Carry-on Baggage

Carry-on Baggage

Not sure what you can bring on board with you? Take the guesswork out of packing by reviewing our carry-on guidelines.

For starters, you can bring:

Regardless of your destination, you can bring 1 standard article + 1 personal article.*

Standard Article

Image of a carry-on bag with maximum dimensions: 55 centimeters or 21.5 inches high. 40 centimeters or 15.5 inches wide. 23 centimeters or 9 inches deep

Personal Article

Image of a small bag as personal item with maximum dimensions: 33 centimeters or 13 inches high. 43 centimeters or 17 inches wide. 16 centimeters or 6 inches deep

  • Maximum dimensions include wheels and handles.
  • Although no weight limit applies to carry-on baggage, your bag must be light enough that you can store it in the overhead bin unassisted.
  • Please place the personal item we have identified with a white tag under the seat in front of you

under-seat

* If you’re travelling with an infant on your lap, you can bring 1 additional standard article for your child’s belongings.
Important: All carry-on baggage rules are strictly enforced. All bags that do not respect maximum sizes will need to be checked, and additional checked baggage charges may apply.

Examples of standard or personal articles (as determined by their size)

Carry-on bag, roller bag, backpack, briefcase, laptop

Sport racquet (e.g. tennis, squash, badminton), musical instrument

Cat or small dog in its carrier

Camera bag, diplomatic or consular bag

Airport shopping and duty-free purchases

Garment bag (size and weight restrictions apply)

Restricted and prohibited items

While specific restrictions apply to the transport of some items, other items cannot be brought onto the plane at all. We’ve provided a partial list on our Restricted and Prohibited Items page.

For a complete list, always refer to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website.

Star Alliance or other airline partners

If you’re travelling with another airline partner, you may be subject to the baggage policy and other rules of the airline operating the first flight in your itinerary.

Star Alliance Gold members travelling across two or more-member carriers are entitled to two carry-on baggage items. Please refer to illustrations indicated above for dimensions on Air Canada flights.

Automated carry-on baggage sizers

To ensure that your carry-on baggage will fit onboard, we have introduced automated carry-on baggage sizers pre-security in the Montreal (YUL), Toronto (YYZ), and Vancouver (YVR) airports. These new, touchless machines are easier and faster to use than the metal sizers. Please make sure that your carry-on bag complies with the sizing outlined above to avoid having to check your carry-on bag at the airport. Note that any non-compliant baggage will be assessed and is subject to applicable baggage fees.

Liquids and Gels

Always purchase liquids after you’ve passed the security checkpoint.

  • If you travel with liquids or gels in containers over 100mL/100g (3.4oz) in your carry-on baggage you will have these items confiscated at the security checkpoint.
  • If you have a connecting flight you’re advised not to purchase liquids or gels in containers over 100 mL / 100 g (3.4 oz) within the secure area at the airport or on board the aircraft if you don’t have:
    • Access to your checked baggage between connecting flights and
    • Room in your checked baggage to pack your duty-free purchases before rechecking your bags for your next flight.
  • You cannot consume your own alcoholic beverages on board.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority(CATSA) website has detailed information on liquids and gels.

Items Not Accepted on Board

Here are examples of other items you can bring on board in addition to your carry-on allowance

  • Coat or other outer garment
  • Small purse measuring no more than 25cm x 30cm x 14cm (10in x 12in x 5.5 in)
    • Larger purses will be included in your carry-on allowance.
  • Infant care item (e.g. diaper bag)
  • Stroller - collapsed diameter can’t exceed 25.5 cm (10 in) and length can’t exceed 92 cm (36 in)
  • Child restraint device (if a seat has been purchased for your child)
  • Snacks or food to eat on board:
    • All food must be wrapped or in a container.
    • You cannot consume your own alcoholic beverages on board.
  • Smoking accessories:
    • One book of matches per passenger
    • Butane (Bic-type) lighters, which are the only lighters accepted past U.S. pre-clearance checkpoints for departures from the U.S.
    • Electronic cigarettes (or 'e-cigarettes'), provided they remain stowed and unused in your carry-on baggage.

