Find Out the Important Rules of Air Canada Baggage Policy

Suppose you are all set for a trip, excited for the journey to have finally started. But you are at the check-in waiting for more hours than usual because your baggage exceeded. Without reading Air Canada Baggage Policy, it might feel like if you haven’t prepared yourself for the situation and your mood could get ruined That’s why we are here to save you from unexpected situations, fees, and trouble. So, let’s dive into the blog and understand what can possibly go wrong when you don’t plan well. 

Air Canada Carry-On Baggage Rules and Size Allowance

Passengers can usually be allowed to bring one standard carry-on blog and one personal item. 

Size: 

• The standard carry-on bag must not exceed 23 × 40 × 55 cm (9 × 15.5 × 21.5 in), including wheels and handles.
• A personal item, such as a small purse, backpack, or laptop bag, can measure up to 33 × 43 × 16 cm (13 × 17 × 6 in). 

Weight: 

• As per Air Canada baggage policy carry on there’s no set weight limit for carry-on baggage. However, passengers need to make sure their bag can fit in the bin by themselves. No help should be needed to place it there.

What are the Checked Baggage Rules and Size Allowance?

The below mentioned size and weight is for standard baggage. For checked-bag fees for certain Economy fares and routes, keep reading the blog.

Size: 

• Standard checked baggagemeasures up to 158 cm (62 in) in total linear dimensions (length + width + height, including wheels and handles). 

Weight: 

• Air Canada checked baggage policy says standard checked baggage must weigh a maximum of 23 kg (50 lb) 

How Do I Add Baggage on Air Canada?

You can add baggage for your Air Canada flight, through the website by calling customer service or at the airport when you check in.

Online and Mobile Check-In

• Go to the official Air Canada Website/Mobile app. 
• Log in the Check-in or Manage Bookings section. 
• Enter your details. Example: booking reference and last name.
• Select the number of extra bags you want to add. 
• Confirm the changes. 
• Pay any applicable baggage fees.

Offline by Phone

• Call the customer service number for the airline.
• Give the agent your booking confirmation code.
• Inform them how many bags you want to add. 
• Pay any required advance fees over the phone. 

At the Airport (check-in kiosk)

• Go to the machine where you can check in by yourself.
• Put your ticket or passport on the scanner.
• If the option allows, type in your booking reference code.
• On the screen apply for extra baggage. 
• Make payment with a credit or debit card at the kiosk.
• Drop your tagged bags off at the bag drop belt. 

At the Airport (help desk)

• Reach out to an agent at the check-in counter.
• Tell them the correct details.
• Let them know how much baggage you want to add.
• Complete the payment process, if there’s any fee. 
• Get confirmation. 

Checked Baggage Fees According to the Fare Type 

Tickets purchased on or after May 14 2026. These fees apply to Economy Basic, Standard and Flex fares for travel, between Canada or the U.S. And Africa, Asia/South Pacific, Europe, the Middle East or South America. 

Tickets purchased on or after April 13 2026. These fees apply to Economy Basic, Standard and Flex fares for travel within Canada to or from the U.S. (Including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands) or to or, from Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America.

Important: Air Canada states that the prices shown exclude applicable taxes, which depend on the itinerary

Main Guidelines on Air Canada Baggage Policy 

Air Canada’s updated 2026 policy, these are the main baggage guidelines you can consider:

Economy Basic restrictions: When you choose the Economy Basic fare you might only be allowed to bring one item on some routes.

For example this applies to flights within Canada and those going to or from the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.

Basic or standard fare: If you buy a Basic or Standard fare, the allowance might be zero or one bag depending on the route. 

Baggage, on partner flights: If your trip includes a flight operated by another airline then you may need to follow the baggage rules set by the airline that operates your flight.

Taxes: Air Canada states that the baggage prices shown on its fee-change page exclude taxes that may apply based on the itinerary.

Read the Rules of Military Baggage Allowance

The current policy states that:

• Active, retired, and reserve Canadian and U.S. military members are eligible.
• They are allowed to take up to 3 bags for free.
• This rule applies to both personal or travel for duty. 
• Valid military identification is required.
• The allowance is applicable to itineraries fully operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express.
• It does not extend to family members, spouses, RCMP officers, travelling companions, or foreign military members other than U.S. military personnel.
• If another airline operates part of the itinerary, standard baggage fees may apply. 

The military provision is part of Air Canada’s current checked-baggage policy:

Traveling with an Infant? Know the Rules

A baby more than two years old will be considered an infant by the airlines. Though the infant can sit on an adult’s lap, the rules depend on your fare type and destination. The child's age determines the applicable booking, seating and ticketing rules. An adult 16 or older may be responsible for only one infant during the flight. 

• Diaper bag: A lap infant allows one additional standard article for the child's belongings, such as a diaper bag. 
• Car/booster seat: A car or booster seat for a child up to age 11 can be checked free of charge, but it cannot contain other belongings. 
• Stroller: One stroller per child is permitted in addition to the normal baggage allowance. 
• Baby food and milk: Can be allowed after security screening. 

Note: Air Canada currently suggests passengers to use their Baggage Calculator to find out the checked-bag allowance, for an infant or a child.

Check Out the List of Special and Restricted Items

If you are confused about specific and restricted items, this list will help:

Special/specific items:

• Batteries & some electronic devices: Whether you are allowed to take batteries and electronic devices or not depends on battery type, quantity or other requirements. 
• Smart bags: Allowed as carry-on if they meet size requirements; if the bag must go into the hold, its removable battery must be taken into the cabin. 
• Drones: Subject to specific conditions; lithium batteries must be removed from a drone when it is checked and carried in the cabin. 
• Musical instruments: Depends on Air Canada's size, weight and packaging requirements. 
• Sports equipment: May be allowed, but individual equipment has specific requirements and, for some items, advance registration. 
• Dry ice, brine and gel/ice packs: Can be allowed with restrictions; some require registration. 

Restricted/Prohibited Items:

• Liquids, gels and aerosols are not simply “allowed with quantity restrictions.” Air Canada classifies them differently depending on the substance and whether they are carry-on or checked. 
• Firearms and ammunition are permitted only under specific declaration, packaging and transportation requirements.
• Explosives and flammable materials are prohibited; certain specialized materials have separate rules.
• MREs/self-heating meals are prohibited onboard. 
• Personal oxygen cylinders, oxygen generators and liquid-oxygen devices are not accepted. Specific approved portable oxygen concentrators are permitted. 
• Oil-based paint, latex paint, lacquer, stains and oils are not accepted as passenger baggage; small tubes of certain art paints are an exception under specified packing conditions. 
• Poisonous and toxic materials are banned by the airlines.
• Defence/incapacitating sprays are not accepted in both carry-on and checked baggage. 
• Radioactive materials are not allowed in passenger baggage. 

Final Verdict

A check-in sets the tone for the rest of the trip. For that, taking a few minutes to go through Air Canada’s baggage policy before you start your packing. Baggage allowance includes special items, military baggage, restricted items, and baggage rules with infants that you may read to keep yourself updated with policy. Fees and allowances depend on the fare type and make sure you refer to the latest information from the official website and your booking for exact information. 

 Related Post: 

United Airlines Military Baggage Rules , Alaska Airlines Check in Baggage Policy