By following our tips on how to avoid baggage fees, pack light, and make the most of your free luggage allowance, you can breeze through the airport with confidence. Discover the secret to making excess baggage fees a thing of the past.

Avoiding baggage fees on Canadian flights

A few tips for starters

If you’re a budget traveller, you’re probably familiar with the amazing feeling of finding cheap flights to and from Canada. But what about some of the extras, like luggage costs? Luckily, there are many ways you can try to avoid this extra cost and save money on your next trip. In this guide, we’ll run through some essential tips to consider before your next flight so you can avoid those extra fees.

8 top tips to avoid baggage fees

Flying soon? Follow these eight top tips to avoid baggage fees and enjoy a seamless experience at the airport.

1. Know the airline’s baggage policy

It’s important to know in advance about your airline’s baggage costs so you understand what you might be expected to pay should you exceed your allowance.

Below is a breakdown of major airlines and their baggage fees for economy passengers flying within Canada and the US. Keep in mind that if your bag is overweight, the extra fees are often charged by the kilogram.

2. Pre-book your luggage with your airfare

Pay online before you fly

Another essential travel tip is to purchase your bags online instead of at the airport (which can be way more expensive). You can save up to 40% with some Canadian airlines if you pay for baggage with your initial flight booking. For example, WestJet charges a $10 CAD fee for bags checked at the airport. You can avoid this by pre-booking your luggage up to 24 hours before your flight.

3. Pack smart

And efficiently

Learning to pack your suitcase efficiently can save you money on unexpected luggage fees. Try rolling your clothes to help conserve space so you can fit more into one suitcase instead of taking multiple bags. Another great packing tip is to use compression bags (Ziploc bags work, too!) to make even more space by neatly compacting your clothes.

4. Weigh your luggage at home

Get those scales out

A great habit to get into to avoid baggage fees for overweight luggage is to weigh your bags at home. This will allow you to see if they are under your Canadian airline’s limit. If you’re over, try moving items between your carry-on baggage and checked bags to redistribute the weight in your suitcases. It can be hard to weigh luggage on your bathroom scales, so invest in lightweight travel scales that you can take with you to use before your return flight too.

5. Travel light

Only pack what you need

Depending on your reason for travelling or your destination, you may be able to travel light enough to avoid baggage fees altogether. Most major airlines, such as Air Canada and WestJet, will allow you to bring two carry-on items into the cabin – a personal item and a carry-on bag. A personal item, such as a purse, small backpack or a laptop bag, must fit under the seat in front of you. Your carry-on bag, such as a suitcase or duffle bag, must fit in the overhead compartment.

If you turn up at the airport with additional bags or those that are larger or heavier than the carry-on allowance of your chosen Canadian airline, you may be charged to check these.

Take only what you’ll need on a trip. If you’re going to Hawaii or the Caribbean, you’ll be fine with light clothing. As long as you have your passport, wallet, phone, prescription medication and some suitable clothing, everything else (within reason) you can buy on vacation!

6. Dress in layers

Layer up!

Canadian airlines may weigh your baggage, but they don’t weigh your body. If your luggage is over the allowed weight, a handy trick to avoid baggage fees for overweight bags is to layer up. Wear your heaviest clothing items and chunkiest footwear and de-layer once you’re on the plane. With Air Canada, you can take a coat on board in addition to your free carry-on bag and personal item, so you don’t even need to wear it on the plane if you’re feeling hot.

7. Invest in quality luggage

Choose light and flexible

Gone are the days of clunky, chunky suitcases that weigh a ton. Some Canadian airline baggage policies are strict! You don’t want your baggage tipping the scale when empty, so if you’ve got old luggage, an investment in modern and lightweight luggage can go a long way. Try and upgrade to something lightweight and easy to carry.

8. Pay one-way

Load up with goodies on your trip

This tip combines many of the above tips for avoiding baggage fees. If you can get to your destination by travelling with carry-on only and by dressing in layers, don’t pay for checked baggage for your departure flight. Instead, pre-book a 20kg (or more) checked baggage fee for your flight home, so you only pay for baggage fees one-way.

Take the largest (and lightest) carry-on suitcase allowed, even if it’s only half full, and use that extra space to pack with goodies on the way home. With Air Canada, your carry-on bag can be 55 cm x 23 cm x 40 cm in addition to your permitted 33 cm x 16 cm x 43 cm personal item, which is a fair amount of packing space! Let’s face it, you’ll probably end up shopping on vacation (why not splurge on some souvenirs or clothes at the local market?) so you’ll end up with new items for your trip home and some new things to wear during your vacation days.

Navigating baggage fees on Canadian budget airlines

Don’t get caught out

Many Canadian airlines allow you to take two carry-on items on board for free, but there are some budget options that don’t. Swoop only allows a free personal item for their passengers. This must be no larger than 41 cm x 15 cm x 33 cm so that it fits under the seat in front of you to avoid a fee. All other baggage, including a larger carry-on bag, is subject to additional fees.

Essentially, the same goes for Flair. You can bring a personal item on the flight for free, but carry-on overhead luggage and checked baggage will cost you. Your personal items can be 15 cm x 33 cm x 43 cm in size and cannot weigh more than 7 kg. This will need to be stored under the seat in front of you.

Avoid baggage fees in Canada

Fly with carry-on only

As well as avoiding baggage fees, flying to and from Canada with carry-on luggage only has some major perks.

You’ll save time

At check-in and when you land

You’ll save time before your flight. If you check in online, download your boarding pass at home onto your mobile device and have no luggage to check, you can go straight to security when you get to the airport. Carry-on bags are also a blessing after your flight since you won’t have to wait at baggage claim for your luggage or worry about your items getting lost.

But this tactic should be done with caution. If your carry-on luggage isn’t packed properly, or the correct size for your chosen Canadian airline, you might end up having to check it at the airport (which as we’ve seen, is your priciest baggage option).

Check the carry-on size limits

Know it inside out

Be sure to check what sizes your Canadian airline allows for carry-on luggage. In general, your personal item should fit under the seat in front of you and your carry-on item should be stowed in the overhead compartment. Oversized bags might be checked, and you’ll have to pay oversized baggage fees on the spot.

Make sure your carry-on isn’t over the weight limit

Don’t fall foul of the rules

Consider that an airline might weigh your carry-on item. While this isn’t common with major Canadian airlines, it’s something you should be sure to check on your airline’s baggage policy. This is especially important when travelling internationally. Air Canada and WestJet only ask that the bags are light enough for you to lift your luggage into the overhead bin without assistance, but your personal item with Flair Airlines cannot exceed 7 kg in weight.

Bring carry-on friendly toiletries

Just don’t pack too much

In Canada, liquids, gels, and aerosols must be:

• In 100 ml containers or less

• Packed together in one clear, resealable plastic bag, which can be no bigger than one litre

The best way to travel with your favourite toiletries in liquid form is to transfer them into reusable plastic bottles of 100 ml or less that are meant for air travel. You can find these at your local pharmacy or dollar store. And to avoid travelling with too many liquids, try bringing solid bars of soap and shampoo bars instead.

Check for excess carry-on allowances

You’ll get more when travelling with kids

When travelling with children, there may be an extra allowance for a diaper bag, but always ask before arriving at the airport. For example, Air Canada permits one additional standard article for your child’s belongings.

Nothing ruins your wanderlust mood at the airport like surprise baggage fees. Apply some of these tips when prepping for your next flight and you can avoid those excess baggage fees on your next trip.

*Post updated September 2024. Information and baggage fees are subject to change. Always check the baggage policy of the Canadian airline you’re flying with before booking your flight.