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Porter Airlines Cabin Bag Rules 2026 22 x 16 x 9"

By Caden Sorenson Updated May 5, 2026 Sourced from the official Porter Airlines policy

Exact Porter Airlines cabin bag dimensions, weight limits, and fees for 2026.

Quick answer

Porter Airlines cabin bag bags can be up to 22 x 16 x 9" (55 x 40 x 23 cm), with a 9 kg (20 lb) weight limit, and no cabin bag fee on most fares.

Carry-on size: up to 22 x 16 x 9" (55 x 40 x 23 cm)
Weight limit: 9 kg (20 lb)
Carry-on fee: free on most fares
Personal item: up to 17 x 13 x 6", free on every fare
Gate-check risk: Medium
Last verified: May 5, 2026

Porter Airlines maximum carry-on dimensions, including wheels and handles.

Carry-On Bag

Max dimensions (in): 22 x 16 x 9"
Max dimensions (cm): 55 x 40 x 23 cm
Weight limit: 9 kg (20 lb)
Fee: Free
Gate-check risk: Medium

Carry-on included on all fares with a 9 kg weight limit. Porter actively enforces this on regional and embraer flights.

Personal Item

Max dimensions (in): 17 x 13 x 6"
Max dimensions (cm): 43 x 33 x 16 cm
Included: Yes, free

Personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.

See checked bag fees & more

Porter Airlines cabin bag dimensions and bag size

The maximum Porter Airlines cabin bag size is 22 x 16 x 9 inches, which works out to 55 x 40 x 23 cm. These measurements include wheels, handles, and any external pockets. Gate sizers on Porter Airlines match the published limits closely, so a bag marketed as "22 inch" can fail if its wheels push the total past 22 inches. Always measure your bag packed, not empty.

Porter Airlines cabin bag weight limit

Porter Airlines limits carry-on bags to 9 kg (20 lb). Most domestic check-in counters do not weigh carry-ons, but gate agents can pull bags that look heavy. If your bag is over the limit, expect to be asked to check it, sometimes at a higher gate-check fee.

Does Porter Airlines charge for cabin bag bags?

No. Porter Airlines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on most fares. The exception is Basic Economy, where some routes restrict you to a personal item only. Check your specific fare rules before you book.

What bags fit as a Porter Airlines personal item

Common bag types compared against the Porter Airlines personal item limit. Sizes are typical retail dimensions and vary by brand.

Bag type	Typical size	On Porter Airlines
Standard backpack Everyday daypack, laptop backpack	18 x 13 x 8"	Too big
Tote bag Canvas or leather tote	15 x 14 x 5"	Too big
Laptop bag Messenger or slim briefcase	16 x 12 x 4"	Fits
Small duffel Gym or weekender	18 x 11 x 11"	Too big
Purse Handbag or crossbody	12 x 10 x 5"	Fits
Under-seat roller Mini wheeled bag	16 x 14 x 8"	Too big

Porter Airlines carry-on by fare class

Fare	Carry-on	Personal item	Notes
PorterClassic	Included	Included	Standard economy across fare bundles. Carry-on included subject to aircraft limits.
PorterReserve	Included	Included	Premium cabin on the E195-E2 with 36 inch pitch in 2-2 layout.

Porter Airlines overhead bin size by aircraft

Porter flies the Embraer E195-E2 for transcon and US leisure routes out of Toronto Pearson, Ottawa, Montreal and other bases. The Dash 8-400 Q400 turboprop still runs the regional network out of Billy Bishop (YTZ) because jets cannot operate from that airport. Both aircraft use a 2-2 layout with no middle seats, but the Q400 has smaller overhead bins than the E195-E2, so larger rollerboards often get gate-checked on turboprop flights.

What counts as a personal item on Porter Airlines

Allowed

Laptop bag
Purse
Small backpack that fits under the seat

Common Porter Airlines carry-on mistakes

Bringing a North American max-size rollerboard onto a Q400 out of Billy Bishop and having it gate-checked because the overhead bin is narrower.
Ignoring the 9 kg (20 lb) weight limit, which is stricter than most US airlines.

What happens if your bag does not fit on Porter Airlines

On Dash 8-400 flights from YTZ, expect many standard carry-ons to be valet-tagged at the jet bridge and returned planeside at arrival. On E195-E2 flights, bins are larger and gate-check is usually only needed when bins fill.

Porter Airlines vs Air Canada carry-on

Porter and Air Canada compete head-to-head on most Canadian transcon and cross-border routes, and their carry-on allowances are close but not identical. Porter caps carry-ons at 55 by 39 by 23 cm with a 9 kg weight limit, while Air Canada allows a slightly taller 55 by 40 by 23 cm bag and does not publish a fixed weight number beyond being able to lift it overhead unaided. Porter includes a carry-on across fare bundles, whereas Air Canada Economy Basic on flights within Canada and to or from the US allows only a personal item as of January 3, 2025. Porter's Q400 operations from YTZ also force tighter real-world bin space than anything Air Canada flies mainline.

