Our baggage policies, products and services

We’ve assembled information on our baggage policies, as well as details on our products and services. We hope you’ll use this information to plan and personalize your trip with us, and create your ultimate travel experience.

Prices displayed on this page are accurate as of June 2012 and are subject to change without notice.

Carry-on baggage

What you can bring on board

When you travel with us, you may bring on board:

  • 1 standard article and
  • 1 personal article

In addition, you can bring your coat, small purse, special need or infant care item, including a small collapsible stroller.

View our complete carry-on baggage policy for complete details on what you can and cannot bring with you on the plane.

Standard article:

Maximum size:
23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm / (9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in)
Wheels and handles included

Maximum weight:
10 kg (22 lb)

Personal article:

Maximum size:
16 cm x 33 cm x 43 cm / (6 in x 13 in x 17 in)

Maximum weight:
10 kg (22 lb)

Checked baggage

Your checked baggage allowance

When you travel on Air Canada or Air Canada Express (flights operated by Jazz, Air Georgian and Sky Regional), your complimentary baggage allowance is determined by your fare, destination, date of ticket purchase and frequent flyer status.

Liquids and gels

You may also want to view useful information on liquids and gels, and other Restricted and prohibited items.

For complete details

View how our checked baggage policy applies to all fares, destinations and frequent flyer statuses.

Weight and size restrictions - all itineraries:

Max. weight per bag: 50 lb (23 kg)

Max. linear dimensions per bag: 62 in (158 cm)

Fees - Economy Class travel within Canada

1st bag: free

2nd bag: $20 CAD/USD (per direction)

Fees - Economy Class travel between the U.S.* and…

…Canada:

1st bag: $25 CAD/USD (per direction)

2nd bag: $35 CAD/USD (per direction)

…Mexico/Costa Rica/Caribbean/Bermuda:

1st bag: free

2nd bag: $20 CAD/USD per direction

…Europe, the Middle East†, Egypt, Morocco, Malawi and Zambia:

1st bag: free

2nd bag: $100 CAD/USD (per direction)

…most other itineraries†:

1st bag: free

2nd bag: $70 CAD/USD (per direction)

*U.S. includes Hawaii and excludes Puerto Rico. Taxes range from $0 to $14 CAD/USD.

† Exceptions apply.

Additional checked baggage

Overweight, oversize and additional bags

If your baggage exceeds your free checked baggage allowance (in number, size, and/or weight), you will need to pay additional checked baggage charges.

For complete details

View how our additional checked baggage policy applies to all fares, destinations and frequent flyer statuses.

Overweight and oversize limits - all itineraries:

  • Bags weighing 50 to 70 lb (23 to 32 kg) are accepted as overweight
  • Bags measuring 63 to 115 in (160 to 292 cm) are accepted as oversized.

Fees - Travel within Canada:

Overweight/oversize items

A $75 CAD/USD fee applies (per direction) if your bag is overweight and/or oversized.

A single $75 CAD/USD fee (per direction) applies if your bag is both overweight and oversized.


Number of bags

1st bag: free

2nd bag: $20 CAD/USD (per direction)

Additional bags: $100 CAD/USD (per direction, per bag).

No overweight or oversize fees apply to additional bags for which the $100 fee is paid.

Fees - Travel between the U.S.* and Canada:

Overweight/oversize items

A $75 CAD/USD fee applies (per direction) if your bag is overweight and/or oversized.

A single $75 CAD/USD fee (per direction) applies if your bag is both overweight and oversized.

Number of bags

1st bag: $25 CAD/USD (per direction)

2nd bag: $35 CAD/USD (per direction)

Additional bags: $100 CAD/USD (per direction, per bag).

No overweight or oversize fees apply to additional bags for which the $100 fee is paid.

Fees - Travel between the U.S.* and Mexico/Costa Rica/Caribbean/Bermuda:

Overweight/oversize items

A $100 CAD/USD fee applies (per direction) if your bag is overweight and/or oversized.

A single $100 CAD/USD fee (per direction) applies if your bag is both overweight and oversized.

Number of bags

1st bag: free

2nd bag: $20 CAD/USD per direction

Additional bags: $225 CAD/USD (per direction, per bag).

No overweight or oversize fees apply to additional bags for which the $225 fee is paid.

Fees - Travel between the U.S.* and other international destinations:

Overweight/oversize items

A $100 CAD/USD fee applies (per direction) if your bag is overweight and/or oversized.

