✓ Policy web-verified 2026-06-20
The cheapest Porter fare you’ll see on a deal — PorterClassic Basic — gets you, in North America, exactly one thing for free: a personal item that fits under the seat (max 13″ x 17″ x 6″, roughly 33 x 43 x 15 cm). That’s it. On flights within Canada and across the Canada-US border, Basic strips even the overhead-bin carry-on, so if you turn up with a roller you’re paying for it — Porter is one of the few carriers where the cabin bag itself costs extra on the lowest fare.
The regional wrinkle that matters: on Porter’s transatlantic routes to Europe and Africa, Basic DOES include the full-size carry-on — only the checked bag is extra there. Step up one rung to PorterClassic Standard and the carry-on is included on every route; Flexible and Freedom each add a checked bag; PorterReserve, Porter’s premium cabin, bundles two. The carry-on (when included) has no weight limit, just a size cap of 21.5″ x 15.5″ x 9″ (about 55 x 40 x 23 cm). New baggage pricing applies to every booking made on or after May 7, 2026.
Quick facts
| Free personal item | 13" x 17" x 6" (33 x 43 x 15 cm), under seat, all fares |
| Cabin bag (when included) | 21.5" x 15.5" x 9" (55 x 40 x 23 cm), no weight limit |
| Carry-on on Basic | Not in North America; INCLUDED on Europe/Africa Basic |
| First checked bag | ~$40-$69 CAD/USD, varies by route/date/channel |
| Second checked bag | ~$55-$92 CAD/USD |
| Checked weight limit | 23 kg (50 lb); piece max 32 kg (70 lb) |
| Checked size limit | 158 cm / 62 in (L+W+H) |
| Cheapest fare with a bag | Flexible (1 checked) / PorterReserve (2 checked) |
Cabin bag & personal item
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Personal item | Max 13" x 17" x 6" (33 x 43 x 15 cm), fits under seat, no weight limit — included on ALL fares including Basic |
| Carry-on bag | Max 21.5" x 15.5" x 9" (55 x 40 x 23 cm), no weight limit — included on Standard/Flexible/Freedom/PorterReserve; on Basic it's included on Europe/Africa routes but NOT on North-American routes |
Checked baggage & fees
| First checked bag | ~$40-$69 CAD/USD if not in your fare — cheaper paid in advance than at the airport |
| Second checked bag | ~$55-$92 CAD/USD |
| Weight per bag | Up to 23 kg (50 lb); a single piece may not exceed 32 kg (70 lb) |
| Size per bag | Under 158 cm (62 in) total linear (L+W+H) |
| Overweight (23-32 kg) | Additional handling fee applies |
| Included free | Flexible/Freedom = 1 bag; PorterReserve = 2 bags |
Baggage by region & route
Checked-bag inclusion on the cheapest fare can depend on where you fly, not just the fare name. Here is what the lowest fare includes by route:
| Route / region | Cheapest fare includes |
|---|---|
| Domestic Canada (Basic) | Personal item only — no carry-on, no checked bag |
| Canada-US transborder (Basic) | Personal item only — no carry-on, no checked bag |
| Europe / Africa transatlantic (Basic) | Carry-on IS included; checked bag still a fee |
| Standard fare (any route) | Carry-on included; checked bag a fee |
| Flexible / Freedom (any route) | Carry-on + 1 checked bag included |
What each fare includes
| Fare | Personal | Cabin | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| PorterClassic Basic | Yes | Europe/Africa only | No (fee) |
| PorterClassic Standard | Yes | Yes | No (fee) |
| PorterClassic Flexible | Yes | Yes | 1 bag |
| PorterClassic Freedom | Yes | Yes | 1 bag |
| PorterReserve | Yes | Yes | 2 bags |
What you actually get on a cheap fare
On a cheap Porter Basic deal fare in North America, you get a personal item and nothing else. Unlike most North American carriers, Basic strips even the overhead-bin carry-on on domestic and Canada-US flights — so if you can’t live out of an under-seat bag, budget for the cabin add-on or, more often, just buy Standard. Adding a single checked bag runs about $40-$69 CAD/USD per direction, and it’s always cheaper booked in advance than thrown on at the gate. The one place Basic is more generous is transatlantic: on Europe/Africa routes the carry-on is already in the Basic fare, so you only pay if you check a bag.
