Before you travel
Tips on how to pack and prepare to get through airport security efficiently.
Understand your carry-on limitations:
- Each customer can carry-on one standard article and one personal item. Learn More.
Organize your bags:
- Electronics are easily accessible.
- Liquids, aerosols ands gels don’t exceed 100ml and fit into 1 clear, resealable plastic bag no more than 1L in capacity.
- Some items can’t be brought onboard an aircraft. Others can only go in your checked baggage. Batteries, pocket knives and oversized liquids, aerosols or gels have restrictions. Check CATSA’s “what can I bring” tool for more information.
- When you pack your checked bag, consider adding your name and contact information to the exterior of your luggage and into a secure pocket in the event that your bag tag is lost in transit.
Make your airport outfit easy and functional:
- Shoes that are difficult to remove, items that contain metal like large belt buckles or excessive layering could require secondary security screening or slow you down at the screening checkpoint.
How to check in
We offer several simple ways to quickly check in to your upcoming flight, including the Air Canada app.
When to arrive at the airport
Airports are much busier than normal and you must arrive for your flight earlier than usual. Review check-in and boarding times for your itinerary. Arriving less than 2 hours prior to departure for domestic travel and less than 3 hours prior to international/transborder travel could result in a delay to your travel plans.
Expedite your security screening
Security lines are longer than usual. There are a few things that you can do to make your airport experience more efficient.
- Keep your boarding pass easily accessible for scanning as you go through security touchpoints.
- Have your liquids, aerosols or gels stored in a clear plastic bag.
- Take your liquids bag and electronic devices out and ready to put into separate plastic bins.
- Remove any belts or items that could be flagged by the metal detector.
- Put your change, keys and cellphone in your carry-on and other personal items such as your coat in the plastic bins.