Porter Airlines Baggage Fees (2026)
Quick summary
Porter is a Toronto-based carrier known for its elevated economy experience (free snacks and beer/wine, no middle seats on Embraer jets). It sells tiered fares from Basic up to Freedom. The Basic fare is stripped down — only a free personal item, no carry-on — while Standard adds a carry-on and higher fares include free checked bags. New baggage prices took effect for bookings made on or after May 7, 2026, with the first checked bag starting around CA$40–52 prepaid. Fees are in CAD on the Canadian site, USD on the US site.
The bottom line on Porter Airlines baggage
Porter Airlines dresses up a tiered fare structure with a nicer economy cabin, but the baggage rules are pure unbundling: the Basic fare gives you only a free personal item and no carry-on at all. The trap is booking Basic to save a few dollars, then paying the Basic Express add-on (from about CA$50) just to bring a cabin bag — at which point a Standard fare is often cheaper overall.
The reliable way to save is to prepay any checked bag at booking, since the first bag climbs from around CA$40–52 prepaid to roughly CA$50–69 at the airport. If you would otherwise pay for two bags, the Flexible and Freedom fares bundle free checked bags outright — and book from the site matching your currency, as the Canadian site charges CAD and the US site USD.
FlyRulebook Score
Our own 1–5 rating of Porter Airlines's baggage policy, scored from the verified data on this page. See airline rankings → · How we score →
Hidden pitfalls most travelers miss
- The Basic fare includes no carry-on at all — only a personal item — so once you add the Basic Express add-on (from ~CA$50) or a bag, a Standard fare is often cheaper overall.
- The first checked bag climbs from around CA$40–52 prepaid to roughly CA$50–69 at the airport, so prepay any bag at booking.
- The Canadian site charges in CAD and the US site in USD — book from the one matching your currency to avoid a conversion penalty.
Porter Airlinesbaggage allowance & fees at a glance
| 🎒 Personal item | Free on all fares, including Basic. One personal item (e.g. a small backpack or laptop bag) that fits under the seat in front of you. |
| 🧳 Carry-on allowance | Not included on the Basic fare — Basic allows only a personal item, and all other bags must be checked (or add the Basic Express add-on from ~CA$50 for a carry-on). Standard and higher fares include a full-size carry-on up to 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9 in). |
| 🧳 First checked bag | from ~CA$40–52 / US$ |
| 🧳 Second checked bag | ~CA$45–63 |
Porter Airlines checked bag fees
| 1st checked bag — Basic/Standard (prepaid) | from ~CA$40–52 / US$ |
| 1st checked bag — post-purchase | ~CA$45–63 |
| 1st checked bag — at airport | ~CA$50–69 |
| Max weight / size per bag | 23 kg (50 lb) and 158 cm (62 in) total |
| Flexible fare | 1 checked bag free |
| Freedom fare | 2 checked bags free |
Excess baggage cost calculator
Estimate what Porter Airlines will actually charge for your bags — one way, typical domestic/regional route.
- Checked bag #1$34
Porter Airlines is $11 cheaper than Air Canada for these bags.
Estimates only. Fees vary by route, fare type, and date — always confirm before booking.
Porter Airlines vs Air Canada vs WestJet: baggage compared
Head-to-head on the fees that actually decide the cheaper airline for bags.
| Porter Airlines | Air Canada | WestJet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on included | $37 | ✅ Free | ✅ Free |
| 1st checked bag | $34 | $45 | $49 |
| 2nd checked bag | — | $60 | $65 |
| Overweight surcharge | $78 | $100 | $163 |
| Weight limit | 23 kg | 23 kg | 23 kg |
Flying Porter Airlines abroad?
Porter Airlines is a full-service carrier based in Canada — if this is an international trip, a travel eSIM means you land with data already working, with no roaming bill.
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🔁 Change & cancellation
Basic fares do not allow changes or refunds (changes only possible at the airport in limited cases, for a fee). The optional Flight Change + Refund add-on lets Basic passengers change or cancel up to 24 hours before departure (fare difference applies). All bookings are fully refundable within 24 hours of purchase. Standard and higher fares include more flexibility.
Porter Airlines flight delayed or cancelled?
Compensation rules follow the route, not the airline — a Canada-departing Porter Airlines flight delayed 3+ hours can be worth up to €600. Checking costs nothing.
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Other common fees
| Seat selection | From ~CA$10+, per direction, per passenger (non-refundable) |
| Basic Express add-on (adds carry-on) | from ~CA$50 (non-refundable) |
| Overweight bag (23–32 kg / 50–70 lb) | ~CA$100–115 per bag |
What stops you paying these fees on Porter Airlines
- An overweight bag costs +$78 here over 23 kg, each way. A scale costs about $10 — the maths on that →
- A full-size cabin bag is not free on the cheapest Porter Airlines fare, so the bag that fits under the seat matters — what size actually fits →
How to avoid extra fees
- Don't book Basic if you need a carry-on — once you add the Basic Express add-on or a bag, a Standard fare is often cheaper overall.
- Prepay checked bags at booking; fees rise post-purchase and again at the airport.
- Flexible and Freedom fares bundle in free checked bags — worth it if you'd otherwise pay for two bags.
- Book from the site matching your currency — Canadian site charges CAD, US site charges USD.
- Keep each checked bag at or under 23 kg (50 lb) and 158 cm total — overweight bags (23–32 kg) add roughly CA$100–115 each.
Porter Airlines baggage — FAQ
＋ − Does Porter's Basic fare include a carry-on?
No. Basic includes only a free personal item; all other bags must be checked. You can add the Basic Express add-on (from about CA$50) to bring a carry-on.
＋ − How much is the first checked bag on Porter?
For bookings on or after May 7, 2026, the first checked bag starts around CA$40–52 when prepaid at booking on Basic/Standard fares, rising to roughly CA$50–69 at the airport. Flexible and Freedom fares include free checked bags.
＋ − Can I change or cancel a Porter Basic fare?
Basic fares normally aren't changeable or refundable, but all bookings can be cancelled within 24 hours of purchase. The optional Flight Change + Refund add-on lets you change or cancel up to 24 hours before departure.
＋ − What are Porter's checked bag weight and size limits?
Each checked bag may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lb) and measure up to 158 cm (62 in) in total dimensions. A bag between 23 and 32 kg is accepted as overweight for roughly CA$100–115 extra per bag; bags over 32 kg are not accepted.
Sources & official policy links
Independent guide — not affiliated with Porter Airlines. Figures here reflect Porter Airlines's published Canada fares as of 2026-07-12.