Baggage & Carry-On

Every traveller is welcome to bring one (1) carry-on and one (1) personal item on their flight. 

Carry-on baggage should be stored safely either under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.

Please keep in mind that available storage space can vary depending on the aircraft type. To help ensure your bag meets our carry-on requirements, we recommend using the sizing frames available at our check-in counters before your flight.

Whether you’re packing for a weekend getaway, a family visit, or a northern adventure, we’re here to help make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team takes great care in handling checked baggage and works hard to ensure your belongings arrive safely at your destination.

All checked baggage must be presented at the check-in counter and clearly labelled with an identification tag. Baggage is accepted subject to the weight and space limitations of the aircraft operating your flight.

To help keep our travellers, crew, and aircraft safe, all baggage and goods presented for transportation may be inspected by our team. Certain items cannot be accepted for transport, including those that may pose a safety risk, cause damage to the aircraft or other property, are prohibited by law, or are not suitable for air travel.

Please review the baggage allowances and guidelines below before your trip. 

If your baggage does not arrive, please notify an Air North Customer Service agent at the airport as soon as possible so a claim can be filed. Delayed baggage claims must be submitted 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 located within 24 hours and a claim has been filed, you may be eligible for reimbursement of interim expenses.

Beginning after the first day, Air North will reimburse up to $50 CAD per day, per bag, for essential items required by the traveller, provided receipts are submitted, to a maximum of $250 CAD.

Essential items may include:

• Toiletries

• Medication

• Basic clothing

Please note that Air North does not reimburse:

• Clothing required immediately for work purposes

• Clothing required for sporting or recreational activities

• Expenses related to missed entertainment, sporting events, or excursions

• Costs associated with camping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, or other outdoor activities

• Lost wages

• Missed connections to other airlines, trains, or cruise ships

If your baggage is not recovered within 21 days, it will be considered lost, and Air North will settle the claim in accordance with our tariff. Compensation cannot exceed the actual loss. Claims for lost baggage must be submitted within 21 days of the date the baggage should have been delivered.

To report missing, delayed, or damaged baggage, or missing contents, please complete the form below.

We take great care to ensure your baggage arrives safely and on time at your final destination in the same condition it was received. However, despite our best efforts, damage can occasionally occur.

If baggage appears to be pre-damaged or improperly packed, and there is a risk it may be further damaged during transport, Air North may be unable to accept it for carriage.

Reporting Damage

If you notice damage at the airport:
Please let one of our Customer Service agents know right away at the Air North counter. Our team will be happy to assist you and complete the necessary documentation.

If you notice damage after leaving the airport:
If possible, please return to the airport with your baggage and flight details so we can assess the damage. All damage must be reported and assessed within seven (7) days of receiving your baggage.

If you are unable to return to the airport, please contact us at 1.800.661.0407 ext. 701 (toll-free within North America) or 867.668.2228 ext. 701 within seven (7) days.

How Claims Are Handled

Once a report is filed, our team will review the damage and complete the required documentation. If your baggage requires repair, we will offer either a settlement covering the reasonable cost of repair, or replacement of the baggage, up to a maximum liability of 1,519 SDR (approximately $2,780 CAD).

Please ensure claims are submitted within seven (7) days of receiving your baggage.

We kindly ask that you do not dispose of your baggage until your claim has been fully resolved, as it may be required for inspection.

What Is Not Covered

While we always aim to handle baggage with care, Air North cannot accept responsibility for damage resulting from overpacking or exceeding weight limits, or for damage that occurs after travel has been completed.

We are also not responsible for loss or damage to fragile, valuable, or perishable items, including (but not limited to) cash, jewelry, cameras, electronics, business documents, antiques, artwork, and similar items.

Normal wear and tear is also not covered. This includes minor scuffs, scratches, dents, worn straps, handles, wheels, zippers, or similar cosmetic damage that may occur through regular handling.

If you have any questions, our team is here to help. Please contact our Baggage Support team at 1.800.661.0407 ext. 701 (toll-free within North America) or 867.668.2228 ext. 701.

If you’re travelling with fragile, perishable, or valuable items, we recommend packing them with extra care to help protect them during your journey. Using sturdy packaging and adequate cushioning can help reduce the risk of damage while in transit.

Please note that Air North cannot accept responsibility for damage to fragile items or for the loss, spoilage, or deterioration of perishable or valuable items transported in checked baggage.

Because flights may be subject to delays and baggage may be exposed to changes in temperature, pressure, and handling conditions, we strongly recommend keeping valuable items with you and avoiding the transport of perishable items in checked baggage whenever possible.

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

Firearms Accepted

• Shotguns,
• Handguns,
• Pistols, starter pistols, air pistols,
• Riffles,
• BB guns, paintball guns and related ammunition will be accepted only as checked baggage.

All other firearms and/or associated ammunition are not accepted.

All Firearms Must Adhere To The Following;

• 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 traveller 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,
• Travellers 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.

Planning to bring your kayak along on your adventure? We’re happy to accept kayaks as checked baggage, subject to available space. Because these items require special handling and storage, they must be added to your booking in advance. Please contact our Reservations team to arrange this. 

