Checked In Baggage
Information
Understanding Check-In Baggage regulations is crucial for a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. Adequate knowledge of the rules ensures that you can pack your belongings efficiently, avoid unexpected fees, and eliminate unnecessary stress at the airport.
Furthermore, it reduces the risk of complications due to oversized, overweight, or prohibited items in your luggage.
This page aims to empower Canadian travelers with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the often complex landscape of check-in baggage rules, enabling you to enjoy a more seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
The Four Kinds Of Baggage, Explained
Most baggage confusion comes from mixing up these four categories. Every airline names them slightly differently, but the idea is the same everywhere.
| Category | Where it travels | Typically included in | What usually goes in it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | Under the seat in front of you | Almost every fare, including the cheapest ones | A small backpack, handbag or laptop bag with documents, medication and valuables. |
| Carry-on bag | The overhead bin | Most standard fares, but often charged on ultra low cost tickets | A cabin sized case with a change of clothes and anything you would hate to lose. |
| Checked bag | The aircraft hold, handed over at the counter or bag drop | Higher fare levels, and on many international tickets | Clothing, shoes, gifts and anything too large or too sharp for the cabin. |
| Special or oversize items | The hold, usually at a separate desk | Rarely included, and almost always needs advance notice | Skis, golf clubs, bicycles, musical instruments, mobility aids and pet carriers. |
Your allowance comes from your fare, not from your destination. Two passengers on the same aircraft can have completely different baggage rights because one bought a basic fare and the other did not. Size and weight limits also differ between airlines, and connecting flights on separate airlines can each apply their own rules. Call us on +1 226-793-2017 and we will read the exact allowance written into your booking.
Weight And Size, In General Terms
The figures below are the conventions used across most of the industry. They are a planning guide only, because your own airline publishes the numbers that actually apply to your ticket.
| Item | Common convention | What happens if you exceed it |
|---|---|---|
| Standard checked bag | Up to 23 kg, which is 50 lb, on most economy tickets | An overweight charge at the counter, usually far more than paying for a second bag in advance. |
| Heavy checked bag | A hard ceiling around 32 kg, or 70 lb, for anything handled by staff | Airlines can refuse the bag outright, so heavy loads must be split before you travel. |
| Checked bag dimensions | Length plus width plus height added together, commonly capped near 158 cm or 62 in | An oversize fee, and on some aircraft the item may not be accepted at all. |
| Carry-on case | Sized to fit the bin and the sizer frame at the gate, which varies noticeably by airline | The bag is checked at the gate, often for a fee, and you lose access to it in flight. |
| Extra bags | Priced per bag, and cheaper when added before you get to the airport | Airport prices apply, which are typically the highest option. |
What Goes Where, And What Cannot Fly
| Item | Cabin bag | Checked bag | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power banks and spare lithium batteries | Yes, within the airline’s size limit | No | A battery fault must be visible and reachable by the crew, which is impossible in the hold. |
| Prescription medication | Yes, keep it with you | Not advisable | If a bag is delayed you still need your medication, so it belongs in the cabin with its labelling. |
| Liquids over the security limit | No | Yes | Cabin liquids must be in small containers inside one clear resealable bag at screening. |
| Sharp tools, blades and scissors | No | Usually yes, wrapped safely | Anything usable as a weapon is removed at screening and not returned. |
| Laptops, cameras and jewellery | Yes | Strongly discouraged | Compensation for valuables lost from checked baggage is limited, so carry them on board. |
| Aerosols, fuels, flares and camping gas | No | No | Flammable and pressurised goods are dangerous goods and are prohibited on passenger aircraft. |
| Sports equipment and instruments | Only if small enough for the bin | Yes, as a special item | These need advance arrangement, and sometimes an extra seat for fragile instruments. |
Screening rules change. The list above reflects long-standing practice rather than a legal document. Prohibited item rules are set by the security authority at your departure airport and by the airline, and they are updated from time to time. Check the current list for your airport before you pack, and ask us if you are unsure about a specific item.
If A Bag Does Not Arrive
- Report it before you leave the airportGo to the baggage desk in the arrivals hall and file a report while you are still there. Once you walk out, the claim becomes much harder to open.
- Keep the reference numberYou will be given a file reference. Photograph it, along with your bag tag receipt and your boarding pass.
- Describe the bag properlyColour, brand, size, wheels, stickers and anything unusual on the outside. Staff match bags by appearance, not by your name.
- Give a delivery addressMost delayed bags turn up within a short time and are couriered to you, so leave an address and a phone number that work locally.
- Keep your receiptsIf you have to buy essentials while you wait, keep every receipt. Airlines assess reimbursement claims from documents, not from memory.
- Call us as wellWe can chase the airline alongside you and keep a record of the booking details you may need.
Not sure what your ticket includes?
Give us your booking reference and we will confirm the exact baggage allowance, then add extra bags if you need them.
Call +1 226-793-2017Check-In Baggage Rules for Major Canadian Airlines
Restricted or Prohibited Items
To avoid complications at the airport, consult your airline's website or contact their customer service to clarify any doubts about restricted or prohibited items before packing.
Sharp Objects
Airports prohibit sharp objects to ensure safety and security, preventing potential harm to passengers and staff during travel.
Certain Liquids or Gels
Airports restrict certain liquids and gels in carry-on luggage due to security regulations, to ensure passenger safety on flights.
Firearms
Firearms are strictly prohibited at airports to ensure passenger safety, adhering to regulations and maintaining a secure environment.
Lithium Batteries
Lithium batteries are prohibited at airports due to potential fire hazards, ensuring passenger safety during flights and ground operations.
Flammable Materials
Flammable materials are prohibited at airports due to the potential risk of fire, ensuring passenger safety and airport security.
Explosive Materials
Explosive materials are strictly prohibited at airports due to significant safety risks and potential devastating consequences.
Check-In Process
Baggage Drop-Off Procedure
After checking in, passengers with checked baggage must proceed to the baggage drop-off area. At some airports, this may involve going to a dedicated counter, while others may have self-service baggage drop-off kiosks.
Be sure to have your identification, boarding pass, and any necessary travel documents ready, as airline staff may need to verify them during this process. Once your bags are tagged and accepted, they will be sent to the aircraft.
