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

American: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). WestJet: 53 × 38 × 23 cm (20.9 × 15 × 9.1 in).

Are American and WestJet partners?

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

AA vs WS · 2026 comparison

American vs WestJet

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

American: Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra. WestJet: UltraBasic fares include only a personal item on most routes.

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a bigger personal item; WestJet doesn't clearly win any category. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

American

Wins 2 categories

A carry-on on its cheapest fare
A bigger personal item

WestJet

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

American wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare and a bigger personal item; WestJet doesn't clearly win any category. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: American: 22 × 14 × 9 in · WestJet: 53 × 38 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: American: Included on every fare · WestJet: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): American: $45 · WestJet: $32

Side by side

	American	WestJet
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	53 × 38 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Included on every fare	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	18 × 14 × 8 in	41 × 33 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$32
Network
Alliance	oneworld	None
Loyalty program	AAdvantage	WestJet Rewards
Main hubs	DFW, CLT, ORD, MIA, PHL	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

American allows a carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), and WestJet up to 53 × 38 × 23 cm (20.9 × 15 × 9.1 in).

American includes it on every fare, while WestJet's UltraBasic can be personal-item only.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 18 × 14 × 8 in (46 × 36 × 20 cm) on American, and 41 × 33 × 15 cm (16.1 × 13 × 5.9 in) on WestJet.

A first checked bag on American costs $45 on U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and short-haul international flights, and a first checked bag on WestJet costs $32 on flights within Canada and between Canada and the U.S..

Basic economy

American (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes a full-size carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

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

Loyalty and where they fly

American is in oneworld and WestJet is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: AAdvantage (American) and WestJet Rewards (WestJet).

American's main hubs are Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL). 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 American if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a bigger personal item
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from DFW, CLT, ORD

Choose WestJet if you want…

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.