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

Kayaks count as one (1) piece of checked baggage. Items that exceed the size or weight limits above must be shipped as cargo, and applicable cargo rates will apply.

Please note that canoes are not accepted as checked baggage and must be shipped as cargo.

Due to the space required to transport a kayak, we cannot guarantee that it will travel on the same flight as the traveller. In some cases, it may be transported on a later flight where space is available.

For added peace of mind, we recommend shipping in advance through our cargo service, particularly when travelling on northern routes between Whitehorse, Dawson City, Old Crow, and Inuvik.

Packing Instructions

Kayaks and paddles must be packaged in a rigid container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, it 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. 

Waivers/Charges

• Even if they are checked in separately, paddles for kayaks are considered a single piece of baggage. 
• Oversize and additional piece charges apply to the kayak, but not to paddles checked in with the kayak. 
• When packed separately, all additional pieces of kayaking equipment (e.g. helmet, life vest, dry top, spray skirt) count as one piece of baggage. 
• If your baggage count ( 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. 

In recognition of their service, Air North is proud to offer Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans exclusive travel benefits to make your journey a little easier.

To access these benefits, please call our Reservations team to book your travel. On the day of travel, simply present valid military identification at the Air North check-in counter.

We are pleased to offer;

• 10% off GoYUKON and OPTIMUM base fares.
• Boeing 737 flights: Up to four (4) checked bags, each weighing up to 32 kg (70 lb). Excess baggage fees are waived.
• ATR 42 flights: One (1) checked bag weighing up to 32 kg (70 lb). Standard excess baggage fees apply to additional checked items.
• Oversized baggage: Oversize fees are waived, provided each item does not exceed the maximum permitted dimensions of 203 cm (length + width + height). Excess baggage fees are waived for up to four (4) checked bags.

We are honoured to welcome members of the Canadian Armed Forces and veterans onboard and thank you for your service.

Planning to bring your boogie board or bodyboard on your next adventure? We’re happy to accept these items as checked baggage, subject to available space. To ensure we can accommodate your equipment, it must be added to your booking in advance.

Size and weight limits

• Maximum linear dimensions: 158 cm (62 in) (oversize charges may apply)
• Maximum weight: 23 kg (50 lb) without overweight charges
• Items weighing between 23 kg and 32 kg (50–70 lb) are subject to overweight charges

Boogie boards and bodyboards weighing more than 32 kg (70 lb) must be shipped as cargo. Cargo rates will apply.

Packing Instructions

For the best protection during travel, boogie boards and bodyboards must be packed in a rigid or hard-shell case designed for transportation. Equipment that is not properly packaged may be refused for carriage.

While we take care in handling all baggage, Air North is not responsible for damage resulting from inadequate packaging or the inherent nature of the item itself.

We know your musical instrument is valuable, and we’ll do our best to help you travel with it safely.

When properly packed, musical instruments may be accepted as either carry-on or checked baggage, depending on their size and weight.

Smaller instruments may be brought on board as carry-on baggage if they meet our current carry-on size and weight requirements and can be safely stored under the seat or in an overhead bin. As cabin storage space is limited, we cannot guarantee that a musical instrument can be accommodated in the cabin on every flight.

If there is not enough space available on board, or if our team determines that the instrument cannot be safely stored in the cabin, it may need to be checked at the gate and transported as checked baggage.

Please note that a musical instrument carried on board counts as one piece of carry-on baggage. To help protect your instrument, we strongly recommend travelling with a hard-sided case or other rigid protective container, particularly in the event that it needs to be transported as checked baggage.

We’re happy to welcome travellers bringing bicycles along for their journey. Bicycles may be carried for a fee of $50 plus applicable tax and cannot be substituted for a standard piece of checked baggage.

Because space is limited, bicycles must be added to your booking in advance and are accepted on a space-available basis. Please contact our Reservations team to arrange this. In some cases, we may not be able to accept a bicycle if space is not available or if it is not properly prepared for transport.

Bicycles should be packed in a hard-sided case designed for travel. If a hard case is not available, bicycles may still be accepted as checked baggage, provided the traveller signs a limited liability release form and space is available on the aircraft.

• Maximum dimensions: total length + width + height not to exceed 292 cm
• Maximum weight: 32 kg (70 lb)

If your bicycle exceeds these limits, it will need to be shipped as cargo and cargo rates will apply. We recommend using our cargo service in advance, especially on northern routes between Whitehorse, Dawson City, Old Crow, and Inuvik.

Electric bicycles, e-bikes, and similar devices are only accepted if the battery is removable, carried in the cabin as carry-on baggage, and does not exceed 160 Wh.

Many special items, including sporting equipment, can be checked in place of a standard piece of checked baggage (unless otherwise noted), provided they meet our size and weight requirements.

If you’re travelling with a special item, we recommend arriving a little earlier than usual and checking in at least 30 minutes before the standard recommended check-in time. This gives our team enough time to properly process and load your item.

Please note that special items must be checked in no later than 90 minutes before departure. If you arrive after this time, we may be unable to accept the item for travel on your flight.

We’re happy to accept most sporting equipment as part of your checked baggage allowance. Common examples 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 baggage fees apply. 

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 traveller’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 team to confirm if this may be possible.