Air Canada Baggage Fees and Allowance

If you are planning to fly with Air Canada, you may want to familiarize yourself with its baggage policy. You don’t want to turn up at the airport and be surprised by any restrictions or unexpected baggage fees.

In this post, we will cover everything you’ll need to know about the airline’s carry-on and checked baggage policies. Discover how much baggage you can bring on board with you, and whether your ticket comes with a baggage allowance. We’ll also explain how large and heavy your checked baggage can be, and what fees to expect if it exceeds these limits. If your ticket doesn’t come with enough checked baggage for your trip, we’ll detail how much it will cost to bring extra bags with you.

Carry On Baggage Policy

In this section, we’ll cover the amount of carry-on baggage that you can bring on board with you, and what limits apply.

We’ll also explain the restriction on liquids in carry-on baggage.

Carry On Baggage Allowance

All passengers are allowed to bring the following items on board, irrespective of their cabin class or destination:

• 1 personal item
• 1 carry-on bag

Personal Item Allowance

Size Limit

Your personal item can be up to 17 x 13 x 6 inches (43 x 33 x 16 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.

Typical personal items include:

• A handbag
• Laptop bag
• Small backpack

If your personal item exceeds the above size limit, Air Canada may require that it be checked as checked baggage. You will also be subject to a checked bag fee.

Weight Limit

Air Canada doesn’t impose a weight limit on your personal item.

Carry On Bag Allowance

Size Limit

Your carry-on bag can be up to 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you.

Typical carry-on bags include:

• A small suitcase
• Duffel bag
• Garment bag
• Large backpack

If your carry-on bag exceeds the above size limit, Air Canada may require that it be checked as checked baggage. You will also be subject to a checked bag fee.

Weight Limit

Air Canada doesn’t impose a weight limit on your carry-on bag. However, you should be able to lift it into the overhead bins unassisted.

Liquid Restrictions in Carry On Baggage

Currently, there is a restriction on the amount of liquids that you can have in your carry-on baggage.

Liquids cover a wide range of substances, including:

• Gels
• Creams
• Lotions
• Pastes
• And, obviously, liquids

All liquids must be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) and packed in 1 quart-sized transparent and resealable plastic bag.

Checked Baggage Allowance

In this section, we’ll explain what limits Air Canada imposes on a standard checked bag.

We’ll also detail if your fare includes a checked baggage allowance and, if so, how much.

Standard Checked Bags

Checked Bag Size Limit

Each checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. This is calculated by measuring the outside length, width, and height, then adding these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, or straps with your measurements.

If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches, it will be considered oversized luggage and subject to an oversized bag fee.

Air Canada won’t accept checked baggage that is larger than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) and/or longer than 80 inches (203 centimeters).

Checked Bag Weight Limit

Standard checked bags can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms).

If your checked bag weighs more than 50 pounds, it will be considered overweight baggage and subject to an overweight bag fee.

Air Canada won’t accept any checked bags that weigh more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Checked Baggage Allowance

In this section we will explain what checked baggage allowances you can expect, based on your flight route.

Domestic Travel (within Canada)

For travel within Canada, all cabin classes except Basic and Standard include at least 1 checked bag.

Flights Between Canada and the Continental U.S. / Hawaii

For travel between Canada and the continental U.S. / Hawaii, all cabin classes except Basic and Standard include at least 1 checked bag.

It’s important to note that U.S. territories do not fall within this category. Checked baggage allowances for these destinations can be found in the next table.

Flights Between Canada / U.S. and Caribbean / Mexico / Central America

The following table includes checked baggage allowances to the following U.S. territories:

• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Flights Between Canada / U.S. and South America (except Brazil)

For travel between the U.S. / Canada and South America, there are a couple of significant differences to the checked baggage allowance:

1. All cabin classes except Basic include at least 1 checked bag.
2. The Premium Rouge cabin checked baggage weight allowance is reduced to 50 pounds.

