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Flying with Air Canada

Carry-On Baggage
 
Standard article
Maximum size:
23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm
(9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in)
Wheels and handles included.

Maximum weight:
10 kg (22 lb)
Personal article
Maximum size:
16 cm x 33 cm x 43 cm
(6 in x 13 in x 17 in)

Maximum weight:
10 kg (22 lb)
All destinations

(except flights to/through the U.S.)
YES
1 standard article
YES
1 personal article

Flights to/through the U.S.
YES
1 standard article
Limited items allowed
(See U.S. section below for details)

Examples of standard or personal articles (as determined by their size)
  • Carry-on bag, roller bag, backpack, briefcase,
  • Laptop computer,
  • Airport shopping and duty-free purchases, and more.
  • Sport racquet (e.g. tennis, squash, badminton),
  • Camera bag,
  • Garment bag (size and weight restrictions apply),
  • Diplomatic or consular bag,
  • Musical instrument.
Flights to/through the United-States

If you are travelling on a flight to or connecting through the United States, please refer to the CATSA website for the most up-to-date information on carry-on baggage limits.

The following are examples of items that you may bring on board in addition to your one (1) standard carry-on article:
  • Laptop OR small purse,
    • Maximum size of small purse is 25 cm x 30 cm x 14 cm (10 in x 12 in x 5.5 in).
    • Laptop must be in regular carrying case with accessories only.
  • Infant care item (e.g. diaper bag),
  • Camera bag (in regular carrying case with accessories only),
  • Airport shopping and duty-free purchases,
  • Diplomatic or consular bag,
  • Musical instrument,
  • Special needs items (see Special Needs section below),
  • Pet and pet carrier: view all rules, restrictions and charges.

Passengers travelling to or through the U.S. should expect longer security screening times.

Other items you may bring on board – all destinations

The following are examples of items that are allowed, in addition to your carry-on allowance, regardless of destination:
  • Coat or other outer garment,
  • Infant care item (e.g. diaper bag),
  • Stroller (collapsed diameter not to exceed 25.5 cm (10 in) and length not to exceed 92 cm (36 in),
  • Child restraint device if a seat has been purchased for the child/infant,
  • Special needs items (see Special Needs section below),
  • Small electronic device such as cell phone or MP3 player.

Special needs

The following items are allowed at all times, regardless of destination, in addition to your carry-on allowance:
  • Mobility aid (e.g. braces, cane, crutches, walker, communication device*) or other special need item,
  • Container carrying life sustaining items, urn containing human remains,
  • Medication in its original, labelled container,
  • Battery powered medical equipment (such as CPAP and sleep apnea devices) and Personal Oxygen Concentrators,
  • Syringe or needle for personal medical use (e.g. Epipen). See Exception in ‘Prohibited Items' section below.

View detailed information on our Customers with special needs page.

*Device that helps a passenger communicate (e.g. augmentative and alternate communication (AAC) device).

Important: All of the above regulations are strictly enforced. Passengers who exceed their allowance will be required to check their carry-on baggage, and additional checked baggage charges may apply.


Codeshare flights

Passengers who purchase travel on a codeshare flight (ie, a flight with an Air Canada flight number, but operated by another airline) are subject to the carry-on baggage policy and other rules of the airline operating the flight.

Learn more about codeshare flights, and the policies of Air Canada's codeshare partners.


Security enhancements

Passengers travelling with liquids or gels in containers over 100mL/100g (3.4oz) that are placed in carry-on baggage will have these items confiscated at the security checkpoint, and additional charges may apply to check the items (if possible).

Passengers with connecting flights are advised not to purchase liquids or gels in containers over 100mL/100g (3.4oz) within the secure area at the airport or on board the aircraft if they do not have:

  • access to their checked baggage between connecting flights.
  • room in their checked baggage to pack their duty-free purchases before rechecking their bags for their next flight.

To view Transport Canada's detailed list of items prohibited from carry-on baggage, including liquids and gels, please refer to the CATSA website.

For specifications regarding permitted types and quantities of liquids and gels, as well as accepted packaging, please consult the Reminder to Travellers (PDF file, 267 KB).


