Air Canada Baggage Rules: Cabin & Checked Luggage Guide
Everything you need to know about Air Canada carry-on baggage, personal items, checked luggage, liquids and baggage allowances before you fly.
Air Canada operates a baggage policy that varies according to your fare type, cabin and destination, so it's important to check exactly what your booking includes before you travel.
On most eligible fares, passengers can bring one standard carry-on bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 23cm, including wheels and handles, plus one personal item measuring up to 43 × 33 × 16cm.
Air Canada does not specify a maximum weight for these items, but you must be able to place your carry-on bag in the overhead locker without assistance.
There is an important exception for some Economy Basic fares. For tickets purchased on or after 3 January 2025, passengers travelling within Canada or between Canada and destinations including the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean may be limited to one personal item only.
However, passengers connecting onwards to an eligible international destination can still receive the standard carry-on allowance. Always check the baggage entitlement attached to your particular itinerary.
Liquids, aerosols and gels carried through airport security are subject to the security requirements at your departure airport.
When travelling through airports applying the standard liquids rules, containers should generally be 100ml or less, making travel-size toiletries particularly useful for passengers travelling with cabin baggage.
Checked baggage allowances vary considerably according to route, fare and cabin class. Some Air Canada fares include checked baggage, while others require it to be purchased separately, so the allowance shown on your individual booking should always take precedence over a general baggage guide.
For travellers looking to avoid unnecessary baggage charges, making full use of Air Canada's carry-on and personal-item allowances can provide useful additional packing space. Measure your bags before travelling and pay particular attention to the Economy Basic restrictions that may apply to your journey.
Standard Carry-On Allowance
1 carry-on bag
Up to 55 × 40 × 23cm
Plus 1 personal item
Up to 43 × 33 × 16cm
You must be able to lift your carry-on into the overhead bin unaided
*Economy Basic restrictions apply on selected routes
Checked Baggage
Allowance depends on
fare, cabin & route
Economy checked bag
Up to 23kg
Business Class checked bag
Up to 32kg
Maximum standard size
158cm total linear dimensions
Additional Baggage Fees
Checked bag charges
vary by fare & route
Oversized or overweight
baggage may cost extra
Economy Basic passengers on
selected routes may also pay to
check a standard carry-on bag
Check your booking for the exact fee
Key Air Canada Baggage Tips
Check your fare before packing. Economy Basic tickets purchased on or after 3 January 2025 allow only one personal item on certain journeys within Canada and between Canada and the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
On most other eligible fares, you can take one standard carry-on bag plus one personal item at no additional charge.
Keep your standard carry-on within 55 × 40 × 23cm, including wheels and handles.
Keep your personal item within 43 × 33 × 16cm and make sure it can be stored appropriately onboard.
Air Canada has no published weight limit for standard carry-on baggage, but you must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin without assistance.
Don't assume Economy Basic always means personal-item-only. If you're connecting onwards to an eligible international destination, Air Canada allows one standard carry-on bag plus one personal item.
Air Canada states that its carry-on rules are strictly enforced. Oversized baggage may have to be checked and additional charges can apply.
Checked baggage varies by fare, cabin and itinerary. Check the allowance attached to your booking rather than assuming that a checked bag is included.
Standard Economy checked bags are generally limited to 23kg, while Business Class bags can be permitted up to 32kg, subject to your individual baggage entitlement.
Pack liquids, gels and aerosols according to the security rules at your departure airport. Where standard liquid restrictions apply, use containers of 100ml or less.
Keep travel documents, medication, valuables and essential electronics accessible in your cabin baggage rather than checked luggage.
Measure your bags before travelling. Air Canada uses baggage-sizing equipment and bags exceeding the permitted cabin dimensions may have to be checked.
Cabin baggage sizes explained
Understanding the difference between small cabin bags, cabin suitcases and checked baggage helps you pack efficiently and avoid delays at the airport.
Air Canada baggage allowance by fare type
Your Air Canada ticket type determines how many bags you can bring in the cabin and in the hold. All fares include a cabin bag and a small personal item, while checked baggage depends on your fare.
