Air Canada Baggage Policy

Your baggage allowance and fees under the Air Canada baggage policy will depend on your destination, fare type, and frequent flyer status. If the number of pieces, weight, and/or dimensions of your baggage exceed the limits of your free allowance, additional charges will apply. 

Major highlights of the Air Canada baggage policy are:

1. Checked baggage should not exceed:
   1. 158cm/62in in total combined dimensions (L + W + H).
   2. 203cm/80in in length.

Bags exceeding 70lb/32kg in weight and 292cm/115cm in combined dimensions will not be accepted. 

2. Carry-on baggage
   1. Passengers are entitled to 1 standard carry-on bag and 1 personal article. carry-on bag.
      1. The standard carry-on bag must not exceed 55 x 40 x 23cm 
      2. The personal article must not exceed 43 x 33 x 16cm
   2. There’s no weight limit for carry-on baggage. However, they must fit under your front seat or in the overhead bin. 
3. Aeroplan and Star Alliance members are guaranteed a minimum checked baggage allowance. 
4. Active and retired military are entitled to carry 3 checked bags not exceeding 70lb/32kg. 
5. Mobility aids like crutches, braces, a wheelchair, walker, etc., and child strollers are allowed free of charge. 
6. You can pay for your baggage in advance by phone or online through My bookings.

Air Canada Baggage Allowance—Carry-on Baggage 

The Air Canada baggage allowance for carry-on bags is 1 standard bag plus 1 personal article. 

• 1 FREE Standard Carry-on Bag
  • Max. size 55 x 40 x 23cm (21.5in x 15.5in x 9in)
  • Max. weight No weight limit but you must be able to store it in the bin without assistance
    

• 1 FREE Personal Article
  • Max. size 33 x 16 x 43cm (13 x 6 x 17in)
  • Max. weight No weight limit
  • Examples Backpack, laptop bag, briefcase, sport racquet, small pet carrier, camera bag, diplomatic bag, duty-free bag, garment bag, etc.

Note
Per the Air Canada flight baggage rules:

• The dimensions include handles and wheels.
• There’s no weight limit for your carry-on baggage. Your standard carry-on bag must be light enough for you to be able to store it in the overhead bin without assistance.
• If you’re travelling with an infant, you’re allowed 1 additional standard article for your child.
• Anything beyond the maximum recommended size will incur additional charges. 

Air Canada Baggage Allowance—Checked Baggage 

Under the Air Canada baggage policy, a baggage fee may apply from the first checked bag onwards for Basic Economy fares. You can use Air Canada’s Baggage Calculator to check your free allowance and additional baggage fee.

The Air Canada baggage allowance different routes are provided below. 

• Baggage Allowance—Premium Economy 2 checked bags
  50lb/23kg each
  158cm/62in each
  
  The baggage allowance for Premium Economy passengers on all routes is 2 checked bags of 50lb/23kg each. The overall size a single bag must not exceed 158cm/62in (L + W + H).
  
• Baggage Allowance—Business Class 2 checked bags
  70lb/32kg each
  158cm/62in each
  
  The baggage allowance for Business Class passengers (and Premium Rouge) and passengers travelling on any class to/from Brazil is 2 checked bags of 70lb/32kg each. The size of a single bag must not exceed 158cm/62in (L + W + H).
  
• Baggage Allowance—Economy Class
  • U.S.—Canada
    • 1^st Bag USD 30
    • 2^nd Bag USD 50
    • 3+ Bags USD 100 each
      
  • U.S.—Mexico
    • 1^st Bag USD 30
    • 2^nd Bag USD 50
    • 3+ Bags USD 225 each
      
  • U.S.—Europe
    • 1^st Bag (except Basic Economy – USD 70) USD 0
    • 2^nd Bag USD 100
    • 3+ Bags USD 225 each
      
  • Canada—Europe
    • 1^st Bag (except Basic Economy – USD 70) USD 0
    • 2^nd Bag USD 100
    • 3+ Bags USD 225 each
      
