Royal Tongan AirlinesWR

WestJet Encore is a Canadian regional airline and wholly-owned subsidiary of WestJet, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. Founded in 2013, Encore was created to serve smaller Canadian communities that could not support mainline jet service, connecting these markets to WestJet's hub network using fuel-efficient turboprop aircraft.

WestJet Encore operates as an integrated part of the WestJet brand. Flights are marketed, sold, and ticketed as WestJet flights through westjet.com. Passengers book, check in, and earn WestJet Rewards exactly as they would on any WestJet flight. The "Encore" designation simply indicates the aircraft type (Bombardier Q400 turboprop) rather than a separate travel experience.

The airline operates an all-Bombardier Q400 fleet, connecting communities across Western Canada, Ontario, and select U.S. transborder destinations to WestJet's hubs in Calgary and Vancouver. This regional network feeds passengers into WestJet's broader domestic and international route system.

WestJet Encore follows WestJet's standard baggage policies. When you book a WestJet Encore flight, you are booking through WestJet, and all WestJet baggage rules, fees, and allowances apply.

Carry-On Allowance

Personal Item (free on all fares):

• Dimensions: 16" x 13" x 6" (41 x 33 x 15 cm)
• Must fit under seat in front of you
• Examples: Backpack, purse, laptop bag

Carry-On Bag (overhead bin):

• Dimensions: 22" x 14" x 9" (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels
• Weight: No published limit (must be able to lift into overhead bin)
• Included: Econo, EconoFlex, Premium
• UltraBasic: NOT included—personal item only

Note on Q400 Aircraft: Overhead bin space on the Bombardier Q400 is more limited than on WestJet's mainline Boeing aircraft. Larger carry-on bags may need to be gate-checked at no additional charge.

Fare Class	Personal Item	Carry-On Bag
UltraBasic	Free	Not included
Econo	Free	Free
EconoFlex	Free	Free
Premium	Free	Free

Checked Baggage

Standard Size: 62 linear inches / 157 cm maximum (L + W + H) Weight Limit: 50 lbs (23 kg) per bag

Domestic Canada & US Transborder (Fees in CAD):

Fare	1st Bag (Prepaid)	1st Bag (Self-Serve)	1st Bag (Counter)	2nd Bag
UltraBasic	$40	$50	$60	$55-75
Econo	$40	$50	$60	$55-75
EconoFlex	Free	Free	Free	$55
Premium	Free	Free	Free	Free

Booking Channel Matters:

When Purchased	1st Bag Fee
At booking (prepaid)	$40 CAD (~$29 USD)
Self-serve check-in	$50 CAD (~$36 USD)
Airport counter	$60 CAD (~$43 USD)

Overweight & Oversized

Overweight Bags:

Weight Range	Fee
51-70 lbs (24-32 kg)	$100 CAD (~$72 USD)
71-100 lbs (33-45 kg)	$100 CAD (~$72 USD)
Over 100 lbs (45 kg)	Not accepted

Oversized Bags:

Size (Linear)	Fee
Over 62" (158 cm) up to 80" (203 cm)	$100 CAD (~$72 USD)
Over 80" linear (203 cm)	Not accepted as checked baggage

Elite Status & Credit Card Benefits

WestJet Rewards status benefits apply on all WestJet Encore flights.

Status	1st Bag	2nd Bag	3rd Bag
Teal (Base)	Fee applies	Fee applies	-
Silver	Free	Free	Fee applies
Gold	Free	Free	Fee applies
Platinum	Free	Free	Free

WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard holders: First checked bag free for cardholder and up to 8 guests on the same booking.

Special Items

Item	Fee	Notes
Golf clubs	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 checked bag, max 23 kg
Skis/Snowboard	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 bag
Bicycle	Standard bag fee	Must be boxed
Surfboard	Standard bag fee	Counts as 1 bag
Car seat	Free	Gate-check available
Stroller	Free	Gate-check available
Wheelchair	Free	Always free
CPAP machine	Free	Does not count as carry-on

Fees as of January 2025. Verify at westjet.com/baggage before traveling.

Bombardier Q400 (78 seats)

WestJet Encore operates an all-Q400 fleet, a modern turboprop aircraft designed for regional routes.

Economy Class:

• Configuration: 2-2 (no middle seats)
• Seat pitch: 31" (79 cm)
• Seat width: 17.3" (44 cm)
• Recline: Limited
• Power: No power outlets or USB ports

Premium Seats (Rows 1-2):

• Extra legroom
• Priority boarding
• 34" pitch (86 cm)

Cabin Features:

• Quiet cabin design for a turboprop
• Large windows
• Overhead bins (limited capacity)
• Lavatory at rear of aircraft

Food & Beverage

Complimentary:

• Soft drinks, juice, coffee, tea
• Snacks on most flights

For Purchase:

• Beer and wine available
• Premium snacks

Note: Meal service is more limited on WestJet Encore regional flights compared to mainline WestJet service due to shorter flight times and smaller galleys.

Entertainment

• No seatback entertainment
• No WiFi on Q400 aircraft
• Download content via WestJet app before departure for personal device entertainment

What to Expect on Regional Turboprop Service

The Bombardier Q400 offers a different experience than mainline jets:

• Flight times: Most Encore routes are under 2 hours
• Noise level: Modern turboprops are quieter than older models but louder than jets
• Altitude: Q400s typically cruise at lower altitudes than jets
• Boarding: Often via stairs on the tarmac rather than jet bridge
• Overhead space: More limited than mainline jets; larger carry-ons may be gate-checked

Booking:

• Book directly on westjet.com—WestJet Encore flights are not available through any other channel
• UltraBasic rarely worth it if you have any carry-on bag larger than a small personal item
• Prepay for checked bags at booking to save $10-20 per bag vs airport prices
• Join WestJet Rewards (free) before booking to access member pricing

Understanding WestJet Encore:

• Your ticket will show WestJet (WS) as the operating carrier
• Look for "Operated by WestJet Encore" or Q400 aircraft type in your booking
• Same WestJet booking reference, check-in, and customer service
• All WestJet policies apply identically

At the Airport:

• Check in online to avoid counter lines and higher baggage fees
• At smaller regional airports, facilities may be limited
• Expect tarmac boarding via stairs at some airports
• Gate-check larger carry-ons for free if overhead space is limited

Packing for Q400 Flights:

• Overhead bins are smaller than mainline jets
• Consider a soft-sided carry-on that can squeeze into tighter spaces
• Bring a small personal item with essentials in case carry-on is gate-checked
• No power outlets—charge devices before flight
• No WiFi—download entertainment in advance

Connections:

• WestJet Encore flights connect through YYC and YVR to WestJet's wider network
• Allow minimum connection time as specified at booking
• Checked bags transfer automatically on through-ticketed itineraries
• YYC connections are typically efficient as it's WestJet's home hub

Earning WestJet Rewards:

• Encore flights earn the same rate as mainline WestJet
• Small regional flights add up toward elite status
• Use the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for Status Lift credits

Weather Considerations:

• Turboprop flights may be more susceptible to weather delays
• Winter weather in Western Canada can affect regional routes
• Have the WestJet app for real-time notifications

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Last verified: January 2025

Sources:

• WestJet Baggage Policy
• WestJet Fees
• WestJet Rewards
• WestJet Aircraft
• WestJet Check-In
• WestJet Contact