Baggage & Carry-On

Carry-On Baggage

• Carry-on baggage must be stored under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment. Please be aware that available space varies from one aircraft type to another.

• We recommend using the sizing frames located at our check-in counters to ensure your bag fits within our sizing guidelines to be eligible for carry-on travel. 

• All checked baggage must be presented at our check-in counter. 

• Each checked item must have an identification tag.

• Baggage and carry-on articles will be accepted based upon the space and weight limits of each aircraft.

• All baggage or goods presented for transportation are subject to inspection by our personnel.

• We will refuse to accept any items that are likely to cause damage to the aircraft or endanger passengers or property, are likely to be damaged by air carriage, or if the carriage of that article would violate any applicable law, regulation, or order.

• Maximum dimensions are 157 centimetres (62 inches) (length + width + height)

Checked Baggage Allowances

The baggage allowance per passenger per aircraft type is as follows:

If all three fees apply to a single bag, where a passenger has brought an additional bag that is both oversize and overweight, the passenger will be charged a maximum fee of $84 - $90.40. Overweight, oversized, and excess baggage fees are applicable on all scheduled flights, across tickets purchased in all fare classes.

Any single item in excess of 32kg (70lb) will not be accepted as checked baggage and must be shipped as cargo, cargo rates will apply.

Air North does not offer cargo services from all of its destinations. As a result, the carriage of items as cargo is not possible from:

• Ottawa (YOW)
• Toronto (YYZ)

Overweight baggage and excess pieces are not guaranteed to travel on the same flight as the passenger due to space and weight limitations, and will be shipped on the next flight based on availability. Passengers wishing to guarantee overweight baggage or excess pieces should contact Air North Cargo for priority freight.

All prices and fees listed on this page are in Canadian dollars.

Dangerous goods

Passengers must ensure they are not carrying dangerous goods in their checked or carry-on baggage. To check what’s allowed, visit the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) What Can I Bring website. There, you will find an extensive, searchable list of items permitted in carry-on and checked baggage.

If dangerous goods are found during the screening of checked baggage, Air North will hold them for up to 72 hours, provided there is available storage. Items not collected within 72 hours will be disposed of.

Most special items in this section may be substituted for an item of checked baggage (unless otherwise noted) as long as the item is within our baggage size and weight guidelines.

Sporting Equipment

Sporting equipment is accepted as standard items of baggage. Such items include:

• Fishing rods
• Football, hockey, ringette or lacrosse equipment
• Golf clubs

Skis and snowboards are subject to the following limits:

• Oversize fee exempt to maximum of 300 cm x 45 cm x 76 cm.
• Overweight fee exempt.

Multi-piece equipment must be packed in a single bag that does not exceed the weight or size limits identified for checked baggage based upon the aircraft operating the route. If the sporting equipment baggage is in excess of the passenger’s baggage allowance in number or weight, excess baggage or overweight baggage fees will apply.

Sporting equipment baggage and cases must only contain equipment, not clothing or personal items.

It may be possible to ship sporting equipment which does not conform to our baggage regulations as cargo. We recommend contacting our Cargo department to confirm if this may be possible with your items.

If the sporting equipment you wish to carry is fragile, or if our agents deem that the items are improperly packed and at risk of damage during transport, you will be asked to sign a Limited Liability Release Form at check-in. Air North reserves the right to deny any sporting equipment we deem improperly packed for travel.

Bicycles

Bicycles may be carried for a fee of $52.50 - $56.50 including applicable tax and may not be substituted for an item of checked baggage.

Bicycles are accepted on a space available basis and must be pre-registered at the time of booking. Acceptance may be refused if there is insufficient space for the carriage of the bicycle, or if it is not suitably packaged. Bicycles must be prepared for travel and packed in a hard-sided case or box.

• Maximum dimensions: length + width + height to limit of 292 cm
• Maximum weight: 32 kg (70 lb)

Bicycles exceeding the limits above must be shipped as cargo. Cargo rates will apply. We strongly recommend shipping bicycles in advance via cargo on our northern routes between Whitehorse, Dawson City, Old Crow, and Inuvik.

Electric bicycles, e-bikes, electrically assisted pedal cycles, or electrically power assisted cycles are not accepted as checked baggage.

• To add a bicycle to your booking, please contact Air North Reservations at 1.800.661.0407 (toll-free in North America) or (867) 668.2228.

Canoes and Kayaks

Canoes and kayaks count as one piece of baggage, are accepted on a space available basis, and must be pre-registered at time of booking.

• Maximum dimensions: 300 cm x 45 cm x 76 cm
• Maximum weight: 23 kg (50 lb)

Canoes and kayaks exceeding the limits above must be shipped as cargo and cargo rates will apply.

