Medical equipment and medication

Medical devices, including (but not limited to) the following common portable electronic devices, require checks:

• automated external defibrillators (AED)
• blood sugar monitors
• continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
• external or transcutaneous nerve stimulators (i.e. TENS machine)
• heart rate monitors
• nebulizers
• neurostimulators
• portable oxygen concentrators (POC)
• suction devices and aspirators
• syringe/feeding pumps
• ventilators

Your medical device must pass several checks every time you travel, including:

• whether the security agency for the country you are travelling to/from has approved your medical device for travel. In Canada, you can search the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)"What Can I Bring?" tool. You do not need approval for hearing aids, watches and pacemakers.
• whether WestJet accepts your medical device. You can confirm this using WestJet's restricted items list and searching the information by category or by item. You do not need approval for hearing aids, watches and pacemakers.
• that your device size is within the carry-on baggage dimensions. Check your user manual for the size, as we recommend most medical devices be carried onboard. We may accept irregularly sized approved medical devices (e.g. ventilator, dialysis machine, etc.) which exceed the carry-on baggage allowance, if the device can be stowed in an approved location. Items may not exceed the weight limit for that location in the aircraft, and may not obstruct access to safety equipment, exits or the aisle.

In all cases, acceptance of medical equipment is at the sole discretion of WestJet.

You are responsible for ensuring your medical device is in good condition (depending on the type of device this may mean free from oil, grease, damage and/or excessive wear and tear) and labelled as required for the specific item. Please check the operating instructions in your user's manual before travel.

Although WestJet accepts most approved medical devices for transport, many medical devices cannot be used during certain critical phases of the flight (taxi, take-off or landing), as they may interfere with communication and navigation systems.

These devices must be stowed for taxiing, take-off and landing under the seat in front of you, or stowed in the overhead bin. As with all portable medical electronic devices, if the pilot believes it is affecting aircraft systems, they have the authority to request that any device be turned off. If such a request is made, the device must be turned off immediately.

Some electronic equipment may be permitted to be used after the plane has reached 10,000 feet - generally about 10 minutes after take-off.

For more information about specific equipment types, please see our restricted items page and search medical equipment, or by specific item.

All batteries must be transported in carry-on baggage, as they are not permitted in checked baggage, and all battery terminals must be either recessed or packaged to protect them and prevent contact with metal objects (short circuit), including the terminals of other batteries.

Ensure you bring an adequate supply of approved batteries to meet your specific needs. This includes, the duration of the flight, all ground time (before and after flight and during connections) and any unexpected delays in the terminal and onboard the aircraft or before landing. A good practice is to calculate this full amount of time and bring 1.5 times that total time needed.

Although there are charging ports on most of our aircraft, these ports are not designed for charging medical devices or batteries used for medical devices and WestJet is not liable for any injury or harm caused by a guest attempting to use this power supply for batteries or portable medical electronic devices.

Our battery section outlines how to prepare your device for travel.

Generally, it is best to allow us to seat you in the most appropriate location based on a combination of your medical needs and the equipment you are bringing. Some seating locations including the emergency exit row are restricted if you require the use of your medical equipment during the flight.

Needles and syringes are accepted in your personal carry-on item, only if you require them to administer medication. Syringes will not be accepted in carry-on baggage without accompanying medication. Further, you must:

• have the medication you need to take with you and the medication must be labelled with a pharmacy-dispensed label that includes the guest's name.
• the syringes must have protective needle guards and be carried in a proper medical container.
• dispose of any used needles in the sharps container. Our cabin crew can provide you with the information about the onboard location if required.

Although WestJet doesn't require identification, medical professionals travelling with a medical kit that contains medication or syringes in carry-on baggage, or in a medical bag for non-personal medical use, may be required to present company identification to a regulatory or customs authority.

WestJet permits one medical bag onboard which may exceed the carry-on baggage weight allowance; however, this will be counted as part of your carry-on baggage allowance.