Quick Answer
Air Canada lets every traveller bring one cabin bag up to 55 cm × 40 cm × 23 cm and one personal article up to 43 cm × 33 cm × 16 cm.
The standard Monos Carry‑On measures 56 cm × 36 cm × 23 cm, wheels and handles included.
That single centimetre in height seldom sparks a gate tag because the case tilts into the sizer while width and depth sit inside the frame.
Air Canada Cabin Rules At A Glance
The carrier repeats these limits on its official baggage page.
Touch‑free sizers at Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver apply the figures with green‑red lights, ending tape‑measure debates.
Basic economy on most North‑American routes drops the free roller from 3 Jan 2025, so check your fare class.
| Piece | Maximum Size (cm) | Official Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Bag | 55 × 40 × 23 | Lift overhead unassisted |
| Personal Article | 43 × 33 × 16 | Slides under seat |
| Soft Garment Bag | 114 cm linear | Must fold flat |
Meet The Monos Carry‑On
Monos builds minimalist polycarbonate shells with flush wheels and a single latch.
The standard Carry‑On slots just below the Carry‑On Plus, which often fails European gauges.
The breakdown below shows why the smaller model fits Air Canada.
Monos Size Specs
| Model | Exterior Size (cm) | Air Canada Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Carry‑On | 56 × 36 × 23 | Passes mainline jets |
| Carry‑On Plus | 58 × 38 × 24 | Likely gate‑check |
| Check‑In Medium | 67 × 47 × 27 | Hold only |
Why That Extra Millimetre Slides Through
Sizers allow slight play so stickers and dents don’t jam.
A rigid shell keeps shape, while stuffed duffels bulge and attract attention.
The Monos wheels tuck tight under the body and its handle sits in a recess, trimming vertical reach.
Agents usually focus on weighty or swollen bags that slow boarding, not slim rollers already in the slot.
Overhead Bin Reality Check
Retro‑fitted Airbus A321, brand‑new A220, and 737 MAX cabins feature XL bins that take rollers wheels‑first.
Bin depth runs about 24 cm, matching the 23 cm limit.
On Q400 turboprops or CRJ series jets the opening drops below 22 cm; any roller taller than 53 cm rides in the valet cart.
Pack breakables in the personal article when your itinerary shows those aircraft codes.
Gate‑Fit Field Notes
Users on r/aircanada posted photos of the Monos clearing Montréal and Vancouver sizers in Spring 2025.
Recipe: wheels down, handle up, tilt forward two fingers.
At Toronto a metal cage near gate D20 sits fractionally shorter; rotate the case sideways and the same green light appears.
Reading The Equipment Code
The manage‑booking page reveals a three‑letter aircraft marker.
320, 321, 7M8, 789 signal roomy bins.
CR9, DH4, or E75 hint at valet tagging.
If you spot the latter set, bring a foldable tote so gadgets and medicine stay with you.
Packing Tactics That Keep Weight Down
Air Canada quotes no hard cabin weight, yet crew may ask you to hoist the bag.
A seven‑kilo shell plus six kilos of gear stays shoulder‑friendly.
Wear boots, stuff pockets with cables, and use cubes so mass spreads evenly and the case stays slim.
Liquids And Security
CATSA mirrors the 100 ml liquids rule familiar to U.S. flyers.
Place bottles in a one‑litre zip bag and drop it in the tray; travellers clear Toronto checkpoints quicker when liquids sit on top.
Gadgets And Power Banks
Smart luggage rides in the cabin only if batteries pop out.
The Monos tracker capsule lifts in seconds; stash it in your hoodie pocket, then reinstall on arrival.
Lithium packs below 100 Wh remain legal worldwide.
Fare‑Class Shifts For 2025
From 3 Jan 2025 Basic flyers on North‑American legs lose the roller unless they pay CAD 35 online or CAD 65 at the gate.
News outlets called the move another fee on travellers.
Comfort and higher fares keep the cabin bag and even pick up extra checked pieces on select routes.
| Fare | Carry‑On | Extra Cost (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (Americas) | Personal item only | 35 online / 65 gate |
| Flex | Cabin bag + personal | None |
| Comfort | Same as Flex | + 2 checked bags free |
Cost‑Smart Route Planning
Aeroplan Elite 25K and above board in zone 2 with early bin access and no cabin fee.
Latitude rewards tickets carry two checked bags, letting you swap the roller for a slim duffel if weight matters.
On round‑trip domestic runs the gap between Basic and Flex narrows during seat sales; paying the small difference often beats a gate penalty.
Checklist Before You Fly
- Measure the shell from wheels to handles; ensure depth stays at 23 cm or less.
- Check the aircraft code on every segment, even same‑day swaps.
- Screenshot Monos specs so you can show staff if challenged.
- Weigh the packed bag at home with a hook scale; aim for 13 kg or less.
- Keep liquids in a one‑litre bag and electronics on top for screening.
- Remove smart‑bag batteries and carry them in the personal article.
- Pay cabin fees online when travelling on Basic economy.
Final Word
The standard Monos Carry‑On lines up with Air Canada’s cabin gauge on width and depth and squeaks through on height once you tilt it.
Pack light, keep tech in the personal article, and watch for regional‑jet swaps.
Do that and you’ll roll the sleek shell from St John’s to Vancouver without a single gate penalty.