Taking a trip? Double check your suitcase size

WINNIPEG – With colder weather settling in Winnipeg, many people are thinking of a warm, winter escape.

Taking to the skies will cost many travelers more this year since Canadian airlines started charging for checking luggage.

Earlier this month, West Jet and Air Canada began billing customers $25 for the first checked suitcase on many flights.

The airlines are cracking down on carry on bags too.

“I had to put the carry on and the purse in the container and make sure it fit,” said Jean Dunmire, who was flying Air Canada from Winnipeg to Vancouver.

If you think one size fits all for carry ones, think again.

West Jet’s maximum dimensions are the smallest at 23 centimetres by 53 centimetres by 38 centimetres.

Air Canada’s are more forgiving at 23 centimetres by 55 centimetres by 43 centimetres.

The measurements change again if you fly Delta or United at 23 centimetres by 56 centimetres by 35.5 centimetres.

“The best thing to do is measure,” said Jon Thiessen, who runs U.N Luggage. “You should count the wheels, you should count to the top of the handle and if the handle has some give you can count on the handle being squished in.”

Thiessen said you can get more packing space if your suitcase has two wheels instead of four.

“The multi-wheels eat in to your carry on space,” he said, adding your should take into consideration that four wheels are easier to maneuver.

He said a duffel bag is actually your best option because it can be squished down, provided you don’t mind carrying it.

Just because a suitcase advertises being a carry on, it doesn’t mean it actually is. Many suitcases are American-made to American airline flight standards so they may not meet Canada airlines suitcase measurements.