Porter Airlines carry-on
Porter Airlines Hand Luggage, Explained
Measurements, weight caps, how closely bags get checked and the popular bags that slot inside Porter Airlines’s official numbers.
Porter Airlines carry-on in brief
Porter includes a personal item of up to 43 × 33 × 16 cm on every fare and a carry-on of up to 55 × 40 × 23 cm on Standard fares and higher. Each is limited to 9 kg. Basic fares include the personal item only, but you can add a carry-on with Basic Express.
The numbers
Personal item
43 × 33 × 16 cm
9 kg · Included on every fare, including Basic
Carry-on
55 × 40 × 23 cm
9 kg · Included on Standard and higher; Basic can add it with Basic Express
Personal item
Room to spare
Under 43 × 33 × 16 cm
Each side sits 1–2 cm inside the limit, so even a well-stuffed soft bag slips into the metal frame.
See roomier-fit bags
Right at the limit
43 × 33 × 16 cm · 9 kg
Every allowed centimetre is yours. Pack it flat and it passes; let the front pocket balloon and it may not.
See full-size bags
Too big
Say, 44 × 33 × 16 cm
A single extra centimetre can mean a hold-luggage charge at boarding. Example only — not an airline figure.
Carry-on
Room to spare
Under 55 × 40 × 23 cm
Each side sits 1–2 cm inside the limit, so even a well-stuffed soft bag slips into the metal frame.
See roomier-fit bags
Right at the limit
55 × 40 × 23 cm · 9 kg
Every allowed centimetre is yours. Pack it flat and it passes; let the front pocket balloon and it may not.
See full-size bags
Too big
Say, 56 × 40 × 23 cm
A single extra centimetre can mean a hold-luggage charge at boarding. Example only — not an airline figure.
Rules verified October 2026. Ticket type changes what you may bring, and carriers revise policies without much warning — glance at your booking confirmation before packing.
Living with the rules
Porter is one of the few Canadian airlines to publish a weight limit for both bags — 9 kg each. A rigid case can weigh 3 kg empty, so weigh your packed bag at home.
The sizes match Air Canada’s, so the same luggage works on both airlines — handy for Toronto and Ottawa travellers who switch between them.
A pet carrier counts as your standard carry-on, so plan your other bags around it.
↑ ContentsDoes Porter Airlines really measure bags?
Firm
Oversized or overweight carry-ons are checked at the gate for a fee, and Basic passengers are limited to the personal item. Porter doesn’t publish the gate fee amount on its carry-on page.
Adding Basic Express when you book is the cheaper way to bring a carry-on on a Basic ticket.
A personal item and a carry-on — allowed?
Yes, on Standard fares and up: a personal item and a carry-on, 9 kg each. Basic includes the personal item only unless you add Basic Express.
Well-rated bags inside Porter’s limit
A handful of top-rated picks, ordered by stars and number of reviews, all within Porter Airlines’s official measurements. Tap any of them for the full description.
Personal items
Every personal item for Porter
Carry-ons
Quick answers about Porter Airlines
What size bags does Porter allow?
A 43 × 33 × 16 cm personal item and a 55 × 40 × 23 cm carry-on.
Is there a weight limit on Porter?
Yes — 9 kg for the personal item and 9 kg for the carry-on.
Can I take a carry-on on a Basic fare?
Only if you add Basic Express. Otherwise Basic includes just the personal item.
Does a pet carrier count as a bag?
Yes, a pet carrier counts as your standard carry-on.
Will my Air Canada bag fit Porter?
Yes — the dimensions are the same. Just keep each bag under 9 kg for Porter.
Small extras that help
100 ml bottles, a clear 1 litre bag and a padlock make Porter’s allowance easier to live with.
Porter Airlines against the other big Canadian airlines
| Carrier | Personal item (free) | Carry-on | Weight | Gate checks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | 43 × 33 × 16 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm costs extra | No weight cap | Very strict |
| WestJet | 41 × 33 × 15 cm | 56 × 36 × 23 cm costs extra | No weight cap | Firm |
| Porter Airlines this guide | 43 × 33 × 16 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm costs extra | 9 kg carry-on | Firm |
| Flair Airlines | 43 × 33 × 15 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm costs extra | 10 kg carry-on · 7 kg personal item | Very strict |
| Air Transat | 43 × 31 × 13 cm | 55 × 40 × 23 cm costs extra | No weight cap | Firm |