Best carry-on luggage for Air Canada in 2026

By the Amazon Picks Desk, Canada News Media. We research products from real Amazon.ca listings, specifications and owner reviews; we have not tested them ourselves.

Air Canada’s carry-on limit is 55 x 40 x 23 cm, wheels and handles included, and of the five popular carry-ons we compared on Amazon.ca, the Samsonite Centric 2 ($169.72) is the one whose listed size fits it and WestJet’s limit without any slack needed. That is according to Air Canada’s carry-on baggage page, which says the rules are strictly enforced.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through the links in this article.

Updated Oct. 27, 2026. Prices checked on Amazon.ca on Oct. 27, 2026, and may change.

Size matters more than it used to. Air Canada says it now uses automated carry-on sizers before security, at boarding or both, and a bag that does not fit has to be checked, with fees possible. WestJet’s carry-on page sets a slightly different box of 56 x 36 x 23 cm. A bag that measures no more than 55 x 36 x 23 cm fits both airlines’ published limits, and that is the yardstick we used for every pick below.

One warning before you shop: a “21-inch” or “22-inch” label is not a measurement you can rely on. Some brands measure only the body of the case, not the wheels and handle, and several of the Amazon.ca listings we read gave two different sets of dimensions for the same bag. Check the full height, wheels included, before you buy, and measure again when the box arrives.

The carry-ons compared

*The Travelpro Maxlite 5 listing also gives a second, smaller set of measurements (48 x 38 x 20 cm). Sizes are as shown on each Amazon.ca listing on Oct. 27, 2026. Air Canada’s limit is 55 x 40 x 23 cm; WestJet’s is 56 x 36 x 23 cm. Prices can differ by colour.

Our picks for Air Canada flights

No. 1, best fit for Air Canada and WestJet: Samsonite Centric 2 Spinner Carry-On. This is the bag for someone who flies both airlines and does not want to think about the sizer. Its Amazon.ca listing gives 55 x 36 x 23 cm, which sits inside Air Canada’s box and WestJet’s narrower one, with a polycarbonate shell, 37 litres of space, a weight of 3 kg and a built-in USB port for a power bank you supply. The listing also mentions a limited 10-year global warranty. It was $169.72, sold and shipped by Amazon.ca, with a 4.2-star average from 1,806 ratings.

Owners most often praise its value for the money, its light weight and how easily it rolls. The most common complaint is that the shell scuffs and scratches, and opinions on overall build quality are mixed, so expect it to look used after a few trips.

See the current price on Amazon.ca

No. 2, lightest: Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On, 19-inch. This suits travellers who want to save weight for what they pack, and those who prefer soft fabric they can squeeze into a tight bin. At 2.4 kg it is the lightest bag here. The listing gives 39 litres, a polyester shell, four spinner wheels and an expansion zipper, and it was $219.99, sold and shipped by Amazon.ca, with 4.2 stars from 5,048 ratings and more than 100 bought in the past month.

Its listing gives two sets of dimensions, 55.2 x 40 x 19.7 cm and 48 x 38 x 20 cm, so check Travelpro’s own spec sheet or measure on arrival. Owners praise the weight, the capacity and the smooth wheels. The most common concern is stability: some say it tips over when the front pocket is full, and one owner reported fabric wear after a single trip. The listing mentions a one-year warranty; check Travelpro’s site for the full terms.

See the current price on Amazon.ca

No. 3, light hardside: Travelpro Maxlite Air V2 Hardside Expandable Carry-On. Pick this if you want a hard shell without the usual weight penalty. It weighs 2.9 kg and holds 40 litres, with a polycarbonate shell, eight spinner wheels, a TSA lock and a zippered divider. It was $219.99, sold and shipped by Amazon.ca, with 4.4 stars from 717 ratings and more than 50 bought in the past month.

The catch is size on paper: the listing gives 55.9 x 35.6 x 22.9 cm, about nine millimetres taller than Air Canada’s maximum. Width and depth fit both airlines comfortably, but if your route has a strict sizer, the height is worth checking with a tape measure. Owners praise its durability and low weight. Comments on its size and zipper quality are mixed.

See the current price on Amazon.ca

No. 4, name brand under $150: American Tourister Stratum 3.0 Carry-On Spinner. This is for occasional travellers who want a known brand at a lower price. It has an ABS hard shell, an adjustable-height handle, a 1.5-inch expansion and a weight of 3.31 kg. It was $139.95 in the Pink Blush colour, sold and shipped by Amazon.ca, with 4.4 stars from 673 ratings; other colours may be priced differently.

The listing gives 55.9 x 38.1 x 24.1 cm, slightly over Air Canada’s height and depth limits on paper, and that is before you use the expansion. Keep it unexpanded for cabin use. Owners praise its sturdiness, roomy interior and smooth wheels; the most serious complaint is from a few owners who say a zipper failed the first time they used it.