  • Within U.S.
    • 1^st Bag USD 0
    • 2^nd Bag USD 70
    • 3+ Bags USD 225 each
      
  • Within Canada
    • 1^st Bag USD 30
    • 2^nd Bag USD 50
    • 3+ Bags USD 100 each
      
• Baggage Allowance—Latitude Fares
  • 1^st Bag Free
  • 2^nd Bag Free
    
• Baggage Allowance—Flex and Comfort Fares
  • 1^st Bag Free (U.S.—Canada, Within Canada)

• Baggage Allowance—Air Canada Altitude and Star Alliance Members
  Air Canada Altitude and Star Alliance members are entitled to a minimum baggage allowance of:

• Star Alliance Gold members 1 bag x 50lb/23kg
• Prestige 25k members 2 bags x 50lb/23kg each
• Elite members 3 bags x 70lb/32kg each
• Super Elite members 3 bags x 70lb/32kg each

Air Canada Baggage Fees—Excess Baggage

The Air Canada baggage fees for extra, overweight, and oversized bags are provided in the table below. If you’re carrying additional bags or overweight and/or oversized bags, you must reach the airport at least 2 hours before departure.

Remember, under the Air Canada baggage policy, the following items can always be carried free of charge in addition to your standard baggage:

• Mobility aids and assistive devices for passengers with disabilities. 
• Outer garments such as coats and other wearables.
• Umbrellas and walking sticks.
• Children’s strollers.

How to Pay Air Canada Baggage Fees 

You can pay your Air Canada baggage fees:

• Online via Air Canada’s website 
• From Air Canada’s mobile app 
• At the airport self-service check-in kiosk 
• At the airport check-in counter

Note: Cash payments are not accepted at the following airports—but you can pay by credit/debit card:

• Air Canada check-in counters in the United States
• The following Air Canada check-in counters in Canada:
  • Winnipeg (YWG)
  • Victoria (YYJ)
  • Vancouver (YVR)
  • Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
  • Toronto Island (YTZ)
  • St. John’s (YYT)
  • Saskatoon (YXE)
  • Quebec City (YQB)
  • Ottawa (YOW)
  • Montréal (YUL)
  • Halifax (YHZ)
  • Fort McMurray (YMM)
  • Edmonton (YEG)
  • Calgary (YYC)

Air Canada Musical Instruments Policy

Under the Air Canada baggage policy for musical instruments, you can carry your musical equipment as carry-on baggage, checked baggage, or on a paid seat. 

1. Musical Instruments as Carry-on Baggage

You can bring a musical instrument—such as a flute, violin, guitar, etc.—as part of your carry-on baggage if your musical instrument fits within your carry-on size requirements, and: 

• It fits safely in the overhead bin or 
• It fits safely under your front seat
  

2. Musical Instruments on a Paid Seat 

If your musical instrument doesn’t fit within the size limits of your carry-on baggage allowance, you can purchase a seat for it at a 50% discount on the published fare (including the lowest fare available). However, if you’re traveling Signature Class, your musical instrument will be accommodated in the Economy/Premium Economy Class.

Weight and Size Restrictions. If you’re purchasing a seat for your musical instrument, it must not exceed 162.5cm/64in in height/length and 80lb/36kg in weight.

To buy a seat for your musical instrument or for more information, contact Air Canada after booking your flight—in any case at least 48 hours before your flight’s departure.

3. Musical Instruments as Checked Baggage

You can also check in your musical instrument if you don’t or can’t carry it with you. 

Remember

• Pack your musical instrument securely in a rigid and/or hard-shell container specifically designed for shipping similar items, because it will likely be exposed to extreme changes in pressure and temperature. To prevent any chances of damage, ensure that the strings are loosened.
• Your musical instrument will count as a separate piece of baggage.
• If your baggage count is more than the maximum number allowed in your fare, you’ll have to pay additional charges.

