Lynx Air Baggage Policy: Fees, Rules & Allowances Explained 

Lynx Air was a Canadian ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) that operated from April 2022 until February 26, 2024. Under its baggage policy, every passenger received one free personal item (max 15 × 33 × 43 cm). Carry-on bags and checked baggage were paid add-ons, with fees ranging from $59.99 to $135.59 depending on route distance and purchase timing.

Important notice: Lynx Air ceased all operations at 12:01 a.m. MT on February 26, 2024, after filing for creditor protection (CBC News, February 2024). If you had an existing booking, Lynx Air directed passengers to contact their credit card provider for a refund. This article serves as a complete historical reference to the airline’s baggage policy.

What Were the Lynx Air Bag Rules? (Overview)

Lynx Air operated as a true ultra-low-cost carrier, meaning base fares were stripped of almost every included service including baggage. Only one personal item was included free of charge with every fare. Both carry-on bags and checked bags required a separate purchase, either at the time of booking, via web check-in, or at the airport counter (at a higher cost).

Here’s a quick summary of what was included versus what cost extra:

Lynx Air operated a single economy class across its entire Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet, so there were no fare tiers that included complimentary checked luggage. Every passenger, regardless of route or booking date, paid the same add-on structure.

What Is the Lynx Air Personal Item Policy?

The personal item was the only bag Lynx Air included for free in every fare. It had to measure no more than 15 cm × 33 cm × 43 cm (6″ × 13″ × 17″) and needed to fit under the seat in front of you.

Qualifying personal items included:

• Purses and handbags
• Laptop bags and briefcases
• Small backpacks
• Tote bags

Passengers traveling with an infant under two years old could substitute a diaper bag for their personal item at no charge. This was a commonly missed exception that competitors rarely highlighted.

Edge case: If your personal item was visibly too large to fit under the seat and was flagged at the gate, Lynx Air staff could require you to purchase a carry-on add-on at the airport counter rate the most expensive option available.

What Was the Lynx Air Carry-On Size and Weight Limit?

Lynx Air’s carry-on bag had to measure no more than 23 × 40 × 55 cm (9″ × 15.75″ × 21.5″) and weigh no more than 10 kg. These bags were stowed in the overhead bin and were available for purchase as a paid add-on.

Acceptable carry-on types included small rolling suitcases and soft duffel bags that fit within the size limit. Unlike many full-service airlines, Lynx Air did not waive the carry-on fee for any fare type even their most premium booking options kept it as a separate charge.

Practical packing tip: The 23 × 40 × 55 cm limit is notably more restrictive than carriers like WestJet, which allows 23 × 40 × 51 cm at the same dimension total. A carry-on that fits comfortably on Air Canada may exceed Lynx Air’s limits. Always measure before you fly.

Does 7 kg Carry-On Include a Handbag?

No. Under Lynx Air’s carry-on baggage policy, the personal item (handbag, purse, or small backpack) and the carry-on bag were treated as two entirely separate allowances. The carry-on bag was capped at 10 kg not 7 kg and the personal item had no published weight limit.

This is a common point of confusion. On some budget airlines, the carry-on allowance is a combined total (bag + personal item). Lynx Air kept them separate:

• Personal item = free, no weight cap, fits under the seat
• Carry-on bag = paid add-on, 10 kg max, fits in the overhead bin

So no, your handbag did not count toward the 10 kg carry-on limit. The two were independent of each other.

What Were the Lynx Air Carry-On Baggage Fees?

Carry-on fees were tiered by route distance and when you purchased. Buying online or during web check-in was consistently cheaper than paying at the airport counter.

Fees were charged in CAD for flights departing within Canada. Local currency applied for international departures.

Real-world cost scenario: A passenger flying from Calgary to Vancouver (roughly 675 km) and adding a carry-on online at the time of booking would pay approximately $59.99–$66.49. If they forgot to add it and paid at the airport, the same bag could cost up to $80.49 a difference of up to $20.50 for the exact same allowance.

Lynx Air advertised savings of up to 33% when bags were purchased at the time of initial reservation versus being added later.

What Were Lynx Air’s Checked Baggage Rules?

Lynx Air’s checked baggage policy allowed one checked bag per transaction, purchased as an add-on. Each bag had to weigh 23 kg (50 lbs) or less and measure no more than 158 cm (62″) in combined length + width + height.

