WestJet has been criticized by Canada’s transport regulator for creating obstacles for travelers with disabilities by restricting certain power wheelchairs from being accommodated on its planes. The Canadian Transportation Agency has directed WestJet to remove its 136-kilogram (300-pound) weight limit on mobility aids by July 2027.
The regulator suggested that WestJet should utilize “spreader plates” to evenly distribute the weight of wheelchairs in the cargo hold and make alternative travel arrangements with other airlines until the weight cap is lifted. This decision came after Winnipeg resident Steven Fletcher, a former federal minister of state for transport, filed a complaint when he was denied boarding with his custom wheelchair on a Winnipeg to Toronto flight last year.
Advocates argue that the weight restriction has restricted air travel for individuals with disabilities in certain regions and has led to discrimination. Fletcher emphasized that WestJet should have proactively accommodated power wheelchairs, as they have done in the past for decades.
WestJet declined to comment on the ongoing matter with the regulator. The agency is expected to finalize regulations on how much advance notice passengers using mobility aids must provide to the airline.
WestJet had previously defended the weight limit, citing flight safety concerns and regulatory permissions to refuse transport of heavier mobility aids. The company determined the 136-kilogram threshold in 2024 through a technical analysis of cargo hold weight limits on its Boeing aircraft.
Advocates stress the significant impact on mobility for wheelchair users and highlight that most airlines have more lenient weight restrictions. Instances like Fletcher’s and a 14-year-old girl from Saskatoon being denied travel due to wheelchair weight have drawn attention to the issue of accommodating power wheelchairs on flights.
The controversy surrounding power wheelchairs on WestJet flights has raised concerns among advocates who argue that the weight cap is not consistent with policies of other major North American airlines. Flair Airlines, which operates exclusively Boeing 737s like WestJet, also enforces a similar weight limit.
American Airlines faced a similar situation in 2020 but later reversed the decision following backlash. Advocates stress that limited airline options in certain regions can severely impact travelers with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of accessible air travel for all citizens.
Fletcher highlighted that the ability to travel within one’s own country is a fundamental right rather than a luxury, underscoring the necessity for airlines to ensure inclusive policies for passengers with disabilities.