Due to the space required to transport a canoe, we cannot guarantee it will travel on the same flight as the passenger. It may instead be transported on the next flight where it can be accommodated. We strongly recommend that canoes be shipped in advance as cargo, especially on our northern routes between Whitehorse, Dawson City, Old Crow, and Inuvik.

• To add a canoe or kayak to your booking, please contact Air North Reservations at 1.800.661.0407 (toll-free in North America) or (867) 668.2228.

Waivers/Charges

• Even if they are checked in separately, paddles for canoes or kayaks (for one canoe or one kayak) are considered a single piece of baggage.
• Oversize and additional piece charges apply to the canoe or kayak—but not to paddles checked in with the canoe or kayak.
• When packed separately, all additional pieces of canoeing or kayaking equipment (e.g. helmet, life vest, dry top, spray skirt) count as one piece of baggage.
• If your baggage count (canoeing or kayaking equipment + number of bags to be checked) exceeds the maximum number of items allowed by your fare type, additional checked baggage charges will apply. These fees will be collected at the airport.

Packing Instructions

Canoes/kayaks and paddles must be packaged in a rigid container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, canoeing or kayaking equipment may be refused for carriage. Air North is not liable should any damage occur as a result of an inherent defect or quality of the baggage.

Firearms

Unloaded firearms may be accepted as checked baggage or cargo as long as as the following conditions are met:

• The firearms must be in a locked hard-sided case.
• Bolt-action firearms must have the bolt removed and packed in a separate item of checked baggage.
• The passenger will be required to sign a firearms declaration form indicating that the firearm is unloaded and acknowledging responsibility under the criminal code for the carriage of a weapon.
• Only ammunition in Division 1.4S, as defined in the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, weighing less than 5 kg (11 lb) per passenger, will be accepted for carriage as checked baggage. The ammunition must be packed securely, preferably in the original container, or in a container specifically designed for the carriage of small arms ammunition. Ammunition not included in Division 1.4S will not be accepted as checked baggage.
• Ammunition weighing more than 5 kg (11 lb) must be shipped as cargo. Shippers must comply with the provisions of the dangerous goods regulations. Firearms and ammunition must be packed separately.
• Passengers transiting from an unsecured airport through a secured airport must claim their firearm and ammunition and escort them through the oversized item security screening area.

Fragile, Perishable and Valuable Items

We assume no liability for fragile, perishable, or valuable items. When transporting any such item, please ensure that you pack it as safely as possible, and provide as much cushioning as necessary to prevent any damage. Due to the possibility of delays, changes in temperature and pressure, and the duration of flights we strongly recommend against transporting perishable items as part of your checked baggage.

Musical Instruments

Provided it is safe to do so, we may accept properly packaged musical instruments as either checked baggage or carry-on baggage—depending on the instrument’s weight and dimensions.

Small musical instruments may be permitted as carry-on baggage allowance provided that it meets our current carry-on size and weight requirements and fits under the seat or the overhead bin. Cabin storage is limited and offered as-available. As such, we cannot guarantee that a musical instrument can be accommodated on board.

If there is no space available in the cabin to securely store the musical instrument, or if deemed necessary by our staff, the instrument may need to be checked at the gate and transported as checked baggage. 

A musical instrument counts as one piece of carry-on luggage. We strongly advise that any musical instrument be packaged in rigid container designed for the safe transport of the instrument, just in case it needs to be transported as checked baggage. 

Our baggage transfer agreements make it possible to connect seamlessly between Air North, Yukon’s Airline and other carriers. Choose an airline below for information about our agreement with that carrier and how it can benefit you the next time you travel.

We take care to ensure that your baggage arrives at your final destination on-time and as it was received. Nevertheless, damage can sometimes occur. If Air North believes baggage may experience damage while in our care due to pre-existing damage or improper packing, the Carrier reserves the right to refuse to accept it for carriage.

If your baggage has been damaged, please notify one of our customer service agents immediately. The agent will fill out the required documentation. If it is determined that your baggage must be repaired, the agent will offer either a settlement equal to the cost of the repair or we will arrange for your baggage to be replaced to a maximum liability of 1288SDR (approximately $2,050 CAD). Damage claims must be filed within seven days of the receipt of baggage. 

Report the damage immediately

If you notice the damage at the airport, please advise one of our passenger service agents or go to the Air North counter. Our staff will fill out the required documentation. 

If you notice the damage later on

If you can, return to the airport with your baggage and flight details so that you can report the damage. Any damage must be assessed by our agents within seven days of the receipt of the baggage.

