If you’re considering flying with Air Transat, or have an upcoming flight with the airline, you may want to familiarize yourself with its baggage policy. A little preparation can help avoid any unexpected surprises at the airport.
In this post, we’ll explain how much carry-on baggage you can bring on board. We’ll also cover the size and weight limits for checked baggage, and what free baggage allowance your ticket includes. We’ll also detail how much you’ll have to pay if your bags are oversized or overweight, or if you want to travel with extra bags.
If you want to travel with special baggage, such as sports equipment or musical instruments, we’ll also show you what charges to expect.
We’ll also explain how you can prepay your checked baggage to take advantage of lower fees.
Carry On Baggage Allowance
All Air Transat fares include 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal Item. The allowance is the same for all cabin classes.
| Cabin Class | Carry On Bag Size | Personal Item Size |
|---|---|---|
| All | 20 x 16 x 9 in | 17 x 12 x 5 in |
Carry On Bag Size Limit
Your carry-on bag can be up to 20 x 16 x 9 inches (51 x 40 x 23 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical personal items include:
- Small suitcase
- Backpack
- Duffel bag
- Garment bag
Air Transat doesn’t specify a weight limit for carry-on bags. However, you should be able to lift it in the overhead bin without requiring assistance.
Hot Tip: If the overhead bins are full, you may have to check your carry-on bag to the plane’s hold.
To prepare for such an event, pack all your important documents, valuables, fragile items, and medications in your personal item to avoid any last-minute frantic repacking.
Personal Item Size Limit
Your personal item can be up to 17 x 12 x 5 inches (43.2 x 30.5 x 12.7 centimeters) in size. It must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
Examples of typical personal items include:
- Handbag
- Laptop bag
- Small backpack
- Briefcase
As with carry-on bags, Air Transat doesn’t weigh personal items.
Checked Baggage
Size Limit
Your checked bag can be up to 62 linear inches (158 centimeters) in size. You can determine the size of your bag by measuring its outside length, width, and height, then adding these measurements together. Be sure to include any protruding wheels, handles, and pockets with your measurements.
If your checked bag is larger than 62 linear inches, it will be considered oversized and subject to an extra fee.
Air Transat doesn’t accept checked baggage larger than 115 linear inches (292 centimeters).
Weight Limit
Your checked bag can weigh up to 50 pounds (23 kilograms). This weight limit applies to all cabin classes and fare types.
If it weighs more than this amount, it will be subject to an overweight baggage fee.
Air Transat doesn’t accept checked baggage heavier than 70 pounds (32 kilograms).
Checked Baggage Allowance
Your checked baggage allowance varies depending on your itinerary and cabin class.
Domestic Travel
The following checked baggage allowances apply to domestic flights within Canada.
| Cabin Class | Fare Type | Checked Baggage Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | ECO Budget | 0 |
| Economy | ECO Promo | 0 |
| Economy | ECO Standard | 1 |
| Economy | ECO Flex | 1 |
| Option Plus | ECO Budget | not available |
| Option Plus | ECO Promo | not available |
| Option Plus | ECO Standard | 2 |
| Option Plus | ECO Flex | 2 |
| Club | Club | 2 |
| Club | Club Flex | 2 |
International Travel
The following table shows checked baggage allowances for international flights.
| Cabin Class | Fare Type | Baggage Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | ECO Budget | 0 |
| Economy | ECO Promo | 0 |
| Economy | ECO Standard | 1 |
| Economy | ECO Flex | 1 |
| Option Plus | ECO Budget | 1 |
| Option Plus | ECO Promo | 1 |
| Option Plus | ECO Standard | 2 |
| Option Plus | ECO Flex | 2 |
| Club | Club | 2 |
| Club | Club Flex | 2 |
Baggage Allowance for Infants
Infants aged up to 2 years old aren’t entitled to a carry-on or checked baggage allowance.
However, you are allowed to bring 1 diaper bag on board as carry-on.
Also, you can check 1 collapsible stroller and 1 car seat per infant.
