Air Travel Rules in Canada

Canada requires that all persons ages 18 and older present proof of identification in order to travel anywhere on a commercial airliner. For domestic flights, government-issued identification is sufficient. Only one form of identification is required if it has the passenger's photograph; if not, two forms of identification are required. Accepted forms of identification include passports, driver's licenses, birth certificates and citizenship cards. Valid passports are required to fly out of Canada, including to the United States.

In addition to traditionally banned items such as weapons or illegal drugs, Canada has restrictions for bringing liquids, aerosols or gels on board an airplane. These items may be carried on if they are in containers of 100 ml/g (3.4 oz.) or less. All of a passenger's containers must fit in a single 1L (1 qt.) plastic bag. Certain liquids, such as prescription medications or baby formula, are allowed on board regardless of size. Likewise, there is no restriction on the amount of liquids that may be packed in a checked bag.

Anyone traveling by air in Canada must go through a preboarding security screening. Only passengers with boarding passes are allowed to proceed to the gates, except for people providing assistance to an elderly person, a child or someone with special needs. Those providing this assistance must be screened in the same manner as passengers and must be provided with a gate pass by the airline. At the screening checkpoint, security officers of both genders and who speak both of Canada's official languages (English and French) process passengers. The officers ask passengers to unbuckle belts, since these can set off the metal detectors. Passengers must also show the plastic bag containing liquids from their carry-on luggage so that it may be inspected. Security officers will select random passengers from the screening area to receive a physical search, which may be conducted in private at the passenger's request.