NEVER PAY to fly with your bag!

With airline tickets being increasingly a la carte instead of all-inclusive, paying for even carry-on bags is becoming more common. Here are some great tips on optimizing carry-on bag requirements for your carry-on baggage and still bringing everything you need!

Carry On Luggage Allowances in Canada

There are no specific universal allowances that apply to all classes of tickets for carry-on bags for most airlines that operate out of Canada, but all airlines typically allow you to have a personal item for free, even if their carry-on luggage comes at a cost. To make sure you understand what exactly you can bring for your specific ticket, check the ticket class and details.

Once you know what you can bring, make sure your bags fit within the allowable sizes. There has been a plague marketing of bags in the past few years most bags labelled "Carry-On Approved" are simply a marketing ploy and do not mean anything. You have to be an educated consumer and check the measurements yourself and make sure they fit the airline or travel method you are using. Another trick I have seen, admittedly much less frequently, is a fine print on bags saying measurements are WITHOUT the wheels!!! Some suitcases do have removable wheels to maximize your space, but not all do. You can't look at the gate agent and say 'oh well it fits without the wheels'.

CARRY ON BAG

A Carry On Luggage piece is typically something like a rolling suitcase or hiker backpack. However, not ALL bags labelled 'carry on' fit all airlines.

Air Canada - 55 x 40 x 23cm

Westjet - 55 x 38 x 23cm

Porter - 55 x 40 x 23cm

Sunwing - 50 x 40 x 23cm

Transat - 50 x 40 x 23cm

Flair - 55 x 40 x 23cm

PAL - 53 x 38 x 23cm

Air North - 54 x 38 x 22cm

PERSONAL ITEM

A personal item is typically something like a purse or a camera bag. However, I have bookbags that fit in this size category

Air Canada - 33 x 17 x 16cm

Westjet - 41 x 33 x 15cm

Porter - 43 x 33 x 16cm

Sunwing - 40 x 25 x 16cm

Transat - 43.2 x 30 x 12cm

Flair - 43 x 33 x 15cm

PAL - 30 x 25 x 20cm

Air North - 41 x 33 x 15cm

Packing for 1 - 2 weeks in a carry-on bag

If you don't travel frequently, it's hard to figure out what, and how much y ou should bring! Here are some samples of a personal item 7-day pack, and up to 14 days with a carry-on bag! I have packing lists below.

Airline Personal Item 7-day pack

Airline Carry On Bag 14-day pack

Here are some packing lists to give you an idea of what to bring! 14 Days in a Carry-On Bag

7 Days in a Carry-On Bag

7 Days in a Personal Item Bag