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If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies. Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and cannot “carry-on” to the plane. Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume that what works for one will work for all airlines.
If you are going to be flying Air Canada, here are the Air Canada Carry-On rules you need to be aware of:
Air Canada Carry-On Size Rules
Air Canada allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard at no charge. They refer to the carry-on bag as a ”standard article” and the personal item as a “personal article”.
Air Canada Airlines Personal Article Size & Fees
Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag or a similar sized item
Air Canada Airlines Carry-On Size Limits & Fees
Air Canada’s size requirements for a carry-on are 21.5″ x 15.5″ x 9″ (55cm x 40cm x 23cm).
If you aren’t sure what size your carry on is, Air Canada provides size check templates located at their ticket counters and gates. But by the time you get to either of these locations it’s too late if the bag is too big, so better to always know your bag size in advance.
Air Canada Carry-On Weight Limits
As a rule, Air Canada doesn’t impose weight restrictions with a carry-on bag. The only rule they have is that it must be light enough that you can store it in the overhead bin unassisted.
Rules for Small Regional Aircraft
If you are lucky enough to be flying on an Air Canada Connection flight (ugh..) with fifty seats or less (such as a CRJ 200), you can bring a personal item on board, but not a carry-on bag the aircraft due to limited overhead space. Personal items must be able to fit under the seat in front of the passenger.
All carry-on bags within Air Canada’s size restrictions will be gate checked, free of charge, during the boarding process and returned upon deplaning. Depending on the time of year, this will give you the opportunity to hang out with 50 of your newest friends in either a steaming hot or freezing cold jet bridge. Fun!
Despite this “official rule” there are some bags you can carry on to a regional jet. Check out this article on the best carry-on luggage for regional jets.
Prohibited Items
There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as a hazardous material. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
The list includes items such as aerosols, fireworks, matches, etc. A complete list can be found on the CATSA website, the FAA website and the TSA website.
Carry-On Liquid Rules
The rules for carry-on liquids are set by CATSA. Air Canada doesn’t make the rules, but they must enforce them.
The CATSA Liquids Rule
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.
Any liquid that does not meet the CATSA Liquids rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security check point.
Here is a little video from the TSA to help illustrate (The TSA does not have authority in Canada but the rules in this video are the same as what CATSA uses):
Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food / child nourishments.
Carry-On Food
There are two different scenarios pertaining to food:
- Food you bring with you from home, and
- Food you buy at the airport, after you have gone through security.
An important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods. The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel”. This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).
Here’s a link to the CATSA website advising what food can be brought with you on your Air Canada flight. This applies to food you are bringing from home through security. Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.
Air Canada Pet Policy
Air Canada may not charge for your carry-on bag, but they will charge for your carry-on pet.
If you are going to bring a pet on board with you, it must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.
Pets in cabin kennels will count as your one carry-on item. In addition to the kennel, you can bring one personal item onboard the aircraft. The following fees apply to/from the following destinations.
Air Canada Airlines Pet Carry-On Fees
Here is a chart showing the pet fees Air Canada charges each way. Double them for a round trip flight.
| To/From Destination | Pet Fee Each Way |
| Within Canada | $50-59 |
| International | $100-118 |
CATSA Approved Pet Carrier for Air Canada
If you do plan on bringing your pet with you, make sure you follow CATSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to Air Canada’s pet policy.
Air Canada Carry-On Fees
Air Canada does not charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements. If your bag is too large and does not meet Air Canada’s carry on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate check it.
Here is a link to Air Canada’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up to date information.
The TSA Liquids Rule for Carry-on Bags (3.4 oz)
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