Air Canada Baggage Size: Carry-On, Personal Item and Checked Limits
Loading article…
Air Canada baggage dimensions at a glance:
- Carry-on bag: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9 in)
- Personal item: 33 x 43 x 16 cm (13 x 17 x 6 in)
- Checked bag: max 158 cm (62 in) total and 23 kg (50 lb) in economy
Carry-on bags have no official weight limit, but you must be able to lift yours into the overhead bin without help. Within Canada and to or from the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Economy Basic fares include a personal item only: a carry-on bag isn’t permitted.
On Air Canada, your carry-on can measure 55 x 40 x 23 cm, wheels and handles included, and your personal item 33 x 43 x 16 cm, with no weight limit. Each checked bag can reach 158 cm and 23 kg. On an Economy Basic fare, you get the personal item only on North American flights.
Air Canada Baggage Rules
Before your Air Canada flight, check how much luggage your fare includes and Air Canada’s baggage dimensions, so you get to the airport with no surprises.
Knowing the size and weight limits saves you airport fees for one bag too many or a bag that’s too big. We sum them up below, from your carry-on to your checked bags.
Air Canada Baggage Dimensions
Carry-on baggage
When travelling with Air Canada on any fare except for the Economy Basic option, you’re given a carry-on allowance of one personal item and one carry-on bag.
Your carry-on goes in the overhead bin and your personal item under the seat in front of you, which is why both must fit within Air Canada’s baggage dimensions.
Measure your bags before you leave: an oversized item will likely need to be checked at the airport, at your own expense.
Then compare them with Air Canada’s baggage dimensions below, for both your carry-on and your personal item.
Air Canada’s carry-on baggage dimensions are:
- Height: 55 cm (21.5 in)
- Depth: 23 cm (9 in)
- Width: 40 cm (15.5 in)
The maximum baggage dimensions for your personal item are:
- Depth: 33 cm (13 in)
- Width: 43 cm (17 in)
- Height: 16 cm (6 in)
Keep in mind that the above dimensions include the bag’s wheels, handle, and any other part that sticks out.
There is no weight restriction for your carry-on bag or personal item; however, you need to be able to put them in the overhead bin without assistance.
What Air Canada lets you bring on top
You can add a small purse or bag to your allowance as long as it stays within 25 x 30 x 14 cm. Anything bigger counts as your carry-on.
- Flying with a lap infant: one extra standard item for the baby’s things, such as a diaper bag.
- Star Alliance Gold members: two carry-on bags when the trip combines at least two member airlines.
- Smart bags: allowed on board if they fit the size limits; on smaller aircraft where they go in the hold, you keep the battery with you.
Air Canada checks bags with automated sizers before security or at boarding, so an oversized bag gets flagged before you reach the gate.
Checked baggage
In Economy and Premium Economy, your checked bags should not exceed the following measurements:
- 23 kg (50 lb)
- 158 cm (62 in) in linear dimensions
If your luggage is found to be overweight or oversized, you will be charged an excess baggage fee of $100 per bag before tax, and the items must not exceed the following:
- 32 kg (70 lb)
- 292 cm (115 in) in linear dimensions, and/or
- 203 cm (80 in) in length
If your bags are bigger or heavier than the above, you’ll need to contact Air Canada Cargo in order to make arrangements to ship them as they cannot be checked as regular luggage on your flight.
Flying with a bike, skis or golf clubs? These items follow their own rules: our guide to flying with sports equipment in Canada compares Air Canada, WestJet, Porter and Flair fees.
In Business Class, each checked bag can weigh up to 32 kg (70 lb). In Premium Economy, the limit stays at 23 kg (50 lb), as in Economy.
Special Rules for Air Canada Economy Basic Fares
On most fares, you board with one personal item and one carry-on bag. Economy Basic is the exception on some routes.
If you purchased an Economy Basic fare on or after January 3, 2025, you are only allowed 1 personal item on board and no carry-on luggage when travelling:
- within Canada
- to and from the US (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico)
- to and from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean
Any other bag must be checked before security, at the checked baggage fee for your itinerary. If you show up at the gate with a carry-on bag that isn’t allowed, Air Canada charges a gate handling fee of CA/US $65 to $78, taxes included.
One exception to keep in mind: if your Economy Basic ticket includes a connection to an international destination, you can bring one standard carry-on bag and one personal item on board.
If you travel light, Economy Basic saves you money; if not, compare its price with the Standard fare, which includes a carry-on bag.
