Guide: Airline Carry-on Dimensions in Canada
Loading article…
When planning your trip, be sure to check the dimensions and weight of your carry-on baggage. So you can be aware of the size limits.
Quick answer: the maximum carry-on size is 55 x 40 x 23 cm on Air Canada, Air Transat, Porter and Flair, and 56 x 36 x 23 cm on WestJet, which also operates Sunwing flights. These measurements include wheels and handles. On the basic fare, several airlines include only the personal item, so check your fare before you book.
Before boarding, an agent may walk through the waiting area with a gauge, checking your carry-on bag. Especially for flights that are full. If your bag doesn’t fit easily into the gauge, the airline will ask you to check it at the gate.
To make sure you don’t forget anything for your trip, be sure to go through our ultimate list for travellers! You’ll find tips on how to travel light with your carry-on.
Note that these maximum dimensions include wheels, handles, and any protruding parts.
Size of Carry-on Suitcase or Backpack
Here are the maximum cabin baggage dimensions for Canada’s major airlines
Looking for a bag that meets these limits? See our picks of carry-on backpacks sold on Amazon.ca, which fit all five major Canadian airlines.
Maximum Carry-on Baggage Size – Air Canada
The sizes for Air Canada are:
- Height: 55 cm (21.5 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 40 cm (15.5 inches)
Maximum Carry-on Baggage Size – Air Transat
The maximum sizes of the Air Transat carry-on are:
- Height: 55 cm (21.5 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 40 cm (15.5 inches)
Maximum Carry-on Baggage Size – WestJet
WestJet accepts one carry-on bag and one personal item on board.
The bag must fit in the airport sizing device and go in the overhead bin without help from the crew.
The sizes accepted by WestJet are:
- Height: 56 cm (22 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 36 cm (14 inches)
A personal item comes on top of the carry-on bag, and it must fit under the seat in front of you:
- 41 cm x 15 cm x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 inches)
Maximum Carry-on Baggage Size – Porter
Porter’s carry-on sizes are:
- Height: 55 cm (21.5 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 40 cm (15.5 inches)
Maximum Carry-on Baggage Size – Flair
On Flair Airlines. The carry-on is a paid add-on there ($49 to $154 per passenger, per flight, depending on when you buy it) unless you hold an Express fare, and it weighs up to 10 kg (22 lb). The free personal item measures 15 x 33 x 43 cm and weighs up to 7 kg (15.5 lb). The carry-on dimensions are:
- Height: 55 cm (21.5 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 40 cm (15.5 inches)
Sunwing Carry-on Size: Flights Now Operated by WestJet
Your Sunwing flights are now operated by WestJet. The Sunwing Airlines fleet was folded into WestJet on May 29, 2025, the day after its final commercial flight. If you travel on a Sunwing Vacations package, you follow the WestJet rules: one carry-on bag and one personal item.
- Height: 56 cm (22 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 36 cm (14 inches)
Cabin Baggage Weight
With major carriers, there are no weight restrictions. But on board the aircraft, you must be able to lift and place your baggage or backpack in the overhead compartments yourself, without assistance from crew members.
How to Get Free or Discounted Checked Baggage
Still don’t want to pay for checked baggage? The trick is to hold those credit cards and get it for free:
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $0 |
- Air Canada: first checked bag free for the primary cardholder of an eligible Aeroplan credit card (such as the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card) and up to 8 passengers traveling on the same reservation.
- Porter Airlines: a free first checked bag and a free carry-on bag on all Porter flight fares with the BMO VIPorter World Elite Mastercard, for you and up to 8 travel companions on the same booking.
- WestJet: first checked baggage for the cardholder. WestJet RBC® World Elite Mastercard on WestJet flights from and up to 8 guests travelling on the same reservation.
- All airlines: $150 annual travel credit to reimburse baggage charges on any airline, thanks to the National Bank World Elite Mastercard
Conclusion
Each airline applies different and specific dimensions regarding authorized sizes and weights.
In addition to following these rules, also make sure your luggage is functional, light and easy to maneuver for comfort.
Safe travels!
Which credit card should you choose for your travels?
If you travel regularly, the choice of credit card makes all the difference – travel insurance, points accumulation, access to airport lounges, or no foreign transaction fees. Use our credit card comparator to filter among 200+ Canadian offers according to your needs, or consult our top travel credit cards directly, updated monthly.
What is Air Canada’s carry-on baggage size?
The dimensions are:
- Height: 55 cm (21.5 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 40 cm (15.5 inches)
How do you know if your suitcase will fit in the cabin with airlines such as United Airlines, Delta, British Airways, Lufthansa, etc.?
Information can be found in the booking documents or read the special section on this subject on the airline’s website.
For example, the policy for cabin baggage and personal items (also known as carry-on baggage) for United Airlines can be found here, and the one for Lufthansa is on its website.
For airlines in Canada, see above.
What is Air Transat’s carry-on baggage size?
The dimensions are:
- Height: 55 cm (21.5 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 40 cm (15.5 inches)
What hand baggage is allowed in the aircraft cabin?
Hand luggage is also called a personal item by some airlines. It is also subject to size restrictions, as it must fit comfortably under the seat in front of you on the plane. It can be a handbag, a coat, a baby diaper bag or a small backpack.
What is WestJet’s carry-on baggage size?
WestJet accepts the following carry-on sizes:
- Height: 56 cm (22 inches)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 inches)
- Width: 36 cm (14 inches)
WestJet also allows one personal item, which must fit under the seat in front of you:
- 41 cm x 15 cm x 33 cm (16 x 6 x 13 inches)
The same allowance applies on flights operated by WestJet and WestJet Encore, including domestic, U.S., international and chartered flights, except on UltraBasic fares (see the box above).
A bag that exceeds these dimensions is treated as checked baggage, and a checked baggage fee applies.
