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If you’ve ever planned a trip from Montreal Airport, you know the struggle is real when it comes to figuring out airline baggage rules.
Policies and prices can vary wildly from one carrier to another, making it tough to know what to expect. Between baggage limits, size restrictions, and fees that seem to come out of nowhere, staying on top of everything can get confusing.
What’s more, Air Canada recently announced that carry-on luggage will now come with an extra fee on some of its flights. With so many changes and inconsistencies across airlines, keeping track of everything can quickly become a real headache.
Most airlines allow you to bring three types of items on your trip:
- A personal item — A small bag that fits under the seat in front of you, like a purse, backpack, or laptop bag.
- A carry-on bag — This is the standard suitcase that fits in the overhead bin.
- Checked luggage — These are the larger bags you drop off at check-in to be stored in the plane’s cargo hold.
While these categories seem simple enough, the fees associated with them are anything but. Some flights include baggage in your ticket price, while others don’t. And, if you’re not careful, those extra fees can add up fast. It’s better to check the details in advance than to get hit with surprise charges at the airport.
To make your life easier, we’ve rounded up the baggage policies of some of the biggest airlines that fly from Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. This breakdown focuses on economy class and, where relevant, the most basic fare options.
Air Canada
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: Starting January 3, 2025, economy fare passengers travelling within Canada, to the U.S. (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico), or to Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean are allowed only one personal item in the cabin. For international flights, passengers can bring one personal item and one standard carry-on bag.
- Dimensions:
- Personal item: 33 cm x 16 cm x 43 cm.
- Standard carry-on (for eligible flights): 55 cm x 23 cm x 40 cm (118 cm total linear size).
- Maximum weight: Must be light enough to stow in the overhead bin without assistance.
- Fees for carry-on baggage (basic fare):
- $35 for the first carry-on.
- $50 for a second carry-on.
- $65 for oversized or non-compliant bags checked at the gate.
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: It depends on the route, ticket type, and loyalty status. For economy fares, passengers can typically check one or two bags for a fee.
- Dimensions: 158 cm total linear size.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (economy basic and standard):
- Domestic (within Canada): $35–$42 for the first bag; $50–$60 for the second.
- Canada–U.S.: $35–$42 for the first bag; $50–$60 for the second.
- Canada–Mexico/Caribbean: $35 for the first bag; $50 for the second.
- International: $75 for the first bag; $100 for the second.
For international flights, baggage allowances may vary depending on the route and ticket purchase date.
Sunwing
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: One piece of hand luggage (with fees) and one personal item.
- Dimensions:
- Personal item: 40 cm x 25 cm x 16 cm.
- Standard carry-on (for eligible flights): 51 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (114 cm total linear size).
- Maximum weight: 11 lbs per bag.
- Fees for carry-on baggage (basic fare): $25
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: The first checked bag is free with Sunwing vacation packages, except for trips to Florida. Passengers can add up to two additional bags, subject to availability.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 158 cm.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (economy basic and standard):
- First bag: Free with a vacation package, or $50 if paid up to 48 hours in advance; $70 at the airport.
- Second bag: $70 if paid up to 48 hours in advance; $90 at the airport.
- Third bag: $120 (only available at airport check-in).
Air Transat
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: Up to one piece of hand luggage and one personal item, depending on the ticket purchased.
- Dimensions:
- Personal item: 43.2 cm x 12.7 cm x 30.5 cm.
- Standard carry-on (for eligible flights): 51 cm x 40 cm x 23 cm (114 cm total linear size).
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: The number of checked bags allowed depends on the ticket purchased.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 158 cm.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (economy basic and standard):
- Package fares: First bag is free; second bag costs $55.
- Intra-Canada flights: $46 for the first bag; $63 for the second.
- Canada–United States flights: $42 for the first bag; $58 for the second.
- Canada–Mexico, Caribbean, Central, and South America flights: $35–$37 for the first bag; $55–$58 for the second.
- International flights: $75–$77 for the first bag; $110–$116 for the second.
WestJet
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: One cabin luggage item and one personal item.
- Dimensions:
- Personal item: 41 cm x 15 cm x 33 cm.