Baggage Fees
If you want to bring more than your allowed checked baggage allowance or if your baggage exceeds the size or weight limit, you will have to pay excess baggage fees.
Extra Bags
In this section, we’ll explain how much you’ll have to pay when you buy extra bags, in addition to what your ticket included.
Domestic Travel
The following extra baggage fees apply to domestic flights only within Canada.
Prepaid Baggage Fees
The following baggage fees apply for checked bags purchased at least 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.
All fees are in Canadian dollars.
| Route | 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 3rd+ Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (within Canada) | $35 | $55 | $225 each |
Airport Baggage Fees
The following baggage fees apply for checked bags bought online within 24 hours of your flight or at the airport.
All fees are in Canadian dollars.
| Route | 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 3rd+ Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic (within Canada) | $40 | $70 | $225 each |
International Travel
The following baggage fees apply to international flights.
Prepaid Baggage Fees
The following baggage fees apply for checked bags purchased at least 24 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure.
All fees are in Canadian dollars.
| Route | 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 3rd+ Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $35 | $55 | $225 each |
| Mexico, Caribbean, Latin America | $35 | $55 | $225 each |
| Europe | $75 | $110 | $225 each |
Airport Baggage Fees
The following baggage fees apply for checked bags bought online within 24 hours of your flight or at the airport.
All fees are in Canadian dollars.
| Route | 1st Bag | 2nd Bag | 3rd+ Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $40 | $70 | $225 each |
| Mexico, Caribbean, Latin America | $40 | $70 | $225 each |
| Europe | $90 | $125 | $225 each |
Oversized Baggage Fees
For checked bags between 63 and 115 linear inches (159 to 292 centimeters), you will have to pay an oversized baggage fee.
If your bag is oversized and overweight, you’ll have to pay both fees.
The amount that you’ll have to pay depends on which country you’re flying from,
The fee can only be paid at the airport check-in counter.
| Route | Oversized Baggage Fee (63 to 115 in / 159 to 292 cm) |
|---|---|
| From Canada | CAD 100 |
| From U.S. | USD 100 |
| Mexico, Caribbean, Latin America | USD 100 |
| From Europe | EUR 80 |
| From U.K. | GBP 65 |
Air Transat won’t accept checked baggage larger than 115 linear inches (292 cm).
Overweight Baggage Fees
For checked bags between 51 and 70 pounds (24 to 32 kilograms), you will have to pay an overweight baggage fee.
If your bag is overweight and oversized, you’ll have to pay both fees.
The amount that you’ll have to pay depends on which country you’re flying from,
The fee can only be paid at the airport check-in counter.
| Route | Overweight Baggage Fee (51 to 70 lb / 24 to 32 kg) |
|---|---|
| From Canada | CAD 100 |
| From U.S. | USD 100 |
| Mexico, Caribbean, Latin America | USD 100 |
| From Europe | EUR 80 |
| From U.K. | GBP 65 |
Air Transat won’t accept checked baggage heavier than 70 pounds (32 kg).
Special Baggage
Air Transat permits non-standard baggage such as sports equipment and musical instruments to be checked as baggage.
The items must be packed in a suitable protective case or cover.
Sports Equipment
Air Transat allows you to travel with sports equipment as checked baggage. All sports equipment must be properly packed and protected in a hard-sided or padded case.
The following types of sports equipment are allowed as checked baggage. Most items follow standard baggage rules and fees, although some are charged a special fee instead. The fees in the table below are for domestic travel. Charges may differ for international flights.
Also, oversized and/or overweight baggage fees are waived for some types of sports equipment.
