North America
Flying with a dog on WestJet WS
North America
Flying with a dog on WestJet
Excellent
Here is the WestJet pet policy for dogs, checked against the airline's own pages in October 2026. Below: what applies in the cabin and in the hold, the breed rules for your dog, and what to sort out before you fly.
WestJet dog policy at a glance
In the cabin
No weight limit
In the hold
Up to 45 kg
WestJet pet carrier size: dog carriers that fit
We checked every carrier in our comparison against the limits of WestJet, size by size. Shown are the ones that fit by their dimensions, most mentioned first. At the gate, WestJet decides.
In the hold
5 carriers fit by their dimensions
Illustration Petmate Sky Kennel Fits 21", 28" +2 · 31.7 kg for the dog (36") 
Illustration Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel Fits 21", 28" +2 · 31.7 kg for the dog (36") 
Illustration MPS Skudo IATA Fits Skudo 1, Skudo 2 +4 · 35 kg for the dog (Skudo 5) Breed rules
Restrictions| Breed group | Cabin with you | Hold on your flight | Cargo booked separately |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snub-nosed | Allowed | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Strong breeds | Not allowed | Not allowed | Conditional |
Snub-nosed
- Cabin, with you
- Allowed
- Hold, on your flight
- Not allowed
- Cargo, booked separately
- Allowed
Strong breeds
- Cabin, with you
- Not allowed
- Hold, on your flight
- Not allowed
- Cargo, booked separately
- Conditional
Snub-nosed breeds (e.g. Boxer, all Bulldogs, Pug, Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) cannot travel as checked baggage and must be booked with WestJet Cargo. Strong breeds (e.g. Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman, Cane Corso, Staffordshire Bull Terrier) must also go with WestJet Cargo in a CR 82 crate.
Assistance dogs
AllowedTrained service dogs travel at your feet in the cabin and must be individually trained by an organization or person specializing in service dog training. Request travel through the Special Care Desk at least 48 hours before departure (7 days for the UK); emotional support animals are not accepted.
Summary
Dogs travel in the cabin in a soft-sided kennel up to 41 x 21.5 x 25.4 cm under the seat, with no weight limit stated. Larger dogs can fly as checked baggage up to 45 kg including kennel, subject to seasonal heat and holiday embargoes, and WestJet Cargo handles snub-nosed and strong breeds. The cabin fee is CAD 50 to 59 each way within Canada and the U.S. and CAD 100 to 118 on other routes. Pets are not accepted to or from Barbados, Hawaii, Dublin, Iceland, Jamaica or the UK.
Cabin kennel must be soft-sided, airline-approved and stored under the seat; usable space beneath the seat varies by aircraft type. One pet per kennel in the cabin, one per guest.
Hard-sided kennel required; the number of kennels per flight varies by aircraft (3 on 737/MAX, 2 on 787, 1 on Dash 8), with tighter limits during holiday periods.
Before you fly
- Check which vaccinations and health documents your route requires, and keep them with you.
- Reserve your dog's spot early, as places per flight are limited.
- Check the entry rules of your destination country.
- Get your dog used to the carrier or kennel well before the trip.
- Larger dogs travel in the climate-controlled hold, so book that early too.
Always double-check
Airline pet policies change often and vary by route, aircraft and season. Confirm the current rules directly with WestJet before booking.
Similar airlines in North America
Flying with a dog on WestJet: FAQ
What is the WestJet pet policy for dogs? ▾
WestJet allows small dogs in the cabin, and larger dogs travel in the hold. Some breeds are restricted, and the Dog-Friendly Score is 100/100. Checked against the official policy in October 2026.
Can I bring my dog in the cabin on WestJet? ▾
Yes. WestJet allows small dogs in the cabin in an approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
Can my dog travel in cargo on WestJet? ▾
Yes. WestJet transports dogs in the temperature-controlled hold. Advance booking and an IATA-compliant travel crate are usually required.
How much does it cost to fly a dog on WestJet? ▾
On WestJet, the in-cabin fee is CA$50–118 (each way · varies by route); the airline states: CAD 50-59 each way (Canada/U.S.), CAD 100-118 international, and the hold fee is CA$100–236 (each way · varies by route); the airline states: CAD 100-118 each way as checked baggage (Canada/U.S.), CAD 200-236 international. Fees change, so confirm the exact amount when you book.
Are there breed restrictions on WestJet? ▾
Yes. WestJet restricts certain breeds: Snub-nosed breeds (e.g. Boxer, all Bulldogs, Pug, Shih Tzu, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel) cannot travel as checked baggage and must be booked with WestJet Cargo. Strong breeds (e.g. Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Doberman, Cane Corso, Staffordshire Bull Terrier) must also go with WestJet Cargo in a CR 82 crate. Check the breed rules for your dog before booking.
Does WestJet accept assistance dogs? ▾
Yes. Trained assistance dogs are accepted in the cabin, usually free of charge, with the required documentation. Contact WestJet in advance.