Central Mountain Air (CMA) allows every passenger 2 free carry-on pieces (1 standard article up to 23×40×55 cm and 1 personal item) plus at least 1 free checked bag on most fare types. Checked bags must weigh no more than 23 kg (50 lb) with a max linear dimension of 158 cm (62 in). Additional bag fees range from $37–$139 CAD depending on your fare and when you pay.

What Is Central Mountain Air’s Carry-On Allowance?

Every Central Mountain Air passenger is entitled to 2 free carry-on pieces on all fare types: one standard article (Skycheck) and one personal article. The standard article must not exceed 23×40×55 cm and 10 kg; the personal article must not exceed 6×33×43 cm and 10 kg.

This is one of the most commonly misreported details about CMA. Many third-party sites list CMA as allowing only one carry-on item. That’s wrong. CMA’s Carry-On Baggage Program grants all passengers two pieces at no charge, regardless of whether you book an Econ, Flex, Essential, Comfort, or Privilege fare.

Central Mountain Air Carry-On Size Limits at a Glance

Wheels and handles are included in the measurement. Both items will be checked against a physical sizing device at check-in and at the boarding gate. If your bag doesn’t fit, it will be checked and additional checked baggage fees will apply.

Place the personal article (laptop bag, camera case, briefcase, diaper bag) under the seat in front of you. The standard article goes in the overhead bin.

Traveling with an infant on your lap? CMA allows one additional standard article for the infant’s belongings, free of charge.

What Is Central Mountain Air’s Cabin Baggage Policy for Special Items?

Cabin baggage on Central Mountain Air follows strict size enforcement, but some items receive special treatment. Media camera equipment is exempt from the sizing device restriction. Musical instruments may be brought onboard if they fit within standard carry-on dimensions and overhead bin space is available.

Musical instruments in the cabin: CMA will attempt to accommodate instruments within the carry-on allowance, but acceptance depends on passenger load and storage space. Instruments must always be in a purpose-built case. Guitars and irregularly sized instruments may be accepted but are subject to onboard stowage rules this is not guaranteed. Oversized instruments exceeding 292 cm (115 in) combined must be shipped as cargo.

Wedding dresses may be stored in the overhead bin if folded and within carry-on dimensions (23×40×55 cm). Use a garment bag to protect the fabric.

Electronics: Large devices like laptops must be stowed during taxi, takeoff, landing, and turbulence. Lithium-ion batteries under 100 Wh may be carried onboard in personal devices or as spares.

What Are Central Mountain Air’s Checked Baggage Rules?

Central Mountain Air’s checked baggage allowance allows a single bag with a maximum weight of 23 kg (50 lb) and a maximum linear dimension of 158 cm (62 in). Bags exceeding 32 kg (70 lb) will not be accepted at all weight must be redistributed before check-in.

Central Mountain Air Checked Baggage Size and Weight Limits

Linear dimensions include wheels and handles. A bag measuring 70 cm long × 50 cm wide × 38 cm high would total 158 cm exactly right at the limit.

Car seats, strollers, and mobility aids (wheelchairs, scooters, crutches, prostheses) are not counted as part of your baggage allowance and are carried free of charge.

What Are Central Mountain Air’s Baggage Fees by Fare Type?

Central Mountain Air baggage fees range from free to $139 CAD depending on your fare type, the number of bags, and whether you prepay online or pay at check-in. Prepaying before your flight saves between $7 and $13 per bag compared to airport rates.

This is the section most competitors miss entirely. CMA uses six fare families Econ, Flex, Flex+, Essential, Comfort, and Privilege and each has a distinct baggage fee structure.

Central Mountain Air Baggage Fees: Prepaid (Online, Up to 24 Hours Before Departure)

Central Mountain Air Baggage Fees: At Check-In (Airport Counter)

Real-world scenario: A traveler flying Econ with two checked bags who doesn’t prepay will pay $47–$52 for the first bag plus $68–$78 for the second at the airport totaling up to $130 CAD. The same two bags prepaid online cost up to $104 CAD. That’s a $26 savings just for booking ahead.

