Calm Air allows 2 carry-on pieces with a combined maximum weight of 20 lbs and dimensions of 10″ x 16″ x 12″. Checked baggage allowance depends on your fare type FLY passengers pay $26.25 for a first bag, while FLYplus and SOAR fares include two free checked bags. Excess bags cost $105.00 CAD each, per segment.

Calm Air International LP is a full-service regional airline operating passenger, charter, and freight services across northern Manitoba and the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut. Since its inaugural flight on January 15, 1995, the airline has grown into a lifeline for remote communities carrying everything from everyday travelers to hunters with firearms and musicians with delicate instruments.

What Is Calm Air’s Carry-On Baggage Allowance?

Calm Air permits every fare-paying passenger to bring 2 carry-on pieces into the cabin, with a maximum combined weight of 20 lbs and maximum combined dimensions of 10″ x 16″ x 12″ (25 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm). Both pieces must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin.

Acceptable carry-on items include briefcases, laptop bags, camera bags, and diaper bags. Space permitting, Calm Air may also allow small cameras, coats, purses, medication bags, canes, and life-sustaining equipment (like CPAP machines) in the cabin but these are not guaranteed.

What items are restricted from Calm Air’s carry-on?

Several items are banned from the cabin entirely:

• All sharp objects and sporting articles (golf clubs, baseball bats, skates)
• Toy guns
• Reptiles and rodents (including snakes, lizards, rats, mice, ferrets, and weasels)
• Anker Power Bank models A1647, A1681, and A1689 banned from both carry-on and checked baggage effective July 8, 2025, due to a Government of Canada recall for fire risk

Critically, electronic cigarettes and vaporizers must be in carry-on baggage only they cannot go in checked bags. And all electronic devices (laptops, phones) must be able to power on when passing through security. Calm Air assumes no liability for electronics packed in checked baggage.

Packing tip: Place heavier carry-on items under the seat and lighter ones in the overhead bin. If you’re bringing a gift, pack it unwrapped in your checked bag security may ask you to unwrap gifts at the checkpoint.

What Is Calm Air’s Checked Baggage Allowance?

Calm Air’s checked baggage allowance depends on which fare brand you purchase. Each fare includes a different number of free checked bags, with universal weight and size limits applying across all tiers.

Universal checked baggage limits (all fares):

• Maximum 2 pieces within your fare allowance
• Maximum combined weight: 100 lbs
• Maximum per-bag weight: 50 lbs
• Maximum linear dimensions (L+W+H): 62 inches / 158 cm

How does Calm Air’s baggage allowance differ by fare type?

All amounts in CAD, inclusive of applicable taxes, charged per person per segment of travel.

Real-world scenario: A traveler flying on the FLY fare from Winnipeg with two checked bags pays $26.25 + $52.50 = $78.75 per segment. On a round trip, that’s $157.50 in baggage fees alone. Upgrading to FLYflex saves $26.25 on the first bag potentially worthwhile if the fare difference is smaller than the baggage cost.

Canadian North. If your itinerary connects through Air Canada or any other carrier, you must collect your bags and re-check them with the next airline. Build extra time into your connection for this.

What Are Calm Air’s Excess Baggage Fees?

Excess baggage at Calm Air costs a flat $105.00 CAD per piece, per person, per segment regardless of whether the bag is extra, overweight, or oversized.

What happens if my bag is over 70 lbs or exceeds 115 inches?

Any bag exceeding 70 lbs (32 kg) or 115 inches (292 cm) in total linear dimensions or over 80 inches (203 cm) in length cannot be accepted as checked baggage at all. These items must be shipped as cargo through Calm Air’s cargo office.

Maximum bags per passenger: Calm Air accepts a total of 5 checked bags per passenger (2 within your fare allowance + 3 excess bags). Anything beyond that must go as cargo.

Cost scenario 3-bag traveler on FLY fare (one segment):

• Bag 1: $26.25
• Bag 2: $52.50
• Bag 3 (excess): $105.00
• Total: $183.75

How Does Calm Air Handle Special Items?

Can I bring sports equipment on Calm Air?

Yes most sports equipment counts as part of your checked baggage allowance, subject to standard piece, weight, and size limits. Each category below is counted as one piece:

• Archery: Bow + quiver of arrows in a rigid case
• Fishing: One rod case + one tackle box (no oversized fee charged)
• Golf: Bag with up to 14 clubs in a hard case
• Hockey: Equipment bag + up to 2 sticks taped together (also applies to ringette, lacrosse, curling)
• Skis/water skis: One pair of skis + poles + boots in a rigid case
• Snowboard: Board + boots in a hard case

Firearms must be declared at check-in, unloaded, and locked in a hard-sided non-transparent gun case (max 2 rifles per case). Ammunition must be in its original manufacturer’s container and cannot exceed 5 kg (11 lbs) per passenger.

Cannot be checked cargo only: Canoes, hang gliders, kayaks, luges, pole-vaults, windsurfers, antlers, horns, and animal hides.

Bicycles are treated as excess baggage: $105.00 CAD, space permitting, and require handlebars turned sideways, pedals removed, and tires deflated.

How does Calm Air handle musical instruments?

