Carry-on Baggage

In your carry-on bag, liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) must be in containers of 100 ml or less and fit in a 1 L bag. You can bring LAGs in containers of more than 100 ml with you on your trip, but they must be packed in your checked baggage. Bringing a baby on-board?  If you are travelling with an infant younger than two years of age (0-24 months), liquids for the baby such as milk, liquid formula, water and juice of any size are allowed in both your carry-on and checked baggage however, baby toiletries (e.g. shampoo and lotions) are still subject to the LAGS rule.

The on-going pandemic has made this item essential and you are allowed to bring some with you, however, the container cannot be more than 350 ml per person. If you decide to bring a larger container make sure it’s in your checked bag.

Prescription and non-prescription medications (e.g. contact lens solution, cough syrup, gel capsules) can go in either carry-on or checked luggage, and they’re also exempt from the 100 ml liquids limit. If you are travelling with liquid medicine that doesn’t have a label, tell the screening officer that the liquid is medicine before you start your screening. Large bottles of pills made with inorganic powder and granular materials (e.g. glucosamine supplements) are limited to a quantity of 350 ml per passenger in your carry-on bag.

You can bring solid foods like nuts, candy and sandwiches in your carry-on bag to eat on the plane. But remember that 100 ml rule – foods that are pureed, mashed or mixed in a sauce (e.g. apple sauce, pudding, soup) count as a liquid and are restricted in your carry-on bag. If you’re travelling with food that you plan to eat later, put it in your checked baggage to reduce search time at the checkpoint.

Knives and other sharp items can go in your carry-on bag if the blade is less than 6 cm – if it’s longer than that, it needs to go in your checked bag. Some lighters, such as torch lighters, are not permitted in carry-on and require your airline’s approval to be in checked baggage (it’s easier to just leave these at home).

If you are travelling with a sacred item, such as a medicine pouch or sacred bundle, and it requires special handling at the checkpoint, let the screening officer know before you start your screening. Although these items need to be screened, CATSA screening officers are able to give these items special consideration and care. For example, you can request that the item be screened in private or that it not be touched by a screening officer of a specific gender, if required.

If you need extra help, look for the family/special-needs line, which has larger screening equipment to accommodate items like mobility aids and baby strollers. Screening officers are also available to assist passengers who need more time or help during screening.