Air Canada Sports Equipment Policy

Under the Air Canada baggage policy, most sporting equipment is accepted as part of your free checked baggage allowance. 

• You must register your sporting equipment at least 24 hours before your flight’s departure by calling Air Canada Reservations, your travel agent, or Air Canada Vacations.
• Examples of sporting equipment accepted as checked baggage on Air Canada include (but are not limited to):
  • Bicycles
  • Golf Clubs
  • Surfboards, paddleboards, kiteboards, wakeboards, and wave skis
  • Sports balls (inflatable) and bowling balls
  • Skis and snowboards
  • Skeleton Sleds
  • Scuba diving equipment
  • Racquets (badminton, squash, tennis, table tennis)
  • Pole Vaults and javelin
  • Parachutes and parachuting equipment
  • Kayaking equipment
  • Inline Skates (Roller Blades)
  • Ice Skates
  • Hockey/lacrosse/ cricket/ringette equipment
  • Hammer (Athletic)
  • Firearms used for sporting activities
  • Fencing equipment
  • Equestrian equipment
  • Climbing gear
  • Broomball/curling equipment
  • Boogie boards, skim-, speed- and skateboards
  • Boating/Fishing equipment
  • Bat and balls
  • Avalanche rescue equipment
  • Archery equipment – bows and arrows
• Sports equipment is included as part of your free baggage allowance and is subject to excess baggage charges. 
• Oversized baggage charges are waived for the following sporting equipment, but additional checked baggage rules will apply:
  • Golf equipment
  • Hockey equipment
  • Skis
  • Snowboards
  • Surfboards, paddleboards, kiteboards, wakeboards
  • wave skis
• Overweight and oversized baggage charges may be waived for bicycles.
• Aside from any applicable checked baggage charges, a handling fee of USD/CAD 50 (plus taxes) will be charged for bicycles and USD/CAD 100 CAD (plus taxes) for paddleboards, wakeboards, kiteboards, and wave skis.
• The following sporting items are not permitted as checked baggage:
  • Windsurfing Equipment
  • Luges
  • Hang Gliders
  • Canoes
  • Bobsleighs
• Hunting equipment must be booked at least 24 hours before departure via Air Canada Reservations or a travel agent, and subject to certain restrictions:
  • Fishing Equipment
  • Firearms
  • Ammunition
  • Bounty
  • Bows and Arrows
  • Antlers and Horns

What to Do If Your Baggage is Missing 

If you can’t locate your checked baggage after arrival, notify the baggage service agent of the airline with which your flight terminated. 

• You will be asked to provide your contact information, baggage description and its contents, your boarding pass details, and your baggage claim stubs.

• This information will be used to create a Word Tracer incident report.
• You can update or review the status of your baggage from the Word Tracer website.
• If you didn’t complete the incident report, contact Air Canada’s Central Baggage Office immediately at this toll-free number: 1-888-689-BAGS (2247). This number is open 24/7 in Canada and the U.S. 

If your baggage is still missing after 3 days, you’ll need to fill out a form known as the Baggage Tracing form (via Air Canada’s Baggage Issues section of the Let Us Know form).

Air Canada Baggage Claim 

To make a baggage claim for a delayed or damaged bag, (i.e. baggage claim form).

When filling out your Air Canada Baggage Claim form, have the following information ready with you: 

• Your booking reference or ticket number
• Your flight number and date
• Your baggage incident report number 

Interim Expenses. Air Canada will reimburse you for the expenses you incur on the essential items you take on rent when you are without your belongings due to your delayed baggage. These items include (but are not limited to) clothing, toiletries, and/or sport equipment rentals. However, you will be required to support your baggage claim with receipts.

Air Canada Contact Information

Below are a few important Air Canada contact numbers. 

Air Canada Reservations Phone Number (toll-free, open 24/7)

Missing or Damaged Baggage +1-888-689-BAGS (2247)
(toll-free, 24/7 within Canada and the U.S.)

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Frequently Asked Questions on Air Canada Baggage—Fees, Policy, Allowance

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