Carry-on Baggage

You may bring your 'smart bag' onto the plane with you, provided it meets carry-on baggage  size restrictions.

On smaller aircraft where carry-on bags must be placed in the cargo hold, you will need to remove the battery and bring the battery into the cabin with you.

Electronic devices allowed on board with restricted use

• Wireless handheld devices (Smart phones, cellphones, including cellphones with MP3 player or build-in camera, iPads, tablets, VRs, etc.)
• Personal entertainment devices (MP3, iPods, portable games, radio receivers, video cameras)
• Bluetooth headsets.
• Satellite receivers (e.g. hand-held global positioning systems)
• Laptops:
  • Cannot be stowed in seat back pockets, as these are not designed to sustain the weight of a laptop and may be damaged over time.
• Electric shavers
• "Noise busters" (electronic noise cancelling devices)

You may be asked to turn on your electronic device at the security check.

Electronic devices which cannot be used on board at any time

The use of the following electronic devices is strictly prohibited on board:

• Radio transmitters or radio-controlled equipment/toys
• Printers, computer peripheral devices or laser pointers

These items must be properly and adequately packed in your checked baggage.

For more on electronics, go to our Restricted and Prohibited Items page, or to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website.

Medication

Always carry your prescription medication on board in your carry-on baggage. This is especially important if you are taking medication for heart disease, diabetes, or seizures. Passengers with severe allergies should carry one or more Epipens as they would under any other circumstances.

Insulin

Although insulin does not generally require refrigeration, passengers wishing to keep their medication cold are asked to bring a small cooler, as the cabin crew is unable to look after medication on board. If available, extra ice may be provided as needed.

Medical or mobility devices

The following items are allowed at all times, in addition to your carry-on allowance:

• Mobility aids (e.g. braces, cane, crutches, walker, communication device*) or other special need items
• Tools of any size which are required by a passenger with special needs who is travelling with a mobility aid
• Battery-powered medical equipment (such as CPAP and sleep apnea devices) and Personal Oxygen Concentrators
• Medication in its original, labelled container
• Syringes or hypodermic needles for personal medical use (e.g. Epipen), provided the needle guards are intact, and that they are accompanied by the prescription medication with a printed label identifying the medication name and the issuing medical office or pharmacy.
  
• Container carrying life sustaining items

_{*Device that helps a passenger communicate (e.g. augmentative and alternate communication (AAC) device).}

Medical cannabis

If you’re travelling with medical cannabis (marijuana), always allow additional time for security screening. Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) officers will require that you present medical documentation and will call local authorities to verify the validity of the documents. Carrying properly packaged medical cannabis is permitted for travel within Canada only.  Flying outside of Canada with medical cannabis is illegal and prohibited by airport authorities.

For more information on travelling with medical cannabis and other medical items, visit the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) or Government of Canada websites.

Cannabis for recreational use
It is illegal to travel across the border and internationally with it in your possession. The Canadian Border and Services Agency recommends that you don’t bring it in, don’t take it out

If you are refused entry into a country because you have cannabis in your possession, you alone will be responsible for the consequences, including for payment of your return trip home.

In the case of a domestic flight, please be advised that unforeseen situations may and do arise that require a domestic flight to divert to a U.S. airport, where arriving in possession of cannabis is not legal.

While specific restrictions apply to the transport of some items, other items cannot be brought onto the plane at all. We’ve provided a partial list on our Restricted and Prohibited Items page.

For a complete list, always refer to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website.

Cremated remains may be carried on board, in addition to your carry-on allowance, provided they are stored in a cardboard or wooden box or an urn made of a material that can be security screened (with a tight-fitting lid to ensure no spillage occurs).

A certificate of cremation or death certificate is not required for the carriage of ashes. However, for international travel, customers must ensure they have obtained all documentation and certificates that may be required when travelling to or via another country/region. You will find additional information on the transport of cremated remains on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority website. For the carriage of other human remains, please contact Air Canada Reservations.

Wedding dresses can be carried on board and stored in the overhead bin provided the garment bag does not exceed maximum carry-on limits. Note that items in the overhead bin can shift during the flight, possibly causing delicate pieces to be wrinkled, crushed or torn.