What you can bring on a plane
Passengers are not permitted to carry prohibited items on a plane in their carry-on baggage, checked baggage or on their person. However, there are many items you can bring with you on the plane. If you are unsure of which items are permitted, you should always double check the Complete List of Permitted and Non-Permitted Items on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website or with your airline. Transport Canada offers a list of Prohibited Items for Passengers on All Flights.
Quick searchable guide
Type the name of an item in the search box to find out whether you can carry it in your carry-on or checked baggage.
Video: Baggage limits, fees and liability
Watch the video on airline baggage limits, fees and liability for useful tips
Transcript: Baggage limits, fees and liability
NARRATOR: How many bags can you take on your trip… without having to pay extra fees, that is.
And what happens if the airline loses your bags?
The answers to these questions depend on the airline you're flying with.
It's important to be aware of its terms and conditions relating to baggage limits, fees and compensation for lost, delayed or damaged bags, especially now that many airlines charge for checked baggage or they limit the number of bags that you may carry on board.
So where do you find out about an airline's baggage policy?
You can give them a call, visit their ticket counter or go to their website. Each airline lists its terms and conditions of carriage in a document called their "tariff". It is your contract with the airline.
You'll find information on how many bags you can check-in or bring into the cabin as carry-on.
Remember that allowable weight, size and any fees for extra bags can vary from airline to airline.
Compensation amounts for lost, delayed or damaged bags are also listed in airlines' tariffs.
Remember:
- always keep your receipts for replacement items;
- there is a maximum to how much an airline will compensate you; and
- there is a time limit to file your claim.
When in doubt, contact your airline or check out your airline's tariff before your trip.
The Canadian Transportation Agency also provides resources that can help.
Fly Smart. Know Your Rights & Responsibilities.
Below is a general list of items that may or may not be permitted on a plane. Some of them may not be included in the searchable guide above.
Alcoholic beverages
Please consult our page on What you can bring home to Canada for the tax- and duty-free amount of alcoholic beverages you can bring back to Canada by air.
You can carry up to a maximum of 5 L of alcoholic beverages containing between 24 and 70 percent alcohol by volume in retail packaging by air. There are no restrictions on alcoholic beverages containing 24 percent alcohol or less.
Avalanche rescue backpack
With the approval of the airline, you can carry one avalanche rescue backpack equipped with a pyrotechnic trigger mechanism and a cylinder of compressed gas. The backpack must be packed so that it cannot be accidently activated, and the airbags within the backpack must be fitted with pressure relief valves. Check with your airline for the specifications of the trigger mechanism and the gas cylinders.
Did you know?
You do not have to follow international flight restrictions on alcohol in your checked baggage when you are flying within Canada.
Blunt objects
Blunt objects (e.g. brass knuckles, golf clubs, hockey sticks) that could be used to cause serious injury are prohibited.
Cameras
See Portable electronic devices for more information
Computers
See Portable electronic devices for more information
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device
This equipment is permitted on a plane. The distilled water used for the CPAP device is exempted from the liquid restrictions. It is suggested that you bring supporting documentation, in the form of a doctor's note, which clearly indicates the medical requirement for distilled water.
Dangerous goods
Dangerous goods (e.g. acids or compressed gases) are prohibited.
Devices designed to stun or immobilise
Devices designed to stun or immobilise (e.g. tasers, stunners or tear gas) are prohibited.
Dry ice
With the approval of the airline, you can bring up to 2.5 kg of dry ice in your checked baggage when it is used to pack perishables that are themselves not dangerous goods articles or substances. The dry ice must be packed in a package that permits the release of carbon dioxide gas must be marked “DRY ICE” or “Carbon Dioxide Solid” and with the net weight of the dry ice or an indication that the net weight is 2.5 kg or less. Check with your airline for any additional conditions.
E-cigarettes
You can bring e-cigarettes for your personal use in your carry-on baggage or on your person, but you are not permitted to use them on board the aircraft. Spare batteries must be protected so they won’t short-circuit. You are not allowed to recharge the e-cigarettes and/or batteries while you are on board the aircraft.
Explosive or incendiary substances
Explosive or incendiary substances (e.g. detonators, fireworks or ammunition) or devices that could be used to cause serious injury or threaten the safety of the aircraft are prohibited.
Boxed cartridges
With the approval of the airline, you can bring up to 5 kg of securely boxed non-explosive or non-incendiary cartridges as checked baggage. Check with your airline for any additional conditions.
Gaming consoles
See Portable electronic devices for more information
Guns, firearms and other devices designed to cause serious injury by launching harmful objects
Guns, firearms and other devices designed to cause serious injury by launching harmful objects (e.g. bows) or items that could be mistaken for such a device (e.g. toy guns) are prohibited.
Heat-producing articles
With the approval of your airline, you can bring heat-producing articles such as battery-operated underwater lamps and soldering equipment in your baggage as long as the heat-producing component or battery is removed. Any battery that has been removed must be protected against short-circuiting. Check with your airline for any additional conditions.
Lighters
You can carry one disposable lighter (e.g., non-refillable Bic type) on your person. Lighters are prohibited in carry-on or checked baggage. Lighters containing unabsorbed liquid fuel (other than liquefied gas), lighter fuel and lighter refills are not permitted on the aircraft.
Liquids, aerosols and gels
Liquids, aerosols or gels are accepted in containers of 100 ml or 100 g that fit in a single clear plastic resealable bag that holds 1 litre or less.
