Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Air Canada or WestJet?

Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in). WestJet: 53 × 38 × 23 cm (20.9 × 15 × 9.1 in). Air Canada allows the larger bag.

Are Air Canada and WestJet partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Air Canada: Star Alliance; WestJet: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AC vs WS · 2026 comparison

Air Canada vs WestJet

Q: Do Air Canada and WestJet include a carry-on on basic economy?

Air Canada: Economy Basic within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean includes only a personal item; on other international routes it includes a carry-on. WestJet: UltraBasic fares include only a personal item on most routes.

Air Canada wins on a bigger carry-on and a bigger personal item; WestJet wins on cheaper checked bags. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Air Canada

Wins 2 categories

A bigger carry-on
A bigger personal item

WestJet

Wins 1 category

Cheaper checked bags

Quick verdict

Air Canada wins on a bigger carry-on and a bigger personal item; WestJet wins on cheaper checked bags. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · WestJet: 53 × 38 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air Canada: Not on some basic fares · WestJet: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Air Canada: $45 · WestJet: $32

Side by side

	Air Canada	WestJet
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	53 × 38 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	43 × 33 × 16 cm	41 × 33 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$32
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	None
Loyalty program	Aeroplan	WestJet Rewards
Main hubs	YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC	YYC, YYZ, YVR

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Air Canada allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), and WestJet up to 53 × 38 × 23 cm (20.9 × 15 × 9.1 in), so Air Canada's is roomier.

Air Canada's Economy Basic can be personal-item only, while WestJet's UltraBasic can be personal-item only.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in) on Air Canada, and 41 × 33 × 15 cm (16.1 × 13 × 5.9 in) on WestJet.

A first checked bag on Air Canada costs $45 on flights within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and a first checked bag on WestJet costs $32 on flights within Canada and between Canada and the U.S..

Basic economy

Air Canada (Economy Basic): Economy Basic within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean includes only a personal item; on other international routes it includes a carry-on.

WestJet (UltraBasic): UltraBasic fares include only a personal item on most routes.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air Canada is in Star Alliance and WestJet is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Aeroplan (Air Canada) and WestJet Rewards (WestJet).

Air Canada's main hubs are Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC). WestJet's are Calgary (YYC), Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air Canada if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a bigger personal item
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from YYZ, YVR, YUL

Choose WestJet if you want…

cheaper checked bags
nonstops from YYC, YYZ, YVR

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.