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

Southwest: 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm). WestJet: 53 × 38 × 23 cm (20.9 × 15 × 9.1 in). Southwest allows the larger bag.

Are Southwest and WestJet partners?

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

WN vs WS · 2026 comparison

Southwest vs WestJet

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

Southwest: Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares. WestJet: UltraBasic fares include only a personal item on most routes.

Southwest wins on a bigger carry-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

Southwest

Wins 3 categories

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

WestJet

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Southwest wins on a bigger carry-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: Southwest: 24 × 16 × 10 in · WestJet: 53 × 38 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Southwest: Included on every fare · WestJet: Not on some basic fares
First checked bag (regular economy): Southwest: $45 · WestJet: $32

Side by side

	Southwest	WestJet
Bags
Carry-on size	24 × 16 × 10 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	16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in	41 × 33 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$32
Network
Alliance	None	None
Loyalty program	Rapid Rewards	WestJet Rewards
Main hubs	DEN, LAS, MDW, BWI, DAL	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

Southwest allows a carry-on up to 24 × 16 × 10 in (61 × 41 × 25 cm), and WestJet up to 53 × 38 × 23 cm (20.9 × 15 × 9.1 in), so Southwest's is roomier.

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

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 16.25 × 13.5 × 8 in (41 × 34 × 20 cm) on Southwest, and 41 × 33 × 15 cm (16.1 × 13 × 5.9 in) on WestJet.

A first checked bag on Southwest costs $45 on flights within the U.S. mainland, and a first checked bag on WestJet costs $32 on flights within Canada and between Canada and the U.S..

Basic economy

Southwest (Basic): Even the Basic fare includes a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra on Basic, Choice and Choice Preferred fares.

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

Loyalty and where they fly

Southwest is not in an alliance and WestJet is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Rapid Rewards (Southwest) and WestJet Rewards (WestJet).

Southwest's main hubs are Denver (DEN), Las Vegas (LAS), Chicago (MDW), Baltimore (BWI), Dallas (DAL). 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 Southwest if you want…

a bigger carry-on
a carry-on on its cheapest fare
a bigger personal item
nonstops from DEN, LAS, MDW

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.