- Standard carry-on (for eligible flights): 53 cm x 23 cm x 38 cm (114 cm total linear size).
- Maximum weight: Must be light enough to stow in the overhead compartment without assistance.
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: Up to four pieces of luggage.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 157 cm.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (economy basic and standard):
- Canada and United States: $35–$54 for the first bag; $55–$77 for the second.
- Mexico and the Latin Caribbean: $35–$54 for the first bag; $55–$77 for the second.
- Europe: $35–$89 for the first bag; $105–$124 for the second.
- Asia: $75–$89 for the first bag; $105–$124 for the second.
Air France
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: One cabin luggage item and one personal item.
- Dimensions:
- Personal item: 40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm.
- Standard carry-on (for eligible flights): 55 cm x 35 cm x 25 cm (115 cm total linear size).
- Maximum weight: 26 lbs (12 kg) combined.
Checked baggage:
- Allowance:
- Light Fare: No checked baggage included.
- Standard, Standard Plus, and Flex Fares: One checked bag included.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 158 cm.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (economy basic and standard): Checked baggage is included in the ticket price for eligible fare types.
American Airlines
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: One cabin luggage item and one personal item.
- Dimensions:
- Personal item: 45 cm x 35 cm x 20 cm.
- Standard carry-on (for eligible flights): 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm (115 cm total linear size).
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: Between five and ten pieces of luggage, depending on the destination.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 158 cm.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (economy basic and standard):
- Within the United States, to Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands: $35–$40 for the first bag; $45 for the second.
- To or from Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and Guyana: $35 for the first bag; $45 for the second.
Flair Airlines
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: One cabin luggage item (with fees) and one personal item.
- Dimensions:
- Personal item: 15 cm x 33 cm x 43 cm.
- Standard carry-on (for eligible flights): 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (118 cm total linear size, one of the largest).
- Maximum weight:
- Personal item: 15.5 lbs.
- Cabin luggage: 22 lbs.
- Fees for carry-on baggage (basic fare):
- $29–$59 when booked online.
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: Varies based on options selected during booking.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 158 cm.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (economy basic and standard):
- First bag: $49–$79 when booked online.
- Second bag: $49–$79 when booked online.
- Third bag and additional bags: $69–$89 when booked online.
Porter Airlines
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: A personal item is included with the Basic rate. Hand luggage is allowed only for Standard, Flexible, Freedom, Navigation, and Ultimate rates.
- Dimensions:
- Personal item: 33 cm x 43 cm x 16 cm.
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: Varies based on options selected during booking.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 158 cm.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (basic rates):
- First bag: $27.50–$48.30 when paid at the time of booking.
- Second bag: $50–$57.50 when paid at the time of booking.
- Third bag and additional bags: $100–$115 when paid at the time of booking.
Emirates
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: One hand luggage item.
- Dimensions:
- Standard carry-on: 55 cm x 38 cm x 22 cm (115 cm total linear size).
- Maximum weight: 15 lbs (7 kg).
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: Unlimited number of bags as long as they meet the weight allowance for the travel class. Exceptions apply for travel to and from America and Africa, where one bag is permitted.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 150 cm.
- Maximum weight:
- All routes except to/from America and Africa: 44 lbs (20 kg).
- To/from America and Africa: 50 lbs (23 kg).
- Fees (economy basic and standard):
- Checked baggage is included in the ticket price, depending on the travel class.
Delta Air Lines
Cabin baggage:
- Allowance: One hand luggage item and one personal item.
- Dimensions:
- Standard carry-on (for eligible flights): 56 cm x 35 cm x 23 cm (114 cm total linear size).
Checked baggage:
- Allowance: One bag is included for travel to and from America and Africa.
- Dimensions: Maximum linear size per bag: 158 cm.
- Maximum weight: 50 lbs per bag.
- Fees (economy basic and standard):
- First bag: $35 USD.
- Second bag: $45 USD.
This story was adapted from the article “Voici le prix des bagages des compagnies aériennes à l’aéroport de Montréal” which was originally published on Narcity Québec by Ariane Fortin.
These prices are confirmed at the time of publishing, but they can change at any time. Taxes and fees may not be included.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.
