In-Cabin Pet Policy

If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in WestJet pet policy to travel in-cabin, you will need an approved airline pet carrier. The carrier must have a waterproof bottom, have room for your pet to stand up and turn around, must fasten securly and have adequate ventilation.

Pets Allowed:

Small dogs, cats or rabbits at least 8 weeks of age traveling with an adult passenger.

Carrier Requirements

Maximum carrier dimensions: 16" L x 10" W x 8.5" H (41 cm x 25.4 cm x 21.5 cm) (height can be adjusted with soft sided carrier). Carrier must be secure with a waterproof bottom and adequate ventilation. Pet's head may not extend from carrier.

Combined weight of pet and carrier cannot exceed 22 lbs. (10kg). Hardsided carriers are not permitted.

Maximmum 4 carriers on Boeing 737-600, Boeing 767-300 or WestJet Encore Bombardier Q400. Maximum 2 carriers on Boeing 737-700 or Boeing 737-800.The space beneath the seat varies by aircraft type.

Reservations

You must notify WestJet Airlines that you are flying with a dog or cat. Reservations cannot be made online. One pet is permitted per adult passenger.

As long as allergic passengers give 48 hours advance notice of travel, the airlines must ensure a five-row minimum buffer zone between the allergic passenger and the cat in a carrier. That includes ensuring separation during boarding and deplaning as well as access to washrooms.

Form Requirements

Proof of rabies vaccination at least 30 days prior to flight (international flights).

Service and Emotional Support Animals

WestJet and WestJet Encore will allow fuly trained and certified service animals in the cabin of the aircraft, free of charge, when on duty to or from most destinations.

Service animals should be harnessed and identified. One service animal is perrmitted per passenger. They must fly at their handler's feet; however, can sit in their lap if small enough.

A minimum of 48 hours notice to WestJet must be provided when traveling with a service animal. All required documentation for your destination country must be provided.

Emotional support animals are no longer recognized. If your emotional support dog, cat or rabbit conforms to in-cabin policies of WestJet, then they can fly in the cabin according to WestJet charges for in-cabin transport.

Specialty dogs (search and rescue, avalanche searches or therapy dogs) will be charged either the pet in-cabin fee, or if additional floor space is required to ensure its comfort and safety on board, an additional seat must be purchased (based on availability).

Checked Baggage Pet Policy

If your pet is too large to fit under the seat, it is an animal other than a dog or cat, or if it is a very long flight, WestJet may transport your pet in the cargo section of the aircraft according to its regulations. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.

Pets Allowed:

Dogs, cats, birds, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rabbits, and hedgehogs. Maximum weight of 100 lbs. (45 kg) for pet and carrier combined.

Route Restrictions

No animals are allowed to travel in the cargo hold to the following destinations at any time during the year: Aruba, Barbados, Belize, Hawaii, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico (Huatulco, Ixtapa, Zihuatenejo or Merida) or Trinidad and Tobago.

Reservations

Contact WestJet at least 48 hours in advance of departure to tell them you are traveling with a pet who will be checked.

Forms Required

Live Animals Handling Declaration and all forms required for destination country.

Check-In

When flying as checked baggage, you will check in your dog, cat at the passenger ticket counter at which time you will pay the fee for transport. Pet owners are encouraged to check in early as the number of pets per flight is limited.

Breed Restrictions

See banned breeds below.

Temperature Restrictions

No animals are allowed to travel in the cargo hold to the following destinations between May 15 and October 31: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, St. Martin, St. Lucia and Turks and Caicos, United States - Ft. Lauderdale, Ft. Myers, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Palm Springs, Phoenix and Tampa Bay.

Pets will not be accepted when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any city on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate.

Crate Requirements

Two pets of the same species may travel in the same crate as long as they are of a similiar size up to 14 kg each and known to eachother.

Maximum crate size: 101 cm L x 68 cm W x 76 cm H (40" L x 27" W x 30" H)

A maximum of 6 crates are allowed on flights with WestJet 737 aircraft. Maximum of 4 crates on flights will be permitted on WestJet 767 aircraft. Maximum of 2 crates are permitted on flights with WestJet Encore. These numbers will be reduced during holiday periods.

Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet' crate together. Click here for crate requirements.

Need an IATA compliant pet crate? Have a crate already? Need accessories for your crate?

Manifest (Air) Cargo Pet Policies

Pets Allowed

WestJet will transport almost all domesticated pets.

Reservations

All transports must be booked in advance with the cargo department and approved by WestJet. Only one cargo pet is allowed per flight. All weekend transports must be on direct flights. WestJet will not hold a pet overnight in any of its facilities.

Check-In

Pets must be checked in a minimum of 2 hours in advance.

Age

Pets must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned for domestic or international travel. Note that age requirements of the destination country will enforced.

Breed Restrictions

See banned breeds below.

Temperature Restrictions

See checked baggage above.

Form Requirements

WestJet Cargo will require an health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Also required are proof of vaccinations (dog, cat and ferret) and pet passport documents for the country your pet is traveling to (international travel only).

Crate Requirements

Maximum weight is 160 lbs. (72.5kg). Two pets of the same species known to each other and of comparable size no more than 30 lbs. (14kg) can travel in the same crate.

Crate must be non-collapsable, have ventilation on all 4 sides (international travel), waterproof bottom, spring-loaded lock on the door and water/food bowl attached to the door. Find airline-compliant pet crates.

More info on crate requirements.
Have a crate already? Need accessories for your crate?

More Information:

Tips for airliine pet travel
Tips for airline cargo travel
Preparing your pet crate for airline travel

Airports Served

WestJet serves multiple destinations in Canada, United States, Mexico, Caribbean and Central America as well as Europe.

Puppies and Kittens

WestJet will transport puppies and kittens over 8 weeks of age subject to the regulations of the destination country.

Banned Breeds

WestJet will not ship dog breeds that appear aggressive, unruly or in distress will not be permitted as checked baggage or air cargo.

Dogs that are banned in Ontario or Toronto will not be transited throuugh their airports.

Pit Bull Terriers will not be transported to any airport in the Province of Ontario.

Other Animals

Most all domesticated pets will be transported. WestJet Cargo will not ship dangerous or offensive animals, unhealthy animals or pets that will be banned by the country of destination.

 

Need more information?

The information published here is a guideline for airline pet policies for WestJet. Further detail on airline pet policies as well as pet passport information are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.

 

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