Bearskin Airlines Baggage Policy: Fees, Sizes & Rules (2026) 

Bearskin Airlines allows 1 personal item, 1 carry-on, and up to 3 checked bags per passenger. The total combined weight of all baggage must not exceed 31 kg (70 lbs). Excess baggage fees are charged per pound and vary by route, starting from approximately $1.15/lb on shorter hops.

Planning a trip on Bearskin Airlines? Getting your baggage sorted before you arrive at the airport can save you time, money, and stress especially on routes serving remote northern communities where baggage restrictions are strictly enforced.

Bearskin Airlines operates as a regional carrier under Perimeter Aviation, connecting communities across northern Ontario and Manitoba, including Sioux Lookout, Thunder Bay, Thompson, and dozens of remote destinations. Because many of these flights operate on smaller aircraft Dash 8s and Metro planes baggage capacity is limited, and the rules differ meaningfully from those of large national carriers.

What Is the Bearskin Airlines Baggage Allowance?

Bearskin Airlines allows each passenger to bring 1 personal item, 1 standard carry-on bag, and up to 3 checked bags. The critical rule: the combined weight of all items personal item, carry-on, and checked bags together must not exceed 31 kg (70 lbs).

This combined weight cap is one of the most commonly misunderstood aspects of the Bearskin Airlines baggage allowance. Unlike major airlines that apply weight limits to checked bags individually, Bearskin Airlines sets a ceiling across your entire baggage load. Bring a heavy carry-on, and you’ll have less room for checked bags.

All fare types Fixed, Flex, Plus, Freedom, and Connecting Rewards include the full baggage allowance above at no extra charge, provided size and weight restrictions are met.

What Are the Bearskin Airlines Carry-On Baggage Rules?

Bearskin Airlines permits 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item in the cabin. Carry-on dimensions must not exceed 40 x 33 x 20 cm (16 x 13 x 8 in), and personal items must fit within 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in). Both items must fit through the baggage sizer at check-in and the gate.

What qualifies as a personal item on Bearskin Airlines?

Eligible personal items include tote bags, purses, small backpacks, soft-sided briefcases, camera bags, laptop computers, and small garment bags. Personal items should ideally contain medications, keys, cash, jewelry, and important documents items you’d want immediate access to during the flight.

What qualifies as a carry-on on Bearskin Airlines?

Soft-sided briefcases, duffle bags, laptop computers, small suitcases, and approved pet kennels all qualify. Note: flight crew may ask you to remove a laptop from its carrying case for stowing purposes.

One important caveat: Because Bearskin Airlines operates a fleet with varying aircraft sizes, not every plane can accommodate cabin carry-on baggage. Valet service is available for passengers who want to keep their bag nearby until boarding and collect it immediately after deplaning.

What Is Valet Service on Bearskin Airlines?

Valet bags are stored in the aircraft baggage compartment not the cabin but are treated with boarding priority. Maximum valet size is 55 x 40 x 23 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 9 in), and valet baggage counts toward your checked baggage allowance. Items must be weighed and tagged at check-in before the cut-off time.

Do not pack passports, ID documents, cash, payment cards, personal electronics, or essential medication in valet bags.

What Are the Bearskin Airlines Checked Baggage Rules?

Bearskin Airlines allows up to 3 checked bags per passenger at no additional fee, provided each bag does not exceed 157 linear cm (62 linear in) and the combined weight of all baggage does not exceed 31 kg (70 lbs). Individual bags exceeding the maximum weight must be shipped as cargo.

Linear centimetres are calculated by adding the length + width + height of your bag. A standard large suitcase measuring 75 x 50 x 30 cm, for example, comes to 155 linear cm just within the limit.

Baggage must be:

• Dropped off before the baggage acceptance close time
• Properly packaged and taped
• Labelled with identification on each item
• Checked in together at the same time

What Are the Bearskin Airlines Baggage Fees for Excess Baggage?

Excess baggage on Bearskin Airlines is charged per pound and varies by route. On Bearskin-branded routes, the standard excess fee is $3.28 per pound, plus applicable taxes. Excess applies when baggage is overweight, oversized, or exceeds the 3-piece limit.

Up to 2 extra pieces are accepted as excess baggage on a space-available basis. These pieces may not travel on the same flight as the passenger. Excess size range is 160–292 linear cm (63–115 linear in) per piece, with a combined maximum weight of 31 kg (70 lbs).

Practical example: If you’re flying Winnipeg to Thompson with 5 lbs of excess baggage, your fee would be 5 × $3.58 = $17.90 plus applicable taxes. On the Winnipeg to Brochet route, that same 5 lbs would cost $32.05 before taxes nearly double.

Items that exceed the maximum size of 292 linear cm or weigh more than 31 kg individually cannot travel as excess baggage. They must be shipped as cargo through Perimeter Cargo, where separate cargo rates apply.

What Are the Bearskin Airlines Baggage Size and Weight Limits?

Items overweight or oversized beyond the maximum thresholds must be shipped as cargo not accepted as checked or excess baggage.

What Items Are Prohibited or Restricted on Bearskin Airlines?

Certain items cannot be carried on Bearskin Airlines flights due to Transport Canada safety regulations. Prohibited and restricted items generally fall into these categories:

• Completely banned: Alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited on all flights, in carry-on or checked baggage
• Restricted liquids: Standard 0.5 kg (0.5 L) limits per single item apply to certain categories
• Dangerous goods: Hazardous materials including flammable items, explosives, and certain chemicals are prohibited unless meeting specific Transport Canada guidelines
• Medical oxygen: Liquid oxygen and oxygen generators are not permitted; only small cylinders up to 5 kg (11 lbs) are allowed with appropriate paperwork

For the complete list of restricted and prohibited items, visit perimeter.ca/restricted-and-prohibited-items before packing.