For travel to/from Brazil, checked baggage allowances can be found in the next table.

Flights to/from Brazil

If you’re traveling to/from Brazil, you’re in luck.

Firstly, all cabin classes, including Basic, have at least 1 checked bag.

Second, the weight allowance for each checked bag is 70 pounds, irrespective of cabin class.

Flights Between Canada / U.S. and Europe / Middle East / Africa

For travel to/from Europe/Middle East/Africa, all cabin classes, except Basic, include at least 1 checked bag.

Again, please note that Premium Rouge checked baggage weight allowance is only 50 pounds.

Flights Between Canada / U.S. and Asia / South Pacific

For travel between Canada / U.S. and Asia/South Pacific, all cabin classes include at least 1 checked bag.

Also, only Business and Signature cabin classes have a 70-pound checked baggage weight allowance. All other cabin classes are allocated only 50 pounds.

All Other International Flights

For all other itineraries, the following baggage allowances apply:

Baggage Fees

In this section we’ll explain how much you’ll expect to pay if your bags are overweight and/or oversized.

We’ll also cover how much it will cost to buy extra checked bags.

Note: If your travel originates in Canada, your baggage fee will also have a tax applied to it. This tax can vary anywhere from 5% to 20% of the base fee. Domestic fares (within Canada) will attract the highest tax rate (20%).

Oversized and Overweight Baggage Fees

Oversized Baggage Fee

Your checked bag is oversized if it’s larger than 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) but no greater than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters) and/or no longer than 80 inches (203 centimeters).

Your bag will be subject to a $100 fee. This fee is in addition to any other applicable fees. If your travel originates in Canada,

This fee applies to all itineraries.

Overweight Baggage Fee

Your standard checked bag is overweight if it weighs more than 50 pounds (23 kilograms) but is no heavier than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Your bag will be subject to a $100 fee. This fee is in addition to any other applicable fees.

This fee applies to all itineraries.

Oversized and Overweight Baggage Fee

If your standard checked bag is both oversized and overweight, a single $100 fee applies.

Hot Tip: If your standard checked bag is oversized or overweight, you may as well take advantage that a $100 single fee will only apply.

For example, if your checked bag is oversized, you’ll be liable for an oversized bag fee. However, since you can’t then be charged for an overweight fee, your bag can weigh up to 70 pounds without incurring any further fees.

Extra Bags

The fee for each checked bag depends on your itinerary.

A couple of things to be aware of:

1. Your cabin class may already include 1 or 2 bags. This is denoted in the tables below by “included.”
2. If you are buying 3 or more checked bags, each of these bags are not subject to oversized or overweight baggage fees. Essentially, these bags have a size allowance of 115 linear inches and weight limit of 70 pounds.

Domestic Travel (within Canada)

Travel Between Canada and the U.S.

Travel Between Canada / U.S. and Caribbean / Mexico / Central America

Travel to/from Brazil

Travel Between Canada / U.S. and South America (except Brazil)

Travel Between Canada / U.S. and Europe / Middle East / Africa

Travel Between Canada / U.S. and Asia / South Pacific

All Other International Flights

Final Thoughts

Air Canada’s carry-on baggage allowance is similar to that of U.S. legacy carriers:

• 1 personal item
• 1 carry-on bag

Both of these carry-on items don’t have a weight limit.

Checked baggage fees are slightly more expensive than what you would expect to pay in the U.S. Also, if your travel originates in Canada, you’ll be subject to an additional tax on baggage fees.

However, Air Canada held a couple of pleasant surprises when it came to their excess baggage fees:

1. If your checked bag is both oversized and overweight, you’re only charged one (single) fee.
2. If you buy 3 or more bags, oversized and/or overweight fees don’t apply. Each of these bags can be up to 115 linear inches in size and weigh up to 70 pounds without attracting excess charges. However, this is offset by a slightly higher baggage fee (domestic: $100, international: $225).

Remember to always check Air Canada’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.

References

• Air Canada