Before you board your flight with Air Canada, familiarize yourself with the airline’s policies. Air Canada has strict baggage allowances for checked and carry-on luggage. Furthermore, the airline has specifications for what items can and can’t board the flight.
The policies are straightforward. Everyone who flies Air Canada is entitled to one free standard carry-on and one personal item. We explain the dimensions and specifications of those items in this article. Air Canada expects passengers to monitor the weight of their luggage.
Business and premium flyers are allowed more weight per bag than economy passengers.
Passengers should carefully review their packing list. Air Canada doesn’t permit certain items on their planes. Others are restricted and must be packed in carry-on or checked bags only.
We will discuss Air Canada’s policies for carry-on, checked baggage, and all precautions customers should take before flying with Air Canada.
Air Canada Cabin Baggage Allowance
Air Canada’s carry-on allowance for international and domestic flights (economy, premium, or business service class) is one standard luggage and one personal article.
The carry-on size is approximately 43 x 16 x 33 cm for personal items and up to 40 x 23 x 55 cm for your standard luggage. The dimensions in inches are as follows: 17 x 6 x 13 inches for personal items and 15.5 x 9 x 21 inches for luggage.
Air Canada does not have a carry-on weight limit, but you must be able to safely store your luggage under the seat or in overhead bins during the flight.
Items that qualify as standard or personal items include small backpacks, camera bags, handbags, musical or sports instruments, pet carriers, or shopping bags.
Air Canada’s Service Classes and Membership Options
Air Canada determines your checked baggage allowance from your flight information (domestic or international), service class, and membership. Air Canada has four service classes:
- Economy
- Premium Economy
- Premium Rouge
- Business
Regardless of service class, you may bring carry-on luggage of up to one personal item and one standard luggage of any weight. However, Air Canada will use your service class to calculate your checked baggage fees.
Passengers have the option of signing up for a membership with the airline. Members receive benefits, such as reduced fees for checked baggage. Passengers may qualify for the following memberships:
- Aeroplan Elite
- Aeroplan Super Elite
- Aeroplan 75k, 50k, 35k
- Aeroplan 25k
- Star Alliance Gold
- Star Alliance Silver
Air Canada Checked Baggage Fees
The airline charges checked baggage fees based on the following criteria:
- Origin and final destination of your flight
- Service Class
- Weight limit
- Membership status
You can calculate the baggage fees for your trip by going to Air Canada’s free, user-friendly baggage fee calculator. The calculator only provides estimates, so carefully review your ticket after booking.
Checked Baggage Fees for Domestic Travelers
The checked baggage fees for domestic travelers range depending on origin and destination. Please confirm your baggage allowance by reviewing your ticket or inputting your flight information into Air Canada’s baggage fee calculator.
This example is a domestic trip of an economy passenger from Vancouver to Toronto, Canada. Similar baggage fees, written in USD, apply to other routes.
- No membership: $36 for your first bag, $60 for the second, and $120 for any additional baggage
- Aeroplan Elite: $36 for your first bag, $60 for the second, and $120 for additional luggage
- Aeroplan Super Elite: $0 for your first bag, $0 for the second, and $120 for additional baggage
- Aeroplan 75k, 50k, 35k: $0 for your first bag, $0 for the second, $0 for the third, and $120 for any additional baggage
- Aeroplan 25k: $0 for your first bag, $0 for the second, and $120 for additional baggage
- Star Alliance Gold: $0 for your first bag, $60 for the second, and $120 for additional baggage
- Star Alliance Silver: $36 for your first bag, $60 for the second, and $120 for additional baggage
For both international and domestic passengers, the maximum weight of each bag is 23 kg or 50 lbs. The maximum linear dimensions are 158 cm (62in). Air Canada allows Aeroplan Super Elite and Aeroplan 75k, 50k, 35k members to carry 32 kg or 70 lbs per bag.
Checked Baggage Fees for International Travelers
The checked baggage fees for international passengers vary depending on origin and destination. Verify your baggage allowance on your ticket or Air Canada’s baggage fee calculator.
The following is an example of an international trip of an economy passenger from Vancouver to Mexico City. Similar baggage fees, written in USD, apply to other international routes.