Economy
Basic
Economy Standard / Flex / Comfort / Latitude
Premium Economy / Business Class
1 personal item included
Up to 43 × 33 × 16cm
Standard carry-on bag
NOT INCLUDED on selected routes
Additional bags must be checked
Fees may apply
Checked baggage
Depends on route and itinerary
Best for:
Travellers choosing the lowest fare who can travel light and are prepared to pay separately for baggage where required.
1 carry-on bag included
Up to 55 × 40 × 23cm
Including wheels and handles
Plus 1 personal item
Up to 43 × 33 × 16cm
You must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin unaided
Checked baggage
Varies by fare and route
Best for:
Economy travellers who want Air Canada's standard cabin baggage allowance, with checked-baggage benefits varying according to the fare and itinerary selected.
1 carry-on bag included
Up to 55 × 40 × 23cm
Including wheels and handles
Plus 1 personal item
Up to 43 × 33 × 16cm
You must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin unaided
Business Class bags up to 32kg each
Best for:
Premium travellers who want greater checked-baggage allowances alongside Air Canada's standard cabin baggage entitlement.
Checked baggage with Air Canada: what you need to know
Air Canada checked baggage allowances vary according to your fare type, cabin, destination and ticket purchase date. Some fares include checked baggage as standard, while others require you to pay separately, so always check the allowance shown on your booking.
For Economy Class and Premium Economy, a standard checked bag can weigh up to 23kg (50lb) and measure no more than 158cm (62in) in total linear dimensions — length + width + height, including wheels and handles.
Business Class passengers have a higher maximum weight allowance of up to 32kg (70lb) per checked bag. The number of bags included depends on your fare and itinerary.
For tickets purchased on or after 14 May 2026, Air Canada currently charges CA/US$90 for the first checked bag and CA/US$120 for the second on Economy Basic fares between Canada or the United States and Europe, Africa, Asia/South Pacific, the Middle East or South America. On these routes, Economy Standard and Flex fares include the first checked bag, with the second currently costing CA/US$120.
Different charges apply on shorter routes. For tickets purchased on or after 13 April 2026,
Economy Basic and Standard passengers travelling within Canada or between Canada and the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America currently pay CA/US$45 for the first checked bag and CA/US$60 for the second. Economy Flex includes the first checked bag on these journeys, with the second currently costing CA/US$60.
These prices exclude any applicable taxes and can vary according to your itinerary and when your ticket was issued. Air Canada therefore recommends using its baggage calculator or checking your booking confirmation for the exact allowance and charges applying to your journey.
If your bag exceeds your permitted weight, dimensions or baggage allowance, additional overweight, oversized or extra-bag charges may apply.
Bags weighing more than 32kg (70lb) are not accepted as normal checked baggage.
If your journey includes another airline or a codeshare flight, different baggage rules may apply. Check the baggage allowance shown on your ticket or booking rather than assuming Air Canada's standard rules apply to every sector.
Keep travel documents, medication, valuables, money and essential electronics with you rather than packing them in checked baggage.
Air Canada cabin baggage rules: liquids, extras and restrictions
Air Canada's standard cabin baggage allowance is one carry-on bag plus one personal item, although an important restriction applies to some Economy Basic fares.
Your standard carry-on bag can measure up to 55 × 40 × 23cm, including wheels and handles. Your personal item can measure up to 43 × 33 × 16cm and should be small enough to be stored appropriately onboard.
Air Canada does not publish a weight limit for standard carry-on baggage. However, you must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin without assistance. Cabin baggage that exceeds the permitted dimensions may need to be checked, and additional baggage charges can apply.
For Economy Basic tickets purchased on or after 3 January 2025, passengers travelling within Canada or between Canada and the United States, Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean are generally limited to one personal item. A standard carry-on bag is not included and additional baggage must be checked.
There is an important exception for international connections. If you're travelling on an Economy Basic itinerary that connects onwards to an eligible international destination, Air Canada allows one standard carry-on bag plus one personal item for the entire journey.