Lynx Air recommended keeping essential medications, electronics, food, and valuables in your carry-on not checked luggage since checked bags were inaccessible during the flight.

Infant exception: Passengers traveling with a child under two years old could check a car seat for free. One additional item (stroller or playpen) could be added at the regular checked bag fee rate.

What Were the Lynx Air Checked Baggage Fees?

Checked baggage fees were structured by both route distance and the number of bags checked. Prices increased with each additional bag.

Short-haul flights (under 1,000 km):

Medium-haul flights (1,000–3,000 km):

Long-haul flights (over 3,000 km):

All fees in CAD for Canadian departures. Applicable taxes may increase the final amount.

Cost comparison example: A family of four flying from Toronto to Vancouver (over 3,000 km) and each checking one bag online would pay approximately $79.09–$90.39 × 4 = $316.36–$361.56 in checked baggage fees alone, before taxes nearly equal to or exceeding the base fare cost for budget travelers.

What Happened If Your Bag Was Overweight or Oversized?

Bags exceeding Lynx Air’s standard weight or size limits incurred additional surcharges on top of the base checked bag fee. These were charged separately at the airport and could not be purchased online in advance.

• Overweight fee (bags between 23 kg and 45 kg): approximately $99 CAD at the airport
• Oversized fee (bags between 158 cm and 208 cm combined): approximately $99 CAD at the airport
• Maximum permitted weight: 45 kg
• Maximum permitted size: 208 cm combined dimensions

Bags exceeding 45 kg or 208 cm were not accepted under any circumstances.

What About Sports Equipment?

Lynx Air had a nuanced policy for sporting goods. Some oversize and overweight fees were waived for specific equipment categories, though the standard checked bag fee still applied. Here’s how it broke down:

Hockey and football equipment received the most favorable treatment both oversize and overweight fees were waived. Golf bags and ski equipment, however, were still subject to overweight charges if they exceeded 23 kg.

What Is Not Allowed in a Carry-On Bag on Lynx Air?

Lynx Air followed standard Transport Canada and CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) regulations for prohibited carry-on items. The following were not permitted in carry-on luggage:

Sharps and bladed objects:

• Knives, box cutters, scissors with blades longer than 6 cm
• Razor blades not in a safety cartridge
• Needles (unless for medical use with documentation)

Liquids, aerosols, and gels:

• Containers exceeding 100 ml (3.4 oz) individually
• Total liquids must fit in one clear, resealable 1-litre bag
• Exceptions: baby formula, breast milk, and prescription medications (with appropriate documentation)

Dangerous and hazardous items:

• Lithium batteries over 160 Wh (large power banks, spare laptop batteries in quantities over two)
• Flammable items (lighters with fuel beyond one lighter per passenger)
• Compressed gas cylinders
• Firearms (these must be declared and transported as checked baggage with CATSA approval)

Self-defense items:

• Pepper spray and mace
• Tasers and stun guns
• Martial arts weapons

A commonly missed edge case: Smart luggage with non-removable lithium batteries was not permitted as either carry-on or checked baggage. If the battery was removable, the bag itself could be checked while the battery traveled in the cabin.

Lynx Air Economy Baggage Policy: What Did You Actually Get?

Lynx Air operated a single economy class throughout its entire network, with no business class or premium cabin option. The “economy” experience was strictly à la carte you paid only for what you used.

On an economy base fare, passengers received:

1.  One personal item (free)
2.  No carry-on bag (paid add-on)
3.  No checked bag (paid add-on)
4.  No seat selection (paid add-on)
5.  No meals or drinks (buy-on-board only)

This model kept base fares low but meant the total travel cost could rise significantly once bags were added. A single traveler adding a carry-on and one checked bag on a medium-haul route could easily add $130–$175 CAD to their fare.

Did Lynx Air Fly Internationally?

Yes. By the time Lynx Air ceased operations in February 2024, it had expanded from domestic Canadian routes to destinations in both the United States and Mexico. At its peak, the airline operated to 18 destinations across Canada, the US, and Mexico using a fleet of nine Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

International routes included connections from Montreal to Las Vegas, and Toronto to Los Angeles, among others. The same baggage policy applied regardless of whether the flight was domestic or international the fee structure simply shifted based on total route distance (under 1,000 km, 1,000–3,000 km, or over 3,000 km), not the country of departure or arrival.

For flights departing outside Canada, fees were charged in the local currency of the departure country.

How Could You Save Money on Lynx Air Baggage Fees?