- No membership: $30 for your first bag, $50 for the second, and $225 for additional baggage
- Aeroplan Elite: $30 for your first bag, $50 for the second, and $225 for additional baggage
- Aeroplan Super Elite: $0 for your first bag, $0 for the second, $0 for the third, and $225 for additional baggage
- Aeroplan 75k, 50k, 35k: $0 for your first bag, $0 for the second, $0 for the third, and $225 for any additional baggage
- Aeroplan 25k: $0 for your first bag, $0 for the second, and $225 for additional baggage
- Star Alliance Gold: $0 for your first bag, $50 for the second, and $225 for additional baggage
- Star Alliance Silver: $30 for your first bag, $50 for the second, and $225 for additional baggage
We’ve supplied a detail outline of baggage fees for international travelers of all service classes and membership status below. We did not supply a chart for domestic travelers as price range greatly depending on route. Domestic travelers should review their ticket carefully.
| No Membership | Aeroplan Elite | Aeroplan Super Elite | Aeroplan 75,50k,35k | Aeroplan 25k | Star Alliance Gold | Star Alliance Silver | |
| Economy | 1st bag: $30 2nd bag: $50 | 1st bag: $30 2nd bag: $50 | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: $50 | 1st bag: $30 2nd bag: $50 |
| Premium Economy | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free |
| Premium Rouge | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free |
| Business | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free 3rd bag: free | 1st bag: free 2nd bag: free |
Excess Baggage
We advise that customers weigh their bags carefully as the airline reserves the right to charge additional fees, approximately $100, for overweight bags. The exact price will vary depending on your route.
Should I Buy My Baggage Allowance When I Book Online?
Flyers should prepare their payments for baggage fees in advance by paying online during the booking process. International airports will only accept payments in local currency. Particular Air Canada check-in counters within the United States and Canada will not accept cash payments.
What to Bring in Your Carry-On When Flying with Air Canada
We’ve simplified Air Canada’s policies, so carefully review the instructions below.Air Canada has deemed certain items as permissible exclusively on carry-on luggage.
- Lighter, only one per person
- Portable chargers
- Battery packs
- Electronic devices
- Air purifiers for personal use only
Pack valuable or irreplaceable items, such as identification cards, laptop computers, money, keys, and expensive jewelry or devices on your carry-on.
What to Bring in Your Checked Bag When Flying with Air Canada
Store liquids that exceed 100 milliliters, alcohol, electric toothbrushes, electric shavers, or large electronic medical devices in your checked luggage.
Prohibited Items on Air Canada
Air Canada does not accept hazardous, explosive, or flammable objects on their aircraft.
Air Canada forbids the following items from being carried onboard the aircraft. You may not have these items in carry-on or checked baggage.
- Hoverboards
- Camping gas stoves are permitted, but you may not bring butane/propane mix cylinders on the plane.
- Alcohol exceeding 70% concentration
- Meals Ready to Eat (MREs)
- Personal Oxygen cylinders. Passengers that require oxygen for medical use must follow strict guidelines.
- Medical cannabis on international flights (medical cannabis is permitted only on domestic flights)
FAQs of Air Canada:
Can I carry two carry-on bags in Air Canada?
You can carry two carry-on handbags in Air Canada. One for your personal stuff and other important things and the other one for your Laptop, Mobile-phone chargers, etc. Before carrying the second bag you have to keep in mind the dimension of the given size. As your carry-on baggage must be light enough to store in the overhead bin.
Can I carry any medical Equipment with me?
You can carry medical equipment with you on the Airline. If the medical equipment is prescribed by your doctor. You cannot carry overdosed medicines with you or any kind of medicine which is considered to be a drug.
Can infants carry baby strollers without any kind of charge in Air Canada?
Infants can carry baby strollers. But Air Canada strongly suggests using small collapsed umbrella-type strollers. The strollers must be 25.5 cm not more than that. And the length has to be 92cm.
Conclusion
Review your ticket before checking in for your Air Canada flight. Ensure that your carry-on luggage fits securely in the overhead bins or under the seat. Verify that you paid your baggage fees and accounted for overweight luggage.
Pack your bags carefully, ensuring that prohibited items stay at home and restricted items are packed carefully in your carry-on or checked baggage.
