Carry on Baggage on Westjet

[rjmaple]

Trying to save some money on a large baggage check bill on our Disney trip, we bought smaller suitcases for 2 kids 5 and 7 that can go as carryon. However, they are also planning to bring small backpacks. Now according to Westjet website you can have one carry on and one "personal" item, and suitcases and backpacks are both listed as examples of carryons. Has anyone had an experience like this and do you know how flexible Westjet is with the definition of "personal items". If a backpack is small enough to fit under a seat would it qualify? Thank you.

 

[Fennella Brewer]

I am not sure about Westjet but I have always taken a carryon suitcase and small backpack on Air Canada flights with no problem. The backpack is no bigger than most purses and smaller than a laptop case. A child's backpack should qualify as a personal item.

That being said; the airlines are trying to gain control of the carryon situation because so many people are really pushing the limits. More people are using carryon suitcases to avoid the check luggage charges and the overhead bins are just not big enough for every passenger to put a small suitcase up there.

 

[bankr63]

Your allowance is by size:

April 4, 2013 and onward

One free piece of carry-on baggage and one personal item per fare-paying guest.
Maximum size (length + width + height)

Item 1
53 cm x 23 cm x 38 cm
(21 in. x 9 in. x 15 in.)

Personal Item
41 cm x 15 cm x 33 cm
(16 in. x 6 in. x 13 in.)

The sizing device (cage) at the gate generally has two different sized areas, and if your two items fit in their respective compartments, then you should be good to go. If they question it, just call the knapsack a purse.

 

[sherilaine]

I highly recommend the Westjet RBC Elite Mastercard. While there is a $99 annual fee it comes with an annual $99 companion pass and you collect Westjet dollars from your purchases you can use towards flights or vacations. If you book with this card, you also get 1 free checked bag for every passenger - so the card easily pays for itself. You also get a $250 Westjet dollar reward as a welcome gift.

Both my DH and I have one and we have saved thousands of dolllars using our companion passes for each of our kids as well as the westjet dollars we accumulate! It really is a great idea if you fly Westjet even once per year.

 

[Donald - my hero]

We flew Westjet from Pearson to MCO Jan 2nd and home on Jan 9. We had a standard size carry-on suitcase (with the wheels), hubby had a full sized laptop bag (stuffed to the gills) and i had a full-sized backpack and my small purse. BOTH flights were full so they called for anyone wanting to check their carry on (for free) and both times we gladly handed over the suitcase (needed to claim the checked bag anyway). They didn't bat an eye at all the other stuff we took onto the plane, including the jackets tied around our waists and the neck pillows hanging from our bags. Both his laptop bag and my overstuffed backpack fit easily under the seats. What you've described will fit no sweat! Have a great trip

 

[Starwind]

WestJet's website notes "Examples include but are not limited to a:".

As the PP said, Westjet cares about the size. If the backpack is small enough to be within the "personal item" dimensions, then it is a personal item. The ncie thing with a small backpack is if it isn't jam packed, it will smush smaller. This could be helpful for fitting it into the sizing bin (should the use it).

SW

 

[starvenger]

The takeaway seems to be that if your personal item can easily fit under the seat, it's fine.

Personally I usually bring a small roll aboard and my laptop backpack. Seriously considering swapping the suitcase for my MEC backpack as that can hold a lot plus can be squeezed into tight spaces.

 

[BLAZEY]

We did the same with DD6. Her backpack she uses for school was her personal item (it fit the size measurements with plenty to spare) and a carry on size suitcase was her carry on item. I did the same. we only checked DH larger 24" suitcase.