WestJet has been criticized by Canada’s transport regulator for creating obstacles for travelers with disabilities by effectively preventing certain power wheelchairs from being carried on its planes. The Canadian Transportation Agency ruled that WestJet must eliminate its weight limit of 136 kilograms (300 pounds) on mobility aids by July 2027.
The agency suggested that WestJet should utilize “spreader plates” to evenly distribute the weight of wheelchairs in the cargo hold and arrange alternative travel options with other airlines until the weight cap is removed. The case was initiated by Steven Fletcher, a Winnipeg resident and former federal minister of state for transport, after he was denied boarding with his custom wheelchair on a flight from Winnipeg to Toronto early last year.
Fletcher and other advocates argue that the weight restriction has restricted air travel in certain regions and discriminated against individuals with disabilities. They believe that WestJet’s policy has marginalized and excluded a segment of the Canadian population unjustly. WestJet declined to provide a comment on the matter, citing ongoing regulatory considerations.
Last year, WestJet defended the weight limit, emphasizing its importance for flight safety and asserting that accessibility regulations permitted the refusal of heavier mobility aids. The company established the 136-kilogram threshold in 2024 following a technical review of the cargo holds on its Boeing aircraft.
Advocates stress the significant impact of the weight limit on individuals who rely on power wheelchairs for mobility. They argue that most airlines have less stringent restrictions, and the weight cap imposed by WestJet has caused unnecessary hardship for passengers with disabilities.
The issue of reasonable accommodation for power wheelchair users has sparked debate among Canadian carriers, with safety concerns and regulatory compliance being cited in support of weight limits. Fletcher’s experience of being forced to use a different wheelchair during a trip due to the weight restriction led to discomfort and medical complications.
Advocates highlight that the weight cap policy is not common among major North American airlines operating Boeing 737 jets, which form a substantial portion of WestJet’s fleet. Flair Airlines, based in British Columbia and operating exclusively with 737s, also enforces a similar weight restriction for safety reasons.
American Airlines previously introduced a comparable weight limit in 2020 but later rescinded it following public backlash. The restrictions imposed by WestJet and Flair Airlines on power wheelchairs have raised concerns among advocates, particularly in regions where limited airline options exist.
The debate over accessibility and inclusivity in air travel continues, with calls for a more accommodating approach for passengers with disabilities.