• Air Canada operates flights in the U.S. and Canada.canadian flag image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  Air Canada flies out of, and into, locations throughout the United States and Canada as well as around the world. The airline sets up several of its own policies regarding baggage, including the charges associated with checked luggage. Air Canada yields, though, to both Canadian and American governmental baggage restrictions, depending on flight origin and destination.
  
  

Government Regulations---Liquids

• Air Canada defers to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) and the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regarding items that are prohibited and permitted in carry-on or checked baggage. As of March 2010, Canada adheres to the TSA's 3-1-1 rule regarding liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags. When flying on Air Canada out of Canadian and American airports, you are allowed to pack such items in clear plastic 3.4-oz. containers stored in a 1-qt., clear zip-top plastic bag. The 3-1-1 rules allows each passenger to carry on one bag containing the 3.4 oz. bottles. Both agenices allow exceptions when it comes to items such as baby formula and prescription medications. Security must preapprove these items in "reasonable" quantities, according to the TSA.
  
  

Government Regulations---Specific Items

• In terms of other carry-on items, CATSA and TSA, for the most part, are in concert with one another. It does not hurt to check with local airports or Air Canada prior to travel, nonetheless. Both agencies generally prohibit sharp objects, such as knives and box cutters from carry-on bags. Other prohibited items on both the CATSA and TSA list include large sporting goods, including hockey sticks and golf clubs, and flammable materials. Both agencies prohibit martial arts or self-defense items, such as Billy clubs, in carry-on bags, but allow them in checked baggage. The agencies differ slightly on scissors. CATSA allows only blunt-pointed scissors. The TSA allows scissors, even those with sharp tips, as long as blades are shorter than 4 inches.
  
  

Baggage Limits and Charges

• For travel in both the U.S. and Canada, Air Canada allows you to carry on one "standard" item, which includes a carry-on bag no greater than 22 lb. and 9-by-16-by-22 inches big, a laptop computer or a shopping bag obtained in an airport store, such as a duty-free shop. Both countries allow one "personal article" as well, though the U.S. places restrictions on this item. Examples of what is allowed for travel to or through the U.S. include laptops, infant bags and camera bags, according to Air Canada. For checked baggage when traveling within Canada, Air Canada allows two bags in economy class and three bags for executive-class passengers. The airline imposes a 50 lb. limit for each bag in economy and a 70 lb. limit for each bag in executive class. On flights between the U.S. and Canada, Air Canada permits one bag in economy class. The airlines charges $30 Canadian, each direction, for a second bag. The executive-class limits remain the same.