What Are the Rules for Special Baggage on Bearskin Airlines?

Travelling with Pets

Bearskin Airlines accepts pets in the cabin or checked baggage compartment, subject to availability and advance booking (minimum 24 hours). Pets must be booked through the Customer Service Centre online booking is not available.

Permitted cabin pets: Dogs, cats, rabbits, household birds, and tropical fish
Not permitted in cabin: Reptiles, rodents, ferrets, and animals with offensive odours or noise disturbances

Pet fees:

• In cabin (carry-on): $50 + taxes
• Checked baggage, 23–50 lbs including carrier: $70 + taxes
• Checked baggage, 51+ lbs including carrier: $100 + taxes

Winter embargo (October 15 – April 15): Pets in the baggage compartment are subject to strict temperature requirements on Dash 8 aircraft, and are not permitted at all on Metro aircraft during the embargo period. The temperature must be forecast at –25°C or warmer at both departure and arrival airports.

Carrier size limits:

• Dash aircraft (cabin): max 8″ x 13″ x 16″
• Metro aircraft (cabin): max 6″ x 12″ x 16″
• Baggage compartment: max 90 linear inches (L+H+W), max 120 lbs total

Travelling with Mobility Aids

Mobility aids including wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and prostheses travel free of charge and are not counted against your standard baggage allowance. Small assistive devices that fit within approved cabin storage can be carried on board at no cost. Devices that cannot be safely stowed in the cabin are transported as checked baggage, still free of charge.

Battery-operated wheelchairs require disassembly. Passengers must be present during both disassembly and reassembly, and different rules apply for spillable, non-spillable, and lithium-ion batteries.

Medical Equipment

Ventilators, CPAP machines, and BiPAP devices may be carried on board if they display an FAA-compliance manufacturer’s label. Up to 2 small oxygen cylinders (max 5 kg / 11 lbs each) are permitted with appropriate documentation. Portable oxygen concentrators (POCs) must carry an FAA-compliant label and require a physician’s letter.

Tips for Avoiding Excess Baggage Fees on Bearskin Airlines

The combined 70 lb limit catches many passengers off guard particularly those traveling on Winnipeg-to-remote-community routes. These practical strategies can help:

• Weigh everything before you leave home. A luggage scale costs less than one excess baggage charge on the Brochet route.
• Consolidate into fewer, larger bags. Combining smaller items into a single large suitcase or shipping tote is more efficient than spreading weight across multiple containers.
• Pick up packing boxes at terminal locations. Bearskin/Perimeter locations in Winnipeg, Thompson, Sioux Lookout, and Thunder Bay sell shipping boxes ($2 each) and durable totes ($10 each).
• Pack carry-on last. Since carry-on weight counts toward the combined 70 lb limit, keeping carry-on light gives you more headroom for checked bags.
• Ship ahead via Perimeter Cargo. If you regularly exceed the allowance, cargo shipping may work out cheaper than repeated excess baggage fees, particularly on higher-rate routes like Winnipeg–Brochet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total baggage weight limit on Bearskin Airlines?
The combined weight of your personal item, carry-on, and all checked bags must not exceed 31 kg (70 lbs). No single checked bag may exceed 70 lbs individually.

How many checked bags does Bearskin Airlines allow?
Up to 3 checked bags are included with all Bearskin Airlines fare types, provided each bag meets size restrictions (max 157 linear cm) and the combined 70 lb total is not exceeded.

What is the Bearskin Airlines carry-on size limit?
Carry-on bags must measure no more than 40 x 33 x 20 cm (16 x 13 x 8 in). Personal items must fit within 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in). Both must pass through the baggage sizer at check-in.

What are the excess baggage fees on Bearskin Airlines?
Excess fees are charged per pound plus applicable taxes. The standard rate on Bearskin-branded routes is $3.28/lb. Rates vary by route Winnipeg to Brochet, for example, is $6.41/lb, while Thunder Bay to Sioux Lookout is $1.44/lb.

Can I bring a pet on Bearskin Airlines?
Yes. Dogs, cats, rabbits, household birds, and tropical fish are permitted in the cabin for $50 + taxes. Pets in the baggage compartment cost $70–$100 + taxes depending on weight. Booking must be made at least 24 hours in advance through the Customer Service Centre.

Are pets allowed in the baggage hold in winter?
Not on Metro aircraft. On Dash 8 aircraft, pets in the baggage compartment are permitted between October 15 and April 15 only if the temperature is forecast at –25°C or warmer at both the departure and arrival airports.

Does Bearskin Airlines charge for mobility aids?
No. Wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and other mobility aids travel free of charge, in addition to your standard baggage allowance.

What happens to my baggage on connecting flights?
Baggage is generally checked through to your final destination. However, you must collect your baggage if connecting between the Perimeter Aviation Terminal and Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, or if departing from a non-CATSA airport to a mainline carrier at Thunder Bay.

Which airline’s baggage policy applies on interline tickets with Air Canada?
The first flight on your ticket determines which policy applies. If your first segment is operated by Air Canada, Air Canada’s baggage rules apply to the entire itinerary. If Bearskin Airlines operates the first segment, Perimeter/Bearskin rules apply throughout.

Can I ship packing boxes from Bearskin Airlines terminals?
Yes. Cardboard shipping boxes are available at Winnipeg, Thompson, Sioux Lookout, and Thunder Bay locations for $2 each. Heavy-duty shipping totes are available for $10 each, on a first-come, first-served basis at the check-in counter.