Updated seat selection and bag fees

October 31, 2023 at 8 a.m. MT

To ensure we’re offering a variety of products and services that allow our mutual clients to conveniently choose what is most important to them, we’re making some changes to our seat selection and checked bag fees. Below, you’ll find details on what’s changing and when.

Seat selection fees

Starting November 7, 2023

Starting November 7, 2023, if your client has an Econo or EconoFlex fare, they will be charged a fee for seat selection during check-in if they choose a Preferred or Emergency Exit seat. Preferred seats provide additional legroom and are located at the front of the economy cabin, allowing for a quicker exit upon arrival. Emergency exit seats provide additional legroom and board earlier.

Your clients are encouraged to pre-reserve their seats as early as possible to ensure their desired seat is available.

Please note:

• Standard seats will continue to be available at no charge for Econo and EconoFlex fares at check-in.
• There is no change to Basic fares. If your client booked a Basic fare, they will be assigned a seat at check-in. If they choose to change their seat, they will be charged a fee. They will also be charged if they select a Preferred or Exit Row seat at check-in.  
• WestJet Rewards Platinum and Delta top-tier members will not be charged for Preferred or Emergency Exit Row seats during check-in.
• If there are no Standard seats available, your client will be assigned a paid seat and the fee will be waived.

Bag fees

Starting November 7, 2023

At the airport

If your clients choose to pay for their checked bags with an agent at the airport counter, the fee will be $10 higher than the online/digital self-serve check-in fee. This additional $10 only applies to tickets purchased on or after November 7, 2023. If your clients purchased tickets on or before November 6, 2023, they can self-identify with an agent to avoid the additional $10.

Transatlantic flights

We are updating our bag fees for select fare bundles on transatlantic flights. Please see the chart below for the new fee amounts and the applicable fare bundles.

Excess bags

The excess bag fee for Latin America and transatlantic is increasing to $150 if paid during self-serve check-in and $160 if paid with an agent at the airport counter. This change applies to all fare types.

There is no change to the excess bag fee for domestic and transborder flights.

To save money and time at the airport, we encourage you to prepay for your client’s checked bags. If you booked through WestJet Biz, Amadeus, Travelport, Farelogix or booked a WestJet Vacations package, you can prepay for your client’s first and second bags through Manage Trips on westjet.com. If you booked through Sabre GDS, you can prepay for your client’s bags directly in your GDS or via Manage Trips on westjet.com. To learn more, take a look at our guide on How to Prepay for Checked Baggage.