Porter Airlines Carry-On Rules & Bag Size Guide 2026

Porter Airlines is a Canadian regional carrier with a reputation for punching above its weight in terms of service and passenger experience. Founded in 2006 and headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) — a small island airport steps from downtown Toronto — Porter has built a loyal following among business travellers and leisure passengers who appreciate its focus on comfort and convenience. The airline operates Embraer E195-E2 jets and De Havilland Dash 8 turboprops across a network spanning Eastern Canada, the US East Coast, and expanding routes. Porter's carry-on policy reflects its service orientation: both a carry-on bag and personal item are included on every fare.

Porter Airlines Carry-On Allowance at a Glance

Fare Type	Carry-On Bag	Personal Item	Weight
Basic	53 × 38 × 23 cm	Under-seat item	10 kg
Standard	53 × 38 × 23 cm	Under-seat item	10 kg
Flexible	53 × 38 × 23 cm	Under-seat item	10 kg
Freedom	53 × 38 × 23 cm	Under-seat item	10 kg

All four Porter fare types include overhead bin carry-on access — a meaningful distinction from Air Canada's and WestJet's Basic fares, which restrict overhead access. Porter's inclusive approach reflects its positioning as a more customer-oriented regional carrier.

Carry-On Bag Dimensions in Inches

Measurement	Centimetres	Inches
Length	53 cm	20.9 in
Width	38 cm	15.0 in
Depth	23 cm	9.1 in

The 53 × 38 × 23 cm specification is slightly smaller than the WestJet 51 × 43 × 23 cm allowance in total volume, but the proportions differ. Porter's bag is taller and narrower, which suits upright-style cabin bags better than very wide soft-sided bags. Standard 20-inch carry-on bags from major luggage brands typically comply.

Personal Item Rules

Porter allows one personal item in addition to the carry-on bag:

• Dimensions: Must fit under the seat in front of you (no precise dimensions published — approximately 40 × 30 × 15 cm)
• Placement: Under the seat in front of you
• Weight: No published weight limit
• Examples: Laptop bag, small backpack, purse, briefcase, camera bag

Porter does not publish precise personal item dimensions, instead using the "fits under the seat" standard. In practice, items up to approximately 40 × 30 × 15 cm fit comfortably on Porter's Embraer E195-E2 jets, which have standard regional jet under-seat storage. A slim laptop bag, a small backpack, or a handbag all qualify comfortably.

The Embraer E195-E2 Experience

Porter's newer fleet of Embraer E195-E2 jets changed the carry-on experience compared to older regional aircraft:

• Overhead bins: The E195-E2's overhead bins are full-size for a narrowbody regional jet, accommodating standard carry-on bags upright without the tight squeeze of older Embraer E-Jets or turboprops
• Seat pitch: Porter's cabin configuration on the E195-E2 features a standard economy pitch with no middle seats in economy (2+2 seating), reducing aisle congestion during boarding
• Under-seat storage: Standard regional jet under-seat storage — enough for a slim laptop bag or handbag

On De Havilland Dash 8 turboprop routes (typically shorter hops within Eastern Canada), overhead bins are much smaller and some cabin bags may need to be gate-checked. If you are flying a turboprop route, pack your essential items in your personal item in case the carry-on needs to be stowed in the hold.

Weight Enforcement

Porter's 10 kg carry-on weight limit is enforced at check-in at major hubs. Observations:

• Weight checks are most common at Toronto City Airport (YTZ) on busy routes
• Gate agents occasionally use bag sizers, particularly when overhead bins are filling up on sold-out flights
• The 10 kg limit is equivalent to European mid-size carrier standards and is straightforward to comply with for most business or weekend travellers

Packing your laptop and heavier electronics in the personal item reduces your cabin bag weight effectively.

Tips for Porter Airlines Passengers

Billy Bishop City Airport is uniquely convenient for downtown Toronto. YTZ is connected to downtown Toronto by a pedestrian tunnel and ferry, making it far more convenient than Pearson International (YYZ) for travellers staying in the city centre. Build this transit advantage into your arrival and departure timing.

Pack a compressible bag for Dash 8 routes. On turboprop routes within Eastern Canada (e.g., Toronto to Ottawa, Montreal, or Halifax), overhead bin space is very limited. If your itinerary includes a turboprop leg, pack so that your carry-on can be gate-checked without disrupting your travel — keep valuables and medications in your personal item.

Porter's lounges at YTZ add genuine value. Porter operates lounge facilities at Billy Bishop, which are accessible to Flexible and Freedom fare holders and Porter Elite members. Lounge access before a regional hop is a rare benefit for a carrier this size.

Aeroplan miles can be earned on Porter. Porter joined Air Canada's Aeroplan network for mileage earning, meaning Aeroplan members can credit Porter flights to their Aeroplan account. Aeroplan Elite status does not change Porter's carry-on limits.

Book early for overnight routes. Porter has expanded to US destinations including New York, Chicago, and Miami. Overnight routes on E195-E2 aircraft are popular, and carry-on bins fill quickly. Priority boarding, available on Flexible and Freedom fares, ensures you secure overhead bin space.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Canadian (CATSA) aviation security rules apply on Porter departures from Canadian airports, and TSA rules apply from US airports:

• Liquids: Maximum 100 ml per container in a transparent 1-litre resealable bag
• Power banks: Must travel in carry-on, not in checked luggage; units over 100 Wh need airline approval
• Sharp objects: Not permitted in the cabin
• Large sporting equipment: Skis, bicycles, and golf clubs must be checked; fees and advance notice requirements apply

The Bottom Line

Porter Airlines earns its reputation for passenger-friendly service, and the carry-on policy is a good example of this. Overhead bin access on every fare, a 10 kg weight limit, and the inclusion of a personal item give travellers real flexibility. The main considerations are the turboprop fleet's limited overhead space on some routes and the slightly narrower 38 cm width compared to some competitors. For business travellers using Billy Bishop's city-centre convenience, Porter's carry-on policy is among the best in the Canadian regional market.

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Rules change — always verify with Porter Airlines before you fly.