Prohibited items

Below is a partial list* of items that are prohibited from carry-on baggage. Always store them in your checked baggage:
  • Sharp, piercing or cutting objects such as:
    • Straight razors and razor blades
    • Scissors with pointed tips and metal nail files
    • Box cutters
    • Hatchets
    • Knives of any length, including hunting knives, jackknives (Swiss army knives), and chef's knives (e.g. meat cleavers)
    • Screwdrivers, saws, drills
    • Darts, skates, tackle boxes, fishing hooks/lures, crossbows and arrows. View the Sports Equipment page for more information on transporting such items
    Exception: Syringes or needles for personal medical use are allowed onboard providing the needle guards are intact, and that they are accompanied by the prescription medication with a printed label identifying the medication name and the issuing medical office or pharmacy.
  • Electronic devices that can interfere with navigational and/or communication equipment. The use of the following devices is prohibited at all times onboard aircraft:
    • Wireless mouse
    • Bluetooth headsets
    • Radio transmitters
    • Radio controlled equipment or toys
    • Printers and computer peripheral devices
    • Laser pointers
    These items must be packed in checked baggage. However, Air Canada assumes no liability for electronic devices when they are packed in checked baggage. Please also view a list of accepted electronic devices in the ‘Accepted Items' section below.
  • Hammers, wrenches, crowbars and heavy tools
  • Ammunition and firearms (including toy guns). View the Hunting Equipment page for information on transporting such items
  • Fuel, lighters - except butane (Bic-type) lighters - and other items defined as dangerous goods
  • Scuba tanks, golf clubs, baseball bats, bowling balls, billiard cues, hockey sticks and ski poles. View the Sports Equipment page for more information on transporting such items
  • Blackjacks and billy clubs
  • Unidentifiable liquids in unmarked containers. Please refer to the ‘Security enhancements' section above.
Important: Please view a more detailed list of dangerous goods that are either strictly regulated or forbidden as carry-on or checked baggage. Valuable information can also be found on the CATSA website.


Accepted items

Accepted items include:
  • Certain electronic devices which are permitted on board with restricted use, such as:
    • Personal entertainment devices (MP3, iPods, portable games, radio receivers, video cameras)
    • Satellite receivers (e.g. hand-held global positioning systems)
    • Calculators (without printers)
    • Computers. The cord mouse and the Memory Stick are the only peripheral devices permitted during flight.
    • Electric shavers
    • Pagers (receiving type only)
    • “Noise busters” (electronic noise cancelling devices)
    • Wireless handheld devices (Blackberry phones, cellphones, including cellphones with MP3 player or build-in camera, PDAs, etc.
    Passengers may be asked to turn on their electronic device at the security check. Please also view a list of prohibited electronic devices in the 'Prohibited Items' section above.
  • One book of matches per passenger
  • Butane (Bic-type) lighters. Please note that for departures from the United-States, Bic-type lighters are the only lighters accepted past US pre-clearance checkpoints
  • Plastic knitting needles with rounded tips (except for itineraries including the UK)
  • Electronic cigarettes (or 'e-cigarettes'), provided they remain stowed and unused in your carry-on baggage.


Bringing pets and special items on board

Car seats and strollers
For detailed information on transporting these and other related items, please view the Travelling with an infant/child page.

Cats and small dogs
Cats and small dogs are accepted for travel in the cabin. View rules, restrictions and charges on our Pets in the cabin page.

Musical instruments
Air Canada will try to accommodate smaller musical instruments (such as violins) as part of your carry-on allowance if the instruments can be stowed in the overhead bin or underneath your seat. Please view the Musical instruments page for more information.

Wedding dresses
You can store your wedding dress in the overhead bin provided it is within our carry-on baggage size restrictions (23cm x 40cm x 55cm - 9in x 15.5in x 21.5in). The dress should be stored in a garment bag and should be folded in half to reduce wrinkling. Please note that carry-on items can shift during the flight, possibly causing delicate items to be wrinkled, crushed or torn, and that items placed in overhead bins may have other items placed on top of them by other passengers.

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