Overview of Air Canada’s Baggage Policy

Carry-on Baggage Allowance

When you book flight tickets with Air Canada, you can bring one hand baggage and a personal item. It goes for all passengers regardless of the travel itinerary. Let’s start with the dimensions of your carry-on baggage

• Standard Article:

The dimensions of the hand baggage must be equal to or less than 55 cm by 40 cm by 23 cm or 21.5 in by 15.5 in by 9 in. This includes the wheels and handles.

• Personal Item:

If you are carrying a laptop bag or any kind of personal item, it should measure 33 cm by 43 cm by 16 cm or 13 in by 17 in by 6 in.

As for the weight, there are no limitations. However, make sure that it is light enough for you to store it in the overhead bin without assistance. Further, place the personal item underneath the seat in front of you.

• Traveling with a Child 

Also, note that you can carry an additional item such as a child restraint system or a diaper bag if there is a child accompanying you.

And, if your carry-on baggage exceeds the maximum size limit, you will have to check the bag in. Additional charges may be applicable for the same.

• Traveling with Partner Airlines

If you book airline tickets and the itinerary includes Air Canada’s partner airlines, the baggage policies of the airline that operates the first flight is applicable.

Then, if you are a Star Alliance Gold Member and your itinerary consists of flights of two or more members, you can bring two carry-on bags.

Checked-in Baggage Allowance

Air Canada’s checked-in baggage allowance and the fee depends upon your travel itinerary.

• Domestic Canadian flights, or Flights between the US and Canada

If you book flights within Canada, or if you book flights from Canada to the US, the first bag costs $31.50, whereas the second bag will cost $52.50.

If you want to check-in more bags, each bag after the first two will cost $105.

Further, if the bag exceeds the weight limit of 23 kg, but is under 32 kg, a fee of $105 is applicable. Similarly, if the bag exceeds the size limitations, you will have to pay the same amount as the overweight bag.

• International Flights

If you book economy flight tickets from India to Canada, or from any other international location, you can check-in the first bag without any charge.

The second bag may cost up to $100, depending on the origin and destination. Any subsequent bag thereafter will carry a fee of $105.

The baggage charge for checking in overweight or oversized bag is $105 per bag.

• Checking your Baggage Allowance and Fee

You can check your baggage fee and allowance by using the official website of Air Canada.

To ascertain the same, you need to fill in information such as origin and destination, Air Canada Altitude status, and a class of service.

• Baggage Fee Payment

You can settle the baggage fee, if any while checking in for your flight. If you are checking-in from outside of Canada,

like catching flights to Canada from India, the baggage charges will be collected in the local currency, i.e., Indian Rupee, in this case.

Also, you can make the payment using any of the check-in methods, which include:

1. Web check-in or the online check-in
2. Mobile Check-in
3. Checking in at the Air Canada counter at the airport
4. Checking-in using the self-check-in kiosks at the airport

There are some airports where you cannot settle baggage charges in cash. These include:

1. Check-in counters at the US airports
2. Check-in counters at some Canadian Airports: If you catch flights from Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto Island, Fort McMurray, Halifax, Victoria, Vancouver, St. Johns, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, and Saskatoon.

Baggage Allowance for Military Personnel

If you are a member of the Canadian or US military, you are entitled to enhanced baggage allowance benefits.

However, only if you are flying on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express.

All active and retired military personnel can check-in up to three bags weighing up to 32 kg. If you think you are eligible for the same, you have to:

1. Notify that you are traveling without checked bags when prompted during check-in online, over the phone, or at the airport kiosks
2. When you reach the airport, get in touch with an Air Canada agent and ask to get your baggage tagged and checked-in for free, only after providing military identification.

• Items You Cannot Check-In

Air Canada enlists certain items that you cannot check-in. The main criteria behind the same are their overall dimensions, which are too big.

Such items include canoes, bobsleighs, luges, hang gliders, and windsurfing equipment.

Baggage Delays or Damages

Air Canada follows a procedure in case you find your bags delayed or damaged.

• Delayed Baggage

If you cannot locate your baggage after landing, immediately inform an Air Canada representative.

Further, you will have to provide details such as contact information and a detailed description of your baggage. The agent will log everything in the incident report.

Further, you will receive:

1. A baggage card that explains the baggage recovery procedure.
2. A file reference number. You will have to use this to check the status of your baggage online. Also, when you have to collect information over the phone, you must provide the file reference number.

You will also get the check-in fee refund.

Once the baggage is found, the same will be delivered via Air Canada’s delivery partner, i.e., FedEx.

• Damaged Baggage

If you observe any signs of damage to your bag, here’s how you can report it:

1. At the airport:

Inform an Air Canada agent immediately to inspect the damage.

2. After Leaving the Airport:

Air Canada urges all passengers to return to the airport if they observe damages after leaving the airport. Also, be sure to carry your baggage tags and flight tickets.

Air Canada is going to refund the check-in fees that you paid.

So, that is what you must keep in mind while packing luggage for an Air Canada flight.