See Air Canada carry-on size

Porter Airlines checked baggage fees

Domestic economy

1st bagNot published

2nd bagNot published

Long-haul / international

1st bagNot published

Weight limit50 lb

Linear dim62 in

Overweight & oversize

51–70 lbNot published

71–100 lbNot published

63–80 inNot published

Porter charges checked bag fees on Basic, Standard, and Flexible fares; first bag starts at CAD 40-52 prepaid at booking. Freedom fares include 2 free checked bags. VIPorter Passport members receive free checked bags. BMO VIPorter Mastercard holders get 1 free bag on Basic fares. Max single bag 50 lb / 62 linear inches. Fees published in CAD; USD equivalents are approximate.

Ways to skip the Porter Airlines checked bag fee

Pack carry-on only. Confirm your bag fits the Porter Airlines carry-on size.
Use a Porter Airlines co-branded credit card. These typically waive the first checked bag fee for the cardholder and companions.
Earn elite status. Mid-tier and above usually waive one or two bags per direction.
Book a higher fare. Premium Economy, Business, and First usually include 1 to 2 checked bags.

Porter Airlines special items & sports equipment

Ski / snowboard: Not published
Golf clubs: Not published
Bicycle: Not published
Pet in cabin: Not published
Pet as cargo: Not published

Musical instruments: Small instruments fit as carry-on. Larger instruments can be checked within allowance.

Ski and golf bags count as standard checked bags on Porter if within limits. Pet-in-cabin fees are published in CAD and vary by route.

Porter Airlines basic economy restrictions

Basic Porter Airlines's lowest fare tier

Carry-on allowed: No
Personal item allowed: Yes
Checked bag surcharge: Not published

No carry-on bag (personal item only)
No free checked bag
No seat selection
No changes or refunds
Lower VIPorter point earning
Last boarding group

Frequently asked questions

What is the Porter Airlines carry-on size limit?

Porter Airlines allows carry-on bags up to 22 x 16 x 9" (55 x 40 x 23 cm), including wheels, handles, and any external pockets. The weight limit is 9 kg (20 lb).

What are the Porter Airlines carry-on dimensions in cm?

The Porter Airlines carry-on size limit in centimeters is 55 x 40 x 23 cm. In inches that converts to 22 x 16 x 9". Both measurements include wheels, handles, and external pockets.

What is the Porter Airlines carry-on weight limit?

Porter Airlines limits carry-on bags to 9 kg (20 lb). Overweight carry-ons are usually asked to be checked at the gate, which can trigger a gate-check fee.

Does Porter Airlines charge for carry-on bags?

No. Porter Airlines includes a free carry-on bag plus a free personal item on most fares. The exception is Basic Economy, where some routes restrict you to a personal item only.

What is the Porter Airlines personal item size?

The personal item on Porter Airlines must fit within 17 x 13 x 6" (43 x 33 x 16 cm) and slide fully under the seat in front of you. Personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.

Will my bag be gate-checked on Porter Airlines?

Porter Airlines currently has a medium gate-check risk based on our review of boarding policies and traveler reports. Arrive early in your boarding group to improve the odds of space in the overhead bins.

Can I bring a carry-on on Porter Airlines Basic?

No. Porter Airlines Basic passengers are limited to one personal item that fits under the seat. A full-size carry-on either is not allowed or costs an extra fee.

Does a 22-inch suitcase fit as a Porter Airlines carry-on?

Usually yes. A standard 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on suitcase fits within the Porter Airlines carry-on limit of 22 x 16 x 9". Confirm your specific bag measures under the limit with wheels and handles included.

Does a backpack count as a personal item on Porter Airlines?

A standard daypack (roughly 18 x 13 x 8 inches) usually fits within the Porter Airlines personal item limit of 17 x 13 x 6". The bag must slide fully under the seat in front of you. Oversized hiking or travel backpacks will not fit and count as a carry-on.

Does Porter Airlines weigh personal items?

Porter Airlines does not weigh personal items. The only requirement is that the bag fits fully under the seat in front of you. If it does not fit, gate agents may ask you to move it to the overhead bin, which counts as a carry-on.

How much does a checked bag cost on Porter Airlines?

Porter Airlines checked bag fees vary by route and fare class. Check the airline's website for current pricing.

Flying Porter Airlines out of these airports?

Check terminal layouts, connection times, and layover tips for major Porter Airlines hubs and focus cities.

Helpful guides

Gear, tactics, and packing help for your Porter Airlines flight.

Compare other airlines

Sources & verification

Last verified 2026-05-05 against the official Porter Airlines policy at https://www.flyporter.com/en-ca/travel-information/baggage . Airlines change their rules without notice, so always confirm with Porter Airlines before flying. See our research methodology.