Does Air Canada have a carry-on weight limit?

Air Canada doesn't publish a weight limit for carry-ons, but you need to be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin yourself.

What is the Air Canada personal item size?

43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in). Must fit under the seat in front of you.

Will a standard 22 × 14 × 9 in carry-on fit on Air Canada?

Not quite: a 22 × 14 × 9 in bag is 0.3 in too long for Air Canada's 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in) limit.

What is the Air Canada carry-on size in inches?

21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in, converted from Air Canada's 55 × 40 × 23 cm limit. Measure the outside of the bag, wheels and handles included.

Can I bring a carry-on and a personal item on Air Canada?

Yes, on most fares (Economy Basic can be personal-item only): one carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in) plus a personal item up to 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in).

What happens if my carry-on is too big on Air Canada?

Gate agents can make you check it, and checking a bag at the gate usually costs more than adding it when you book. Measure your packed bag, wheels and handles included, before you go.

Which airports does Air Canada fly from?

Air Canada flies from Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Amsterdam (AMS), Atlanta (ATL), Austin (AUS), Boston (BOS), Charleston (CHS), Charlotte (CLT), Chicago (ORD), plus 46 more airports we cover. Each has an airport guide with transit, lounges and parking.

Does a backpack count as a personal item on Air Canada?

Yes, if it fits within 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in). A typical small backpack or daypack fits, but an under-seat rolling bag (4 cm too deep), a laptop backpack (3 cm too long, 4 cm too deep), a large tote (3 cm too long, 3 cm too wide) and a weekender duffel (8 cm too long, 9 cm too deep) don't.

2026 carry-on & personal item rules

Air Canada carry-on size

Q: Does Air Canada charge for carry-on bags?

Not on most fares, but Economy Basic can be personal-item only. Included on most fares. Economy Basic within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean allows only a personal item.

Air Canada's carry-on baggage size limit is 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), with no published weight limit. Included on most fares. Economy Basic within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean allows only a personal item.

Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction

Carry-on

55 × 40 × 23 cm

21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in

Weight limit

None published

You must be able to lift it into the bin

Personal item

43 × 33 × 16 cm

16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in

Carry-on on cheapest fare

Not always

Economy Basic can be personal-item only

Quick answer

Air Canada allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), plus a personal item up to 43 × 33 × 16 cm. Economy Basic can be personal-item only, so check your fare.

Carry-on: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
Weight limit: None published
Personal item: 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in)
Cheapest fare: Not on some basic fares
Standard 22 × 14 × 9 in bag: Too big
Checked bag: Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, the first checked bag on Air Canada costs $45 and the second $60.

Air Canada bag sizes, drawn to scale

Carry-on: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)Personal item: 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in)

Will my bag fit on Air Canada?

Measure your packed bag, including wheels and handles.

LengthinWidthinDepthin

Weight (optional)lb

As a carry-on

Too big

0.3 in too long

Limit: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)

As a personal item

Too big

5.1 in too long, 1 in too wide, 2.7 in too deep

Limit: 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in)

Check this bag against every airline

Will my bag fit as a personal item on Air Canada?

Typical sizes of everyday bags, checked against Air Canada's 43 × 33 × 16 cm personal item limit. Measure your own bag, or use the checker above.

Small backpack or daypack41 × 30 × 15 cmFits
Under-seat rolling bag41 × 33 × 20 cmToo big: 4 cm too deep
Laptop backpack46 × 30 × 20 cmToo big: 3 cm too long, 4 cm too deep
Large tote46 × 36 × 15 cmToo big: 3 cm too long, 3 cm too wide
Weekender duffel51 × 28 × 25 cmToo big: 8 cm too long, 9 cm too deep

Air Canada carry-on rules by fare

Economy Basic

Economy Basic within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean includes only a personal item; on other international routes it includes a carry-on.

Higher fares

Standard and premium fares include a carry-on and a personal item.

Checked bags

On flights within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, the first checked bag on Air Canada costs $45 and the second $60. All Air Canada bag fees

Tips for flying Air Canada

•Measure your packed bag, wheels and handles included; many suitcases sold as "22-inch" are taller with the wheels.
•Air Canada's personal item limit is on the small side, so a typical laptop backpack may be too deep.
•Check your fare before you pack: Economy Basic can be personal-item only.

How Air Canada compares

Carry-on rules at other Canadian airlines.

Airline	Carry-on	Weight	Personal item	Carry-on on cheapest fare
Air Canada	55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in	—	43 × 33 × 16 cm	Not on some basic fares
WestJet	53 × 38 × 23 cm20.9 × 15 × 9.1 in	—	41 × 33 × 15 cm	Not on some basic fares
Porter Airlines	55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in	—	43 × 33 × 16 cm	Not on some basic fares
Air Transat	55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in	—	43 × 31 × 13 cm	Not on some basic fares

Air Canada
Carry-on
55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
Weight
—
Personal item
43 × 33 × 16 cm
Cheapest fare
Not on some basic fares
WestJet
Carry-on
53 × 38 × 23 cm (20.9 × 15 × 9.1 in)
Weight
—
Personal item
41 × 33 × 15 cm
Cheapest fare
Not on some basic fares
Porter Airlines
Carry-on
55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
Weight
—
Personal item
43 × 33 × 16 cm
Cheapest fare
Not on some basic fares
Air Transat
Carry-on
55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
Weight
—
Personal item
43 × 31 × 13 cm
Cheapest fare
Not on some basic fares

Head-to-head comparisons

Air Canada vs American Air Canada vs Delta Air Canada vs United Air Canada vs Southwest Air Canada vs Alaska Air Canada vs WestJet Air Canada vs Porter Air Canada vs Air Transat

Air Canada carry-on FAQ

Air Canada allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in). Included on most fares. Economy Basic within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean allows only a personal item.

Connecting on Air Canada

How long a layover you need at its hubs.

Toronto (YYZ)Connection time guide Vancouver (YVR)Connection time guide Montreal (YUL)Connection time guide

Airports Air Canada flies from

Airport guides for the airports we cover: getting into town, terminals, lounges and parking.

Sources

Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.

Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.

Cheap flights on Air Canada and more

Now that your bag fits, get the fare. We watch prices from your home airports and email you when they drop well below normal.

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