Checked bag fees have climbed steadily over the past few years and in 2026 they are higher than ever. If you are flying out of a Canadian airport and you need to check a bag, choosing the right airline can save you anywhere from $30 to $120 on a round trip. That is real money.
We went through the current fee schedules for every major airline serving Canadian travellers and ranked them from cheapest to most expensive. Here is everything you need to know before you book your next flight.
This table covers the first and second checked bag fees for all major airlines flying in Canada in 2026. All Canadian carrier fees are in CAD. US carrier fees are in USD.
| Rank | Airline | 1st Bag Fee | 2nd Bag Fee | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🎉 1 | Southwest Airlines | $45 USD* | $55 USD* | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 2 | Porter Airlines | FREE (Standard+) | $65 CAD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 3 | WestJet | $38 CAD | $55 CAD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 4 | Air Canada | $42 CAD | $60 CAD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 5 | Delta Air Lines | $35 USD | $45 USD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 6 | Alaska Airlines | $35 USD | $45 USD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 7 | United Airlines | $45 USD | $55 USD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 8 | American Airlines | $45 USD | $60 USD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 9 | JetBlue | $39 USD | $59 USD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 10 | Air Transat | $55 CAD | $75 CAD | 50 lbs / 23 kg |
| 11 | Spirit Airlines | $79 USD+ | $99 USD+ | 40 lbs / 18 kg |
| 12 | Frontier Airlines | $79 USD+ | $99 USD+ | 40 lbs / 18 kg |
* Southwest raised bag fees effective April 9, 2026. Bags are no longer free. See our full breakdown: Airlines That Raised Bag Fees in 2026.
Porter is the standout value for Canadian travellers in 2026. On Standard fares and above, your first checked bag is completely free. Porter also includes a free carry-on on all fares. For travel within Canada and between Canada and the US northeast, Porter is hard to beat on total cost.
1st bag: FREE on Standard+ 2nd bag: $65 CADWestJet comes in ahead of Air Canada on checked bag fees, which surprises a lot of travellers. At $38 CAD for a first bag, WestJet is noticeably cheaper than Air Canada's $42 CAD. On a round trip with two bags for two people, that difference adds up quickly.
1st bag: $38 CAD 2nd bag: $55 CADAir Canada sits just behind WestJet on first bags but pulls ahead when you check a second bag. Their $60 CAD second bag fee is lower than WestJet's $65 CAD, so heavy packers travelling as a family may find Air Canada the better deal overall.
1st bag: $42 CAD 2nd bag: $60 CADThis is the question most Canadian travellers want answered. The short version is that WestJet is generally cheaper on first bags, but Air Canada edges ahead when multiple bags are involved.
| Scenario | Air Canada | WestJet | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 passenger, 1 bag, round trip | $84 CAD | $76 CAD | WestJet saves $8 |
| 2 passengers, 1 bag each, round trip | $168 CAD | $152 CAD | WestJet saves $16 |
| Family of 4, 1 bag each, round trip | $336 CAD | $304 CAD | WestJet saves $32 |
| Family of 4, 2 bags each, round trip | $576 CAD | $744 CAD | Air Canada saves $168 |
For a full head to head breakdown of both airlines read our detailed guide: Air Canada vs WestJet Baggage Fees 2026.
Every airline has a standard weight limit of 50 lbs (23 kg) except Spirit and Frontier, which drop to 40 lbs (18 kg). If your bag exceeds the limit, the overweight fee is typically an extra $100 CAD or more per bag. Weigh your bags at home before you leave. A good luggage scale costs about $15 and can save you hundreds.
On Air Canada Basic and WestJet EconoGuest, you pay full price for every bag. But on Flex or Standard fares, bags may be included or discounted. Always check what your specific fare includes before you book.
Both Air Canada and WestJet offer co-branded credit cards that include free checked bags as a benefit. If you fly either airline regularly, the right credit card can eliminate bag fees entirely and pay for itself in one or two trips.
Use our free baggage fee calculator to check what you will pay for checked bags, carry-ons, and overweight charges on your specific flight.
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