Breast milk and baby formula are permitted even if a passenger is travelling without his or her infant, but may be subject to additional screening.
Matches
You can bring one small book of safety matches on your person. Safety matches are prohibited in both carry-on or checked baggage. Strike-anywhere matches are prohibited.
Medical or clinical thermometers
Cardiac pacemakers or other medical devices (e.g. insulin pump)
If a radio-isotopic cardiac pacemaker or other medical device has been implanted in you or has been fitted externally as a result of medical treatment, you are allowed to fly.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device
CPAP devices are permitted on a plane. The distilled water used for the CPAP device is exempted from the liquid restrictions. You should bring supporting documentation, in the form of a doctor's note, that clearly indicates the medical requirement for distilled water.
Gas cylinders
With the approval of your airline, you may bring small gaseous oxygen or air cylinders for medical use. You may also bring small gas cylinders worn for the operation of mechanical limbs, as well as spare cylinders of the same size to ensure that you have enough for your trip. Check with your airline for the specifications of the gas cylinders.
Medical or clinical thermometers
You can bring one small medical or clinical thermometer containing mercury, in its protective case, for personal use.
Non-radioactive medicinal articles
You can carry non-radioactive medicinal articles, but the net quantity of each single article must not exceed 0.5 kg or 0.5 L. The release valves on aerosol cans must be protected by a cap or other means to prevent the inadvertent release of the contents. You can carry a combined maximum of 2 kg or 2 L of non-radioactive medicinal articles and personal care (toiletry) articles.
Radio-pharmaceuticals
If radio-pharmaceuticals are contained within your body as a result of medical treatment, you are allowed to fly.
Did you know?
You may be able to use all portable electronic devices except cellphones during your flight as long as they are in flight mode. Check with your airline as not all operators permit their use.
Objects with sharp points or sharp edges
Objects with sharp points or sharp edges (e.g. axes, box cutters, swords) that could be used to cause serious injury are prohibited.
Personal care (toiletry) articles
Personal toiletries are permitted in carry-on baggage if they comply with the liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions. In checked baggage, the net quantity of each article must not exceed 0.5L or 0.5 kg. Aerosols for sporting or home use are permitted in checked baggage only. The release valves on aerosols must be protected by a cap or other means to prevent the inadvertent release of the contents. For details, please consult CATSA’s Complete Items List. You can carry a combined maximum of 2 kg or 2 L of non-radioactive medicinal articles and personal care (toiletry) articles.
Hair curlers
You can bring one hair curler containing hydrocarbon gas, as long as the safety cover is securely fitted over the heating element, but you can’t bring gas refills for the curler on the plane. You must not use the curler on the plane.
Portable electronic devices
Some airline operators may allow you to use approved portable electronic devices such as cameras, tablets, gaming consoles, laptop computers, e-readers and camcorders on board the aircraft from gate to gate, including during takeoff and landing, as long as they are in non-transmitting mode or flight mode. Cellphones are also considered electronic devices, but once the aircraft is in motion prior to take off, you can’t make cellphone calls or send and receive wireless signals.
Always check with the airline before you travel or with a crew member after you board the aircraft before using a portable electronic device during the flight. Some devices are strictly prohibited for use at any time because they can interfere with the aircraft's navigation and communication systems. Carry-on baggage rules apply to devices such as laptop computers, which must be stowed or secured for takeoff and landing.
You are not allowed to use personal devices with headsets or earphones during takeoff, landing, and turbulence or while walking on the airport apron. Headsets and earphones decrease your ability to hear crew member instructions, especially during an emergency, and decrease your awareness of potential hazards on the airport apron.
For more information on transporting portable electronic devices powered by lithium or lithium ion cells or batteries or by fuel cell systems, visit our Portable electronic devices page.
Did you know?
Check the type of battery that is powering your portable electronic device before you pack.
Security-type equipment
With the approval of your airline, you can carry in your checked baggage security type equipment, such as attaché cases, cash boxes, cash bags, etc., that incorporate dangerous goods in the equipment. Check with your airline for the specifications for the trigger mechanism, the gas cylinders and the lithium batteries.
Service animals
Service animals are permitted on aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats. They may remain in the cabin provided they have been trained to assist a person by a professional service animal institution. For more information, read our Travelling with a service animal page.
Self- inflating personal safety devices
With the approval of your airline, you can carry one self-inflating personal safety device such as a life preserver fitted with two small cartridges containing carbon dioxide or other suitable gas, plus up to two spare cartridges. Check with your airline for the specifications of the gas cartridges.
Small gas cartridges
With the approval of your airline, you can carry up to four small cartridges containing carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. The water capacity of each cartridge must not exceed 50ml. Check with your airline for the specifications of the gas cartridges.
Wheelchairs or other battery-powered mobility aids
Make advance arrangements with your airline to transport your wheelchair or other battery-powered mobility aid. Check with your airline for the specifications of the batteries and any additional conditions.
Work tools that could be used to either cause serious injury or threaten the safety of aircraft
Work tools that could be used to either cause serious injury or threaten the safety of aircraft (e.g. crowbars, saws or nail guns) are prohibited.
Miscellaneous
Other dangerous goods, such as internal combustion engines or fuel cell engines, non-infectious specimens and insulated packages containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen can be carried under specific conditions. Contact your Transport Canada Transport Dangerous Goods Regional Office for more information.