Musical instruments can travel as carry-on (if they meet the 20 lb / 10″ x 16″ x 12″ limit), checked baggage, or valet on select routes provided they’re packed in a rigid, hard-sided case designed for shipping.

If you’re traveling with a stringed instrument, loosen the strings before flying. Pressure and temperature changes at altitude can crack headstocks when strings are under full tension a detail most travelers and even some travel blogs overlook.

Calm Air’s maximum liability for a properly packed instrument damaged during handling is approximately $2,800 CAD (1,519 SDRs). If your instrument is worth more, ship it as cargo with a declared value. Soft-sided cases are accepted only with a signed Limited Release Tag meaning no claims will be paid for damage.

What are Calm Air’s pet travel rules?

Calm Air accepts small household pets (dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, gerbils, guinea pigs, and hamsters) in the cabin or in the temperature-controlled baggage compartment. Bookings must be made at least 48 hours in advance by calling 1-800-839-2256.

Pets in the cabin:

• Fee: $78.75 CAD (one-way)
• Kennel must not exceed 10″ x 16″ x 12″ and combined weight (pet + kennel) must stay under 20 lbs
• Soft-sided carriers permitted for cabin travel
• Service animals travel free with a registered training certificate

Pets in the baggage compartment:

• $78.75 if combined weight ≤ 70 lbs
• $157.50 if combined weight > 70 lbs
• Maximum of 2 kennels per person/family
• Wire kennels are not permitted in either option

Reptiles, snakes, lizards, rats, mice, ferrets, and weasels cannot travel in the cabin. Pregnant animals, animals in heat, and animals under eight weeks old should not travel at all.

Calm Air Baggage Tips to Avoid Extra Fees

• Choose your fare strategically: If you always check two bags, FLYplus or SOAR may cost less overall than the FLY fare plus two separate baggage fees.
• Weigh bags at home: A kitchen scale works for carry-ons. Use a luggage scale for checked bags to stay under the 50 lb per-bag limit.
• Know the interline rule: Connecting via Air Canada? Collect and re-check your bags don’t assume they’ll transfer automatically.
• Never check valuables: Medications, keys, high-value items, and fragile goods must travel in carry-on. Calm Air’s policy explicitly prohibits placing these in checked bags.
• Pack gifts unwrapped: Security may require you to unwrap anything suspicious at the checkpoint if it’s in your carry-on. Checked bags are safer for wrapped presents.
• Confirm pet space early: Pet spots on any given flight are limited. The earlier you call, the better.

Frequently Asked Questions

 How much checked baggage can I bring on a Calm Air flight?
You may check up to 2 bags within your fare allowance, plus up to 3 excess bags making a maximum of 5 checked bags per passenger per segment. Each bag must weigh no more than 50 lbs, with a 100 lb combined maximum and a 62-inch linear dimension limit.

What is Calm Air’s carry-on size limit?
Calm Air’s carry-on limit is 10″ x 16″ x 12″ (25 cm x 40 cm x 30 cm) combined for both pieces, with a maximum combined weight of 20 lbs. Both pieces must fit under the seat or in the overhead bin.

Does the FLY fare include a free checked bag?
No. On the FLY fare, the first checked bag costs $26.25 CAD and the second costs $52.50 CAD, per person, per segment. FLYflex includes one free bag; FLYplus and SOAR include two.

How much does excess baggage cost on Calm Air?
Each excess bag (bags 3, 4, and 5), each overweight bag (51–70 lbs), and each oversized bag (62–115 inches) costs $105.00 CAD per person per segment.

Can I bring my pet on a Calm Air flight?
Yes, with a reservation made at least 48 hours in advance. Cabin pet fees are $78.75 CAD (one-way). Cargo compartment fees are $78.75 if the combined pet-and-kennel weight is 70 lbs or less, or $157.50 if it exceeds 70 lbs.

Can I bring firearms on Calm Air?
Yes. Firearms must be declared at check-in, unloaded, and stored in a locked, hard-sided, non-transparent case. Each case may hold no more than 2 rifles. Ammunition must be in its original container and cannot exceed 5 kg (11 lbs) per passenger.

Does Calm Air automatically transfer bags to connecting flights?
Only when connecting with Canadian North. For all other carriers including Air Canada passengers must collect their bags and re-check them independently. Allow extra time in your itinerary.

What happens if my bag exceeds 70 lbs or 115 linear inches?
Bags over 70 lbs (32 kg) or 115 inches (292 cm) total, or over 80 inches (203 cm) in length, are not accepted as checked baggage and must be shipped as cargo through a Calm Air Cargo office.

Are Anker power banks allowed on Calm Air flights?
No. Effective July 8, 2025, Anker Power Bank models A1647, A1681, and A1689 are banned from all Calm Air flights in both carry-on and checked baggage due to a Government of Canada fire safety recall.

What is Calm Air’s liability for damaged musical instruments?
If a properly packed instrument (rigid hard-sided case) is damaged through Calm Air’s mishandling, the airline’s maximum liability is approximately $2,800 CAD (1,519 SDRs). Instruments packed in soft cases are accepted only with a Limited Release Tag meaning no damage claims will be processed.