What You Can Bring on a Plane

Passengers are not permitted to carry prohibited items on a plane in their carry-on baggage, checked baggage or on their person. However, there are many items you can bring with you on the plane. If you are unsure of which items are permitted, you should always double check the Complete List of Permitted and Non-Permitted Items on the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) website or with your airline. Transport Canada offers a list of Prohibited Items for Passengers on All Flights.

Below is a general list of items that may or may not be permitted on a plane.

Alcoholic beverages

Please consult our page on What you can bring home to Canada for the amount of alcoholic beverages you can bring back to Canada by air. With regards to alcoholic beverages when travelling within Canada, they must meet the liquids, aerosols and gels requirements unless they are purchased in security tamper-evident bags.

Blunt objects

Blunt objects (e.g. brass knuckles, golf clubs, hockey sticks) that could be used to cause serious injury are prohibited.

Cameras

See Portable electronic devices for more information

Computers

See Portable electronic devices for more information

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device

This equipment is permitted on a plane. The distilled water used for the CPAP device is exempted from the liquid restrictions. It is suggested that you bring supporting documentation, in the form of a doctor's note, which clearly indicates the medical requirement for distilled water.

Dangerous goods

Dangerous goods (e.g. acids or compressed gases) are prohibited.

Devices designed to stun or immobilise

Devices designed to stun or immobilise (e.g. tasers, stunners or tear gas) are prohibited.

Dry ice

Passengers may bring dry ice in quantities not exceeding 2.5 kg per person, when used to pack perishables that are themselves not dangerous goods articles or substances, provided the package permits the release of carbon dioxide gas. Specific packing instructions must be followed. 

Explosive or incendiary substances

Explosive or incendiary substances (e.g.  detonators,  fireworks or ammunition) or devices that could be used to cause serious injury or threaten the safety of the aircraft are prohibited.

Gaming consoles

See Portable electronic devices for more information

Gas cylinders

Passengers must first obtain the airlines’ approval to bring on board small gaseous air cylinders for medical use.

Guns, firearms and other devices designed to cause serious injury by launching harmful objects 

Guns, firearms and other devices designed to cause serious injury by launching harmful objects (e.g. bows) or items that could be mistaken for such a device (e.g. toy guns) are prohibited.

Lighters

Disposable lighters (e.g., non-refillable Bic type) intended for personal use may be carried with you but a maximum of one lighter per person is permitted.

Liquids, aerosols and gels

Liquids, aerosols or gels are accepted in containers of 100 ml or 100 g that fit in a single clear plastic resealable bag that holds 1 liter or less.

Breast milk and baby formula are permitted even if a passenger is travelling without his or her infant, but may be subject to additional screening.

Matches

Matches must be intended for personal use and carried on the person (e.g., in pocket or purse). A maximum of one book of safety matches per person is permitted.

Medical or clinical thermometers

Passengers may bring one small medical or clinical thermometer, which contains mercury, for personal use, when in its protective case.

Objects with sharp points or sharp edges 

Objects with sharp points or sharp edges (e.g. axes, box cutters, swords) that could be used to cause serious injury are prohibited.

Personal care (toiletry) articles

Personal toiletries are permitted in carry-on baggage if they comply with the liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions. For details, please consult CATSA’s Complete Item List.

Portable electronic devices

Portable electronic devices such as cameras, gaming consoles, cellular or mobile phones, laptop computers and camcorders are permitted. Passengers should check with the airline before using these during the flight. However, should the device contain flammable liquids or corrosive substances, special conditions must be met.

Service animals

Service animals are permitted on aircraft with 30 or more passenger seats.  Service animals may remain in the cabin provided they have been trained to assist a person by a professional service animal institution.  The animal must be properly harnessed and must remain under the control of the user, but does not have to be muzzled. If the animal is too large or insufficient space exists under a seat to accommodate the animal, then it may remain on the floor area at the passenger’s feet.

Persons with service animals may not occupy seats where the presence of the animal would impede or obstruct access by any person to an emergency exit and/or interfere with the ability of a crew member to carry out his/her assigned duties during an emergency.

Wheelchairs or other battery-powered mobility aids

With the approval of the airline, passengers may bring wheelchairs or other battery-powered mobility aids provided that the specific packing instructions are followed. 

Work tools that could be used to either cause serious injury or threaten the safety of aircraft 

Work tools that could be used to either cause serious injury or threaten the safety of aircraft (e.g. crowbars, saws or nail guns) are prohibited.

Other resources

• Canadian Air Transport Security Authority or your airline.