The math usually favours buying up rather than bolting on: by the time you’ve added a carry-on and a checked bag to Basic, you’re frequently at or above the Flexible fare that includes the bag outright. If your deal is Basic and you only need a small bag, fly it as the free under-seat personal item and pay nothing. Need a roller and a checked bag? Compare the all-in Basic-plus-extras price against Standard and Flexible before you book — the cheap fare is often a false economy.
Oversize, sports & special items
Heads-up on 2026 pricing: Porter applied new baggage prices to all reservations made on or after May 7, 2026, so older fee tables you’ll find online may be stale — always price your bag at the moment of booking. The Porter fleet is now built around the Embraer E195-E2 (alongside the original De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprops out of Toronto’s Billy Bishop), with PorterClassic Stretch extra-legroom seats in rows 5-7 and 13-14 on the E2.
Oversize and special items: bicycles carry an extra handling fee of roughly $50-$57.50 CAD per direction on top of (or in lieu of) standard checked rates. Sports equipment and musical instruments are accepted as checked baggage subject to the 32 kg piece limit and oversize handling fees; small instruments that fit the cabin-bag dimensions can travel as your carry-on (on a fare that includes one).
✈️ Compare airlines: Porter Airlines vs WestJet (2026): Which Should You Actually Book?, Air Canada vs Porter Airlines (2026): Which Should You Actually Book?, Air Transat vs Porter Airlines (2026): Which Should You Actually Book?
🧳 Related baggage guides: Westjet baggage, Air Canada baggage, Air Transat baggage
Frequently asked questions
Does PorterClassic Basic include a carry-on bag?
It depends on the route. In North America (within Canada and Canada-US), no — Basic includes only a free under-seat personal item (max 13″ x 17″ x 6″), and the overhead carry-on must be added or you buy up to Standard. On Europe/Africa transatlantic routes, Basic DOES include the full-size carry-on.
How much is a checked bag on Porter Airlines?
If your fare doesn’t include one, the first checked bag is roughly $40-$69 CAD/USD and the second about $55-$92, varying by route, date and whether you pay in advance or at the airport. Advance payment is cheaper.
What are Porter's carry-on size and weight limits?
The carry-on bag may be up to 21.5″ x 15.5″ x 9″ (about 55 x 40 x 23 cm) with no weight restriction. The personal item is capped at 13″ x 17″ x 6″ and also has no weight limit.
Which Porter fares include a free checked bag?
PorterClassic Flexible (Freedom) includes one checked bag, and PorterReserve includes two. PorterClassic Basic and Standard do not include any checked bag.
What is the checked bag weight limit on Porter?
Each checked bag may weigh up to 23 kg (50 lb) and measure under 158 cm (62 in) total linear. A single piece may not exceed 32 kg (70 lb); bags between 23 and 32 kg incur an overweight handling fee.
Can I avoid Porter baggage fees?
Yes — book Standard or higher to include the carry-on, Flexible/PorterReserve to include checked bags, hold a qualifying BMO VIPorter Mastercard, or reach VIPorter elite status. On a Basic deal fare, packing into the free under-seat personal item costs nothing.
How much does it cost to bring a bicycle on Porter?
Bicycles carry an additional handling fee of roughly $50-$57.50 CAD per direction. They’re treated as oversize checked baggage subject to weight limits.
Did Porter Airlines change its baggage prices in 2026?
Yes. New baggage prices apply to all reservations made on or after May 7, 2026, so any fee figures should be confirmed at the time you book rather than from older tables.
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