Key rule: Prepaid baggage must be purchased at least 24 hours before scheduled departure. After that cutoff, check-in rates apply automatically.

What Are Central Mountain Air’s Excess Baggage Rules?

Central Mountain Air’s excess baggage fees apply to any bag that exceeds the weight or size limits, or goes beyond the free allowance included in your fare. A third bag (or a bag that is overweight or oversize) costs $105–$139 CAD depending on fare type and when you pay. Bags over 32 kg are not accepted under any circumstances.

Excess baggage travels subject to space availability only. If you’re checking additional, overweight, or oversized items, CMA recommends arriving at the airport at least 120 minutes before departure.

Fractions of excess weight are rounded up to the nearest full pound. A bag weighing 51.2 lbs is charged as 52 lbs.

How Does Central Mountain Air’s Baggage Policy Apply to Sports Equipment?

Sports equipment on Central Mountain Air is treated as part of the standard checked baggage allowance, meaning standard bag fees apply. Bicycles are the exception they carry a fixed surcharge of $79–$95 CAD per direction, regardless of fare type.

Here’s how specific sports items are handled:

• Bicycles: $79–$95 CAD per direction. Fix handlebars sideways, remove pedals, and partially deflate tires. Travels subject to space availability and requires a release of liability.
• Golf clubs: Oversized bag fee is waived. Standard extra bag and overweight fees still apply. Hard-sided case recommended.
• Skis/Snowboard: Ski boots in a boot bag and skis/snowboard together count as one item. Oversized fee waived. Extra piece and overweight fees apply.
• Hockey equipment: A hockey bag plus two sticks count as one checked item. If the bag exceeds linear size limits, the oversize fee applies.
• Inflatable sports balls: Must be deflated by 50% in all baggage types. Items without a deflation valve are refused.
• Antlers and horns: Charged at $55–$66 each and accepted on Dash 8 and Dornier 328 aircraft only.

What Is CMA’s Pet Travel Policy and What Does It Cost?

Central Mountain Air allows pets in the cabin (cats and small dogs only) for $55–$66 CAD per direction. Pets in the baggage compartment cost $110–$133 CAD per direction. Only one pet is permitted in the cabin per flight. A December 15–January 6 embargo applies to all live animal transport.

Pet carrier size limits for cabin travel: Height 22 cm (8.5 in), Width 39 cm (15.5 in), Length 44 cm (17.5 in), max combined weight 10 kg (22 lb) including the carrier.

Edge case most travelers miss: Even though the pet in the cabin counts as one carry-on item, it does not reduce your checked baggage allotment. Pre-registration via CMA Reservations (1-888-865-8585) is mandatory. Web check-in is not available for pet bookings.

Are Mobility Aids and Medical Devices Free on Central Mountain Air?

Yes. Central Mountain Air carries all medically required mobility aids wheelchairs, scooters, crutches, canes, prostheses, and walkers completely free of charge, in addition to the standard baggage allowance. These items do not count against your free bag limit.

CPAP machines and Personal Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) may be brought onboard pending prior approval. CMA accepts “D” size medical oxygen bottles (360–415 litres; 4.4 in diameter × 16.5 in tall) for passenger use.

Wheelchair and scooter size limits: max 100 lbs (45 kg), max 107 cm long, max 61 cm wide, max 122 cm tall. Only non-spillable battery types (AGM, Gel Cell, Absorbed Glass Mat) are accepted.

What Happens If Your Baggage Is Lost, Delayed, or Damaged?

If your Central Mountain Air checked bag doesn’t arrive with you, report it to airport staff within 1 hour of landing. CMA will reimburse any baggage fees if your bag doesn’t arrive on the same flight. Daily expense compensation is available up to $25/day for a maximum of 2 days. Maximum liability is approximately $2,780–$2,800 CAD per passenger.