How to Get Free or Discounted Checked Baggage
If you want to bring a checked bag or two on your Air Canada flight, you’ll either need to book an eligible fare that offers a free checked bag, or you’ll need to pay $45 to $120 per bag before tax, depending on your destination, your fare and whether it’s your first or second bag. You can see the full breakdown of which fare type gives you a free checked bag and which doesn’t on Air Canada’s website.
For those of you who’d prefer to not pay for your checked bags, another option is to get a co-branded Aeroplan credit card that offers free checked bags on Air Canada flights as one of its many travel perks.
Cards like the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, and the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card not only give you a free first checked bag on all your Air Canada flights, but they also offer this to upwards of 8 companions on the same reservation.
TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
The TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card not only gives you and up to 8 companions a free checked bag on all Air Canada flights, but it also comes with the following and more:
- Ability to earn Aeroplan points on all purchases
- 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) per $20,000 in eligible net purchases (up to 25,000 SQC per year) to help you earn Aeroplan Elite Status faster
- Complimentary upgrade to Avis Preferred Plus
- Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge services
- Extensive travel insurance coverage
- $100 NEXUS fee rebate (every four years)
TD Bank also offers two other Aeroplan co-branded credit cards, the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card and the TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Card.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $0 |
CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
With the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card, you get a free first checked bag with Air Canada and the following notable travel perks:
- Ability to earn Aeroplan points on all purchases
- 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) per $20,000 in eligible net purchases (up to 25,000 SQC per year) to help you earn Aeroplan Elite Status faster
- 4th night free when you redeem Aeroplan points for hotel stays
- Complimentary upgrade to Avis Preferred Plus
- Complimentary Visa Infinite Concierge services
- Extensive travel insurance coverage
Alternatively, you could choose one of CIBC’s three other Aeroplan credit cards, including the no-annual-fee CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0 | |||
| $0 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $0 |
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
If you really want to enjoy some impressive travel perks alongside your free checked bag with Air Canada, consider the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card, which offers the following and more:
- Ability to earn Aeroplan points on all purchases
- Maple Leaf Lounge access for you and a guest
- Priority check-in, security, boarding, and more at the airport
- The ability to earn an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass
- Earn 1,000 Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) for every $5,000 in eligible net purchases (up to 25,000 SQC per year)
- 4th night free when you redeem Aeroplan points for hotel stays
And if this card isn’t quite right, American Express also offers two other Aeroplan cards, the American Express® Aeroplan®* Card and the American Express® Aeroplan®* Business Reserve Card.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $599 | |||
| $599 | |||
| $120 |
Bottom Line
Before you zip your suitcase, keep three numbers in mind: 55 x 40 x 23 cm for the carry-on, 33 x 43 x 16 cm for the personal item, 23 kg for checked bags. If you book Economy Basic on a North American flight, pack everything in your personal item or pay for a checked bag ahead of time rather than at the gate.
Taking at least two round trips a year with a checked bag? An Aeroplan card that gives you and your companions a free first checked bag quickly pays for its annual fee. Compare your options with our credit card comparator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Air Canada have a weight limit for carry-on bags?
No. Air Canada sets no weight limit, but you must be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin on your own.
What size is Air Canada’s personal item?
33 x 43 x 16 cm (13 x 17 x 6 in), wheels and handles included. It must fit under the seat in front of you.
What size can a checked bag be on Air Canada?
158 cm (62 in) in total, adding up height, width and depth, and 23 kg (50 lb). Between 23 and 32 kg or between 160 and 292 cm, Air Canada accepts it for a fee of $100 before tax.
What can I bring on board with an Economy Basic fare?
One personal item only, within Canada and to or from the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. If your ticket includes a connection to an international destination, you get a carry-on bag as well.
How much does a bag refused at the gate cost?
Air Canada charges a gate handling fee of CA/US $65 to $78, taxes included, on top of checking the bag.
Can I bring a purse on top of my carry-on bag?
Yes, as long as it stays within 25 x 30 x 14 cm. Anything bigger counts as your carry-on bag.
Do the same rules apply on Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express?
For your baggage allowance, yes: Air Canada applies it to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights, and to Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz or PAL Airlines. On smaller aircraft, though, your carry-on may have to go in the hold; if it’s a smart bag, remove the battery and keep it with you.
How can I avoid paying for my first checked bag?
Choose a fare that includes it (Flex, Comfort, Latitude) or an Aeroplan card that gives a free first checked bag to you and up to eight companions on the same booking. The exact fees by fare are in our Air Canada baggage fees guide, listed just below.