Even within Lynx Air’s paid baggage model, several strategies reduced costs:

• Book bags at initial reservation: Lynx Air advertised savings of up to 33% when baggage was added at the time of booking versus later through “Manage My Booking” or at the airport counter.
• Pack within personal item limits: The free personal item (15 × 33 × 43 cm) was generous enough to fit a small daypack with essentials for short trips. Savvy travelers used packing cubes to maximize the space.
• Avoid the airport counter: Across every route and bag count, airport counter fees were consistently $10–$25 more per bag than the online rate.
• Plan checked vs. carry-on carefully: On short-haul routes, the first checked bag and a carry-on were priced similarly online. For a single extra bag, the carry-on was sometimes cheaper but the checked bag offered more weight allowance (23 kg vs. 10 kg).

How Did Lynx Air Baggage Policy Compare to Other Canadian Budget Airlines?

For context, here’s how Lynx Air’s policy compared to Flair Airlines the other Canadian ULCC that remained active after Lynx Air’s closure:

Both carriers operated a near-identical ULCC model. Flair Airlines’ carry-on dimensions are slightly more restrictive in one dimension. Passengers who previously flew Lynx Air and are now considering Flair should measure their existing carry-on before assuming compatibility.

What Is the Final Word on Lynx Air’s Baggage Policy?

Lynx Air’s baggage policy was built on simplicity: one free personal item, everything else charged as an add-on. The pricing was transparent and distance-based, with clear discounts for booking early. The overweight and oversized surcharges were steep but avoidable with careful packing.

The airline’s closure in February 2024 left a gap in Canada’s ultra-low-cost carrier market. If you’re looking for a comparable option today, Flair Airlines continues to serve many of the routes Lynx Air previously operated, using a similar à la carte baggage model.

For the most current baggage policy from active Canadian carriers, visit the official websites of Air Canada, WestJet, or Flair Airlines directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Lynx Air include a free carry-on bag?
No. Lynx Air did not include a carry-on bag with any fare. Only one personal item (max 15 × 33 × 43 cm) was free. A carry-on bag cost between $59.99 and $103.49 depending on route length and when it was purchased.

What was the cheapest way to add a bag on Lynx Air?
Purchasing baggage at the time of initial booking was always the cheapest option, saving up to 33% compared to airport counter rates. Web check-in prices were the second most affordable, and airport counter prices were consistently the highest.

Could you bring a stroller on Lynx Air?
A stroller could be checked as an additional item at the regular checked bag fee rate. Passengers traveling with an infant under two years old received a free car seat check-in; one further item (stroller or playpen) was then charged at the standard fee.

Was there a Lynx Air baggage fee waiver for any route or fare type?
No fare type included a free carry-on or checked bag. However, hockey and football equipment bags received waivers on both oversize and overweight surcharges (though the base checked bag fee still applied).

How strict was Lynx Air about personal item size?
Lynx Air measured personal items at the gate. If an item exceeded 15 × 33 × 43 cm, passengers could be required to purchase a carry-on add-on at the airport counter rate the most expensive pricing tier. Sizing gauges were available at many gate areas.

What was the maximum weight Lynx Air would accept for a checked bag?
The absolute maximum was 45 kg. Bags between 23 kg and 45 kg incurred an overweight surcharge of approximately $99 CAD on top of the standard checked bag fee. Bags exceeding 45 kg were refused.

Did Lynx Air charge for musical instruments?
Musical instruments were handled on a case-by-case basis. Small instruments that fit within personal item or carry-on dimensions could be brought aboard within those allowances. Larger instruments were subject to standard checked bag or oversize fees, depending on their dimensions.

Was Lynx Air’s baggage policy different for US or Mexico routes?
The structure was the same distance-based fees applied regardless of destination country. The key difference was currency: fees for flights departing outside Canada were charged in the local currency of the departure country rather than CAD.

What was the Lynx Air baggage fee for a bicycle?
Bicycles were charged $99.99–$112.99 at both online/web check-in and airport check-in. Unlike hockey or football equipment, bicycles did not benefit from oversize or overweight fee waivers.

Is Lynx Air still operating in 2024 or 2025?
No. Lynx Air permanently ceased all operations on February 26, 2024, after filing for creditor protection with the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta (CBC News, February 2024). The airline cited rising operating costs, high fuel prices, and unfavorable exchange rates as key factors. Passengers with unused bookings were directed to request refunds through their credit card providers.