Air Transat Carry-on Baggage: Dimensions, Weight, and Regulations in 2026

Air Transat allows each passenger to bring one carry-on bag measuring 55 x 40 x 23 cm, along with a personal item measuring 43 x 31 x 13 cm. Both are cumulative and included in the ticket, without additional cost.

A distinguishing feature that sets the company apart from European low-cost carriers: Air Transat only regulates carry-on bags by their dimensions and does not publish any weight limit for the cabin.

Air Transat Carry-on Baggage Dimensions: 55 x 40 x 23 cm

The maximum allowed dimensions for an Air Transat carry-on bag are 55 cm in height, 40 cm in length, and 23 cm in width. The height and length conform to the international carry-on format, but the depth is tighter than the norm: this third dimension is where your suitcase's acceptance will be determined. The difference is striking compared to a generous airline, as British Airways' carry-on gauge accepts 25 cm in thickness and 45 cm in length, a suitcase that Air Transat would refuse.

How to read official dimensions

Air Transat expresses its baggage allowance in three distinct measurements: 40 cm in length, 23 cm in width, and 55 cm in height. This is the same as the 55 x 40 x 23 cm format used everywhere else, only the order of measurements changes. The company also indicates each measurement in inches, i.e., 21.5 in height, 15.5 in length, and 9 in width, a legacy of its Canadian market.

As with all airlines, the maximum size includes wheels and telescopic handle. A suitcase advertised at 55 cm for the shell alone exceeds the gauge once placed on its wheels: this is the most common measurement error, and the only one that is penalized at the boarding gate.

The 23 cm depth, the trap of the Air Transat format

It's the depth that deserves your attention, not the height. At 23 cm, Air Transat is below the European standard, where most airlines allow 25 cm. Concretely, a suitcase purchased for Transavia, French Bee, or British Airways, all at 25 cm, will be 2 cm too thick for Air Transat, even if it has the same height of 55 cm.

The rule to remember is therefore the opposite of intuition: just because a suitcase passes on a European low-cost flight doesn't mean it will pass on your transatlantic flight. Only a suitcase calibrated for the strictest airlines in terms of depth, like Ryanair and its 20 cm, will pass everywhere, including Air Transat. Our guides on carry-on baggage for Air Canada and Air France allow you to compare the gauges on the main routes to North America.

Air Transat Personal Item: 43 x 31 x 13 cm in addition

In addition to the carry-on bag, each passenger may bring one personal item with maximum dimensions of 43 cm in length, 31 cm in height, and 13 cm in width, limited to one per passenger. It must fit under the seat in front of you and does not replace the carry-on bag: both travel together.

What fits into the 43 x 31 x 13 format

These 13 cm of thickness require a flat container. The format is suitable for:

• A laptop in its sleeve, up to 15 inches
• A standard-sized satchel or handbag
• Your travel documents, passport, and boarding pass
• A flat toiletry bag with your travel-sized liquids
• Items for a long-haul flight, such as a book, tablet, headphones

A filled hiking backpack almost always exceeds 13 cm in width. If you plan to use your backpack as a personal item, empty it or choose a flat model designed for the cabin.

Air Transat Carry-on Baggage Weight: What the airline really says

Air Transat does not publish any weight limit for carry-on baggage. On its official page dedicated to weights and dimensions, the airline specifies cabin baggage only by dimensions, and all mentioned weight limits apply exclusively to checked baggage.

The only published weight limits concern checked baggage

The maximum allowed weight for checked baggage is 23 kg per bag, with an absolute limit of 32 kg beyond which the bag will be refused. These figures do not apply to cabin baggage. You can verify this directly on Air Transat's official weight and dimensions page, which also offers a personalized allowance tool based on your route and service class.

This absence of a specific weight limit does not mean that anything goes. You must still be able to lift your bag into the overhead compartment by yourself, and staff may refuse a bag that is clearly too heavy to be handled safely. In practice, the lack of systematic cabin weighing gives you a margin that European low-cost airlines, on the other hand, control to the nearest kilogram. This is a real advantage on a transatlantic flight, where more items are typically carried.

Liquids and prohibited items in Air Transat cabin

On its flights departing from Europe, Air Transat applies European regulations on liquids. Your containers are limited to 100 ml per container and must fit into a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of one liter, with only one bag allowed per passenger, presented separately at security control.

The 100 ml rule and its exceptions

This applies to gels, creams, perfumes, and beverages, as well as all paste-like products such as toothpaste. It is the capacity printed on the container that counts, not the remaining volume: a 200 ml container that is half empty will still be refused. Liquid medications exceeding 100 ml are accepted upon presentation of a prescription, as is infant formula if you are traveling with a baby.

Lithium batteries and e-cigarettes

Lithium batteries, external batteries, and e-cigarettes must be carried in your hand luggage, never in checked baggage, due to the risk of fire. They must remain accessible and not be used or recharged during the flight. This rule is common to all airlines and has no exceptions. The complete list of prohibited or restricted items is available on the Air Transat website.

Air Transat Excess Baggage Fees: 80 euros per overweight/oversize item

Air Transat's excess baggage fees apply to checked baggage and amount to 80 euros per instance of exceeding limits. These fees are cumulative, and most importantly, they cannot be prepaid.

Fees that cannot be paid in advance

Air Transat specifies that fees for oversized or overweight baggage cannot be paid in advance and must be settled at the airport. Unlike purchasing checked baggage, you cannot anticipate this cost from home: the only solution is to measure and weigh your bags before you leave.

Also note that as of June 1, 2026, Air Transat will increase the price of checked baggage purchased within 24 hours of departure. Therefore, purchasing your checked baggage allowance at the time of booking becomes significantly more advantageous than a last-minute addition. If you are unsure about what should go into checked baggage, our guide details what you can put in a checked suitcase.

Choosing a carry-on suitcase suitable for Air Transat

A suitcase designed for Air Transat must fit within 55 x 40 x 23 cm, including wheels and handle. This is the only disqualifying criterion, as weight is not checked in the cabin.

This absence of a weight limit changes the game when choosing materials. For a low-cost airline limited to 10 kg, every kilogram of shell means one less kilogram of belongings, pushing passengers towards ultralight models. On Air Transat, you can prioritize robustness without compromising on weight, which makes sense for a long-haul flight where luggage undergoes more handling.

The 23 cm thickness remains the point of vigilance. Many so-called expandable carry-on suitcases gain 4 to 5 cm in depth once unzipped, then exceeding the allowed dimensions. On Air Transat, keep the expansion closed for boarding and save it for the return trip, when the suitcase travels in the hold. To compare the accepted dimensions for each carrier before purchasing, consult our comparison of cabin formats by airline.

Frequently Asked Questions about Air Transat Carry-on Baggage