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

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

Are United and WestJet partners?

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

UA vs WS · 2026 comparison

United vs WestJet

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

United: Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers. WestJet: UltraBasic fares include only a personal item on most routes.

United wins on 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

United

Wins 1 category

A bigger personal item

WestJet

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

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

Side by side

	United	WestJet
Bags
Carry-on size	22 × 14 × 9 in	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	17 × 10 × 9 in	41 × 33 × 15 cm
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$32
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	None
Loyalty program	MileagePlus	WestJet Rewards
Main hubs	ORD, DEN, IAH, EWR, SFO	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

United 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).

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

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 17 × 10 × 9 in (43 × 25 × 23 cm) on United, and 41 × 33 × 15 cm (16.1 × 13 × 5.9 in) on WestJet.

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

Basic economy

United (Basic Economy): Basic Economy includes only a personal item on most U.S. and short-haul flights. A full-size carry-on is allowed on transatlantic, transpacific and South America routes, and for MileagePlus Premier members and eligible United cardmembers.

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

Loyalty and where they fly

United is in Star Alliance and WestJet is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: MileagePlus (United) and WestJet Rewards (WestJet).

United's main hubs are Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO). 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 United if you want…

a bigger personal item
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from ORD, DEN, IAH

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.