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

Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in). Porter: 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in).

Are Air Canada and Porter partners?

They aren't in the same alliance (Air Canada: Star Alliance; Porter: none), so miles and status generally don't transfer between them.

AC vs PD · 2026 comparison

Air Canada vs Porter

Q: Do Air Canada and Porter 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. Porter: Basic fares within North America include only a personal item. Add carry-on access when you book, or choose a Standard fare, which includes it.

Air Canada and Porter are closely matched on the things we compare. 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

No clear category wins

Porter

No clear category wins

Quick verdict

Air Canada and Porter are closely matched on the things we compare. Check the cheapest fare's bag rules before you compare prices.

Carry-on size: Air Canada: 55 × 40 × 23 cm · Porter: 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare: Air Canada: Not on some basic fares · Porter: Not on some basic fares

Side by side

	Air Canada	Porter
Bags
Carry-on size	55 × 40 × 23 cm	55 × 40 × 23 cm
Carry-on on the cheapest fare	Not on some basic fares	Not on some basic fares
Carry-on weight limit	None published	None published
Personal item	43 × 33 × 16 cm	43 × 33 × 16 cm
Network
Alliance	Star Alliance	None
Loyalty program	Aeroplan	VIPorter
Main hubs	YYZ, YVR, YUL, YYC	YTZ, YYZ, YOW

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

Both airlines allow a carry-on up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in).

Air Canada's Economy Basic can be personal-item only, while Porter's Basic can be personal-item only.

Neither publishes a carry-on weight limit.

Personal items: 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in) on Air Canada, and 43 × 33 × 16 cm (16.9 × 13 × 6.3 in) on Porter.

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.

Porter (Basic): Basic fares within North America include only a personal item. Add carry-on access when you book, or choose a Standard fare, which includes it.

Loyalty and where they fly

Air Canada is in Star Alliance and Porter is not in an alliance.

Loyalty programs: Aeroplan (Air Canada) and VIPorter (Porter).

Air Canada's main hubs are Toronto (YYZ), Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Calgary (YYC). Porter's are YTZ, Toronto (YYZ), YOW. The best choice often comes down to which airline flies nonstop from your airport.

Which should you book?

Choose Air Canada if you want…

to earn and use Star Alliance miles and status
nonstops from YYZ, YVR, YUL

Choose Porter if you want…

nonstops from YTZ, YYZ, YOW

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.