See the current price on Amazon.ca

No. 5, lowest price: Amazon Basics 21-Inch Hardside Carry-On. This is the budget choice for someone who flies once or twice a year. At $98.50 it is the cheapest bag here and by far the most reviewed, with 4.3 stars from 58,322 ratings. The listing gives 40 litres, an expandable ABS and polyester build, four spinner wheels and a weight of 3.5 kg, the heaviest of the five.

Its listed depth of 25.5 cm is 2.5 cm over Air Canada’s 23 cm limit, which is the measurement a sizer is most likely to catch, so it is the riskiest pick here for strict gates. Owners like the price, the capacity and how easily it moves. Zipper quality is the most frequent complaint in owner reviews.

See the current price on Amazon.ca

Will my bag fit Air Canada’s sizer?

Air Canada’s standard carry-on item can be up to 23 x 40 x 55 cm (9 x 15.5 x 21.5 inches), and the airline says the maximum includes wheels and handles. Your personal item, such as a laptop bag or small backpack, can be up to 33 x 43 x 16 cm and must fit under the seat. There is no weight limit, but you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead bin on your own.

Air Canada says it uses automated carry-on sizers before security, at boarding or both, and bags that do not fit must be checked. Two quick habits help: measure the full height with the wheels on the floor and the handle down, and do not use the expansion zipper on a bag you plan to carry on.

Check your fare too. Air Canada says Economy Basic tickets bought on or after Jan. 3, 2025, include only one personal item on flights within Canada, to and from the U.S., and to and from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. On those trips a full-size carry-on has to be checked, and the airline says gate handling fees of CA/US$65 to $78, tax included, may apply. Other low fares have moved the same way: Air Transat dropped the free carry-on bag on its low-fare tickets in 2025.

Hardside or softside for Canadian trips?

Hard shells, like the Samsonite, the Maxlite Air V2, the American Tourister and the Amazon Basics bag, give fragile items more protection, but they do not squeeze, so every centimetre on the listing counts at the sizer. They also show scratches, which is the most common complaint for the hardside picks here.

Softside bags, like the Maxlite 5, weigh less and can give a little when a bin is tight, and they usually have outside pockets for a coat, a toque or travel documents. The trade-off is that a full front pocket can make the bag tip, as some Maxlite 5 owners say.

When is the best time to buy luggage in Canada?

Luggage is usually discounted during Amazon’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, which fall on Nov. 27 and Nov. 30 this year, and again around Boxing Day and during Prime Big Deal Days. Those are general patterns, not promises, and we will update this guide with any Black Friday prices shown on these listings. If you fly before then, buy now: a bag that fits the sizer saves more than a discount does.

Who these bags suit, and who should skip them

These picks suit Canadians who fly Air Canada or WestJet on fares that include a carry-on and want to avoid checked-bag fees and baggage-carousel waits, especially on short holiday trips.

Skip them if you mostly fly Economy Basic within North America, where only a personal item is included; a backpack that fits the 43 x 33 x 16 cm limit is the better buy. Frequent flyers who want a lifetime warranty and repair service may prefer to buy a premium brand directly from the maker or an authorized retailer, since the premium option we found on Amazon.ca was sold by a third party.

Frequently asked questions

What size carry-on does Air Canada allow?

Air Canada allows one standard carry-on item of up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches), including wheels and handles, plus one personal item of up to 43 x 33 x 16 cm. Economy Basic fares on many North American routes include only the personal item.

Is there a weight limit for carry-on bags on Air Canada?

No. Air Canada says no weight limit applies to carry-on baggage, but the bag must be light enough for you to put it in the overhead bin without help.

Is a 22-inch carry-on too big for Air Canada?

Often, yes. Twenty-two inches is about 55.9 cm, which is more than Air Canada’s 55 cm height limit. Some brands measure only the body of the case, so check the full height with the wheels and handle included.

Does Air Canada check carry-on size?

Yes. Air Canada says it uses automated carry-on baggage sizers before security, at boarding or both. Bags that are too big must be checked, and checked-bag fees may apply.

What carry-on size fits both Air Canada and WestJet?

A bag no larger than 55 x 36 x 23 cm fits both airlines’ published limits. Air Canada allows 55 x 40 x 23 cm and WestJet allows 56 x 36 x 23 cm. The Samsonite Centric 2 is listed on Amazon.ca at exactly 55 x 36 x 23 cm.

Sources: Air Canada carry-on baggage rules, WestJet carry-on baggage rules, and the Amazon.ca product listings linked above, all read on Oct. 27, 2026.

For more buying guides, see our Amazon Picks Canada hub. If you want quieter flights, our look at the Sony WH-1000XM6 noise-cancelling headphones in Canada covers price and specs.

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