| Sports Equipment | Baggage Fee | Oversized Baggage Fee | Overweight Baggage Fee | Must Preregister |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bicycle | Online: $50 Airport: $75 | $0 | $0 | Yes |
| Camping equipment | Standard | $100 | $100 | No |
| Fishing equipment | Standard | $100 | $100 | No |
| Golf equipment | Standard | $0 | $100 | Yes |
| Hockey equipment | Standard | $0 | $100 | Yes |
| Hunting equipment | Standard | $100 | $100 | No |
| Kiteboarding equipment | Standard | $0 | $100 | Yes |
| Paddleboard equipment | Online: $100 Airport: $115 | $0 | $0 | Yes |
| Scuba diving equipment | Standard | $100 | $100 | No |
| Snorkeling equipment | Standard | $100 | $100 | No |
| Snow ski equipment | Standard | $0 | $100 | Yes |
| Surfboard | Online: $100 Airport: $115 | $0 | $0 | Yes |
| Water ski equipment | Standard | $0 | $100 | Yes |
| Windsurfing equipment | Online: $100 Airport: $115 | $0 | $0 | Yes |
| All other sports equipment | Standard | $100 | $100 | No |
Important: To be eligible for the discounted online baggage fee for sports equipment, you must prepay at least 72 hours prior to your flight’s scheduled departure. This differs from standard baggage, where you can prepay up to 24 hours before your flight.
Preregistering Sports Equipment
For certain types of sports equipment, Air Transat requires that you preregister your item to reserve space in the plane’s hold.
You can preregister your equipment up to 72 hours prior to your flight’s scheduled departure, by calling the airline at:
- +1-514-636-3630, or
- 1-877-TRANSAT (872-6728).
Air Transat also provides an online tool where you can check if there’s available space for any particular flight.
Prohibited Sports Equipment
Air Transat doesn’t allow the following types of sports equipment:
- Canoes
- Kayaks
- Motorized versions of sports equipment such as bicycles, scooters, etc.
Musical Instruments
Air Transat allows you to travel with musical instruments as carry-on or checked baggage.
Musical Instruments as Carry On Baggage
Air Transat allows musical instruments to be brought on board as your carry-on bag, as long as it’s within the carry-on size limit of 51 x 40 x 23 centimeters (20 x 16 x 9 inches).
Air Transat doesn’t allow you to purchase a seat to transport a musical instrument that exceeds the airline’s size or weight limits.
You will have to check the item as checked baggage.
Musical Instruments as Checked Baggage
For musical instruments transported as checked baggage, they are subject to the same rules and fees as standard checked baggage.
Unfortunately, Air Transat doesn’t make any special allowances for musical instruments that exceed maximum size or weight limits.
How to Pay for Baggage
If you wish to take advantage of discounted baggage fees, you can pay for your checked baggage before your flight:
- Standard baggage: up to 24 hours before your flight
- Sports equipment: up to 72 hours before your flight
There a few different ways that you can prepay your checked baggage:
- During your initial booking
- Visiting Air Transat’s website to access your booking
- Contacting the airline’s customer service center at 1-877-872-6728 or +1-514-636-3630
Alternatively, you can pay for your checked bags at the airport, but you’ll be subject to higher charges.
Checking In Your Bags at the Airport
The minimum and maximum check in times to drop off your checked baggage at the airport depends on where you’re flying from:
| From | Earliest Bag Drop Off | Latest Bag Drop Off |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (domestic flights) | 4 hours | 45 minutes |
| Canada (international flights) | 4 hours | 60 minutes |
| Los Angeles and San Francisco | 3 hours | 60 minutes |
| U.S. (except Los Angeles and San Francisco) | 4 hours | 60 minutes |
| Europe | 4 hours | 60 minutes |
| Mexico, Caribbean, Latin America | 3 hours | 60 minutes |
Final Thoughts
Summing up, all fares include 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item as a carry-on allowance. The premium Club Class cabin doesn’t receive any additional carry-on allowances.
With checked baggage, Economy Class passengers receive 0 to 2 checked bags, depending on the type of ticket purchased. Club Class passengers receive 2 checked bags for all fares. Club Class passengers don’t receive a greater weight allowance for their checked bags – each bag can weigh up to 50 pounds, which is the same as Economy Class.
Although the airline’s baggage allowances are somewhat uninspiring, their baggage fees are quite reasonable when compared to other airlines. Also, for many types of sports equipment, oversized and/or overweight baggage fees are waived.
Remember to always check Air Transat’s website or contact their customer service for the latest information on baggage allowances and fees.
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