If your bag is not located within 21 days, you can file a full claim for the bag and contents, up to the maximum liability amount. Written claims for bags left at the airport can be submitted within 7 days of arrival.

Important limitation: CMA assumes no liability for certain categories of contents, including electronics, musical instruments, jewelry, medications, cameras, sporting goods, and perishables. Insure valuables separately before travel.

How Can You Avoid Excess Baggage Fees on Central Mountain Air?

Smart planning can eliminate most excess baggage charges entirely:

• Book Flex+, Comfort, or Privilege fares if you’re traveling with two bags. The second bag is included, saving $63–$82 at the airport.
• Prepay bags online at least 24 hours before departure to save $7–$13 per bag versus airport rates.
• Use both carry-on pieces. The standard article (up to 10 kg) plus the personal article (up to 10 kg) gives you up to 20 kg of free cabin baggage on every fare.
• Pack ski/snowboard gear together. Ski boots and skis combined count as one checked item not two.
• Arrive early with extras. If you have excess, overweight, or oversized bags, arrive 120 minutes before departure. Excess baggage only travels if space is available.
• Distribute weight for heavy bags. CMA won’t accept any single bag over 32 kg (70 lb). Redistribute before you get to the counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a free carry-on on all Central Mountain Air fare types?
Yes. All Central Mountain Air fares including the lowest Econ tier include 2 free carry-on pieces: one standard article (max 23×40×55 cm, 10 kg) and one personal article (max 6×33×43 cm, 10 kg). There are no paid carry-on tiers.

What is the exact carry-on size limit for Central Mountain Air’s standard article (Skycheck)?
23 cm × 40 cm × 55 cm (9 in × 15.5 in × 21.5 in), including wheels and handles. Weight limit is 10 kg (22 lb). Bags are physically measured at check-in and at the gate.

Which CMA fares include a free first checked bag?
Every fare except Econ includes the first checked bag free. Flex, Flex+, Essential, Comfort, and Privilege fares all include the first bag at no charge. Econ passengers pay $37–$52 CAD for a first bag depending on when they pay.

How much does a second checked bag cost on Central Mountain Air’s Essential fare?
$63–$70 CAD prepaid (online, at least 24 hours before departure) or $75–$82 CAD at the airport check-in counter.

Can I bring a guitar in the cabin on a CMA flight?
CMA will attempt to accommodate guitars onboard if space allows, but acceptance is not guaranteed. The instrument must be in a purpose-built case. If overhead bin space is unavailable, it will be checked. Oversized instruments over 292 cm must go through cargo.

Is there a fee to transport a bicycle on Central Mountain Air?
Yes. Bicycles cost $79–$95 CAD per direction and travel subject to space availability. A release of liability is required. Prepare the bike by fixing handlebars sideways, removing pedals, and partially deflating tires.

Does CMA charge for wheelchairs or other mobility aids?
No. All medically required mobility aids, including wheelchairs, scooters, crutches, canes, prostheses, and walkers, are transported free of charge and do not count toward your baggage allowance.

Can I fly with my pet in the cabin on a Central Mountain Air flight?
Yes, cats and small dogs are permitted in the cabin for $55–$66 CAD per direction, subject to one pet per flight. The pet carrier must not exceed 22×39×44 cm and 10 kg total. Pre-registration is required. No pets travel December 15–January 6.

What is the maximum weight a single checked bag can weigh on CMA?
The standard maximum is 23 kg (50 lb) per bag. A bag between 23–32 kg (50–70 lb) is accepted with applicable overweight fees. Any single piece weighing more than 32 kg (70 lb) is refused entirely weight must be redistributed between bags before check-in.

What compensation does Central Mountain Air provide for a delayed bag?
CMA reimburses any baggage fees if your bag misses your flight. For delay-related out-of-pocket expenses, compensation is available at approximately $25/day for up to 2 days. If the bag is not located within 21 days, you may file a claim up to the maximum liability of approximately $2,780–$2,800 CAD per passenger.