If you are unable to return to the airport, please contact us at 1.800.661.0407 ext. 701 (toll-free in North America) or (867) 668.2228 ext. 701. Again, this must take place within seven days of receiving the damaged baggage.

How it works

Once one of our customer service agents has assessed your baggage, they will fill out the required documentation. If it’s decided that your baggage must be repaired, the agent will either offer a settlement equal to the cost of the repair or will arrange for your baggage to be replaced at our expense (up to a maximum liability of approximately $2,100).

IMPORTANT: Don’t dispose of your damaged bag until your claim has been finalized, so that we may assess the damage in the event that the baggage needs a repair or replacement.

What isn’t covered

Air North is not responsible for any damage to baggage that has resulted from excess weight or over-packing. We are also not responsible for any damage that has occurred following the flight. 

We assume no liability for damage or loss of fragile, valuable, or perishable articles. Examples of these include (but are not limited to) money, jewellery, cameras, video and electronic equipment, silverware, negotiable instruments, business documents, samples, antiques, paintings, furs, dentures, manuscripts, or similar items.

Air North does not compensate for damaged zippers, scruffs, scratches, nicks, dents, missing straps, feet, clips and wheels, exterior tube handles or similar damage attributable to normal wear and tear. 

Our agents will be able to explain this further in person, or you can contact our baggage team at 1.800.661.0407 ext. 701 (toll-free in North America) or (867) 668.2228 ext. 701 with any questions.

If your baggage does not arrive, please notify an Air North Customer Service agent at the airport right away and they will file the necessary claim for you. Delayed baggage claims must be filed within 24 hours of the scheduled arrival time.

In most cases, delayed baggage arrives within 24 hours and will be delivered to you free of charge. If your baggage is not found within 24 hours, and your claim was filed, you will be eligible for interim expenses. Air North will provide a maximum of $50.00 CAD per day, following the first day, for the reimbursement of essential items needed by the traveller with the provision of receipts for these items. Essential items include toiletries, medication and clothing. 

Reimbursement requests in excess of the maximum daily allowance must be submitted via email to baggage@flyairnorth.com. These requests will only be considered if a missing baggage claim was filed within 24 hours.

If your baggage is not recovered within 21 days, it will be considered lost, and Air North will settle the claim according to our tariff. Compensation cannot exceed the actual loss. You have 21 days to submit a claim from the day the baggage should have been delivered.

To report any issues with your baggage, such as missing, delayed, or damaged items, or missing contents, please complete the form below.

For domestic travel, Air North's maximum liability for lost or damaged baggage—and lost contents as a result of damage—is up to approximately 1131SDR, approximately $2050CAD per person, per incident. 

In no case will the compensation exceed the actual loss.  This amount is a combination of:

(a) the fees paid for that baggage,

(b) the loss of the baggage and its contents; and/or

(c) the reasonable interim expenses of the passenger

The Carrier does not provide an option to insure for higher values; passengers wishing to do so should contact an independent insurance agent.

Air North does not permit the carriage in checked luggage of (but not limited to) fragile, valuable, or perishable articles including money, jewelry, cameras, video and electronic equipment, silverware, negotiable instruments, business documents, samples, antiques, paintings, furs, dentures, manuscripts, or similar items.

Air North does not compensate for zippers, scruffs, scratches, nicks, dents, missing straps, feet, clips and wheels, exterior tube handles or similar damage attributable to normal wear and tear.

For complete details about our liability in the event of lost or damaged baggage, please refer to our Damaged Baggage section.

If you are trying to locate a lost item, please call our Lost and Found department at 1.800.661.0407 ext. 778 (toll-free in North America) or (867) 668.2228 ext. 778.

While we will do our best to assist you in the event that you have lost or misplaced something on-board one of our aircraft, we are not responsible for lost or misplaced items. If we locate your item, we will keep it at our head office in Whitehorse for 90 days. We will contact you to let you know so that you can make arrangements to pick up the item or have a courier deliver it to you at your expense.

Make a claim

The first thing you need to do is contact Air North Lost & Found at 1.800.661.0407 ext. 778. We will do our best to assist you in finding any lost or misplaced items. 

Please note that if your item was lost in an airport, the local airport disposes of any items unclaimed after 30 days, so don’t forget to report your missing item as quickly as possible. Air North is not responsible for lost or misplaced items.

If you’ve lost your passport

If you’ve lost your passport, contact Air North Lost & Found prior to filing a claim to ensure we have not found it yet. If you’ve lost a Canadian passport that has not yet been found, call Canada Border Services Agency at 1-800-567-6868 as soon as possible to report it as missing. You’ll be given directions for next steps, such as applying for a new passport.