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How strict is Air Canada with carry on 2024?

Last Updated on January 1, 2024 by Henry @ The Getaway Lounge

This post is reviewed on a regular basis to ensure a high level of accuracy.

How strict is Air Canada with carry on?

Just how strict is Air Canada with carry on?

It’s a question we hear all of the time, so we did a little research and here’s the deal.

Air Canada are relatively strict and state that if you’re travelling with carry on luggage only, you’ll be allowed to take one main bag on board as well as a smaller personal item. According to them, your main bag must fit in the sizer and so be easily stored in the overhead compartment.

And if you’re looking for a carry on which fits perfectly with Air Canada’s carry on rules, we recommend this Maximum Allowance Suitcase (choose carry on size) on Amazon.

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Air Canada’s main carry on allowance

Air Canada have a main carry on allowance as follows:


21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm).

These dimensions include any wheels and or handles.


Air Canada’s personal item policy

In addition to your main carry on, you can take a smaller personal item on board which is limited to the following dimensions: 17 x 13 x 6 inches (43 x 33 x 16 cm).

Standard examples on their website include handbags, laptops and so on.

But this could be an opportunity to pack a few more essentials if you were to use a small backpack for example.

Besides, it is rare for airlines to check the dimensions of your smaller personal item.

As long as it’s clearly small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you, we wouldn’t worry too much about this item being slightly over the limits.

Soft-sided bags like backpacks are easily padded down and so they don’t take up as much room!

Air Canada’s carry on liquids

If you intend on travelling with liquids or gels in your carry on with Air Canada, they must not exceed 100ml / 100g (3.4oz) otherwise you will have these items confiscated at security.

For further detail including restrictions and exclusions please visit the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority website here.

Other special items

Here are some examples of other items that you can bring on board in addition to the above:

For more detail please visit Air Canada’s website here and navigate to the “Other Special Items tab. 

Air Canada carry on weight

One less thing to worry about is the weight of your carry on / personal item, because there are no limits.

With that said, they do state that the bag should be light enough so that you can lift it before storing it in the overhead bin.

If you’re really looking to make the most of your luggage however, we do recommend wearing your heavier, bulky clothing as you go through the gate to free up more space.

How strict are Air Canada with carry on size?

There’s a good chance Air Canada will be looking out for oversized bags at the gate, put it that way.

That’s especially true if the flight happens to be busy.

Besides, the dimensions are mainly there for safety reasons, so we do recommend sticking within the limits where possible.

My carry-on bag is slightly oversized, should I risk it?

The only time we would say it’s worth the risk is if your bag is soft-sided and only slightly oversized.

Besides, as long as your bag fits within the sizer, even with a little squeeze – that’s fine.

No one’s stopping you have a tight fit after all.

If you’ve got a suitcase or hard bag however, you’ll struggle to be able to squeeze that into the sizer should you be required to.

That’s not only a fee to pay to have it put in the hold, but an inconvenience if you’re looking for a speedy exit out the airport, and we all like to keep an eye on our bags if possible!

Air Canada baggage fees

If your bag is deemed to be oversize, your bag will be put in the hold and you’ll be charged a fee depending on your route.

For more information regarding Air Canada’s baggage fees please visit this page on their website.

The best carry on’s for Air Canada

If you’re looking for a quality carry on that fits perfectly within Air Canada’s limits, we recommend this Maximum Allowance Suitcase on Amazon (choose carry on size).

They’re sturdy, light and easy to manoeuvre, look great, come with an integrated lock and have plenty of pockets to keep your belongings organised.

Conclusion.

Strict enough to make sure you have a compliant bag!

With that said, if you do happen to have a backpack for instance which is only slightly oversized – there’s a chance you’ll get away with it.

If after reading this, you think it might be wise to pay for checked bags then please check out this page on Air Canada’s website.

Simply type in your route / ticket type, and you’ll be able to see the allowance per person, costs associated and other details.

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