Liquids, gels, creams and aerosols carried in cabin baggage are subject to the security requirements at your departure airport. Where standard liquid restrictions apply, containers should generally be 100ml or less. CabinCleared travel-size toiletries can help keep everyday essentials compact, organised and ready for airport security.
Air Canada states that its cabin baggage rules are strictly enforced. Bags that exceed the permitted dimensions may have to be checked, so measure your luggage before travelling rather than relying on the manufacturer's description of a bag as “cabin size”.
If you're travelling with an infant on your lap, Air Canada permits one additional standard carry-on item for your child's belongings. Separate exemptions also apply to certain mobility aids, medical devices and other permitted items.
Keep travel documents, medication, valuables and other important essentials accessible in your cabin baggage rather than checked luggage. If you're travelling on a codeshare or connecting itinerary involving another airline, check which carrier's baggage rules apply to your journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cabin baggage can I take on Air Canada?
On most fares, Air Canada allows one standard carry-on bag measuring up to 55 × 40 × 23cm plus one personal item measuring up to 43 × 33 × 16cm. Different rules apply to some Economy Basic fares.
Does Air Canada have a weight limit for carry-on baggage?
No. Air Canada does not publish a maximum weight for standard carry-on baggage. However, you must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin without assistance.
What size personal item can I take on Air Canada?
Your personal item can measure up to 43 × 33 × 16cm. It should be small enough to be stored appropriately onboard.
Does Air Canada Economy Basic include a carry-on bag?
It depends on your itinerary. Economy Basic tickets purchased on or after 3 January 2025 include only one personal item when travelling within Canada or between Canada and the United States, Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean. On other eligible international journeys, the standard carry-on allowance applies.
What happens if I have an Economy Basic fare but I'm connecting to an international flight?
If you're connecting onwards to an eligible international destination on an Economy Basic fare, Air Canada allows one standard carry-on bag plus one personal item for your journey.
Is checked baggage included with Air Canada?
It depends on your fare, cabin and itinerary. Some fares include one or more checked bags, while Economy Basic and some Standard fares require checked baggage to be purchased separately. Check the baggage allowance shown on your booking for the exact entitlement.
How heavy can an Air Canada checked bag be?
A standard Air Canada checked bag can weigh up to 23kg (50lb). Higher allowances can apply in premium cabins, with Business Class checked bags permitted up to 32kg (70lb).
What size can an Air Canada checked bag be?
A standard checked bag can measure up to 158cm (62in) in total linear dimensions — length + width + height, including wheels and handles.
How much does checked baggage cost with Air Canada?
The price depends on your fare and itinerary. For tickets purchased on or after 14 May 2026, Economy Basic passengers travelling between Canada or the United States and Europe, Africa, Asia/South Pacific, the Middle East or South America currently pay CA/US$90 for the first checked bag and CA/US$120 for the second, excluding applicable taxes. Different fees apply on other routes.
How much does Air Canada charge for checked baggage within Canada or to the USA?
For eligible Economy Basic and Standard tickets purchased on or after 13 April 2026, the first checked bag currently costs CA/US$45 and the second CA/US$60 on journeys within Canada and between Canada and the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America. Economy Flex includes the first checked bag on these routes, with the second currently costing CA/US$60, excluding applicable taxes.
Can I take liquids and toiletries in my Air Canada cabin bag?
Yes. Liquids, gels, creams and aerosols are subject to the security requirements at your departure airport. Where standard liquid restrictions apply, containers should generally be 100ml or less. This includes toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, deodorant, skincare products and cosmetics.
What happens if my Air Canada carry-on bag is too large?
Air Canada states that its carry-on baggage rules are strictly enforced. If your bag exceeds the permitted dimensions, it may have to be checked and additional checked-baggage charges can apply.
Can I take an extra cabin bag when travelling with an infant on Air Canada?
Yes. If you're travelling with an infant on your lap, Air Canada allows one additional standard carry-on item for your child's belongings.
Do the same Air Canada baggage rules apply on codeshare flights?
Not necessarily. If your itinerary includes another airline, the baggage policy of another operating carrier may apply. Check the baggage information shown on your booking for the rules covering your particular journey.