Which has the bigger carry-on allowance, Air Canada or Alaska?

Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in). Alaska: 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). Air Canada allows the larger bag.

Are Air Canada and Alaska partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Air Canada: Star Alliance; Alaska: oneworld), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AC vs AS · 2026 comparison

Air Canada vs Alaska

Q: Do Air Canada and Alaska include a carry-on on basic economy?

Air Canada: 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. Alaska: Saver fares include a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Air Canada wins on a bigger carry-on; Alaska wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare. Here's how they compare on bags, fees, comfort, reliability and loyalty.

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

Air Canada

Wins 1 category

A bigger carry-on

Alaska

Wins 1 category

A carry-on on its cheapest fare

Quick verdict

Air Canada wins on a bigger carry-on; Alaska wins on a carry-on on its cheapest fare. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Alaska: 22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air Canada: Not on some basic fares · Alaska: Included on every fare
First checked bag (regular economy): Air Canada: $45 · Alaska: $45

Side by side

	Air Canada	Alaska
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	22 × 14 × 9 in
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Included on every fare
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	43 × 33 × 16 cm	Must fit under the seat
First checked bag (regular economy)	$45	$45
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	oneworld
Loyalty program	Aeroplan	Atmos Rewards
Main hubs	YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC	SEA, PDX, SFO, LAX, ANC

Highlighted values are better for travelers. Fees are for U.S. domestic economy flights; on-time data is 2025 U.S. DOT figures for each airline's own flights.

Bags and fees

Air Canada allows a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in), and Alaska up to 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm), so Air Canada's is roomier.

Air Canada's Economy Basic can be personal-item only, while Alaska includes it on every fare.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in) on Air Canada, and anything that fits under the seat on Alaska.

A first checked bag on Air Canada costs $45 on flights within Canada and to the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America, and a first checked bag on Alaska costs $45 on flights within North America.

Basic economy

Air Canada (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.

Alaska (Saver): Saver fares include a carry-on and a personal item. Checked bags cost extra.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air Canada is in Star Alliance and Alaska is in oneworld.

Loyalty programs: Aeroplan (Air Canada) and Atmos Rewards (Alaska).

Air Canada's main hubs are Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC). Alaska's are Seattle (SEA), Portland (PDX), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Anchorage (ANC). The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air Canada if you want…

a bigger carry-on
to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from YYZ, YVR, YUL

Choose Alaska if you want…

a carry-on on its cheapest fare
to earn and use oneworld miles and status
nonstops from SEA, PDX, SFO

On a route both fly, the cheaper ticket isn't always the cheaper trip: add the bags you'll actually bring, and check the fare rules before you book.