Advertiser disclosure
Advertisers are not responsible for the content of this site, including any editorial or review that may be published on it. For complete and up-to-date information about any product featured, please visit their website. We maintain business relationships with certain partners mentioned in our communication tools. While we may receive compensation if you sign up for a product or service through our affiliate links, our reviews and content are based on an objective assessment. Value estimates are established by Milesopedia and are not provided, endorsed, or verified by the issuing financial institutions. †*Terms and conditions apply.
Since April 13, 2026, Air Canada has increased its baggage fees for checked bags on domestic and transborder flights. The first bag goes from $35 to $45 CAD/USD, and the second from $50 to $60 CAD/USD. For a family of four traveling with suitcases, the bill quickly adds up. However, several strategies can reduce or even completely eliminate these fees. Here’s what you need to know to plan your next flight.
Consult our selection of the best Aeroplan credit cards to discover options that include a free checked bag.
The increase affects flights within Canada as well as flights between Canada and the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America. Long-haul international rates remain unchanged for now.
These fees apply to Basic Economy and Standard Economy fares, meaning fare classes that do not include checked baggage. To find out the exact amount for your itinerary, use the baggage calculator on the Air Canada website.
Your allowance depends directly on the fare you booked. Here is a summary for passengers who do not hold Aeroplan Elite status or a co-branded credit card.
Each passenger may bring one standard item (carry-on bag or large backpack) and one personal item (small backpack, briefcase, handbag). However, a significant restriction applies since January 3, 2025.
However, some passengers are exempt from this restriction, even with a Basic Economy ticket:
Air Canada does not impose a weight limit for carry-on baggage. However, dimensions are strictly checked.
For checked baggage, the rules are uniform, regardless of destination.
The good news: several strategies can reduce or eliminate these fees. Some are accessible to everyone, others require an initial investment that quickly pays off.
This is the simplest and most cost-effective strategy. All six co-branded Aeroplan credit cards offer the same baggage benefit: the primary cardholder and up to eight companions on the same booking get their first checked bag for free.
Suffice it to say that for a family, this benefit repays the card’s annual fees in just one round trip.
Premium cards offer other benefits (Maple Leaf lounge access, higher accumulation rates, permanent carry-on baggage exemption for basic fares). However, basic cards are more than sufficient for free checked baggage. To compare all options, consult our page on the best credit cards.
Sometimes, paying a higher fare is cheaper than adding baggage fees. Let’s take a concrete example for a Toronto-Vancouver flight.
The difference is $113. But the flexible fare also includes 100% Aeroplan points accumulation on the flight (approximately 2,085 points for this route, worth about $44). Find more details here on calculating baggage fees with Air Canada.
Additionally, you can change your schedule free of charge and cancel for a flight credit. For travelers who need flexibility, the difference is easily justified.
Aeroplan Elite status offers progressive baggage benefits. As of February 1, 2026, here’s what each level includes:
Sports equipment and musical instruments have their own rules. Some pleasant surprises to note:
For hockey, bicycles, musical instruments, surfboards, and hunting equipment, each category has specific conditions. Consult the special items page on the Air Canada website before heading to the airport.
The increase in Air Canada’s baggage fees in April 2026 is yet another reminder: ancillary fees are increasingly weighing heavily on the total cost of a trip. A first bag at $45 and a second at $60 on domestic flights quickly add up, especially for those traveling with family.
The most accessible strategy remains the co-branded Aeroplan credit card. Starting from $120 to $139 in annual fees, you get a free checked bag for yourself and up to eight companions. If you take even two round-trip flights per year, the card pays for itself.
To receive our analyses on credit cards and loyalty programs every week, subscribe to our newsletter.
Savings this way:
You can change your preferences or opt out at any time by clicking on one of the hyperlinks available at the bottom of each newsletter.
If you are already a subscriber and would like to unsubscribe, you can click on the link at the bottom of any of our e-mails.