A single $100 CAD/USD fee (per direction) applies if your bag is both overweight and oversized.

2nd bag – U.S. to/from Europe, the Middle East†, Egypt, Morocco, Malawi and Zambia:

$100 CAD/USD (per direction)

Tickets issued before June 1, 2012:
Check a 2nd bag for $70 CAD/USD (per direction)

For U.S. to/from U.K.: Tickets issued before June 15, 2012: Check a 2nd bag for $70 CAD/USD (per direction)

2nd bag - all other itineraries†:

$70 CAD/USD (per direction)

Additional bags: $225 CAD/USD (per direction, per bag).

No overweight or oversize fees apply to additional bags for which the $225 fee is paid.

*U.S. includes Hawaii and excludes Puerto Rico.

† Exceptions apply.

Any-time flight changes

Change your flight any time

You can change your flight up to two (2) hours before departure. The change can be made:

  • Online via the ‘Manage My Bookings’ tab at the top of any aircanada.com page
  • By calling Air Canada Reservations.

A change fee may apply, depending on the type of fare you purchased.

You will need to pay the fare difference if you change to a higher fare.

Any-time change fees for travel between Canada and the U.S.*:

  • Exec. Class Flexible/Latitude: fare difference
  • Exec. Class Lowest/Flex/Tango: $200 CAD/USD** + fare difference

Any-time change fees for other itineraries:

*Includes Hawaii – excludes Puerto Rico
**The any-time change fee is per direction (plus taxes). The fare difference applies if you change to a higher fare.

Same-day airport changes

Change your flight at the airport

Are you already at the airport and looking to take an earlier or later flight the same day?

You can request a same-day flight change by visiting the Air Canada airport counter. Please remember that same-day airport changes are subject to availability.

A change fee may apply, depending on the type of fare you purchased.

Same-day airport change fees for travel between Canada and the U.S.*:

  • Exec. Class Flexible/Latitude: complimentary
  • Exec. Class Lowest/Flex: $75 CAD/USD**
  • Tango: $150 CAD/USD**

No additional charges for fare difference apply for changes made on the day of travel when flights are operated by Air Canada.
Same-day changes can be completed upon check-in.

Same-day airport change fees for other itineraries:

*Includes Hawaii – excludes Puerto Rico
**Change fees are per direction, plus taxes.

Cancellations and refunds

Refundable and non-refundable tickets

You should always be aware, at the time of purchase, if your ticket is refundable and under what conditions.

Many tickets (e.g. many promotional or seat sale tickets) are non-refundable, while others may be subject to a cancellation fee.

Travel within Canada and between Canada and the U.S.*:

  • Executive Class Flexible/Latitude:
    • Fully refundable
    • No cancellation fees
  • Exec. Class Lowest/Flex/Tango:
    • Non-refundable

International travel:

Some fares are refundable while others are not. Refundability depends on your itinerary as well as your fare type.

Refundable tickets:
A cancellation fee applies to refundable tickets (max. $500 CAD/USD).

View fare refundability for other itineraries:

*Includes Hawaii – excludes Puerto Rico

Service for unaccompanied minors

When your child needs to travel alone

More than 10,000 young travellers fly unaccompanied with Air Canada each year.

Our Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service ensures that children travelling alone receive the best of care, and are escorted by our highly-trained staff from the moment they arrive at airport check-in until they reach their destination.

Who can travel unaccompanied:

8 to 11 years (inclusive): The UM service is mandatory.

12 to 17 years: The UM service is available but is considered optional.

Service fees:

A service fee of $100 CAD/USD/USD each way per child per flight applies.

Travelling with your pet

We know how important your pet is to you

That's why we always do our best to accommodate your animal on board or in the baggage compartment of most Air Canada flights and Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and Sky Regional.

Be assured that we are committed to taking the very best care of all the animals that are entrusted to us.

Pets in the cabin:

For cats or small dogs

Max. weight: 10 kg (22 lb), for the pet and carrier combined

Max. kennel size: 55cm x 40cm x 23cm (21.5’x 15.5’ x 9’)

Charge:

  • $50 per direction for travel within Canada or between Canada and the U.S.
  • $100 per direction for all other itineraries

More about pets in the cabin

Pets in the baggage compartment:

For cats or dogs

Max. weight: 32 kg (70 lb), for the pet and carrier combined

Charge:

  • $105 per direction for travel within Canada or between Canada and the U.S.
  • $270 per direction for all other itineraries

More about pets in the baggage compartment

Advance standard seat selection

Get the seat that suits you best

  • Do you like to sit by the window?
  • Would you rather be close to the front so you'll get to your connecting flight quicker?
  • Or are you looking for adjacent seats for you and your travel partner?

