WestJet has been criticized by Canada’s transport regulator for creating obstacles for travelers with disabilities by effectively restricting certain power wheelchairs from being transported on its planes. The Canadian Transportation Agency has directed WestJet to eliminate its 136-kilogram (300-pound) weight limit on mobility aids by July 2027.
The regulator recommended that WestJet utilize “spreader plates” to evenly distribute the weight of wheelchairs in the cargo hold and facilitate alternative travel arrangements with other airlines until the weight limit is removed. The issue was raised by Winnipeg resident Steven Fletcher, a former federal minister of state for transport, who was denied boarding with his custom wheelchair on a Winnipeg to Toronto flight last year.
Fletcher and other advocates argue that the weight cap has restricted air travel in certain regions and discriminated against individuals with disabilities. They believe that WestJet’s arbitrary weight limit has unjustly excluded a segment of the Canadian population.
Regarding WestJet’s stance, the company has refrained from commenting as the matter is still under regulatory review. The Canadian Transportation Agency is expected to make a final decision on the advance notice requirement for passengers using mobility aids.
Last year, WestJet defended its weight limit policy citing flight safety concerns and regulatory allowances to refuse heavier mobility aids. The company determined the 136-kilogram threshold in 2024 through technical analysis of cargo hold weight limits on its Boeing aircraft.
Advocates emphasize that the weight restrictions severely impact individuals who rely on power wheelchairs as an extension of their mobility. Instances like Fletcher’s experience of being compelled to use a different wheelchair during travel, resulting in physical discomfort, highlight the consequences of the weight limit policy.
Critics argue that no other major North American airline with similar aircraft types maintains such a low weight cap. However, B.C.-based Flair Airlines, which operates Boeing 737s exclusively, upholds a comparable weight limit policy for safety and compliance reasons.
American Airlines faced backlash in 2020 for imposing a similar weight restriction on power wheelchairs before retracting the policy due to advocacy efforts. The restrictions imposed by airlines in Western Canada have raised concerns among advocates, especially in regions where limited airline options hinder accessible travel for individuals with disabilities.
Advocates stress the fundamental right of individuals to move freely within their own country and view accessible air travel as a necessity, not a luxury.