WestJet has been criticized by Canada’s transport regulator for creating obstacles for travelers with disabilities by restricting certain power wheelchairs from their planes. The Canadian Transportation Agency has ordered WestJet to remove its 136-kilogram weight limit on mobility aids by July 2027.
The regulator suggested that WestJet use “spreader plates” in the cargo hold to distribute the wheelchair’s weight more evenly and arrange alternative travel 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 prevented from flying with his customized wheelchair on a Winnipeg to Toronto flight last year.
Fletcher and other advocates argue that the weight limit has limited air travel for individuals with disabilities and has led to discrimination. They believe that WestJet should have taken proactive steps to accommodate power wheelchairs, as many other airlines have done in the past.
WestJet declined to comment on the matter as it is still under regulatory review. The agency is expected to make a final decision on the notification requirements for passengers using mobility aids.
Last year, WestJet defended the weight limit, citing flight safety concerns and claiming that accessibility regulations allowed them to refuse transport of heavier mobility aids. The company determined the 136-kilogram threshold in 2024 based on a technical analysis of the cargo holds on their Boeing planes.
Advocates emphasize the significant impact on individuals who rely on power wheelchairs for mobility, especially when most airlines have more lenient restrictions. Cases like Fletcher’s and a 14-year-old girl from Saskatoon highlight the challenges faced by individuals when their specialized wheelchairs exceed the weight limit set by the airline.
Advocates argue that WestJet’s weight cap policy is unique among major North American airlines and can pose significant barriers for travelers with disabilities. Flair Airlines, another carrier operating Boeing 737s exclusively, maintains a similar weight restriction on power wheelchairs.
The issue of reasonable accommodation for power wheelchair users has sparked debates about safety, regulations, and accessibility in the airline industry. While some airlines have reconsidered such weight limits due to advocacy efforts, advocates stress the importance of ensuring equal access to air travel for all individuals, regardless of their mobility needs.