Flying within Canada, not internationally? CATSA’s security rules still apply the same way: liquids, gels and non-solid food in carry-on need to be 100 ml or 100 g or less per container, all fitting into one clear, resealable 1-litre bag. What trips people up more on domestic routes is the carry-on bag itself — dimensions and fees vary by airline, and Flair charges $49–$154 for a carry-on unless you’ve bought it in.
✓ Fact-checked · Nov 2026
Do CATSA’s liquid rules apply to domestic flights, or just international ones?
They apply to every flight departing a Canadian airport screened by CATSA — domestic, transborder, and international alike. There’s no separate, looser rule for a one-hour hop between two Canadian cities. If you’re flying Toronto to Calgary or Vancouver to Winnipeg, the same screening checkpoint and the same liquid limits apply as they would on a flight to Delhi.
What are CATSA’s liquid, gel and non-solid food limits?
Each container of liquid, gel, aerosol or non-solid food (yogurt, peanut butter, jam) must hold 100 ml / 100 g or less, and all of your containers together need to fit inside one clear, resealable plastic bag no larger than 1 litre (roughly 15×23 cm or 20×17.5 cm). You get one such bag per passenger, and it has to come out of your carry-on and go in a bin on its own at screening. Drinks over 100 ml — including a personal water bottle — need to be finished or tossed before the checkpoint; you can refill an empty bottle after you’re through.
What’s exempt from the 100 ml limit?
A handful of categories skip the container limit and the 1-litre bag, but you still need to declare them to the screening officer: baby food, milk, formula, water and juice for children under two; breast milk, with or without a child present; prescription medicine; essential non-prescription medicine (pain relievers, cough syrup, decongestant spray, saline solution, gel-based supplements); insulin and diabetes-related juice or gels; distilled water for a CPAP machine; and gel or ice packs used to keep medically necessary items, or a baby’s food, cold. Liquor, wine, maple syrup and perfume bought as gifts should go in checked baggage instead.
Carry-on bag size limits by Canadian airline
All four carriers cap carry-on at roughly the same footprint, but Flair is stricter on weight and the only one that charges most fares for the bag itself:
| Airline | Carry-on size | Weight limit | Personal item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Canada | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | Not specified (must lift it yourself) | Included |
| WestJet | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Not specified | 41 × 15 × 33 cm, included |
| Porter Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | Not specified | Included |
| Flair Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | 10 kg | 15 × 33 × 43 cm, up to 7 kg, free |
Which Canadian airlines charge for carry-on bags?
Flair is the one to watch: its lowest fares include only a free personal item, and a full-size carry-on is a paid add-on running roughly $49 to $154 per passenger per flight depending on when you buy it — booking it at the same time as your ticket is cheaper than adding it at the airport. Air Canada, WestJet and Porter all include a personal item on their base fares too, but their entry-tier fares (Air Canada Basic, WestJet UltraBasic) likewise drop the full carry-on unless you’re connecting onward internationally or pay for a higher fare class. Read your fare’s inclusions before you assume a carry-on is covered.
Flying within Canada?
Domestic Flights in Canada: the ultimate guide · WestJet vs Air Canada: which is better? · Porter Airlines: routes & booking tips · Flair Airlines: routes & review
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a full-size water bottle through security on a domestic flight in Canada?
Only if it’s empty. Any liquid over 100 ml, including water, needs to be finished or disposed of before the checkpoint. You can refill an empty bottle at a water fountain once you’re past security.
Do I need to take my laptop and liquids bag out separately at every Canadian airport?
Your 1-litre liquids bag always needs to come out and go in its own bin. Whether laptops need to come out separately depends on the specific checkpoint’s screening technology (some newer CT scanners allow laptops to stay in your bag) — follow the signage and officer instructions at that airport.
Can I bring duty-free alcohol purchased in the airport onto my connecting domestic flight?
Duty-free liquids bought after security are generally allowed through a connection if they’re sealed in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt visible, but rules can vary by connecting airport. Check with CATSA’s duty-free purchases guidance or the airline if you have a tight connection.
Does Flair really charge extra for a carry-on bag on a domestic flight?
Yes, on Flair’s lowest fares a full-size carry-on is a paid add-on (roughly $49-$154 depending on when you buy it), while a smaller personal item stays free. Buying the add-on during booking is cheaper than paying at the airport.
Related reading: Domestic Flights in Canada: The Ultimate Guide, Do You Need a Passport to Fly Within Canada?, and Baggage, Customs & Packing: The Ultimate Guide.