Winter travel guide

Welcome to our winter travel guide!

Your security is our top priority; we strive to offer the best possible experience to passengers, while ensuring every flight is secure.

The winter travel season is busy, so plan ahead. Give yourself plenty of time to park, check-in and go through security screening. As recommended by airlines, plan to be at the airport two hours in advance for domestic flights and three hours in advance for international and US flights.

Screening officers are available to guide you through the security screening process. If you are unsure what to do, don’t hesitate to ask.

Being a verified traveller has its perks. Not sure if you qualify? Before your trip, visit the Verified Travellers page to learn more about the benefits available to verified travellers at your departing airport and checkpoint.

Read on for more security screening tips.

Tips and recommendations

Packing

• Know the rules: Avoid delays at security checkpoints by packing your carry-on like a pro. Make sure all liquids, aerosols and gels in your carry-on, including sunscreen, liquid make-up and toothpaste are in containers of 100 ml or less, and fit in one clear, resealable, 1L plastic bag. Certain items are exempted from these restrictions.

  If you have inorganic powders or granular materials in your carry-on, keep in mind that the total combined quantity should be 350 ml or less/passenger (roughly the size of a soda can). This includes items like sand, bath salts and baby powder. Additionally, CATSA recommends avoiding metal-lined containers when travelling with powdered baby formula in your carry-on. If you need to bring more than 350 ml of inorganic powders and granular materials, you will need to pack it in your checked baggage.
   

• What gets packed where? If you aren’t sure what is permitted in your carry-on or checked bag, you can consult our "What can I bring?” tool; a helpful reference when packing. Enter the name of your item in the search box and the results will tell you if the item is permitted, permitted with limits on the quantity you can bring, or not allowed in your carry-on or checked bag. If you cannot find the item, you can contact us with questions  through  X (Twitter)  or Facebook. 
   
• Solid food: Items, such as sandwiches, apples and granola bars, are permitted in both your carry-on and checked baggage when travelling within Canada. If your destination is outside of Canada, any food not consumed, including food in checked baggage, will be subject to the regulations of the country you are visiting.
   
• Baby food: If you are travelling with an infant under two years of age (0-24 months), liquid baby formula, juice, water and other baby food are allowed in carry-on baggage in quantities greater than 100 ml. You may also bring gel or ice packs to keep these items cool. All consumables for baby must be presented to the screening officer for inspection.
   
• Breast milk: Passengers flying with or without their child will be permitted to bring breast milk in quantities greater than 100 ml provided it is presented to the screening officer for inspection. Gel or ice packs are also permitted.
   
• Guidelines for toys: You can pack toys in your child’s carry-on baggage, but leave toys that look like weapons (e.g. water guns, toy grenades) at home.
   
• Guidelines for batteries: Most batteries are generally safe for air travel. Infrequently, batteries can short-circuit and overheat and, in some cases, cause sparks or a fire. Our Guidelines for Batteries page is a great resource to reference when travelling with batteries, including how to properly pack spare batteries.

Before you go

• Before you make your way to the airport, make sure you have the proper photo identification. If you are using your cell phone for your boarding pass, please ensure it is well charged and ready to be scanned at the security screening checkpoint. 
   
• Remember that winter is a high peak travel season. While our screening lines are well staffed, there may be line-ups during peak travel times like early mornings, weekends and around holidays. Arrive early and be prepared for security screening. When you get to the airport, check the security screening wait times on our website and the status of your flight with your airline.

Screening

• Security procedures: Familiarize yourself with security screening requirements, including regulations for liquids and personal belongings.
   
• Follow instructions: Your safety is our priority. Follow screening officer instructions during the screening process. They may ask you to separate certain items that can obstruct X-ray images.
   
• Family/Special needs lines: When you arrive at the checkpoint, check if the Family/Special Needs line is available. This line features screening equipment that can accommodate larger items like strollers, and screening officers who offer additional assistance to passengers needing more time or help with their belongings.
   
• Laptops: Remove any laptops from their carrying cases and place them in a bin with nothing on top or underneath. Many laptops look alike, so we recommend personalizing yours with a sticker or other identifier or placing another item, like your liquids bag, beside it so you can quickly recognize yours after you are cleared through the security checkpoint.
   
• 1L LAGs bag: Before you arrive at security screening checkpoint, ensure that liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) are in containers no larger than 100 ml. This includes sunscreen, shampoo and hand sanitizer. All containers must fit in one clear, resealable plastic bag no more than 1L in capacity. The bag must be transparent so screening officers can easily see the contents. Each passenger is allowed a single 1L bag. The approximate dimensions of a 1L bag are 15.24 cm by 22.86 cm (6 in. by 9 in.) or 20 cm by 17.5 cm (8 in. by 7 in.). You will need to take the bag out of your carry-on and place it in a bin for inspection.
   
• Strollers: Screening officers will need to inspect strollers, infant carriers and car seats. Although strollers and wagons are permitted through the security screening checkpoint, your airline may have other restrictions on the number and size of such carry-on items. We recommend that you contact your airline or visit their website for exact details to ensure your stroller is permitted.
   
• Avoid metal items: Limit jewellery to small earrings, watches, wedding bands/engagement rings, eyeglasses and avoid wearing belts with large metal buckles.
   
• Additional screening: If you or your carry-on bag alarm during screening, you may be asked to undergo additional screening. Screening officers are trained to conduct these procedures in the most professional and respectful manner possible. If you have privacy concerns, you can request a private screening room.
   
• Improved screening experience for verified travellers: If you are a verified traveller, select airports offer added benefits at security screening checkpoints across Canada. Learn more about the experiences available and applicable locations by visiting the Verified Travellers page.

Create a travel checklist

• Our online travel checklist tool can help you create a personalized list based on your needs and the current security screening regulations.

FAQ

If you have any further inquiries or require additional assistance, we can help. Agents are ready to take your call Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Call 1-888-294-2202 (toll-free) or 1-833-339-1021 (TTY)). You can also reach out on X (Twitter) or Facebook.

Share this guide with friends and family who are planning to travel by air this winter. And remember, arriving early and prepared at security screening contributes to a stress-free journey.

Safe travels!