Make your standard seat selection in advance to secure the seat that best suits your needs.

Within Canada or between Canada and the U.S.:

  • Flex and Latitude: Complimentary
  • Tango: $18 to $31 CAD/USD per one way

Caribbean, Mexico and Central America:

  • Tango, Flex and Latitude: Complimentary

International destinations:

  • Tango, Flex and Latitude: Complimentary

Learn more

Preferred seats

Looking for a little more legroom?

Do you find yourself looking for a little extra space when you fly? Well look no further.

When you travel on a flight operated by Air Canada or an Air Canada Express flight operated by Jazz, you now have the option of selecting a Preferred seat, which offers more in-flight legroom.

Preferred seats are located mainly in exit rows.

Within Canada or between Canada and the U.S.:

  • Tango: $27 to $46 per one way
  • Flex/Latitude: $16 to $36 per one way

International flights (beyond Canada and the U.S.)

  • All Economy fares: $40 to $125 per one way

Learn more

Maple Leaf Lounges

Superior service, comfort and style

Our award-winning Maple Leaf Lounges are located at all major airports across Canada as well as in Los Angeles, Paris and London (U.K.).

They provide a private, serene escape from the bustle of airport activity, and offer:

  • Complimentary snacks and beverages
  • Complimentary Bell Datavalet High Speed Internet and Wireless to select Air Canada customers
  • Hewlett Packard business centres featuring color laser printing and PC workstations
  • Conference rooms and cell-free Quiet Zones in select locations
  • Courteous, helpful staff to assist you with all your travel needs

Lounge access is complimentary if you’re travelling:

Travelling in Economy Class?

You can purchase Lounge access when you book your flight at aircanada.com, as follows:

  • Flex: $50 CAD/USD
  • Latitude: $25 CAD/USD

Learn more

Onboard Café

More choice – fresher – healthier

From fresh vegetables and fruit, to meal-sized wraps and pizza, to sangria, to imported beers.

Our OnBoard Café service offers a wide range of delicious snacks, meals and alcoholic beverages on most flights of 90 minutes or more when you travel in Economy Class:

You can buy your Onboard Café voucher in advance or purchase food items on board.

Onboard Café prices:

*Our high-quality earphones are complimentary for unaccompanied minors.

Last minute upgrade purchase to the Executive cabin

Treat yourself to the comfort of Executive Class

The next time you check in online, on your mobile device or at a self-service Check-in Kiosk, you may be offered a Last Minute Upgrade Purchase to the Executive cabin.

Executive travel allows you to enjoy:

Availability:

Last Minute Upgrades are subject to availability in the Executive cabin, and may be offered for:

  • Air Canada flights or Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz;
  • Flights departing from a Canadian or U.S. airport.

Prices:

The price of the Last Minute Upgrade is based on the flight segment for which the upgrade is being selected.

Discover all the advantages of moving up to:

In-flight Wi-Fi access with Gogo®

Connect to the world before you arrive  

Gogo® Inflight Internet service is available on select Air Canada flights between Toronto/Montreal and Los Angeles over the United States.

You can check email, access your VPN network, browse the Web, shop online, play video games, IM, tweet and more, all on board!

Get going with Gogo®

Availability

Available on select Air Canada flights between Toronto/Montreal and Los Angeles over the United States.

Look for the Wi-Fi symbol on board next time you fly!

Prices

Enjoy full Internet access for only $9.95 US*. Handheld devices connect for only $7.95 US*.

How it works

Find out more about how to get online, as well as supported devices and minimum requirements.

*Payable with all major credit cards.


Codeshare flights and flights with other airlines

When checking in with one of our codeshare partners or another airline sold on aircanada.com, you may see differences in checked baggage fees as well as in optional service and other charges. Each airline also has its own terms and conditions of carriage. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with the operating carrier's terms and conditions, including those regarding:

  • Check-in times and procedures
  • Carry-on, checked and additional checked baggage
  • Sports and hunting equipment, and musical instruments
  • Fragile and perishable items
  • Infants and children
  • Passengers with special needs
  • Travelling with your pet
  • In-flight services and special meals
  • Airport lounge access