat in front of you. Put your own bag's measurements in below.

WestJet personal item size

Personal item maximum16 x 13 x 6 in (under the seat in front)
Is it free?Yes — every fare includes one personal item
Full-size carry-on22 x 14 x 9 in (also included)
If it does not fitMust fit the sizing device; otherwise it is checked.

Published as 41 x 15 x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 in).

Read from WestJet's own baggage page on 2026-08-10: https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/baggage/carry-on

How WestJet's personal item compares

At 16 x 13 x 6 in it holds roughly 1248 cubic inches, about 45% of the volume of WestJet's own 22 x 14 x 9 in carry-on. That is larger than 6 of the 16 other airlines that publish a figure, and smaller than 10.

Worth knowing: 6 of the 23 airlines we track publish no personal-item measurement at all, so a bag chosen against WestJet's stated 16 x 13 x 6 in is being measured against a firmer rule than most carriers give you.

Will a real bag fit under the seat?

Common small bags measured against WestJet's published 16 x 13 x 6 in limit.

BagSizeOn WestJetNote
15-inch laptop bag15 × 11 × 4 inFits, 1 in spareA slim work bag
Small daypack17 × 12 × 7 inToo big by 1 inThe commonest personal item
Weekender tote20 × 13 × 9 inToo big by 4 inOften too big for under the seat
Compact backpack16 × 11 × 6 inOnly just — 0 in spareFits almost anywhere

Personal item vs carry-on on WestJet

Both bags are included in the fare on WestJet, so the personal item is an addition to your 22 x 14 x 9 in carry-on rather than a replacement for it. The two limits are judged separately — a bag that is too big for under the seat may still be fine overhead.

WestJet carry-on size →

How WestJet enforces it

WestJet publishes no cabin weight limit, so in practice the personal item is judged on whether it fits the space rather than what it weighs. You still have to be able to handle it yourself.

Must fit the sizing device; otherwise it is checked. An over-large personal item usually travels overhead instead, which is free on WestJet and therefore a much softer landing than on a carrier that charges for the carry-on.

Two practical notes that apply on any airline: the under-seat space is smaller in a row with a lifejacket box or an entertainment unit beneath the seat, and a soft bag that compresses will pass where a rigid case of identical stated dimensions will not. Measure with anything strapped to the outside included.

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FAQ

What size personal item does WestJet allow?

WestJet allows a personal item up to 16 x 13 x 6 in, stowed under the seat in front of you.

Is the personal item free on WestJet?

Yes. Every WestJet fare includes one personal item.

What counts as a personal item?

A purse, small backpack, laptop bag, briefcase or similar. Published as 41 x 15 x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 in).

What if my personal item is too big on WestJet?

Must fit the sizing device; otherwise it is checked.

Personal item vs carry-on on WestJet — what is the difference?

The personal item goes under the seat and is free. The carry-on goes in the overhead locker and can be up to 22 x 14 x 9 in, included with your fare.

Do wheels and handles count?

Yes — WestJet measures the whole bag, so soft bags that squash down have a real advantage under the seat.

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