Smart bags

You may bring your 'smart bag' onto the plane with you, provided it meets carry-on baggage  size restrictions.

On smaller aircraft where carry-on bags must be placed in the cargo hold, you will need to remove the battery and bring the battery into the cabin with you.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices allowed on board with restricted use

  • Wireless handheld devices (Smart phones, cellphones, including cellphones with MP3 player or build-in camera, iPads, tablets, VRs, etc.)
  • Personal entertainment devices (MP3, iPods, portable games, radio receivers, video cameras)
  • Bluetooth headsets.
  • Satellite receivers (e.g. hand-held global positioning systems)
  • Laptops:
    • Cannot be stowed in seat back pockets, as these are not designed to sustain the weight of a laptop and may be damaged over time.
  • Electric shavers
  • "Noise busters" (electronic noise cancelling devices)

You may be asked to turn on your electronic device at the security check.

Electronic devices which cannot be used on board at any time

The use of the following electronic devices is strictly prohibited on board:

  • Radio transmitters or radio-controlled equipment/toys
  • Printers, computer peripheral devices or laser pointers

These items must be properly and adequately packed in your checked baggage.

For more on electronics, go to our Restricted and Prohibited Items page, or to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website.

Medication and medical/mobility devices

Medication

Always carry your prescription medication on board in your carry-on baggage. This is especially important if you are taking medication for heart disease, diabetes, or seizures. Passengers with severe allergies should carry one or more Epipens as they would under any other circumstances.

Insulin

Although insulin does not generally require refrigeration, passengers wishing to keep their medication cold are asked to bring a small cooler, as the cabin crew is unable to look after medication on board. If available, extra ice may be provided as needed.

Medical or mobility devices

The following items are allowed at all times, in addition to your carry-on allowance:

  • Mobility aids (e.g. braces, cane, crutches, walker, communication device*) or other special need items
  • Tools of any size which are required by a passenger with special needs who is travelling with a mobility aid
  • Battery-powered medical equipment (such as CPAP and sleep apnea devices) and Personal Oxygen Concentrators
  • Medication in its original, labelled container
  • Syringes or hypodermic needles for personal medical use (e.g. Epipen), provided 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.
  • Container carrying life sustaining items

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

Cannabis (marijuana) for medical or recreational use

Medical cannabis

If you’re travelling with medical cannabis (marijuana), always allow additional time for security screening. Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) officers will require that you present medical documentation and will call local authorities to verify the validity of the documents. Carrying properly packaged medical cannabis is permitted for travel within Canada only.  Flying outside of Canada with medical cannabis is illegal and prohibited by airport authorities.

For more information on travelling with medical cannabis and other medical items, visit the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) or Government of Canada websites.

Cannabis for recreational use
It is illegal to travel across the border and internationally with it in your possession. The Canadian Border and Services Agency recommends that you don’t bring it in, don’t take it out

If you are refused entry into a country because you have cannabis in your possession, you alone will be responsible for the consequences, including for payment of your return trip home.

In the case of a domestic flight, please be advised that unforeseen situations may and do arise that require a domestic flight to divert to a U.S. airport, where arriving in possession of cannabis is not legal.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

While specific restrictions apply to the transport of some items, other items cannot be brought onto the plane at all. We’ve provided a partial list on our Restricted and Prohibited Items page.

For a complete list, always refer to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website.

Cremated Remains

Cremated remains may be carried on board, in addition to your carry-on allowance, provided they are stored in a cardboard or wooden box or an urn made of a material that can be security screened (with a tight-fitting lid to ensure no spillage occurs).

A certificate of cremation or death certificate is not required for the carriage of ashes. However, for international travel, customers must ensure they have obtained all documentation and certificates that may be required when travelling to or via another country/region. You will find additional information on the transport of cremated remains on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority website. For the carriage of other human remains, please contact Air Canada Reservations.

Wedding Dresses

Wedding dresses can be carried on board and stored in the overhead bin provided the garment bag does not exceed maximum carry-on limits. Note that items in the overhead bin can shift during the flight, possibly causing delicate pieces to be wrinkled, crushed or torn.