WestJet Fuel Surcharge 2026: How the $60 Companion Voucher Charge Impacts Travelers

Last updated: Apr 7, 2026

WestJet is adding a $60 fuel surcharge on all companion voucher bookings starting 8 April 2026, as jet fuel prices continue to surge following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The airline is also cutting flights on lower-demand routes through May.

If you’re planning to fly with WestJet in the coming weeks, here’s what’s changed, who’s affected, and what you can do to keep your costs down.

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What WestJet Has Changed

From 8 April 2026, every new booking made with a WestJet companion voucher will carry an extra $60 fee. The charge appears in the “other ATC” (air transportation charges) line of your booking. If you already booked with a companion voucher before 8 April, you won’t be affected.

What Is a Companion Voucher?

A companion voucher is a perk tied to the WestJet RBC Mastercard. When you book a round trip for yourself, you can add a second traveller on the same itinerary for a flat rate: $199 for Economy fares or $299 for Premium fares on flights within Canada and to/from the continental U.S.

It’s one of the most popular perks for Canadian travellers flying domestically or to the U.S. The $60 surcharge now adds roughly 20-30% to the companion’s ticket cost, depending on the fare class.

Why Vouchers and Not Regular Tickets?

Regular WestJet fares adjust dynamically throughout the day based on demand, competition, and operating costs. Fuel price increases are already being absorbed into those shifting fares. Companion vouchers, on the other hand, are priced at a fixed rate by region and cabin. WestJet can’t quietly adjust them the way it can regular tickets, so the airline introduced a visible surcharge instead.

Why Flights Are Getting More Expensive

Jet fuel prices have more than doubled since mid-February 2026. According to the IATA Jet Fuel Price Monitor, the global average hit roughly $195 per barrel by early April, up from around $96 in late February.

The trigger is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly 20% of global oil and gas trade. With tanker traffic through the strait down by more than 90%, fuel supply chains have been severely disrupted worldwide.

To put this in real terms: CBC News reported that fuelling a Boeing 787-9 for a Vancouver to Hong Kong flight cost about $71,485 in late February. By mid-March, that same fill-up cost $110,171 — nearly $40,000 more per flight.

Who’s Affected and Who Isn’t

The surcharge doesn’t hit everyone equally. Here’s how to tell if it applies to you.

You’re Affected If:

You’re booking with a companion voucher after 8 April 2026. Every new companion voucher booking from this date carries the $60 surcharge, regardless of where you’re flying.
You were planning to use a companion voucher for summer travel. If you haven’t booked yet, the surcharge will apply to your booking.

You’re Not Directly Affected If:

You’re buying a regular WestJet ticket. There is no named fuel surcharge on standard fare purchases. However, rising fuel costs are already being factored into base fares, so you’ll likely notice higher prices than a few weeks ago.
You booked your companion voucher before 8 April. WestJet has confirmed that existing bookings won’t be retroactively charged.
You’re connecting on WestJet as part of a longer international itinerary. If you’re flying from Dubai, Mumbai, or Riyadh to a Canadian city and then connecting on a WestJet domestic flight booked as a regular ticket, the surcharge doesn’t apply to that leg.

Should You Still Use the Companion Voucher?

Do the maths before you book. A companion voucher in Economy costs $199 plus the new $60 surcharge, totalling $259 (plus taxes and fees). Compare that against the price of a regular second ticket on the same route using Wego.

On shorter domestic routes where regular fares are competitive, two standard tickets might now be the better deal. On longer or peak-season routes where regular fares run high, the voucher likely still saves you money, even with the surcharge.

Fewer Flights Through May

WestJet is consolidating flights on lower-demand routes, reducing capacity by about 1% in April and 3% in May. The airline hasn’t named the specific routes affected, but has said most passengers on consolidated flights have been offered alternative options.

This comes on top of a broader schedule trim WestJet announced in February, when it removed 15 U.S. routes and cut transborder summer capacity by 32%. That earlier move was driven by declining demand for Canada-U.S. travel, not fuel costs.

Together, these reductions mean fewer seats available on WestJet this spring and summer.

What This Means Practically

Routes with limited frequency (one flight per day or a few per week) are most likely to be consolidated or dropped. If your route has thin service, check WestJet’s schedule before assuming your flight is still running.
Fewer flights means fuller planes. Expect less flexibility if you need to change dates, and potentially higher fares as available seats shrink.
Book earlier than usual for May and June travel. Waiting for a last-minute deal is riskier when capacity is being cut.

You can check current WestJet flight status on Wego’s WestJet flight tracker.

How to Keep Your Costs Down

Run the voucher maths first. Before using your companion voucher, search the same route on Wego and compare the voucher fare ($199 or $299 plus $60 surcharge, plus taxes) against two regular tickets. On some routes, especially short domestic hops, buying two regular tickets could now be cheaper than using the voucher.
Book sooner rather than later. WestJet has said the surcharge will be removed “once jet fuel prices return to normal levels” but hasn’t committed to any timeline. With oil still above $109 per barrel and the Strait of Hormuz still closed, there’s no sign of a quick reversal.
Airlines historically add surcharges faster than they remove them. Budget as if the $60 charge stays through summer.
Check your route is still operating. With 1-3% of flights being consolidated, less popular routes are first to go. Search your route on Wego’s flight tracker to confirm availability, and have a backup plan if your preferred flight gets dropped.
Compare across airlines. WestJet isn’t the only Canadian carrier adjusting to higher fuel costs. Use Wego to compare all-in prices across carriers on your route, as a different airline may offer better value right now. Search for flights to Vancouver, flights to Toronto, or flights to Calgary to see your options.
Watch for scope expansion. Right now, the surcharge only applies to companion voucher bookings. But if fuel prices stay elevated, WestJet could extend surcharges to other booking types. Keep an eye on WestJet’s official announcements and track fare changes on Wego.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the fuel surcharge apply to regular WestJet ticket purchases?

No. The $60 surcharge currently applies only to bookings made using a WestJet companion voucher. Regular ticket purchases don’t carry a separate fuel surcharge, though rising fuel costs are already reflected in higher base fares across the board.

I booked with a companion voucher before 8 April. Will I be charged the surcharge?

No. WestJet has confirmed that bookings completed before 8 April 2026 will not be affected by the new surcharge. The $60 fee applies only to new companion voucher bookings from that date onwards.

Is WestJet cancelling flights to specific destinations?

WestJet is consolidating flights on lower-demand routes, reducing capacity by roughly 1% in April and 3% in May. The airline hasn’t named the affected routes publicly. Separately, WestJet removed 15 U.S. routes in February due to declining transborder demand. Check Wego’s WestJet flight tracker for current schedules on your route.

How long will the surcharge last?

WestJet says the surcharge is temporary and will be removed “once jet fuel prices return to normal levels.” No specific end date has been announced. With oil prices still elevated above $109 per barrel and the Strait of Hormuz still closed, travellers should plan as if the surcharge remains in place for several months.

Sources

Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.